LeRoy football reaches the state semifinals | Sport

LeROY — The trend continues for LeRoy football. The Panthers have yet to attempt a pass in the playoffs.

However, it didn’t matter. LeRoy’s three-pronged attack does a great job running the ball. More than fine, actually.

Rather exceptional. LeRoy defeated Galena 37-21 on Saturday afternoon in a Class 1A state quarterfinal home game at LA McKean Field, keeping the Panthers’ undefeated season intact into next weekend. LeRoy (12-0) will host Lena-Winslow (12-0) in a 1A state semifinal next Saturday at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to the state championship game at 10 a.m. Nov. 29 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

“We’re having a blast,” LeRoy coach BJ Zeleznik said. “Because we have so many seniors, none of them want it to end. We cherish every moment we get, whether it’s film study, practice, dinners or the different activities we do outside of the games. We just enjoying everything that is part of this journey.”

Bo Zeleznik shined again for LeRoy, rushing for 139 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns. He also had an interception on defense, with Brock Owens making seven tackles and recovering two fumbles.

Stephen Williams added 76 rushing yards on 19 carries and one TD, while Jack Bogema had 51 rushing yards on seven carries and one TD.

LeRoy led 13-0 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Williams and a 5-yard touchdown run by Bo Zeleznik. The Panthers made it 21-7 in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Bo Zeleznik and carried that lead into halftime before the Pirates (7-5) cut their deficit to 21-13 in the third quarter .

However, the Panthers responded with another long touchdown drive capped by a 19-yard TD run from Bogema and a two-point conversion from Landon Welte to take the lead 28-13. Galena wouldn’t come any closer.

“I think it was about the third time this year an opponent owned us,” BJ Zeleznik said. “Our offense took the ball, chewed another six, seven minutes and scored. The response to that was excellent.”

LeRoy will play at home again next weekend when it welcomes Lena-Winslow to town. The Panthers advanced Saturday with a 40-7 home win against Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley and have played in the final four state championship games, winning titles in 2019, 2021 and 2022, along with a runner-up finish in 2023.

If LeRoy wants to play Belleville Althoff (12-0) or Camp Point Central (11-1) in their first state title game since xxxx, the Panthers will have to topple one of the state’s top small school programs.

“The good thing is the game will probably last an hour because both teams are doing nothing but running the ball,” BJ Zeleznik said with a laugh. “But you’re talking about one of the best 1A programs in Illinois over the last 12 years. They’re the big dog.”