Monticello football coach Cully Welter will be coaching in his seventh state finals and says this time is no different than any of the others, it is special to be there.
His 11-2 Sages have had an improbably run through the playoffs to get to the Class 3A state title game on Friday in Normal. Coach Welter says it still exciting.
In his seven trips to the State championship, Coach Welter believes this may be as improbable of an appearance as he's had.
Perhaps a large part to the Sages second state title appearance in school history - both under Coach Welter - is because of the clutch play of seniors Ike Young and Carter Foran.
Monticello schools are out this week for Thanksgiving Break and Coach Welter says with that much down time, he still gets nervous but it comes and goes.
For Coach Welter, he still enjoys watching the kids have the once in a lifetime experience of playing in the state championship game.
Monticello battles Lombard Montini Catholic on Friday afternoon at 4 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
State final action this weekend
FRI
Class 1A
Lena-Winslow 10:00 am
Belleville Althoff Catholic
Class 2A
Chicago Christian 1:00 pm
Maroa-Forsyth
Class 4A
DePaul Prep 7:00 pm
Mt. Zion
SAT
Class 5A
Nazareth Academy 10:00 am
Joliet Catholic
Class 6A
Geneva 1:00 pm
East St. Louis
Batavia 4:00 pm
Chicago Mt. Carmel
Loyola Academy 7:00 pm
York
