Phillips Becomes City's 1st Public School Team To Win State Football Title

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CHICAGO — The drought is over.

Wendell Phillips Academy became Chicago's first public high school to win a state football championship Friday night by crushing Belleville Althoff Catholic 51-7 in the IHSA Class 4A finals.

Phillips (14-0) lost in last year's 4A state finals, falling just short of making history in the city.

But the title was never in doubt shortly into Friday's game at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. The Wildcats built a 28-7 halftime lead and coasted from there. Phillips' 51 points scored was a 4A state record.

"I'm at a loss for words for how I'm feeling now," coach Troy McAllister said after the win.

Quarterback Quayvon Skanes ran for 141 yards and four touchdowns and threw for another score.

"We just competed. We played hard until the game was over," Skanes said.

Wendell Phillips High School football team the first CPS Football team 2 advance 2 the IHSA state finals in 32 years pic.twitter.com/fLbSZuYe2N

— TheHookGod (@StunTTaylor) November 27, 2015

The Bronzeville-based school was only the third Chicago public high school to even reach a football state finals, joining last year's Phillips team and the 1982 Robeson squad.

The IHSA football playoffs began in 1974.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel congratulated the team via Twitter and in a prepared statement.

"Before today, no Chicago Public Schools football team had ever won a state title," the mayor said. "Tonight, the Phillips Academy Wildcats ended that drought. They have proven to be the true definition of perseverance and determination. More importantly, they are the definition of 'team.' Tonight, we celebrate them as the pride of Bronzeville and all of Chicago. Congratulations to Coach Troy McAllister and his team on not only a perfect season, but on securing a spot in Illinois' sports history."

I'd like to congratulate Wendell Phillips HS on being the first Chicago Public League football team to win a state championship! 🏈🏆

— ChicagosMayor (@ChicagosMayor) November 28, 2015

Marist (9-4) faces Loyola (13-0) in Saturday night's 8A championship game.

^Underdogs

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