Senior defensive lineman Ian Campbell was among the many football players at Joliet Catholic who wondered whether or not their season was finished last weekend.

Amid a challenging season headlined by injuries to key starters and arguably the toughest schedule in the state, Joliet Catholic entered Week 9 as a 3-5 team with slim odds of reaching the playoffs. The postseason has become an annual tradition for a program boasting 15 state championships. Despite the numerous obstacles they’ve faced, the Hilltoppers had a shot to stay alive.

That shot would require Joliet Catholic to knock off six-win rival Providence and claim the Orange Division title. With both teams 2-0 in divisional play, Joliet Catholic turned in perhaps its best performance of the season, taking a two-touchdown lead

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