A quick glance at the 16 teams that have advanced to the IHSA’s state championship weekend and one might have the overwhelming urge to say, “Haven’t we done this before?”

The answer is pretty clearly, yes we have.

Consider this:

The 16 teams that made the final games have collectively made 115 previous title game appearances.

Six teams that made title games are making at least their 10th title game appearance: Mount Carmel (22), East St. Louis (17), Providence (15), Maroa-Forsyth (12), Montini (11) and Rochester (10).

Just one team, Brown County, is making its first-ever appearance in a state championship game.

And the overwhelming theme of last year’s state finals is certainly going to overwhelm it again this season.

The CCL/ESCC Conference has placed seven teams in state f

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