Several area players earned spots on the NUIC all-conference team and the Illinois 8-Man Football Association's North Divison all-state team.

After struggling to get anything going in the first half, Polo hit some big plays at crucial times to pull out a 12-7 win over Orangeville for the Marcos' second straight Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship.

After a first half where neither offense could get any traction, the Polo Marcos finally found some after halftime. A long run by Avery Grenoble set up one Polo touchdown, then two long pass plays set up the second before the Marcos got one final stop to win their second straight Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship with a 12-7 victory over Orangeville on Friday night at April Zorn Memorial Stadium in Monmouth.

A look at the Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship game between Polo (12-0) and Orangeville (11-1)

The undefeated Polo Marcos will play for their second consecutive Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship at 7 p.m. Friday against former NUIC foe Orangeville (11-1) at Monmouth College at 7 p.m.

When running backs put up gaudy offensive numbers, naturally the attention turns to them. But when you talk to the two 1,300-yard rushers from Polo, they can’t stop giving credit to their offensive line.

Scores and links to the 3 third-round playoff games from Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021

Top-seeded Polo scored on its first six possessions and dominated the line of scrimmage all game long to defeat fourth-seeded West Central 50-14 on Saturday in an Illinois 8-man Football Association semifinal in Biggsville, in a battle between the only two teams to be ranked No. 1 in the I8FA this season.

Sauk Valley sports editor Ty Reynolds has live coverage from Saturday’s Polo vs. West Central football game here