Wilmington quarterback Ryder Meents took over in Week 3 last season following an injury to starter Kaden Humphries. Reents went on to lead the Wildcats to the Class 2A title and returns to help Wilmington defend its state championship.

The road map for football teams was laid out by the IHSA on Thursday. Here's a closer look at what lies ahead for Herald-News area squads.

Meet the Herald-News Fall 2021 All-Area Football Team.

Wilmington’s special teams and defense had a special performance Friday, bottling up Nashville’s runners and holding the Hornets to 107 yards of offense. The Wildcats captured their second state title with a 24-7 win in the Class 2A state championship game.

Coach Jeff Reents has been running the double-wing offense for all of his 29 years at the helm of the Wilmington program. His players conducted a master class in the offense Friday in a Class 2A state championship win over Nashville.

Jacob Friddle's 34-yard touchdown finally gave Wilmington some breathing room as the Wildcats topped Nashville, 24-7, to claim the Class 2A state championship Friday.

Gallery

The Wilmington Wildcats defeated the Nashville Hornets 24-7 Class 2A state championship Friday at Northern Illinois University's Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.

Friday Night Drive has live coverage and analysis from Friday’s Class 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A state championship football games at Huskie Stadium here

Video

Jacob Friddle runs 35 yards for a touchdown to give Wilmington a 21-7 lead over Nashville in the fourth quarter of the IHSA Class 2A state football title game