2025 Football Preview: Run game, toughness look to lead Olympia to postseason success

STANFORD — For the first time in program history, the Olympia Spartans football team can say its seeking its fourth straight postseason berth.

The Spartans are one of Central Illinois’ great turnaround stories on the gridiron, winning as many games in the past three seasons (22) as they did in the previous nine years combined.

The many small towns that make up Olympia’s school district have been energized each of the past few falls by their football team. 

However, the Spartans, who are led by eighth-year head coach Eric Lyons, are hoping to continue proving that their recent hot stretch, including two Class 3A state quarterfinal berths, isn’t just a flash in the pan.

“The first year [getting back] to the playoffs, I was there [watching] and it’s great, really, what they have done to build this legacy,” junior running back Jimmy Lollar said. “We’re just continuing on trying to build a new legacy and show people that Olympia is not a one and done.”