‘I can’t be more proud’: EPG’s historic season ends in the hands of perennial-power Wilmington
- Michael Savoie
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
WILMINGTON – Outside of its first game of the season, no team has threatened Wilmington at any point in 2025.
After a 27-20 loss to Morris in week one, the Wildcats have outscored their opponents 490-68 in the regular season and playoffs. In Saturday’s IHSA Class 2A state semifinal matchup against El Paso-Gridley at Jeff Reents Stadium, Wilmington kept rolling.
The Titans (12-1, 6-0 HOCI Large) were unable to contain a vaunted Wildcats running attack, allowing 468 yards on the ground and all scores in the first half enroute to a 41-0 loss to end a remarkable season one game short of the state championship game.
“It’s not the outcome we wanted tonight,” El Paso-Gridley head coach Tanner Benedict said. “We were walking into a dogfight tonight. [Wilmington is] one of the best teams in the state, in any class, not just 2A. [They’re] incredibly well coached and physical.
“This group has done everything we’ve asked them to do this year, and then some. So I can’t be more proud of the way they played all year.”
Want to read more?
Subscribe to clutchsportsil.com to keep reading this exclusive post.
