Casey comes up short in state championships

CHAMPAIGN, Ill (WTHI) - - Casey Westfield made the trip to Memorial Stadium in Champain Illinois Friday in hopes of bringing home their first state championship in 23 years.

It wouldn't come easy, as the Warriors were taking on a very good Elmhurst team. Casey fans were out in full support, hoping to root their team onto a big win.

In first quarter, the warriors defense stepped up big as Carlos Rodriguez coughed the ball up and Kirk Shawver pounced on it.

That would lead to a Warriors field goal as Clinton Scott booted it threw the uprights giving them 3 points to none.

The warriors defense would held strong until just over 5 minutes left in the second quarter. That's when Robert Peachy busted his way across the goal line, giving Elmhurst 7 to 3.

After a hard fought second half Elmhurst went on to beat Casey 36 to 17.

"I mean the last two years we have been so close and to finally get here this year we would have loved to come out on top but you just have to take it and run with it," Casey senior, Mitch Snyder said after the game.

"I'm probably the happiest kid in the world right here I mean I would like to say that we are state champions but hey runner up, we had to play the best teams in the 2a state playoffs just to get here so im happy with what we ended up with," Kaleb Brandenburg, a senior from Casey said.

"its amazing to get this far, and im so proud of my teammates and I want to say thanks to the coaches and everyone who got us here," Taylor Biggs, a senior from Casey said.

"I'm proud of them and all their accomplishments and they can become part of our football tradition here at Casey and always hold their head up with great pride of what they accomplished," Casey head coach, Keith Sinclair said.

The Warriors finished the year at a mark of 13 and 1