While a Morris vs. Montini Class 5A state final football game was not widely embraced as likely at the beginning of the playoffs, coaches throughout the state seemed to think so. In the week leading up to the championship game, the Illinois Football Coaches Association deemed both the Redskins and the Broncos worthy of three All-State selections apiece.

Morris first-team selections were 6-5, 255-pound end Danny Friend and 6-2, 225-pound linebacker Jeff Perry.

"Both were first-team All-State, and actually, Craig Claire got honorable mention. The only two teams in the state were us and Montini with three guys," Morris coach Alan Thorson said. "They (the Broncos) had two first-teamers like we did and an honorable mention. The awards for all three of those guys (are) very well deserved. They have worked extremely hard to get to this point and those three guys are huge reasons that we made it down to Champaign."