Trojans halt Knights quest for championship
•November 26, 2025•
by E. Scott England
The Maroa-Forsyth Trojans are known around Illinois football for their domination. Head coach Josh Jostes has been with the Trojans since 2000. By his seventh year, he had led his team to an undefeated championship season. Since then, the Trojans have found their way to eight additional title games, collecting one more championship while falling short in the big game the other seven times. Jostes’ record over the 26 years stands at 247-67.
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond on the other hand has never reached the championship. The furthest they have made it prior to this year was the second round. But under the direction of head coach Ryan Jefferson, ALAH has become a regular post-season participant. Jefferson is in his eighth year as head coach with a record of 55-25. And this year, he led his team to a 9-0 conference record and then tacked on an additional three more wins in the playoffs. Just like that, the Knights entered their first semifinal playoff appearance.