BELLEVILLE, Ill. — On Friday morning, Belleville's Althoff Catholic football team will crusade for its first state championship since 1990.
5 On Your Side caught up with the team on Thanksgiving evening before they took off to Normal, Illinois, for the Illinois Class 1A title game at Hancock Stadium on the Illinois State University campus.
The bus was packed, the players were ready, and they set off to the game they've been waiting for all season.
There's plenty to be thankful for this year. For many in Belleville, Althoff football making it to the state championship is at the top of that list.
"This is the culmination of a lot of work and a lot of effort. There's nothing more special than practicing on Thanksgiving. So we woke up this morning. We had practice because there are only a few teams left in the state and the country that are still doing that," said head football coach Austin Frazier.
This season is Frazier's fifth year as head coach, and he's hoping Althoff will bring the trophy home for his first state title as coach.
"When you couple elite athleticism and skill with detail-oriented thinking and discipline, that results in an undefeated season and the chance to win a state title," Frazier said.
It has been over three decades since Althoff football won a state championship. That's why the Crusaders said they would give their all on the field to bring back their fourth state title.
"I'm gonna give 110% of what I have and 110% of what God has blessed me with and try to give all I have for this team," said senior defensive lineman Jason Dowell.
Frazier said they've stayed undefeated with help from star players like Dowell, who committed to Mizzou, and running back Dierre Hill Jr., who committed to Oregon.
"I'm thankful just to be here today where I'm standing. The amazing young man I've become because of God. We've all prayed on this and worked so hard this whole summer and throughout this whole process. It's been amazing. So we're all very blessed and will soak all of this in together. It's honestly the best feeling I ever could imagine. I've been dreaming of this since I came into high school," Hill said.
The Crusaders are a perfect 13-0 so far this season.
"I can't be proud of these guys any more than I am right now. Just what we've been battling and what we have and what we're going to be able to accomplish," Dowell said.
The Crusaders said they were ready to battle and set their sights on state championship glory by bringing the trophy home.
"Of course, I want to bring this bad boy home for my school," Dowell said.
"We want to make history, and we're going to do that," said Hill.
"We're ready to play. Let's get out there and go," Frazier said.
The Althoff Crusaders will face Lena-Winslow, also a 13-0 team, at 10 a.m. Friday at Illinois State University in Normal.
If the team comes home with a win, the school plans to have police escort the Crusaders back into town on Friday. They will also hold a victory parade in Belleville on Sunday.
5 On Your Side will update more details on the celebrations once they are provided after the game.