The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and the Illinois Pork Producers Association have revealed the next steps in the inaugural Pork & Pigskins Championship, as well as the list of 70 high schools currently vying to grill their way to a state championship.
“The Pork & Pigskins Championship is about to finding the best concession stand pork chop sandwich in the state, and there sure are some tasty contenders out there,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “We appreciate the Illinois Pork Producers Association’s support in taking this gameday tradition to the next level.”
While there are currently 70 schools from around the state entered to participate for the crown, that list could still grow, as the entry deadline has been set for September 27 (to enter, click here). Fans are encouraged to continue to share their favorite chops on social media with #PorkandPigskins for the duration of the contest.
A complete list of the schools currently entered to participate for the Pork & Pigskins Championship can be found below. The Illinois Pork Producers Association has revealed that the champion of the contest will receive a $500 reimbursement on their pork purchase for next season, a state championship banner, and the coveted Golden Spatula.
“We are thrilled to partner with the IHSA on this competition that is encouraging more people to consume these great pork products across the state,” said Illinois Pork Producers Association President Alan Kollmann.
However, the road to a title will be no easy feat, as a combination of online voting and in-person judging will culminate at the 2021 IHSA Football State Finals at Destination DeKalb.
Turkey will play second fiddle to the pork chop sandwich on Thanksgiving weekend, as the Pork & Pigskins Championship winner will be revealed during halftime of the Class 6A State Championship game on Saturday, November 27.
The Pork & Pigskins Championship playoff path looks like this…
SEPTEMBER 27 – ENTRY DEADLINE
Final entries announced and all schools split into four geographic regions
OCTOBER 4- 8 –ONLINE REGION VOTING
Vote online for your favorite chop to determine the top four schools who in advance in each region to Savory 16. Voting for this round ends on October 4 at 8:00 AM
OCTOBER 9-22 – SAVORY 16 IN-PERSON JUDGING
The IHSA’s panel of expert judges will make the rounds to the Savory 16 contender to sample and rate the fare
OCTOBER 23 – FLAVORFUL FOUR ANNOUCED
The results of the judges will be announced live on the NFHS Network on October 23 during the IHSA Playoff Pairing Preview Show (7:30 PM), whittling down the Savory 16 into the Flavorful 4
NOVEMBER 1-4 – FLAVORFUL FOUR VOTING
Online voting to determine the state champion
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 – CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTATION
The winner will receive their prizes at halftime of the IHSA Class 6A Football State Championship
COMPETING SCHOOLS
| Anna-Jonesboro | Farmington | Mercer County | Rochelle |
| Annawan | Flanagan-Cornell | Metamora | Rockridge |
| Barrington | Fulton | Milledgeville | ROWVA |
| Batavia | Greenfield | Momence | Seneca |
| Bement | Greenville | Monmouth-Roseville | Sherrard |
| Bishop McNamara | Hall | Morrison | St. Bede |
| Bolingbrook | Hampshire | Normal Community | St. Joseph-Ogden |
| Breese Central | Harlem | Olympia | St. Teresa |
| Cambridge | Hersey | Orion | Sterling |
| Charleston | Heyworth | Pana | Stillman Valley |
| Clifton Central | Iroquois West | Pekin | Sycamore |
| Conant | Kaneland | Plano | TF North |
| Dakota | Kewanee | Pleasant Hill | TF South |
| Deer Creek-Mackinaw | Le Roy | Princeville | Tri-Valley |
| East Moline United Township | Lemont | Reed-Custer | Tuscola |
| El Paso-Gridley | Lena-Winslow | Richmond-Burton | Washington |
| Erie-Prophetstown Coop | Limestone | Richwoods | Winnebago |
| Eureka | Woodstock |