ELITE EIGHT: Cats out for rematch with IC Catholic

Saturday 5 p.m. in Elmhurst

Wilmington advances to the quarterfinals in the Class 3A state playoffs after defeating Farmington on the road.

Conner Dempsay breaks free for his second touchdown Saturday, as Wilmington upended #1 seed Farmington, 37-12.

Dempsay finished with three touchdowns and one interception, while Matteo Lombardi and Josh Jones scored a touchdown each as the Wildcats, who were down 6-0 in the first, rallied for 17 points in the second to go up 17-6 at half-time.

The Wildcat defense was relentless, holding the hosts to just 63 yards rushing while picking off three interceptions from Dempsay, Brock Bolser and Antonio Tafoya.

Wilmington rushed for 387 yards against the Farmers, a team that had limited opponents all season while building a 10-0 record. Dempsay racked up 255 yards rushing and caught a 6-yard pass for a touchdown while Lombardi contributed 82 yards in 13 attempts.

The Wildcats travel to IC Catholic (Elmhurst) on Saturday for a 5 p.m. rematch from last year's 48-14 quarterfinal loss to the Knights. IC Catholic, who defeated Peotone 29-16 on Friday, are the defending 3A champions.

Photo by Brent Sumner