On Dec. 3, Oswego became the state runner up at NIU in the class 8A game. For the past 22 years, Oswego football has not made it as far as this ’25 team did, which marked the best results Oswego has achieved since 2003.
“I think every year is a great year, you deal with what you have and we did what we could,” said OH senior kicker Kaleb Stumpenhorst. “Because of that, we went to the State Championship. [And] I think because of that, it was one of the best seasons.”
Originally, the IHSA State football game was to be hosted at Illinois State University. But due to a sudden snow storm on Sat., Nov. 22, the game was delayed and the new host became Northern Illinois University on Wed., Dec. 3.
Below are photos taken during the Oswego vs. Mt. Carmel 8A State Championship game. Though it was not the game result the Panther athletes hoped for, 2025 is a season marked in history because of the work, effort, and dedication these players put in.
The Oswego community stands proud behind the ’25 Panther football team as the IHSA 8A State Runner-up.
Howdy! My name is Liam Piekarczyk and I am a first year staff reporter and Photography Editor for 42Fifty. I'm in my senior year of high school. I am involved in the school's cross country, swim and dive, and track and field team. I am also an editor for the 25/26 reflector yearbook staff. You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback for our publication!
