Fenwick Beats Wheaton North 14-7 in Class 6A
Jake Thies converted a fourth-down carry to clinch Fenwick's quarterfinal win over Wheaton North.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Football
Fenwick defeated Wheaton North 14-7 in an IHSA Class 6A quarterfinal game on Saturday. Fenwick will advance to the semifinal round against unbeaten Harlem.
Why it matters
The win moves the defending Class 6A champion one step closer to a title defense, with Harlem standing as the next obstacle in the semifinal round.
Jake Thies led all rushers with 146 yards, while Myles Hill threw for 106 yards and Grant Neibch passed for 95 yards for Wheaton North. Fenwick's defense recorded three sacks in the 14-7 win, and the extraction does not say whether Mac Murray will be available for the next round.
The players
Fenwick
Fenwick is a Catholic high school in Oak Park, Illinois, and the defending IHSA Class 6A football champion.
Wheaton North
Wheaton North is a public high school in Wheaton, Illinois, whose football program competes in the IHSA Class 6A ranks.
Jake Thies
Jake Thies is a Fenwick running back whose 146-yard rushing performance and clinching fourth-down carry decided the quarterfinal.
Matt Battaglia
Matt Battaglia is the head football coach at Fenwick, who chose to go for fourth-and-1 rather than punt late in the game.
The details
Thies scored a 55-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-2 carry in the second quarter and converted a fourth-and-1 carry at Fenwick's 24-yard line to clinch the win. Myles Hill threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Murray in the first quarter, while Mac Murray scored a 6-yard touchdown run for Wheaton North before leaving with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Tommy Quinn intercepted a tipped pass with 1:18 left to seal the result.
Timeline
Last weekend: Wheaton North upset Geneva on the road to reach the quarterfinal.
Saturday: Fenwick defeated Wheaton North 14-7 in the Class 6A quarterfinal.
Season Trajectory
The quarterfinal win keeps Fenwick on a path to defend its IHSA Class 6A title, which would require winning the semifinal against unbeaten Harlem. Fenwick's advancement sets up a test against one of the few undefeated teams left in the Class 6A bracket.
Fenwick's semifinal matchup against unbeaten Harlem will determine whether the defending champion reaches the Class 6A final. Fans tracking the bracket should watch for updates on Mac Murray's ankle, since his status was not addressed in the extraction.
The takeaway
Playoff games at this level often come down to a few possessions, and Fenwick's late fourth-down decision shows how a single call can decide a season. Following the bracket closely helps readers see how quickly one result can reshape a postseason.
Further reading
For more on the state's postseason picture, see Football coverage across Illinois high schools.
