Loyola Vs. L-W East: Patch Editors Bet Lunch On State Title Game

It's customary in pro sports that when teams face one another in big championship games, elected officials in those cities and states will hold "friendly wagers" on the outcome of the contest. For instance, Ohio Gov. John Kasich was on the line for a case of Great Lakes Brewing Co. beer and Bertman Original Ball Park Mustard when he bet Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on last year's World Series between the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.

And politicians aren't the only ones involved in this kind of high-stakes gambling. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James bet on the series with Chicago native and on-again, off-again, back-on-again teammate Dwyane Wade (James ended up wearing a custom-made Cubs uniform before a Cavs-Bulls game at the United Center). Even Chicago Archbishop Blase Cupich and Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon had their own wager (in the end, the religious leaders donated meals to charitable organizations in both cities).

If that's the tradition for big-time professional sporting events like the World Series, what about big-time high school games, like this weekend's Class 8A state football championship? On Saturday, Frankfort's Lincoln-Way East High School will face Wilmette's Loyola Academy at Northern Illinois University's Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Since both these communities are covered by Patch, the editors of those sites decided to hold their own friendly — and delicious — wager on the game.

RELATED: Lincoln-Way East Vs. Loyola Academy: When And How To Watch The Game

Here are the stakes agreed upon by Joe Vince, Frankfort Patch editor, and Tim Moran, Wilmette Patch editor:

• If L-W East wins … Tim will buy lunch for Joe at Enrico's. After a brief hiatus — and a move to a new location on LaGrange Road — this Frankfort institution is known for its pasta dishes and Italian sandwiches. (Tim, I'm not sure if I'll be in the mood for a Torpedo sandwich or the 8-ounce filet. Maybe I'll have both. I promise I'll let you have a bite of whatever I order. —JV)
• If Loyola Academy wins … Joe will buy lunch for Tim at the Chuck Wagon, a Wilmette favorite since 1974 that offers up mouthwatering burgers and gyros. (Joe, I might also want the Sweet Potato french fries as a post-Thanksgiving, post-Ramblers state championship celebration. —TM)

In this day and age, though, there needs to be video of something or it didn't happen. That's why Joe and Tim will record their lunch. Plus, the winning editor will invite a lucky reader to join them for what they're calling Patch's Put Up and Eat Up High School Football Challenge. (Details on how that lucky reader will be chosen will be revealed after Saturday's game.)

So we have the bettors. We have a bet. All that's left is for the game to be played.

Check Patch over the weekend to find out the winner of the Class 8A state football title.

Images via Lincoln-Way East High School and Loyola Academy