Here are the first-round football pairings by the Illinois High School Association for the Southland and the Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County areas.
Class 8A
(1) Mount Carmel 9-0 vs. (32) Loyola 4-5
Caravan get back-to-back games against Ramblers. Emmett Dowling and Co. will be ready.
(16) West Aurora 7-2 vs. (17) Belleville East 7-2
Bryce Riley and the Blackhawks are much better prepared for this year’s first round.
(9) Lincoln-Way East 7-2 vs. (24) Stevenson 6-3
The return of USC recruit Jonas Williams will boost Griffins. Patriots counter with Aidan Crawley.
(5) Warren 8-1 vs. (28) New Trier 5-4
Illinois recruit Aaron Stewart, state’s top rusher with 2,456 yards and 42 TDs, leads Blue Devils.
(17) Bolingbrook 7-2 vs. (21) Oswego East 6-3
After a one-year hiatus, Wolves get back to the playoffs behind running of Jasiah Watson.
(2) Barrington 8-1 vs. (31) Elgin 5-4
LaMarin Powell helps the Maroons get back into the playoffs but face tough draw in Barrington.
(7) Curie 8-1 vs. Homewood-Flossmoor 5-4 (26)
Don’t let the records fool. North Dakota State recruit Myles Ellis and H-F will be a favorite here.
(10) Sandburg 7-2 vs. (23) Lockport 6-3
It’s a rematch between Jeffery Bellik and the Eagles vs. Chris Miller and the Porters.
(14) South Elgin 7-2 vs. (19) Hinsdale Central 6-3
Carter McDonald and the red-hot Storm are riding high on a seven-game winning streak.
(11) Oswego 7-2 vs (22) Naperville North 6-3
It’s battle of stars with Teddy Manikas and Panthers vs. Indiana recruit Gabriel Hill and Huskies.
Naperville North’s Gabriel Hill (8) hits Lockport’s Chris Miller (24) in the backfield for a loss during a Southwest Valley Blue game in Naperville on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Sean King / Naperville-Sun)
Class 7A
(1) Richards 8-1 vs. (32) Edwardsville 4-5
Noah Escobedo and the tested Bulldogs will not overlook the also-tested Tigers.
(8) Rockford Guilford 8-1 vs. (25) St. Rita 5-4
Brandon Johnson Jr. and the Mustangs have been through the gauntlet this year. It’ll help.
(9) Lincoln-Way Central 8-1 vs. (24) Reavis 6-3
Will Justin Cobbs, Drew Woodburn and Lucas Andresen for Knights be too much for Rams?
(13) Batavia 7-2 vs. (20) Hoffman Estates 6-3
Nick Jansey and the Bulldogs have put it all together during a four-game winning streak.
(5) Moline 8-1 vs. (28) Andrew 5-4
Throw out the records. Camden Maniatis and the Thunderbolts will be a tough out.
(12) Yorkville 7-2 vs. (21) Glenbard North 6-3
Jack Beetham and Foxes will look to rebound after loss to Bolingbrook in regular-season finale.
(7) Lincoln-Way West 8-1 vs. (26) Lincoln Park 5-4
The Warriors are not just happy to be in the playoffs. Not with Grant Tustin at the controls.
(3) St. Charles North 8-1 vs. (30) East Moline United 5-4
JT Padron makes playoff debut for North Stars, who have been rock solid from start to finish.
(14) Carmel 7-2 vs. (19) Normal Community 7-2
Corsairs should sail to second round behind Nebraska-bound Trae Taylor, who has 31 TD passes.
(6) Brother Rice 8-1 vs. (27) Rockford Jefferson 5-4
Army recruit CJ Gray and Crusaders won’t hit cruise control after excellent regular season.
(11) Addison Trail 8-1 vs. (22) Jacobs 6-3
Golden Eagles and Caden DuMelle get a tough draw but will try to ground out an upset.
Brother Rice’s CJ Gray (2) throws the ball against Marist during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
Class 6A
(8) Highland Park 7-2 vs (9) Wheaton Warrenville South 6-3
Gustav Crane’s playoff debut is a tough first-round matchup for the Giants.
(4) Lake Zurich 7-2 vs (13) Grant 6-3
Christopher Chang and the Bears’ ‘D’ will try to slow down Tyler Zdon and the Bulldogs.
(5) Antioch 7-2 vs (12) Glenbard South 6-3
The Sequoits will try to rack up wins with Owen Shea, who racks up QB pressures.
(2) Burlington Central 8-1 vs. (15) Libertyville 5-4
Landon Arnold and Rockets get to face highly recruited tight end Brock Williams and Wildcats.
(1) Chatham Glenwood 9-0 vs. (16) Joliet Catholic (4-5)
Jayden Armstrong and Hilltoppers have to feel like they are still one of best teams in the class.
(4) Normal West 7-2 vs. (13) Thornwood 5-4
Thunderbirds bounced back from 1-4 record to qualify for the playoffs. But it’s a tough one.
(2) Bradley-Bourbonnais 8-1 vs. (15) Shepard 4-5
Antonio McCarroll and Astros come up big to make playoffs, but Boilermakers are formidable.
(7) Oak Lawn 7-2 vs. (10) St. Laurence 5-4
Jayden Schlosser helps revive the Spartans. Sean Rice and the Vikings offer stout defense.
(3) Crete-Monee 7-2 vs. (14) Quincy 5-4
Derrin Couch and the Warriors have quietly rattled off seven straight wins after 0-2 start.
Crete-Monee quarterback Derrin Couch checks out the defense against Richards during a nonconference game in Crete on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Class 5A
(1) Prairie Ridge 9-0 vs (16) Vernon Hills 5-4
The Wolves’ bite may be too strong for Cougars and their all-time leading rusher, Giuseppe Urso.
(8) Morgan Park 6-3 vs. (9) Wheaton St. Francis 6-3
Illinois recruit Nasir Rankin and the Mustangs will give the Spartans all that they can handle.
(4) Ag Science 8-1 vs. (13) King 5-4
Cyclones, who lost season opener, get intriguing matchup after putting up eight straight wins.
(7) Kaneland 7-2 vs. (10) Lakes 6-3
Jalen Carter and Knights are underrated. Ean Ankney is all-time leader in TD passes for Eagles.
(3) Wauconda 9-0 vs. (14) St. Patrick 5-4
Rudolph brothers star on both sides of ball for Bulldogs, who get tough draw despite their record.
(4) Kankakee 6-3 vs. (13) Lemont 5-4
A two-game win streak is unfamiliar territory for Aiden Rudman and Lemont. It’s rebound time.
(5) Providence 6-3 vs. (12) Springfield 5-4
Broden Mackert and the Celtics will shake off 30-27 loss to Joliet Catholic by making big run.
(2) Oak Forest 8-1 vs. (15) Champaign Centennial 5-4
Daniel Chopp and the Bengals bounce back in regular-season finale with statement win.
(6) Morton 6-3 vs. (14) T.F. North 6-3
Meteors get benefit of the doubt after closing the season on a three-game winning streak.
Hillcrest quarterback Anthony Bradley (2) rolls out as he looks to pass against Oak Forest during a South Suburban Blue game in Country Club Hills on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Class 4A
(3) Macomb 8-1 vs. (14) Hillcrest 5-4
Woe to the team that overlooks Anthony Bradley and the resurgent Hawks. Upset special.
Class 3A
(8) Chicago Rauner 7-2 vs. (9) Aurora Central Catholic 7-2
The few, the proud, the Chargers. Grant Bohr continues to come up big heading into playoffs.
Class 2A
(6) Aurora Christian 7-2 vs. (11) Erie 6-3
Jalen Callaway keeps scoring touchdowns, and the Eagles keep on winning. Expect even more.
Compiled by Nathan Chambers and Bill Scheibe
