The Illinois High School Association’s recently expanded football playoff format, which increased the field from 32 to 48 teams per class, produced a mixed but revealing opening round last weekend. With the top 16 seeds in each class receiving byes, the first round featured several matchups that included teams with losing records, some of which resulted in uncompetitive games. Nevertheless, several teams defied expectations and demonstrated stronger performances than their regular-season records suggested.
Among the notable outcomes was Rolling Meadows, which advanced past Addison Trail despite entering the playoffs with a 2-7 record. Additionally, battles between teams from strong conferences—such as Glenbard North, St. Charles East, St. Francis, and Nazareth—showcased more competitive play than anticipated. One particularly compelling contest saw Reavis edge Elgin 31-28 in a game marked by multiple fourth-quarter lead changes and a decisive defensive stand late in the game. Both teams had not recorded playoff victories in over a decade, highlighting the benefit of the expanded format in providing additional postseason opportunities and memorable experiences for student-athletes.
Under the previous structure, Reavis would have been excluded from the playoffs, while Elgin would have faced a top-seeded opponent immediately, likely resulting in an early exit and limited playing time. The new format, by contrast, allows more teams to participate and gain valuable postseason experience, effectively adding another game to their schedules.
Looking ahead to the upcoming rounds, the Illinois high school football landscape features several games and storylines to watch across the classes.
In Class 8A, Barrington’s resurgence after a 0-4 start, including a six-game winning streak, sets up a challenging matchup against Sandburg. Mount Carmel, ranked No. 2, remains the team to beat in this class, having demonstrated strong form in recent weeks. Other potential key matchups include Lincoln-Way East’s projected second-round road game at Hinsdale Central and a second-round clash between St. Ignatius and Maine South. Analysts expect Lane Tech and Oak Park-River Forest to make noise, with the latter anticipated to compete closely against top-seeded Lincoln-Way East.
Class 7A’s feature game pits Glenbard East against Kenwood, with both teams showing varying degrees of improvement this season. The top contenders include Brother Rice, East St. Louis, and Hersey, with second-round matchups such as Batavia versus Brother Rice drawing particular interest for their potential explosiveness.
In Class 6A, Joliet Catholic faces Wheaton Warrenville South in a marquee matchup. The Tigers' 6-4 regular-season record reflects a demanding schedule, while Wheaton Warrenville South, guided by only six senior starters, has exceeded expectations. Geneva stands out as the team to beat, especially given the offensive abilities of wide receiver Bennett Konkey, a recent Ohio State recruit who remains committed to Illinois.
Class 5A features a key matchup between defending state champion St. Francis and title contender Kaneland, who had an impressive season with only one loss to a top-ranked team. Mahomet-Seymour is maintaining an undefeated record and could be a dominant force as the playoffs progress. The bracket, however, has been described as uneven, with some clusters of highly competitive teams concentrated in specific sections.
Other classes, including 4A, 3A, and 2A, are expected to gain greater attention in later rounds. In particular, 4A’s Montini and Morris might settle the top half of the bracket in a key second-round encounter, while Class 3A and 2A will see increased excitement as undefeated teams like Byron and Richmond-Burton, as well as Aurora Christian, face stronger opposition.
While the expansion has brought some inevitable mismatches, it has also provided more opportunities for teams to experience postseason football, bringing valuable exposure to student-athletes across Illinois. The full impact of the expanded format is yet to be determined, but its initial phase has already created memorable moments and broadened the competitive landscape.