Suburban Playoff Field Takes Shape
Second-round matchups in IHSA Classes 6A, 7A, and 8A are set for this weekend.
By Anthony Lawson ·
The second round of the Illinois High School Association playoffs begins this weekend.
Teams from DuPage and suburban Cook counties face stiff competition in three different classifications. All games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
In Class 8A, No. 17 Hinsdale Central travels to No. 1 Lincoln-Way East at noon Saturday. The Red Devils entered the playoffs after a 63-3 victory over Von Steuben. They have won six of their last seven games. Junior quarterback Beau Gatewood has thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season. The Griffins have not allowed more than 21 points to an opponent since the start of the season. They outscored their foes by a combined margin of 374-87. Starting quarterback Evan LeFevour is expected to return from an injury after missing last week's win.
No. 21 Lyons hosts No. 5 Bolingbrook at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Lions have made the second round for the fifth consecutive year. Senior quarterback Brendan McCabe threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter of their previous win. Bolingbrook has won nine straight games since opening the season with a loss. Oklahoma State recruit TJ Lewis rushed for nearly 200 yards in their last game. The Raiders also feature defensive end Darieon Prescott, who is committed to Notre Dame.
No. 19 York faces No. 3 Loyola at 3 p.m. Saturday. York is riding a five-game winning streak. Chris Georgas rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns in their last outing. Loyola beat York in the 2024 state championship game. Junior quarterback Matthew Lee threw for 183 yards and three touchdowns in their first-round win. Loyola is coached by John Holecek, who is in his final season after leading the program to three state titles between 2006 and 2023.
In Class 7A, No. 15 Glenbard West plays No. 2 Hersey at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Hilltoppers won 56-0 last week with the clock running in the second half. Senior linebacker Tallis Taylor is expected to return from a broken leg. Hersey has scored at least 38 points in all nine of its victories. Senior quarterback Jake Nawrot has thrown for 2,569 yards and 35 touchdowns without an interception. He is committed to Kentucky.
No. 14 St. Rita meets No. 3 Downers Grove North at 7 p.m. Friday. The Mustangs won 36-10 in their first-round game. Brandon Johnson Jr. rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Downers Grove North defeated West Chicago 49-14 in the first round. Their defense has allowed just 75 points all season.
In Class 6A, No. 7 Wheaton North visits No. 2 Geneva at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Falcons won 35-0 against Rolling Meadows. Geneva beat Carmel 49-30 in the first round. Quarterback Ben Peterson has thrown for over 2,900 yards and 38 touchdowns. He is committed to Eastern Michigan.
No. 6 Fenwick plays No. 3 Hononegah at 1 p.m. Saturday. The defending champions won 38-20 over Highland Park. Iowa commit Jakes Thies scored three touchdowns in that game. Hononegah defeated Willowbrook 32-3. The Indians have outscored their opponents 402-93 this season. Senior quarterback Dominic Cacciatore has thrown for 1,414 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Winners of these matchups advance to the quarterfinals. Hinsdale Central and Lincoln-Way East will play the winner of Barrington at Mount Carmel. Lyons and Bolingbrook face the winner of Naperville North at Oswego. York and Loyola play the winner of St. Ignatius at Maine South. Glenbard West and Hersey face the winner of Lincoln-Way West at St. Laurence. St. Rita and Downers Grove North play the winner of Richards at Glenbard North. Wheaton North and Geneva face the winner of Fenwick at Hononegah.
