Illinois High School Football Playoffs Open With 129 Games

The 2026 Illinois high school football season moves into the IHSA playoffs with 129 games listed for October 30. The first matchup is Fremd against Naperville North, scheduled for 7 p.m. The first-round slate spans eight classes, with games set for Friday and Saturday, October 31.

Among the top-seeded teams in Class 8A, Lincoln-Way East hosts Oak Park, Huntley faces Oswego East and Mount Carmel meets Marist. Other Friday matchups include Fremd at Naperville North, Barrington at Sandburg and Lyons at Perspectives. Some games are scheduled at neutral sites, including Hinsdale Central against Von Steuben at Winnemac.

The pairings extend from Class 8A through Class 1A, with brackets divided into North and South sections in several classes. Saturday games include St. Charles North at Brother Rice in Class 7A, Carmel at Geneva in Class 6A, and Prairie Ridge at Woodstock in Class 5A. The schedule lists kickoff times for each matchup, with most games set for 7 p.m. Friday or early afternoon Saturday.