MSL West puts 5 of 6 schools in playoff field
The IHSA playoffs are heading West.
The Mid-Suburban West conference showed that it was one of the most competitive conferences in Illinois. That’s because the MSL West landed an uncanny five of its six members in the 256-school state football playoff field when it was announced Saturday night.
“It good to see the MSL West back to where it was in its heyday,” said Palatine coach Corey Olson, whose Pirates won the MSL West and received a sixth seed in the Class 8A playoffs.
“It is a lot of fun.”
Palatine will be joined by Fremd, Barrington and Schaumburg in the 8A playoffs while Hoffman Estates qualified in 7A.
Of the 256-team field, only one team was below .500 this year. Kenwood, from the Chicago Public League, picked up the final spot with a 4-5 record and 51 playoff points. That put them just ahead of Glenbard West, which was 4-5 with 50 playoff points.
Here’s a look at all 17 Cook/Lake area teams that qualified for the playoffs, their seeds and their first-round opponents. Game dates and times will be announced by the IHSA on Monday.
In 8A, Palatine (8-1) will host 27th-seeded Warren (5-4). Palatine has won eight straight games since losing their season opener by one point. Warren began the season 1-2. But the Blue Devils did enough to get back to the state playoffs for the seventh consecutive playoff season.
Fremd (8-1) and Stevenson (8-1) were in a virtual tie for playoff points and playoff tiebreaker points with Naperville Central and Glenbard East for the seventh through 10th seed. Fremd picked up the No. 10 seed and will host No. 23 Andrew (6-3) and its double-wing offense.
Stevenson (8-1) kicked its way to a share of the North Suburban title on Friday. That win enabled the Patriots to be a ninth seed and host No. 24 Sandburg (5-4).
Barrington (7-2) is looking to make a run like last season when the Broncos advanced to the state semifinals. The Broncos, seeded 11th, will open the playoffs with a rematch of their Week 1 game with 22nd-seeded South Elgin. Barrington beat the Storm 64-21.
Maine South (6-3) had a slow start and strong finish to their season. Unfortunately, the finish was not strong enough and the Hawks will be on the road to open the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Maine South, which is seeded 20th will play at 13th-seeded Naperville North (7-2).
Schaumburg (5-4) got off to a great start this season, winning its first four games. That was the impetus for the 26th-seeded Saxons, who will be making their first playoff appearance since 2017. Schaumburg will meet seventh-seeded Naperville Central (8-1).
In 7A, Maine West (8-1) will be hosting for the second consecutive year. The ninth-seeded Warriors, who were Central Suburban North champs, will play host to No. 24 Lincoln-Way Central (6-3).
Prospect (7-2) lost its first two games to 8A’s second-seeded Lyons and Palatine. Prospect rattled off wins in the next seven games to pick up an 11-seed. The Knights will have a rematch with 22nd-seed Hersey (6-3). The teams met in a classic week 7 game that settled the MSL East title in Prospect’s favor. Prospect’s Noah Easter’s touchdown run with 2:08 to play gave the Knights a thrilling 30-27 win.
Hoffman Estates (6-3) won its first four games for a fourth straight playoff berth. The Hawks, which earned a 25th-seed, will fly down to Chicago to take on Public League representative and eighth-seeded Lincoln Park (8-1), which has surrendered just 44 points this year.
Back in the playoffs after a two-year absence is Rolling Meadows (5-4). Led by first-year head coach Robbie Gould, the Mustangs fought their way into the playoff field to pick up a 30th-seed. They will travel to third-seeded St. Charles North (8-1).
In 6A, Libertyville (8-1) will be looking to make the most of its No. 2 seed. The North Suburban Conference co-champs are averaging nearly 41 points per game behind quarterback Quinn Schambow. The Wildcats are in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row and will meet No. 15 Deerfield (5-4).
Antioch (7-2) is making it to the playoffs for the eighth time in a row. The No. 8 Sequoits will host No. 9 Grayslake North (7-2). The Knights are making their second consecutive playoff appearance and have won their last three games. The two teams met in Week 6 in the Northern Lake County Conference, and Antioch beat Grayslake North, 22-18.
Wauconda ( 7-2), which is seeded fifth in the bracket, is making a school-record fourth consecutive playoff appearance. The Bulldogs will have their vaunted running game on display against 12th-seeded Fenton (5-4), which is making its first playoff appearance since 2013.
Grant (6-3) is making its second straight trip to the playoffs. The Bulldogs won their last four games to earn an 11-seed. They will travel to Burlington Central (7-2) to take on the sixth-seeded Rockets.