Scouting DuPage County and Fox Valley football playoff matchups
Class 8A
No. 29 Huntley (5-4) at No. 4 West Aurora (9-0)
Quick look: Despite losing 2 of their last 3, the Red Raiders held a 15-point lead over unbeaten Cary-Grove late before falling, 44-43, in Week 7. Led junior QB Mason Atkins (29 TD passes), the Blackhawks went 9-0 for the third time since 1948. “I’m excited we get an opportunity to compete for a state title,” said WA coach Nate Eimer.
No. 26 Schaumburg (5-4) at No. 7 Naperville Central (8-1)
Quick look: The Redhawks earned high praise despite their 28-7 loss to top-ranked Lincoln-Way East. “This is the best team we’ve played,” said L-W East coach Rob Zvonar. QB Sebastian Hayes, RB Aiden Clark, and WR DeShaun Williams lead the Redhawks. Schaumburg making first postseason appearance since 2017.
No. 25 Curie (5-4) at No. 8 Glenbard East (8-1)
Quick look: The Upstate Eight East champion Rams have won 7 straight since their 45-20 Week 2 loss to West Aurora. Senior RB-WR-KR Amonte Cook is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. The Condors reached the postseason after finishing 0-9 a year ago.
No. 20 Maine South (6-3) at No. 13 Naperville North (7-2)
Quick look: Perennial powerhouse Maine South is making its 22nd consecutive playoff appearance. The Huskies, meanwhile, feature senior Jacob Bell — the first QB in school history to throw 30 touchdown passes (34). Junior Gabe Hill has recorded a school-record 16 sacks.
No. 19 Edwardsville (6-3) at No. 14 York (7-2)
Quick look: This is a rematch of last year’s 8A quarterfinal clash, won by York (36-29). Edwardsville, led by Iowa-bound TE/DE Iose Epenesa, can play with anybody, evidenced by its 14-7 Week 8 loss to East St. Louis. First-year head coach Don Gelsomino’s Dukes feature senior QB Bruno Massel.
No. 18 Plainfield South (7-2) at No. 15 Downers Grove South (7-2)
Quick look: After finishing 2-7 a year ago, the Cougars rebounded with a 5-game winning streak to end the regular season. The WSC Gold champion Mustangs feature game breakers at QB (Dominic West), RB (Kayden Smith), and WR (Keon Maggitt).
No. 24 South Elgin (6-3) at No. 11 Barrington (7-2)
Quick look: The teams played 2 months ago, with Barrington winning the season opener, 64-21. Making their 7th straight playoff appearance, the Storm will look to make things more competitive with WR Ishmael George and RB Darrion Thurman. QB Nick Piepert (18 TD passes) and RB Calvin Jackson (153 ypg, 24 TDs) lead the Broncos.
No. 30 Waubonsie Valley (5-4) at No. 3 Oswego (9-0)
Quick look: First-year head coach Adam Pucylowski has the Warriors in the state playoffs for the first time since 2018. QB Josh Siekierski and RB Chrisjan Simmons anchor Waubonsie’s offense that scored 70 points against Metea Valley this past weekend. Unbeaten Oswego’s first-team defense has allowed just 4 TDs.
Class 7A
No. 30 Rolling Meadows (5-4) at No. 3 St. Charles North (8-1)
Quick look: The Mustangs, coached by former Bears standout Robbie Gould, earned their first playoff berth since 2021. Four-year starting QB Ethan Plumb directs a North Stars offense that has a penchant for last-minute comebacks (vs. Palatine and WW South). Junior WR Keaton Reinke averages 112 yards per game with 10 TDs.
No. 29 Collinsville (5-4) at No. 4 Batavia (8-1)
Quick look: Making its 4th straight playoff appearance, Collinsville will make the 285-mile northward journey to face a battle-tested Batavia team that features RB Nathan Whitwell (140-yard average, 24 TDs). The Bulldogs, who captured state titles in 2013 and 2017, will try to harness Kahoks WR Chase Reynolds (5 TDs).
No. 28 Wheaton Warrenville South (5-4) at No. 5 Downers Grove North (8-1)
Quick look: Led by veteran QB Luca Carbonaro, the Tigers won 3 of their last 4 to secure a playoff berth. Junior QB and Minnesota recruit Owen Lansu directs a Trojan attack that includes favorite target Owen Thulin. A year ago, the Trojans reached the 7A state title game before losing to Mt. Carmel.
No. 18 Addison Trail (7-2) at No. 15 Moline (7-2)
Quick look: The Blazers are making back-to-back trips to the state playoffs for the first time since 2010 and 2011. Junior QB Nico Dell is surrounded by receivers Casey Carlson and Raja Corhn, while Dominic Renc anchors the defense. Moline rebounded from last year’s record to reach the playoffs and carries a 5-game winning streak.
No. 17 Bradley-Bourbonnais (7-2) at No. 16 Jacobs (7-2)
Quick look: The Boilermakers enter the postseason trying to erase the memories of their 51-7 regular-season finale loss to Lincoln-Way West. Jacobs brings a 5-game winning streak into the playoffs. The Golden Eagles’ running game is paced by junior Caden Dumelle (104-yard average, 8 TDs) and T.O Boddie (11 TDs).
No. 26 Willowbrook (6-3) at No. 7 Rockton Hononegah (8-1)
Quick look: The Warriors recovered from their 18-16 loss to Downers Grove South in Week 4 to close out the regular season with 5 consecutive victories. QB Jahonise Reed and WR Jordan Pate lead the offense, while kicker Dean Romano (47-yard FG) is a special teams threat. The Indians’ lone loss came via a Sept. 13 forfeit to Harlem.
No. 27 West Chicago (6-3) at No. 6 Normal Community (8-1)
Quick look: The Wildcats punched a ticket to the playoffs for the second straight year — first time in school history — with Friday night’s dramatic 36-35 win over Fenton. Tailback Robert Lee and junior QB Carter Naranjo lead a potent ground game. Normal Community figures to offer a stern challenge, evidenced by last season’s 7A semifinal appearance.
Class 6A
No. 16 Senn (5-4) at No. 1 Cary-Grove (9-0)
Quick look: Senn is making its third consecutive postseason appearance but still looking for its first victory. Defending 6A state champion Cary-Grove enters the playoffs with a 16-game winning streak. QB Peyton Seaburg directs a Trojan offense capable of putting up big numbers. The Trojans won state titles in 2018, 2021, and 2023.
No. 14 Amundsen (5-4) at No. 3 Geneva (8-1)
Quick look: No doubt about it — the Vikings will win this one. Amundsen’s Vikings are making their 4th consecutive postseason appearance but looking for their first win. Geneva’s Vikings reached the 6A quarterfinals last season and are looking for more, led by Georgia-bound WR Talyn Taylor (18 TDs) and QB Anthony Chahino (32 TD passes).
No. 6 Burlington Central (7-2) at No. 11 Grant (6-3)
Quick look: The Rockets have enjoyed a turnaround season, securing their first postseason appearance since 2014 behind QB Jackson Alcorn, WR Caden West, RB Zane Pollack, and a hard-hitting defense that has held 4 opponents to 7 points or less. The Bulldogs’ schedule includes a 58-57 loss to Grayslake North and a 56-54 double-overtime win over Antioch.
No. 12 Fenton (6-3) at No. 5 Wauconda (7-2)
Quick look: A year ago, the Bison suffered through an 0-9 campaign. This season, senior QB Nathan Stewart and teammates Jack Tinajero, Omar Diaz, Eddie Lira and company have guided Fenton to their first postseason berth since 2013. Wauconda has reached the second round of the playoffs the past 2 seasons.
No. 13 Kaneland (5-4) at No. 4 Belvidere North (8-1)
Quick look: Despite losing 4 of their last 5, the Knights showed they can hang with some of the state’s best, losing a 14-10 decision to 1A powerhouse Belleville Althoff Saturday. Two-way standout Carter Grabowski might be the Knights’ top player. Led by RB Zavian McElroy, Belvidere North captured the NIC-10 title for the 2nd time in school history.
No. 14 Glenbard South (6-3) at No. 3 Kankakee (8-1)
Quick look: The Raiders are making their 13th consecutive postseason appearance and have topped the 40-point mark in more than half (5) of their games. Sophomore QB Tommy Bauman and junior WR/CB/KR Jonny Baldauf lead Glenbard’s attack against a Kankakee defense that already owns 4 shutouts.
Class 5A
No. 13 Sterling (5-4) at No. 4 St. Francis (7-2)
Quick look: The Spartans enter on a high note thanks to their 39-36 win over defending state champion Nazareth this past weekend. Junior QB Brady Palmer directs a potent attack that includes WRs Zach Washington, Ian Willis, and Dario Milivojevic.
No. 10 Perspectives Co-op (5-4) at No. 7 Benet Academy (6-3)
Quick look: QB Ryan Kubacki leads the Redwings into postseason play for the first time since 2019. Martin Radgowski and Jack Clevenger highlight a turnover-ready defense.
No. 15 Marmion (5-4) at No. 2 Rochelle (8-1)
Quick look: First-year Cadets coach Adan Guerra has Marmion back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Marmion sealed its postseason berth with Saturday’s 20-14 win over Leo. Senior Kamron Tolliver guides Benet’s offense. Rochelle is making its 4th straight postseason appearance.
Class 4A
No. 13 Sandwich (5-4) at Wheaton Academy (8-1)
Quick look: Making their 4th straight playoff trip, the Warriors have high aspirations following last year’s 31-30 semifinal loss to St. Laurence. QB Nathan Downey guides the offense, while the defense feasts on turnovers — four pick-6s versus Marian Central Catholic Friday night. Sandwich earned back-to-back playoff berths for first time since 2012-2013.
Class 3A
No. 9 Montini (7-2) at No. 8 North Lawndale (7-2)
Quick look: A year ago, the Broncos lost a 26-20 semifinal decision to eventual state champion Byron. Sophomore QB Israel Abrams and junior RB Santino Tenuta lead the Broncos, making their 34th playoff appearance. Tysean Perkins has scored 15 TDs for the Phoenix.
Class 1A
No. 16 Aurora Christian (5-4) at No. 1 LeRoy (9-0)
Quick look: Led by junior QB Asa Johnson and senior WR Jonan Miceli, the Eagles are making their 7th consecutive postseason appearance. LeRoy, the top-ranked 1A team in the state, has scored 34 or more points in all 9 games.