Scouting Fox Valley first round playoff football games
Class 8A
No. 31 Elgin (5-4) at No. 2 Barrington (8-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday.
Playoff history: Elgin is making its 14th playoff appearance. The Maroons own a 7-12 career record in postseason play. Barrington is making its 30th playoff appearance. The Broncos own a 30-28 career record in postseason play, finishing second in Class 6A in 1998.
About the Maroons: It has been an interesting season for the Maroons, who opened with a pair of nonconference victories, slipped back to .500 with 2 losses, went on a 3-game winning streak against East Aurora, Larkin, and Streamwood, before being outscored 112-21 in back-to-back, regular-season setbacks. Making their first playoff appearance since 2019, the youthful Maroons feature senior 2-way standout Coreyon Johnson (team-high 7 tackles per game, 4 fumble recoveries, 3 touchdowns) juniors Anthony Foster (70 yards rushing per game, 8 TDs), Jayden Edgar Gray (33 yards receiving per game), Noah Coleman (6 tackles per game), Jacob Rufino (12 touchdown passes), and sophomores La’Marin Powell (59-yard rushing average, 7 TDs, 2 sacks), Ja’Miere Moore (6.1 tackles per game, 5 sacks), Daemon Simon (3 sacks), and Dan Beckett (3 interceptions). Elgin owns the worst point differential — minus-7.2 — of the 32 Class 8A playoff qualifiers.
About the Broncos: Barrington is no stranger to postseason play, having qualified in 11 of the last 12 years. Last season, Barrington defeated South Elgin, 66-13, in the opening round before suffering a 35-26 second-round loss to Warren. Since dropping a 41-21 Week 4 decision to Maine South, Barrington has won its last 5, including last weekend’s 38-19 victory over Hoffman Estates. The Mid-Suburban West champions are led by senior quarterback Luke Tepas (19 touchdown passes, 5 rushing touchdowns), sophomore tailback Lamar Osterhues (107-yard average, 15 TDs), and junior receiver Austin Coles (75 yards receiving per game, 5 TDs). The Broncos also have a big supporting cast that includes senior WR Owen Cook (60 yards receiving per game, 7 TDs), senior RB Cameron Massillo (8 TDs), senior DL Charlie Proder (6 tackles per game), senior linebacker Jackson Taylor (3 sacks), and senior DB Brooks Howard (2 interceptions).
Advancement: The Elgin-Barrington winner will face either No. 15 Glenbrook South or No. 18 Minooka in next weekend’s second round.
No. 17 Belleville East (7-2) at No. 16 West Aurora (7-2)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday.
Playoff history: Belleville East is making its 25th postseason appearance. The Lancers own an 8-24 career record in postseason play. West Aurora is making its 11th postseason appearance. The Blackhawks own a 3-10 career record in postseason play.
About the Lancers: Making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance, coach Michael Harrison’s Lancers own a 3-1 mark against 2025 playoff qualifiers. Their 2 losses came at the hands of Edwardsville (41-39) and state-ranked East St. Louis (55-7). Led by senior quarterback Kayden Wood (13 touchdown passes, 7 rushing touchdowns), the Lancers average 29.7 points per contest. Other offensive contributors include senior RB Josh Ware (90 yards rushing per game, 9 TDs), senior RB Jaedon Beamon (75 yards per game), and junior WR James Johnson (71 yards receiving per game, 8 TDs). Defensively, Belleville East has limited 4 of 9 opponents to 10 points or less, anchored by senior nose guard Jonathan Rulo (7.1 tackles per game, 4 sacks) and junior OLB Kenny McCline (6 tackles per game, 5 sacks).
About the Blackhawks: Making its third consecutive trip to the playoffs — most since 4 straight from 2015-2018, the Blackhawks have won 5 straight games since a 42-35 Week 4 loss to South Elgin. West Aurora outscored its last 2 opponents by a 98-15 margin. A total of 29 senior players have been a part of 17 victories the last 2 seasons. Led by senior quarterback Mason Atkins (19 passing touchdowns, 65 yards rushing per game, 4 touchdowns, 62% completion rate), the Blackhawks are averaging 35.9 points per contest. Senior RB/Dl Lesroy Tittle leads the team with 15 touchdowns and 2 ½ sacks, supported by junior RB Bryce Riley (60-yard average, 10 TDs), senior WR Antonio Higgins (45.3-yard average), and senior WR Zach Toma (3 TDs). Defensively, senior LB Kellen Younie leads the team with 7 tackles per game, while senior MLB Will Gray has 2 fumble recoveries, and junior LB Darius Stewart averages 5 1/5 tackles per game with 2 sacks. Kicker Darek Szczeblewski is 45-for-45 on extra-point attempts.
Advancement: The Belleville East-West Aurora winner will face either No. 1 Mt. Carmel or No. 32 Loyola Academy in next weekend’s second round.
No. 29 Huntley (5-4) at No. 4 Fremd (8-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About Huntley: The Red Raiders rallied and won their final two games to reach the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Sophomore running back Chase Hojnacki ran for 236 yards and five TDs in Huntley’s 42-25 win over Hampshire in Week 9 to clinch the playoff spot. Huntley was among the FVC’s highest-scoring offenses during the season at 31.4 points a game, led by Hojnacki and sophomore QB Malik Carter (330 yards, five TD passes in Week 8 win against McHenry). Last year’s team lost to West Aurora 31-21 in the first round of the playoffs.
About Fremd: Fremd was 4-1 and finished second in the Mid-Suburban-West Conference, trailing only champion Barrington, which went 5-0 in the conference. Fremd has allowed only 95 points this season, while the offense averages 34.1 points per game. QB Johnny O’Brien (6-3, 200), a Northwestern recruit, leads the Vikings’ attack. He threw for 383 yards and five TDs in Fremd’s 41-7 win over Schaumburg last week. … The Vikings are in the playoffs for the second straight year. Last year’s team made its first postseason appearance since 2019. Fremd lost to Naperville Central 31-28 in the second round last year.
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 20 York (6-3) at No. 13 Lyons (7-2)
Class 7A
No. 22 Jacobs (6-3) at No. 11 Addison Trail (8-1)
When: noon Saturday
About Jacobs: The Golden Eagles ended the regular season with a 44-29 loss to Cary-Grove to snap their five-game winning streak, but they will play in the postseason for a school-record fifth year in a row. The Eagles have been a run-heavy team, leaning on three-year starter Caden DuMelle (1,204 rushing yards, 13 TDs), Michael Cannady (725 yards, eight TDs) and Justin Gonzalez (371 yards, six TDs), while also getting solid play from QB Austin Stennett. The sophomore Stennett (663 passing yards, six TDs, four interceptions) took over at QB during Jacobs’ Week 2 loss to Prairie Ridge when returning starter Connor Goehring injured his shoulder. WR Carson Goehring has 28 receptions for 313 yards and four TDs. Gonzalez had a 75-yard pick-six against Cary-Grove. … Last year’s Eagles dropped their first-round playoff game to Bradley Bourbonnais 34-27. Jacobs averages 34.4 points a game and allows an average of 23.7 points a game.
About Addison Trail: Addison Trail ended the season on a seven-game winning streak, winning the West Suburban Conference Gold Division with a 6-0 record. The Blazers’ only loss was to the Kishwaukee River Conference’s Johnsburg on a blocked field goal attempt in the final seconds. Addison Trail lost that game 7-6, but still has managed to average 31.9 points a game this season. The Blazers have allowed only 96 points. Their 35-0 win over Willowbrook last week was their first shutout of the season. … Addison Trail has qualified for the 7A playoffs three straight years.
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 27 Jefferson (5-4) at No. 6 Brother Rice (8-1)
No. 30 East Moline United (5-4) at No. 3 St. Charles North (8-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
About the Panthers: United has had an up-and-down season, starting off 3-0, then going 1-4 over its next five games before getting its fifth win on a forfeit from Alleman, securing its first appearance in the playoffs since 2001. The Panthers went 0-4 against teams with winning records this season, with their closest contests being a 36-33 loss to Geneseo in Week 5 and a 23-21 loss to Quincy in Week 6. The Panthers’ offense is led by running back Isaiah Navarrete and quarterback Jonathan Drake.
About the North Stars: St. Charles North cruised to a 35-16 victory over Lake Park in Week 9 to share the DuKane Conference title with Batavia in consecutive seasons. It also marks the second consecutive season that the North Stars secured the third seed in the Class 7A bracket. A lot of that has been thanks to the offensive play, especially from transfer quarterback JT Padron, who had three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown last week. He’s also been spreading the ball out to multiple different receivers over the past few weeks, from Northwestern commit Keaton Reinke to senior Braden Harms, who had three touchdown passes over the final two weeks. North’s only loss of the season came in Week 7 with a 33-7 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South. Last season, the North Stars defeated Rolling Meadows 49-7 in the first round of the playoffs before falling 48-15 in the second round to Mount Carmel.
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 19 Normal Community (7-2) at No. 14 Carmel (7-2).
No. 20 Hoffman Estates (6-3) at No. 13 Batavia (7-2)
When: 6 p.m. Friday
About the Hawks: Hoffman Estates is back in the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and for the seventh time in eight full seasons under head coach Tim Heyse. A member of the Mid-Suburban — West conference, the Hawks started the season with a 5-0 record before dropping three of their final four games to Palatine, Fremd and Barrington, who are all in the Class 8A playoff field. The Hawks beat Lincoln Park 30-14 in the first round of the 7A playoffs last season before falling 49-28 to Lincoln-Way Central, a team the Bulldogs would later beat in the state semifinals, in the second round. Torey Baskin leads the Hawks as both a wide receiver and defensive back, while the offense is also aided by quarterback Austin Lesniak.
About the Bulldogs: Batavia turned in one of its most complete team performances in Week 9, putting up a season-high in points to secure a 45-12 victory over Wheaton-Warrenville South. The Bulldogs finished with a 6-1 record in DuKane Conference play, sharing the league title with St. Charles North and securing their sixth in seven years. They also showed off some tricks that might be used plenty in the playoffs, from jet sweeps from wide receiver Brett Berggren to using Princeton commit Ryan Myers as a two-way lineman. Both of Batavia’s losses on the season came against 8-1 teams (Glenbard West and St. Charles North) and were by a combined four points. The Bulldogs have had each of their last four playoff runs come to an end at the hands of Mount Carmel, who’s in 8A this season, including with a 55-35 loss in the Class 7A state title game a season ago.
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 29 West Chicago (5-4) at No. 4 Glenbard East (8-1)
Class 6A
No. 15 Libertyville (5-4) at No. 2 Burlington Central (8-1)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
About Libertyville: Libertyville is in the playoffs for the sixth straight season, winning four out of its final five games to reach the Class 6A field. The Wildcats lost their Week 9 game to Warren 49-21. They’ve scored 205 points (22.8 a game) and allowed 181 (20.1 a game) this season. Senior QB Trevor Wallace leads an attack that relies more on its passing game. Wallace has completed 69% of his 163 passes for 1,244 yards and 16 TDs. Junior TE Brock Williams (6-5, 220) is Wallace’s top target. Williams has 40 receptions for 580 yards and 10 TDs. … Last year’s Libertyville team beat Deerfield 43-17 in the first round and bowed out of the playoffs with a 23-17 loss to Lake Forest.
About Burlington Central: The Rockets coasted to a 42-6 win against Dundee-Crown, getting three touchdown passes from Landon Arnold, to finish as the FVC runner-up behind Prairie Ridge. Central’s only loss during the regular season came against Prairie Ridge in Week 4 (28-7). The Rockets’ defense allowed less than 10 points a game in the regular season, including a total of 26 points in its final four games. DL Aidan Nuno had two TFLs and a sack against D-C. The Rockets’ 87 points allowed during the regular season were the fewest in the FVC. … Central enters back-to-back playoff trips on a five-game winning streak. Last year’s team defeated Grant 42-14 in a first-round game and lost to Geneva 42-28 in the second round.
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 10 Mather (6-3) at No. 7 Machesney Park Harlem (7-2)
No. 11 Sycamore (5-4) at No. 6 Cary-Grove (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
About Sycamore: The Spartans locked up their playoff spot with a 30-28 win in Week 9 at Cahokia, with a last-second field goal from Josh Puleo securing the comeback from 14-0 down. Coach Joe Ryan, who at the start of the season announced this was his last season coaching, said the team matured a lot in the victory. “A lot went into that day, and to fall behind 14-0 told us we could have hung it up. But we didn’t. We matured along the way, and that’s what I got out of it the most.” The Spartans had more than 400 yards on the ground in the win. Liam Arhos ran for 212 yards in the win, Kevin Lee had 135 and Cooper Bode had 10 carries, 53 yards and three touchdowns. Dylan Curtis had 12 tackles and forced a fumble in the win. Senior quarterback Griffen Larsen wasn’t needed much to throw the ball, but the Spartans have had success at times this year through the air with Larsen hitting Ben Anderson and Josiah Mitchell as needed. Ryan said defensively, arm tackles aren’t going to cut it against Logan Abrams and the rest of the Cary-Grove ground game.
About Cary-Grove: The Trojans beat Jacobs 44-22 behind three 100-yard rushers in their Week 9 finale, giving C-G a seven-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. The team lost to FVC champion Prairie Ridge in Week 1 and FVC runner-up Burlington Central in Week 2. C-G’s turnaround coincided with the return of standout fullback Logan Abrams, who played only defense the first two games. In seven games playing fullback, Abrams has rushed for 1,036 yards (7.5 per carry) and 16 touchdowns. Sophomore QB Jackson Berndt has 555 rushing yards and 232 passing yards in eight games. Freshmen Ty Tenopir (404 rushing yards) and Leo Zavala (397 rushing yards) add speed to the team’s triple-option attack. … The Trojans are in the playoffs for the 20th time in the past 21 seasons. Last year’s team advanced to the 6A semifinals after winning the championship in 2023 by upsetting East St. Louis. … C-G beat Chicago Senn (71-6), Antioch (41-8) and Belvidere North (42-7) in the 2024 playoffs before losing to Geneva (28-26) in the semifinals.
Advancement: Winner plays winner of No. 14 St. Patrick (5-4) at No. 3 Wauconda (9-0)
Class 5A
No. 10 Lakes (6-3) at No. 7 Kaneland (7-2)
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
About the Eagles: They turned around a 2-7 season to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and now look for their first playoff win since 2018. Mason Crowley anchors the Lakes’ ground game, averaging almost 7 yards per carry through eight weeks. Ean Ankney was the school’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns with 36 in his career entering Week 9. Dillan Davis had eight sacks in the first eight games. After a 21-13 Week 1 loss to Glenbard North (2-7), the Eagles won three straight before falling 56-15 to Antioch (7-2). They won three more in a row before closing the regular season with a 31-14 loss to Wauconda (9-0).
About the Knights: They secured a home game with an emphatic 55-28 win against Althoff Catholic, keeping the defending 1A champs out of the playoffs and avenging a 14-10 loss in Belleville last year. Kaneland had struggled in Weeks 7 and 8, falling 21-20 to Rochelle then needing a last-second field goal to win at La Salle-Peru, 22-21. “Weeks 7 and 8, you just couldn’t quite put your finger on it but it was just not us,” Kaneland coach Michael Thorgesen said. “We came out against Althoff and just executed. Outside of a special teams play it was pretty lopsided there.” The Knights had a huge day on the ground, with Carter Grabowski running 27 times for 238 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jalen Carter ran for 184 yards on 17 carries with four touchdowns while throwing for 180 yards and two more scores. Thorgesen said the offense runs through Carter, and he’s opened up a lot of things for not only receivers like Brady Brown and Evan Frieders, but also Grabowski — who Thorgesen said became the Knights’ first 1,000-yard running back in a while. “It’s hard to decide who helps whom. Does Carter set up Jalen, or is it Jalen that opens things up for Carter? I think it’s reciprocal, both build off one another. As a defensive guy, I’m not sure who I’d want to focus on. It’s a tough choice.”
Advancement: Winner plays the winner of No. 15 Noble/Bulls (5-4) at No. 2 Belvidere North
Class 3A
No. 9 Aurora Central Catholic (7-2) at No. 8 Noble/Rauner (7-2)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Hanson Stadium.
Playoff history: Aurora Central Catholic is making its 19th playoff appearance. The Chargers own a 9-18 career record in postseason play. Noble/Rauner is making its first playoff appearance
About the Chargers: It has been a turnaround season for the Chargers. Following three consecutive 3-6 seasons, coach Christian Rago’s squad earned its first playoff berth since 2016 with a 7-win regular season, highlighted by three straight victories against Wisconsin-based teams. Senior tailback Trey Seifrid carries the offensive load for the Chargers, flanked by southpaw quarterback Grant Bohr. Juniors Aidan Crisci and Kyle Stanislo provide added backfield depth. ACC averaged 30.4 points per game. Noble/Rauner will be the second winning team the Chargers have faced this season. ACC dropped a 41-20 Week 4 decision to Alton Marquette (5-4).
About the Wildcats: Noble/Rauner reached the playoffs for the first time in school history — since 2009 — with a 7-win campaign that included a 5-game winning streak before its 22-6 Week 9 loss to Crane. Quarterback Carlo Alvarado directs the Wildcats’ offense, supported by WR/FS John Lockhart and RB/WR Delonta Holmes. Defensively, the Wildcats recorded 3 shutouts in 9 contests. Coach Daron Brown has guided the program to 3 consecutive winning seasons. Noble/Rauner averages 23.3 points per contest.
Advancement: The Aurora Central Catholic-Noble/Rauner winner will face either No. 16 North Boone or No. 1 Richmond-Burton in next weekend’s second round.
Class 2A
No. 11 Erie-Prophetstown (6-3) at No. 6 Aurora Christian (7-2)
When: 4 p.m. Saturday.
Playoff history: Erie-Prophetstown is making its seventh playoff appearance. The Panthers own a 2-6 career record in postseason play. Aurora Christian is making its 21st playoff appearance. The Eagles own a 29-18 career record in postseason play. They finished first in 2012 (3A) and 2011 (3A).
About the Panthers: How will Erie-Prophetstown react following its 48-0 Week 9 loss to Princeton? The Panthers compiled a 4-game winning streak prior to their regular-season finale. Senior quarterback Keegan Winckler directs the offense, flanked by junior tailback Tristan Hovey and receiver Connor Keegan. Hovey has recorded several long touchdown runs throughout the season. The Panthers are making their second consecutive postseason appearance. They suffered a 14-6 first-round playoff loss to Bismarck last season.
About the Eagles: Making its eighth straight postseason appearance, Aurora Christian earned the No. 6 seed following a 7-win season that included a 28-27 victory over 5A Wheaton Academy in Week 8. Coach David Beebe’s squad dropped a 54-21 decision to top-seeded LeRoy in last year’s 1A playoff opener. Two years ago, the Eagles advanced to the second round before falling to conference rival Hope Academy. This time around, Aurora Christian makes the jump to 2A for the first time since 2017. Senior quarterback Asa Johnson provides veteran leadership and skills for the Eagles’ offense that averaged 44.2 points per game. Senior WR/DB Dom Klimpke and sophomore RB Jalen Callaway are the team’s top threats, supported by seniors Cole McCall and Dom McCall. The lone losses came at the hands of Hope (61-44) and Bishop McNamara (45-42) — teams with a combined 17-1 record. Aurora Christian faced 5 playoff qualifiers this season.
Advancement: The Erie-Prophetstown-Aurora Christian winner will face either No. 14 Eastland-Pearl City Coop or No. 3 Farmington in next weekend’s second round.
— Joe Aguilar, Joel Boenitz and Eddie Carifio from Shaw Local News Network contributed to this preview.