Illinois High School Association Football Pairings

The Illinois High School Association has announced the football pairings for all eight classes, with 48 teams competing in each class. The state championship games are scheduled for November 27-28 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

Class 8A Opening-Round Games

These are some of the key matchups for the opening round. East Aurora (5-4) faces Oak Park-River Forest (4-5), Hinsdale Central (6-3) will take on Lake Park (2-7), and Naperville Central (5-4) meets Warren (4-5). First-round winners will advance to face teams like Lincoln-Way East (9-0) and Mount Carmel (7-2).

Class 7A Opening-Round Games

In Class 7A, Edwardsville (4-5) squares off against Lincoln Park (4-5), Glenbard East (6-3) will battle Bartlett (2-7), and Elgin (5-4) takes on Reavis (4-5). The winners will face strong contenders such as Normal Community (9-0) and East St. Louis (8-1).

Class 6A Opening-Round Games

The 6A lineup includes Elk Grove (4-5) versus St. Charles East (3-6), Burlington Central (6-3) against Rockford East (2-7), and Addison Trail (6-3) vs. Rolling Meadows (2-7). Harlem (9-0) and Libertyville (7-2) are among the top seeds awaiting the winners.

Class 5A Opening-Round Games

For Class 5A, Payton (5-4) is matched up against Glenbard South (5-4), Sycamore (5-4) meets Crystal Lake South (2-7), and Deerfield (5-4) plays Grayslake Central (4-5). Antioch (9-0) and Kaneland (8-1) await in the subsequent rounds.

Class 4A Opening-Round Games

In this class, Geneseo (6-3) goes against North Chicago (2-7), Hillcrest (5-4) faces Noble Johnson (3-6), and Dixon (6-3) competes with Plano (2-7). Morris (9-0) and Coal City (8-1) stand as stiff competition ahead.

Class 3A Opening-Round Games

Class 3A games feature South Shore (5-4) versus Princeton (4-5), Manteno (6-3) against Mendota (3-6), and Fairfax (7-2) with Staunton (4-5). Richmond-Burton (9-0) leads the pack with a strong start.

Class 2A Opening-Round Games

Beardstown (4-5) is pitted against Eastland-Pearl City co-op (4-5), Illini West (7-2) faces West Hancock co-op (2-7), and Auburn (5-4) takes on Routt co-op (2-7). Riverdale (9-0) and Flora (8-1) lead this class.

Class 1A Opening-Round Games

This class includes matchups like Galena (5-4) facing Orr (5-3), Abingdon-Avon (7-2) versus Morrison (2-7), and Clifton Central (8-1) against Ottawa Marquette (6-3). Leading teams such as Heyworth (9-0) are in action.

These games set the stage for an exciting series of matchups climaxing in the state championships at Hancock Stadium.