Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 7A playoffs with picks for every game.

Alden-Hebron, riding a three-game winning streak, hosts Polo in its final Illinois 8-Man Football Association game of the regular season. Junior RB Caleb Linneman is coming off a 300-yard rushing performance for the 6-2 Giants.

Hosts Alex Kantecki and Joe Aguilar preview the opening round of the playoffs in high school football in McHenry County.

Hosts Eddie Carifio, Sam Ramirez and JT Pedelty preview the Opening Round of the Illinois high school football playoffs in the western and southern portions of northern Illinois.

Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 6A playoffs with his picks to win every game.

Here is a look at the Week 10 play-in round IHSA playoff matchups across The Times area, featuring opponents and picks for Marquette, Dwight and Sandwich.

La Salle-Peru is hosting a playoff game for the first time in more than two decades, Princeton is returning to Chicago for a playoff game and Mendota and Bureau Valley are ending playoff droughts.

The Herald-News area IHSA prep football preview for Week 10, featuring key opening-round playoff showdowns across the greater Joliet area.

Six McHenry County football teams - Cary-Grove, Huntley, Jacobs, Johnsburg, Richmond-Burton and Woodstock - are navigating an unprecedented bye week with opening-round playoff games taking place this weekend. Here is how those six teams are spending the week.