Here are the first-round pairings by the Illinois High School Association for the Southland and the Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County areas.
Class 1A
(6) Aurora Christian 7-2 vs. (11) Melvin-Sibley 6-3
Rudy Griffing, Jalen Carter and Co. end season on strong note as Eagles eye deep run.
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Class 2A
(2) Maroa-Forsyth 9-0 vs. (15) Chicago Christian 5-4
Obi Goble has ground game going for Knights, who have battled adversity to get here.
Class 4A
(1) Dyett 8-1 vs. (16) Ag Science (5-4)
It’s not an easy first-round matchup, but for Ag Science, they made it. That’s what counts.
(8) Sandwich 6-3 vs. (9) Ridgewood 6-3
Cinderella would love this story. Simeion Harris and Indians, after taking year off, are in.
(3) Dixon 8-1 vs. (14) Plano 5-4
Waleed Johnson has wanted even more for the Reapers. And they get it with playoff berth.
(6) Chicago Vocational 7-2 vs. (11) St. Laurence 6-3
Injuries have dealt a blow to Aaron Ball-led Vikings, but if healthy, watch out, indeed.
Class 5A
(4) Morgan Park 8-1 vs. (13) Corliss 5-4
Terrance Gurley. Chris Durr. Marcus Thaxton. These Mustangs are loaded for playoff bear.
(5) Sycamore 8-1 vs. (12) Evergreen Park 6-3
When you’ve got Aidan Bench on board, what more do you need? Mustangs are ready.
(5) Antioch 9-0 vs. (14) Englewood STEM 5-4
Nick Day and Sequoits haven’t been challenged, and that shouldn’t change here. Then …
(6) Carmel 8-1 vs. (11) Lindblom 7-2
Torey French and the Corsairs should advance and meet Antioch in the second round.
(1) Morris 9-0 vs. (16) Tinley Park 5-4
Could there be a tougher opener for Titans than perennial power Redskins? Probably not.
(8) T.F. North 7-2 vs. (9) Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 6-3
And on that note, Dominic Gradford and Meteors get this juggernaut to start off.
(5) Peoria 7-2 vs. (12) Joliet Catholic 6-3
HJ Grigsby and Andy Munoz-Adrian Washington combo are good to go. Bank on it.
(2) Morton 8-1 vs. (15) Providence 5-4
Don’t let Celtics’ record fool you. This is exactly how last season went, so …
(7) Carbondale 7-2 vs. (10) Hillcrest 6-3
Erimus Wright and the playoff-tested Hawks will be bring right stuff into this one.
Class 6A
(1) Lake Zurich 8-1 vs. (16) Crystal Lake Central 5-4
Lincoln Adams helps 2022 semifinalists allow just 10.7 points a game.
(8) Riverside-Brookfield 7-2 vs. (9) Kaneland 6-3
Can Troyer Carlson and Knights get close enough to 100% to make a push? We shall see.
(5) Wauconda 7-2 vs. (12) Grant 6-3
The second Battle of the Bulldogs. Wauconda pulled out a 27-24 win in the first matchup.
(2) Lake View 7-2 vs (15) Lake Forest 5-4
Forget seeds. Scouts’ tough schedule, with losses to Warren and Carmel, have them ready.
(7) Geneva 7-2 vs. (10) Senn 6-3
Nate Stempowski, Michael Loberg and Vikings have spoken. They’re for real. Expect it.
(3) Cary-Grove 7-2 vs (14) Libertyville 5-4
Quinn Schambow and Wildcats get a tough draw but know how to put points on board.
(6) Mather 7-2 vs (11) Highland Park 6-3
Behind David Finfer, Giants are rolling into first playoff appearance since 2017.
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(1) Kankakee 9-0 vs. (16) Bremen 5-4
Don’t sleep on these Braves. They’ve been a tough out in the playoffs recently.
(8) Eisenhower 6-3 vs. (9) Dunlap 6-3
If Nick Mayfield continues to turn Friday night into a video game, keep an eye on Cardinals.
(4) East St. Louis 7-2 vs. (13) Lemont 5-4
Nevan Bufka comes up big as Lemont survives to get rematch with postseason nemesis.
(7) Crete-Monee 6-3 vs. (10) Champaign Centennial 6-3
Warriors kinda-sorta live for this time of season, right, Tylin Brefford? We know the answer.
(3) Richards 7-2 vs. (14) Hubbard 5-4
Austin Synoga, Dijon Newman will want to win a couple of rounds for assistant Rick Pratl.
Class 7A
(1) Normal Community vs. (32) Argo 5-4
Argonauts will be checking out those NCAA Tournament brackets for inspiration.
(16) Bradley-Bourbonnais 6-3 vs. (17) St. Charles North 6-3
Let’s just say Ethan Plumb and North Stars are no ordinary 6-3 team. Dangerous.
(12) Lincoln-Way West 7-2 vs. (21) Hoffman Estates 6-3
When you can hand the ball to Joey Campagna, that bodes well for Warriors, it really does.
(15) Willowbrook 7-2 vs. (16) Yorkville 6-3
Any team with Luke Zook is gonna be better than good on defense. Foxes to trot?
(7) Batavia 8-1 vs. (26) Brother Rice 5-4
Ryan Boe and Bulldogs vs. Randall Nauden and Crusaders. We smell an instant classic.
(10) Lincoln-Way Central 8-1 vs. (23) Jacobs 6-3
Knights have Anthony Noto. Golden Eagles have Caden DuMelle. It’s a tossup, folks.
(6) Mount Carmel 8-1 vs. (21) St. Rita 5-4
In what universe is Caravan the sixth seed? Ah, this one. Should be a thriller vs. Mustangs.
Class 8A
(16) Neuqua Valley 6-3 vs. (17) Palatine 6-3
Wildcats’ defense sparks fourth straight win, will be tested against Pirates’ prolific offense.
(4) Edwardsville 8-1 vs. (29) West Aurora 5-4
This is what Terrence Smith and Blackhawks wanted from first day of practice. Well done.
(13) Glenbard West 7-2 vs. (20) Naperville North 6-3
Huskies will call upon Cole Arl, who has run for 1,000-plus yards, to challenge Hilltoppers.
(5) York 8-1 vs. (28) Homewood-Flossmoor 5-4
Cameron Brooks carried preseason buzz for Vikings, who are on upswing again.
(12) Stevenson 7-2 vs. (21) Lyons 6-3
Aidan Crawley’s winning TD pass in fifth straight victory gives Patriots playoff momentum.
(2) Lincoln-Way East 9-0 vs. (31) Taft 4-5
Oof. Josh Janowski, Nuri Muhammad, Braden Tischer and Griffins are bit of a handful.
(15) Minooka 7-2 vs. (18) Sandburg 6-3
Anthony Shelton and freshman Quinn Durkin
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have Eagles thinking bigger this time around.(7) South Elgin 8-1 vs. (26) Lane Tech 6-3
Kevon Brooks has been a lifesaver for Storm, who are a team to definitely watch.
(10) Warren 7-2 vs. (23) Oswego 6-3
Blue Devils feature Aaron Stewart, Donovan McNeal. Panthers tout Carson Cooney. Pick ’em.
(14) Naperville Central 7-2 vs. (19) Downers Grove South 6-3
With Jack Cook and Christopher Bern, Redhawks’ offense will try to get back on track.
(6) Maine South 8-1 vs. (27) Lockport 5-4
Drew Gallagher, Porters make triumphant return. Then they get state final-type game.
(11) Belleville East 7-2 vs. (22) East Aurora 6-3
Yep, it’s been 41 years for Tomcats. And no one deserves it more than Amado Martinez.
Compiled by Nathan Chambers and Bill Scheibe.