With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, attention is quickly turning to the state playoffs.
The Illinois High School Association has entered a new era, expanding the state playoffs to 384 teams. Each of the eight classes now has 48 teams, up from the traditional 32. It is the first playoff expansion since 1985.
The top 16 seeds in each class will receive a bye in the Opening Round. That’s what the IHSA is calling the new first round: the Opening Round. And it appears the second round will be called the First Round. That’s silly, but that is how the IHSA currently lists the tournament on its website: Opening Round, First Round, Second Round, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Championship.
Shaw Media’s Steve Soucie spends the season prognosticating the state playoff bracket. According to Soucie, every three-win football team will make the expanded state playoffs.
The Public League’s unknown Week 9 schedule adds some uncertainty to Soucie’s work, but as of last week, Soucie expected 20 two-win teams to qualify for the playoffs.
There are currently 33 two-win teams in the area. They all have two more chances to win one game, get that third win, and guarantee a playoff spot.
Here are a few of the biggest names still vying for a third win and a playoff guarantee.
Benet: New coach James White was a splashy hire for the school. But the Redwings dropped winnable games against Marmion and Notre Dame and now face an uphill battle. They are at St. Rita in Week 8 and host St. Patrick in Week 9. Three wins appear unlikely unless Benet pulls off an upset…but Soucie’s projections have the Redwings sneaking in as a No. 46 seed with just two wins.
Carmel: Another team coached by a former NFL player (Jason McKie), the Corsairs actually opened the season in the Super 25. They are a talented team that hasn’t played poorly. But the schedule has been brutal. Carmel lost to Hersey, Providence, Montini, St. Ignatius and Marist. Expect the Corsairs to beat De La Salle on Friday and grab their third win to qualify for the playoffs.
Glenbrook North: The Spartans are in a similar situation to Carmel, facing a winless Maine East in Week 8. Expect Glenbrook North to pick up its third win on Friday.
St. Laurence: Few teams in the area have been as successful in the playoffs over the past few seasons as the Vikings. But they have a tough final two games, hosting Marist in Week 8 and visiting DePaul Prep in Week 9. St. Laurence’s strength of schedule will likely help it grab a playoff spot as a two-win team.
Simeon: Many of Sinque Turner’s key players are sophomores and would benefit greatly by gaining state playoff experience this season. The Wolverines face Taft (3-4) this week and are favored. Their Week 9 opponent is still TBD. But there is good news for Simeon. Soucie’s projection has the Wolverines making the 6A field with just two wins.
Clearly, it is a new world. All five teams mentioned above could sneak into the playoffs with just two wins. According to Soucie’s projection, to be released in a few days, only three of the 24 Catholic League teams are on pace to miss the playoffs: De La Salle (0-7), Marian Catholic (2-5) and St. Viator (1-6).
IHSA football playoff qualifiers with two wins? That should be enough for several teams 2026
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-10-06 15:26:25
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