The IHSA state high school football playoff brackets were released late Saturday night, Oct. 25, and schools began announcing game dates and times on Monday, Oct. 27.
Eight teams from western Illinois grabbed at least five wins in the regular season and are in the postseason with a shot at a state championship.
A pair of area conference champions get first-round games at home, while a couple of other teams that finished second in their leagues are also hosting.
Out of all the teams to make it, however, Geneseo’s story is the most intriguing.
The Maple Leafs have five wins in a row, including a smashing of Quincy in their finale on Oct. 24, to finish 7-2 and runners-up in the Western Big 6.
They amazingly, however, have a rematch with its Week 1 non-conference opponent, Rochelle. The Hubs won that game in 41-14 in northern Illinois, but are without their leading running back after a head injury has caused him to have multiple brain surgeries.
Lincoln-Land Small Division champion Annawan-Wethersfield had a perfect 9-0 record to be the No. 2 seed in their half of the Class 1A bracket and gets a rematch with Stark County in the only game between two local teams.
Three Rivers Mississippi Division champion Monmouth-Roseville is the No. 5 seed in 3A and gets a playoff opener at Dobry Field on Saturday, while 8-1 Macomb finished behind only Farmington in the Lincoln-Land Large Division.
Here’s the full schedule for area teams.
Class 1A
#13 Knoxville (5-4) at #4 Clifton Central (8-1), 4 p.m. Saturday
#15 Stark County (5-4) at #2 Annawan-Wethersfield (9-0), 1 p.m. Saturday
Class 2A
#16 Illini West (5-4) at #1 Taylor Ridge Rockridge (9-0), 1 p.m. Saturday
#12 West Hancock (6-3) at #5 Wilmington (8-1), 3 p.m. Saturday
Class 3A
#12 Manteno (6-3) at #5 Monmouth-Roseville (8-1), 5 p.m. Saturday, at Dobry Field
Class 4A
#14 Country Club Hills Hillcrest (5-4) at #3 Macomb (8-1), 2 p.m. Saturday
#11 Rochelle (6-3) at #6 Geneseo (7-2), 7 p.m. Friday
This article originally appeared on Geneseo Republic: Rare cross-state rematch for Geneseo leads Western Illinois’ IHSA football Round 1 schedule
Reporting by Dan Spears, USA TODAY NETWORK / Geneseo Republic
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
