Class 1A

No. 8 Alden-Hebron (5-4) at No. 1 Christian Life (9-0)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday.

About the Giants: A-H is in the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 years. The Giants are 5-11 in their playoff history. Nate Peterson (394) lead the team in rushing, while WR Cody Nelson has 18 receptions. A-H lost to Stockton, 40-20, in the first round last year.

About the Eagles: Christian Life is 0-5 in playoff appearances, this is its fifth appearance in eight seasons. The Eagles lost to Freeport Aquin, 44-26, in the first round last year. WR Isaiah Jones has 25 receptions for 456 yards and nine TDs. RB Brady Pond averages 11.1 yards a carry and has 864 yards and 16 TDs.

Up next: The winner meets the winner between No. 5 Lena-Winslow (6-3) at No. 4 Stockton (7-2) in the second round.

On Twitter: @MikeDeFabo

Class 4A

No. 13 Aurora Central Catholic (6-3) at No. 4 Johnsburg (8-1)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

About the Chargers: ACC is 8-16 in its playoff history and is in for the third consecutive time. QB Matt Rahn has 1,227 passing yards for 16 TDs with eight interceptions. Rahn (501) and RB Roman Padilla (514) lead the rushing attack, while WRs Brandon Babler, Collin Baillie and Mario May all have 20 or more receptions.

About the Skyhawks: Johnsburg is 6-10 in the playoffs and is back in the postseason for the first time since 2009. The Skyhaws advanced to the Class 4A quarterfinals that year, their best finish. RB Alex Peete is second in the area with 1,225 yards. QB Nick Brengman has thrown for 1,042 yards and WR Haden Franzen leads the team with 31 receptions.

Up next: The winner meets the winner between No. 12 Plano (6-3) and No. 5 Chicago Phillips (8-1) in the second round.

On Twitter: @JoeyRKaufman

No. 11 Richmond-Burton (6-3) at No. 6 Dixon (7-2)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

About the Rockets: R-B is 29-22 in its playoff history and is in for the eighth consecutive season. R-B lost to Harvard in the first round last season. FB Brad Boelkow leads the Rockets in rushing with 927 yards, even though he missed two games with a concussion. RB Marshall Woodward (479) has an expanded role with Luke Brinkmann (shoulder) out.

About the Dukes: Dixon is 3-5 in its playoff history and last made the postseason in 2006, losing to Marian Central, 28-6, in the Class 5A quarterfinals. QB J.D. Gleson has thrown for 1,414 yards with 21 TDs and nine interceptions. WRs Kyle LeBlanc and Matt Coffey each have 37 receptions and nine TDs. RB Cody Mighell leads the team with 747 rushing yards. Mighell also leads the team with 82 1/2 tackles.

Up next: The winner meets the winner between No. 14 Evergreen Park (6-3) and No. 3 Manteno (8-1) in the second round.

On Twitter: @AKantecki

Class 7A

No. 16 Niles North (5-4) at No. 1 Cary-Grove (9-0)

When: 1 p.m. Saturday.

About the Vikings: This is North’s third trip to the playoffs, where it is 1-2. The Vikings have not been in the postseason since 1992. RB Barrington Wade has 781 yards rushing and 18 TDs. RB-WR Craig Dawkins has 556 rushing yards and eight TDs. QB Tony Granato has completed 68 percent of his passes for 1,860 yards with 13 TDs and six interceptions. LB Daniel Monyongo leads the team with 97 tackles, eight of which have gone for losses.

About the Trojans: C-G is 35-19 in the playoffs for its history. Since 2004, the Trojans are 24-9 with three state championship appearances. C-G won the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division and has outscored its opponents, 399-97. Sophomore FB Tyler Pennington has 1,138 yards rushing and has passed 1,000 yards in both his varsity seasons. The Trojans’ defense has allowed only 14 points in the last three games.

Up next: The winner meets the winner between No. 9 St. Charles North (7-2) and No. 8 Rolling Meadows (7-2) in the second round.

On Twitter: @tcmusick

Class 8A

No. 10 Palatine (7-2) at No. 7 Huntley (8-1)

When: 2 p.m. Saturday.

About the Pirates: Palatine is 23-18 in its playoff history and has made the playoffs seven of the past eight years. The Pirates lost to Loyola Academy, 19-7, in the quarterfinals last year. RB Christopher Cornelius has 1,239 yards rushing and will attract a good deal of attention from Huntley’s defense. QB Nick Orlando has thrown for 1,319 yards with eight TDs and five interceptions.

About the Red Raiders: Huntley is 4-4 in the playoffs and is in for the fifth time in school history, its second in three seasons under coach John Hart. The Raiders outscored their opponents, 404-149, and all but one of their victories came by 23 points or more. QB Anthony Binetti has thrown for 1,768 yards with 21 TDs and three interceptions. WRs Brandon Altergott (34 receptions), Josh Esikiel (29) and Kyle Kesul (21) all can be dangerous for opponents’ defenses. In Huntley’s last home playoff game, the Raiders and Batavia set the playoff record for combined points as Huntley won, 70-63, in 2008. Greenville beat Mount Carmel, 71-70, last season to beat that mark.

On Twitter: @NWH_JoePrepZone

– Compiled by Joe Stevenson, the Northwest Herald