Meet the Northwest Herald Fall 2021 All-Area Football Team.

Nine local players made the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State teams in Classes 4A, 5A and 6A.

Joliet Catholic advanced to the second round of the Class 4A playoffs with a 48-0 win over Marengo on Friday night.

Here are preview capsules for the eight first-round playoff games involving Northwest Herald teams this weekend.

The offensive numbers are considerably up this season in the Fox Valley Conference, as teams combined scores are a touchdown higher per game than in any of the previous four full seasons. The question is if FVC teams have enough defense to stop opponents now in the postseason, or will they have to just outscore teams?

Here are the first-round matchups for each Northwest Herald area team. Dates and times will be updated when confirmed.

Richmond-Burton erased an early deficit and went on to defeat Marengo, 42-24, on Friday to finish the season 9-0 and extend its winning streak to 29 games.

Northwest Herald sports reporter Alex Kantecki has live coverage from Friday night’s Richmond-Burton vs. Marengo football game here

Check out the Northwest Herald area football statistical leaders through eight games.