Peyton Shipley made the biggest play of St. Francis' season as he forced a fumble late in the third quarter. St. Francis recovered and seized control in a 41-38 victory to knock off the previously unbeaten and Class 5A top-seeded Prairie Ridge.

A clear favorite in the Class 5A draw still hasn't emerged. Will Round 2 provide some clarity on that topic? Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

Five Northwest Herald teams – Burlington Central, Cary-Grove, Jacobs, Prairie Ridge and Richmond-Burton – remain in the IHSA state playoffs. Here is a preview of each team's second-round game.

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Josh Welge as they preview Round 2 in the Illinois high school football playoffs.

Jacobs won its first playoff game in four years Saturday when the 22nd-seeded Golden Eagles beat No. 11 Addison Trail 36-27 in a Class 7A opener. That, plus news on Burlington Central, Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove in the Northwest Herald football notebook.

Prairie Ridge fullback Vincent Byk scored three touchdowns as the top-seeded Wolves went up by 40 points at halftime and defeated 16th-seeded Vernon Hills 46-30 on Friday in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

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Vernon Hills travel to Prairie Ridge for IHSA Class 5A first-round playoff football game on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake.

Here is a look at the opening-round playoff matchups awaiting McHenry County area teams this weekend.

Both teams in last year's title game are in different classifications now leaving a wide open chase for this year's state title. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.