Matt Rodewald, Steve Soucie, and John Sahly break down what happened with a fifth down in the PORTA vs. Fairfield first-round playoff game, and review what else happened in Round 1 in the IHSA football playoffs

If you like points being scored the opening round of the playoffs was definitely worth tuning into. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 10.

Each week, we’ll have 22 players – 11 on offense, 11 on defense – to make the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week. Vote for your favorite players for Round 1 of the playoffs!

St. Patrick used a big second quarter to take control in a 49-28 win over Wauconda in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Saturday.

Emmett Dowling threw two long touchdown passes to Marshaun Thornton and Mount Carmel knocked off three-time defending 8A champion Loyola 21-17 to remain undefeated in its quest for a fourth straight state title.

Kankakee's defense didn't allow a touchdown and the offense got big plays late to get past Lemont 19-3 in the first round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs at Kankakee on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

Here are the second round pairings for the 2025 IHSA playoffs.

The Kays got timely plays on both sides of the ball, including fourth-quarter touchdowns from Kymani Billings and Ezekiel Sherrod, to get past Lemont in a physical, defensive-minded Class 5A playoff game at Kankakee Saturday.

Nate Lang threw five touchdown passes to four different receivers, two of them to Grant Bowen, and IC Catholic Prep scored touchdowns on five straight possessions in the second quarter and went on to beat Hope Academy 42-13 in a Class 3A first-round game in Chicago.

Glenbard South closed within two points in the second half, but Antioch pulled away for a 45-23 victory in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.

Zach Washington returned a kick 81 yards for a TD to help spark St. Francis to a 35-28 come-from-behind victory over Morgan Park in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs Saturday.

Glenbard West scored eight touchdowns in the first half en route to a 63-21 win over Willowbrook in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs Saturday.

Miss out on any of the high school football action in northern Illinois? Listen to the audio versions of our stories from Round 1 of the 2025 IHSA playoffs here

Known this season for its offense, No. 14-seeded Rolling Meadows used a strong defensive effort to defeat No. 3 host Riverside-Brookfield 29-23 in the Class 6A playoff opener – the program’s first playoff victory since 2019.

The IC Catholic football team met Chicago Hope Academy Saturday in an IHSA playoff matchup.

After falling in the first round each of the last two years, Palatine got over the hump with a 29-8 win over Whitney Young on Friday.

Niko Kokosioulis scored four of his first touchdowns in the first half as Maine South rolled past Downers Grove South 56-20 in a Class 8A first-round game.

Barrington scored on all eight of its first half drives and rolled to a 72-13 win over Elgin in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.

For the second straight Friday, Lyons edged York in the final seconds, this time on Ryland Avants' 31-yard field goal as time expired for a 24-21 win in the Class 8A first-round game in Western Springs.

Quarterbacks Jimmy McDermott and Noah Taylor each accounted for two touchdowns, Cory Les totaled 181 yards and two scores and Brian Killen returned a fumble for a touchdown as St. Laurence beat Oak Lawn 49-19 and advanced to the second round of the IHSA 6A playoffs.

Glenbard East had multiple touchdowns in less than a minute twice over the first two quarters, propelling them to a 63-29 win over West Chicago that will allow them to face Batavia in the second round.

Quarterback Riley Contreras ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as Hinsdale Central picked up a 45-15 win over South Elgin in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs on Friday night.

Will Vala caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Owen Lansu and was part of an impressive defensive effort against a high-powered Prospect offense as the Trojans won the Class 7A first-round game 28-21 to return to the playoffs' second round for the fourth straight year.

After receiving feedback from IHSA membership schools, a Roxana High School proposal to change the postseason structure and regular-season scheduling process has some alterations.

There's a prominent addition to the Class 8A field in Mount Carmel, but there's plenty of teams that are hoping than can keep the Caravan from collecting 8A hardware. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 8A Playoffs.

With three-time 7A State Champion Mount Carmel moving up to Class 8A, there's plenty of team chomping at the bit for a chance to be the new team hoisting the state championship hardware. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 7A Playoffs.

The Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference has revealed its All-Conference honorees and award winners for the 2025 varsity football season. Click the link below to read this year's award winners.

Defending state champions Mount Carmel and Loyola will collide for a second time after the Caravan defeated the Ramblers 35-24 in Week 9. St. Rita's rushing attack sparked a win over IC Catholic Prep, while Marist fell just short of the playoffs despite beating Niles Notre Dame.

Can anyone prevent a collision course game between East St. Louis and Nazareth in the state championship? A lot of teams would like to think so. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 6A Playoffs.

Here are previews and picks for IHSA first-round playoff games for teams from the Suburban Life coverage area.

Here are the Associated Press IHSA Week 10 football polls released Wednesday for all eight classes. It is the final AP Poll of the season.

Simon Kodosky, York brace for playoff rematch with Lyons, Nazareth not getting caught up in talk of four-peat ahead of playoff opener and Lemont set for huge challenge of Kankakee in Bob Narang's Suburban Life football notebook.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Steve Soucie as they preview the first round of the IHSA football playoffs.

A Roxana High School proposal that would expand the playoffs and provide a regional schedule model has released regional mockups for Class 3A and Class 4A. See the proposed regions here.

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.

Enrollment changes lead to the 4A draw looking a bit different than it has in the past few years. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 4A Playoffs.

Class 3A's North Bracket is chock full of impressive programs setting up some very early titanic matchups. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview Week 1 in the Illinois high school football playoffs for the western suburbs

Congratulations to these 22 Illinois high school football players who were voted onto Friday Night Drive's Team of the Week for Week 9 of the 2025 high school football season

Montini made history with a win over St. Laurence, Joliet Catholic stunned Providence to make the playoffs and St. Patrick defeated St. Viator in a matchup of former NFL players turned head coaches. Marian Catholic, Brother Rice and Carmel each added wins in Week 9.

Join hosts Matt Rodewald and Steve Soucie as they review Week 9 in IHSA football and look ahead to Round 1 of the playoffs.

There are over a dozen CCL/ESCC teams participating in the IHSA football playoffs this season. Among the playoff qualifiers are defending state champions Mount Carmel, Loyola, Nazareth and Montini. Here are all of the first-round matchups for CCL/ESCC teams.

The race to filling the field of 256 teams took some surprising twists and turns. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 9.

Each week, we’ll have 22 players – 11 on offense, 11 on defense – to make the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week. Vote for your favorite players for Week 9!

Here are first-round playoff breakdowns for teams from the Suburban Life coverage area.

Here are the first round pairings for the IHSA playoffs.

Check here for live updates and changes to Steve Soucie's IHSA football playoff projection for all eight classes.

Donato Gatses rushed for 264 yards and five touchdowns, as Glenbard North scored TDs on its first four second-half possessions to rally past Wheaton North 39-20.

Behind Nebraska commit Trae Taylor, Carmel scores the final 28 points to rally from a two-touchdown deficit and beat Fenwick 38-24.

Junior running back EJ Kuhlman's historic performance powered Lyons past rival York on Friday, as his 246 rushing yards set a new program record.