What you need to know ahead of the IHSA football playoffs selections for 2024

Playoff format and selection process

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs are a single-elimination tournament that will begin on October 27, 2023. 256 teams will qualify for the playoffs, with the top 16 teams in each of the eight classes receiving a first-round bye. The remaining teams will be seeded 17-256 based on their regular season records and playoff points. Playoff points are awarded for wins, losses, and strength of schedule. The top 32 teams in each class will host first-round games. The second round will be played on November 3, 2023, with the third round being played on November 10, 2023. The quarterfinals will be played on November 17, 2023, with the semifinals being played on November 24, 2023. The state championship games will be played on December 1 and 2, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Key dates

* **October 27, 2023:** First round of the playoffs * **November 3, 2023:** Second round of the playoffs * **November 10, 2023:** Third round of the playoffs * **November 17, 2023:** Quarterfinals * **November 24, 2023:** Semifinals * **December 1 and 2, 2023:** State championship games

Teams to watch

There are a number of teams that are expected to contend for the IHSA football state championship in 2023. Here are a few of the teams to watch: * **Class 8A:** Lincoln-Way East, Naperville North, Batavia, Maine South * **Class 7A:** Glenbard North, Cary-Grove, Stevenson, Oswego * **Class 6A:** Peoria, East St. Louis, Montini, Marian Catholic * **Class 5A:** Sycamore, Joliet Catholic, Springfield, Marist * **Class 4A:** Rochester, St. Francis, Lincoln, Geneseo * **Class 3A:** Sterling, Plano, Decatur St. Teresa, Prairie Ridge * **Class 2A:** Byron, Williamsville, Effingham, Tolono Unity * **Class 1A:** Lena-Winslow, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley, Milford, A&M

Predictions

It is difficult to predict who will win the IHSA football state championship in 2023, but here are a few predictions: * **Class 8A:** Lincoln-Way East * **Class 7A:** Glenbard North * **Class 6A:** Peoria * **Class 5A:** Sycamore * **Class 4A:** Rochester * **Class 3A:** Sterling * **Class 2A:** Byron * **Class 1A:** Lena-Winslow