CLASS 4A
Top seeds: Evergreen Park, Columbia, Quincy Notre Dame.
Last season: Rochester defeated Rock Island Alleman 43-18 for title.
Favorite: Evergreen Park, which may have a shot at avenging last year’s semifinal loss to Rock Island Alleman if the teams meet in the title game.
Dark horse: Peotone, which sustained its only two losses by a combined nine points. The Blue Devils have a solid shot at surviving the lower half of the bracket.
Best first-round game: Sandwich at Plano. The Indians beat the Reapers at home in September and won three straight games to squeak into the field. The Reapers seek payback — at home, this time — for their only regular-season loss.
Toughest road to DeKalb: Phillips. Even with a road win against Urban Prep/West, a second-round contest against Evergreen Park or Richmond-Burton awaits.
Don’t forget about: Harvard. The undefeated Hornets have turned heads in coach Tim Haak’s last season.
Difference-makers: Jacquet McClendon, Evergreen Park; Brad Boelkow, Richmond-Burton; Christian Kramer, Harvard; Davontae Elam, St. Edward.
FYI: Geneseo has amassed 51 consecutive winning seasons.
CLASS 3A
Top seeds: Winnebago, Williamsville, Greenville.
Last season: Aurora Christian defeated Tolono Unity 42-12 for title.
Favorite: Winnebago. The Indians had several impressive wins against playoff teams.
Dark horse: Stillman Valley. The Cardinals narrowly lost to Winnebago and might fly under the radar thanks to losses in Weeks 8 and 9.
Best first-round game: Oregon at Wilmington. Don’t sleep on the Hawks, who needed back-to-back wins to have a shot at a playoff berth. Their four losses all came against tough opponents.
Toughest road to DeKalb: Aurora Christian. The Eagles visit Immaculate Conception in the first round for the second time in four weeks. Their last trip ended in a 48-8 loss.
Don’t forget about: Seneca, which may be the strongest team in the lower half of the upper bracket. The Fighting Irish narrowly lost to Wilmington on the road in September, and a quarterfinal rematch would be intriguing.
Difference-makers: Michael Pate, Winnebago; Zac Hare, Stillman Valley; Jared Marcotte; Bishop McNamara.
FYI: None of the this year’s No. 1 seeds has made a state final.
CLASS 2A
Top seeds: Eastland-Pearl City, Rockridge, Cerro Gordo-Bement, Fairfield.
Last season: Mercer County defeated Belleville Althoff 14-7 for title.
Favorite: Rockridge.
Dark horse: Sterling Newman. The Comets play in a tough conference and have won four state titles. .
Best first-round game: Mercer County at Annawan-Wethersfield. Two 8-1 teams meet in the first round with the defending champs on the road and on the ropes.
Toughest road to DeKalb: Annawan-Wethersfield. A first-round home game is its only break. The schedule won’t get easier from there.
Don’t forget about: Gillespie. The Miners’ only loss came in a shootout against Greenville, a top seed in Class 4A. Gillespie may emerge from the lower bracket.
FYI: Carlinville’s 27 playoff appearances are the most of any 2A contender this year.
CLASS 1A
Top seeds: Stockton, Ottawa Marquette, Tri-Valley, Maroa Forsyth.
Last season: Maroa-Forsyth defeated Stockton 48-24 for title.
Favorite: Stockton.
Dark horse: Leo. The Lions reeled off seven wins before two rough losses against larger schools. If they can learn from their schellackings, a deep run is possible.
Best first-round game: Lena-Winslow at Forreston. The Cardinals have a rare second chance to beat the Panthers at home. Lena-Winslow won 38-33 Oct. 4.
Toughest road to DeKalb: Alden-Hebron. The Giants lost to all three Northeastern Athletic foes in their half of the bracket.
Don’t forget about: Rockford Christian Life. The Eagles have dominated since a 12-point loss to Ottawa Marquette in Week 1.
FYI: Both of last year’s state finalists enter the playoffs undefeated.
