After a year off in 2020 due to COVID and a shortened spring 2021 football season, it is finally high school football playoff time in Illinois. On Saturday, the Illinois High School Association announced the pairings for the 256-team field that will make up the 8 classes. It will culminate on Thanksgiving weekend with the title games this year being played at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Opening round days and times will be announced on Monday afternoon.

Maine South bolted to its fifth consecutive undefeated Central Suburban South title in Winnetka on Friday. The Hawks built a 49-21 lead after three quarters and held off a late New Trier rally to win 49-42 in a game that was not as the final score would indicate.

Here’s a look at Week 9 football games in the Northwest suburbs, including key matchups between Hersey and Buffalo Grove as well as Hoffman Estates and Palatine.

The running men paced their way to another win Friday in Buffalo Grove. The Bison (7-1, 3-1 Mid-Suburban East) piled up 282 rushing yards on their way to a 35-7 win over Wheeling in a game that Buffalo Grove did not break open until the fourth quarter.

Maine South outscored Evanston 17-0 in the second half on its way to a 31-23 Central Suburban South victory Friday in Park Ridge.

Here’s a look at Week 8 football games in the Northwest suburbs, including a key Mid-Suburban East clash between Prospect and Hersey, as well as an MSL West showdown between Barrington and Conant.

Maine South got through its tune-up just fine. The Hawks flew into Skokie Friday and exploded past Niles West 51-21 in their highest scoring output of the season.

Here’s a look at Week 7 football games in the Northwest suburbs, highlighted by Conant playing at Hoffman Estates with first place in the Mid-Suburban West on the line.

Maine South has a history of winning Central Suburban South games. Coming into Friday night’s game in Park Ridge, the Hawks were 100-1 under head coach Dave Inserra since 2001. And they had not lost to Glenbrook South since the early 1990s. But entering the fourth quarter, the Hawks found themselves trailing a highly energetic and motivated Glenbrook South team 17-6. With Chris Petrucci and Mike Sajenko leading the charge on the offensive end, the Hawks began to overcome mistakes. Then add in a Hawk defense that was flying all over the field to make huge stops. With all those things in motion, Maine South was able to score 26 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to rally for a 32-17 win.

Here’s a look at Week 6 football games in the Northwest suburbs, highlighted by Glenbrook South (5-0) visiting Maine South (4-1) in a Central Suburban League showdown.

A week after they were stunned by Palatine, Maine South responded with a resounding 41-0 win over Glenbrook North Friday in their Central Suburban South opener in Northbrook.

Here’s a look at Week 5 football games in the Northwest suburbs, highlighted by Buffalo Grove (4-0) at Prospect (3-1).

Elk Grove returned home to a huge crowd and scored a huge win Friday night. After playing on the road for the first three weeks this season, the Grenadiers made things look easy, rolling over Maine East 42-0.

A pair of defensive stands sparked Palatine to a 20-19 upset win over top-ranked Maine South at Chic Anderson Stadium in Palatine Friday night.

Here’s a look at the Week 4 football matchups in the Northwest suburbs, highlighted by Glenbrook South (3-0) at Barrington (2-1) and Glenbrook North (2-1) at Hersey (3-0).

The Mid-Suburban League wrapped up a successful football Friday night with its counterparts from the Central Suburban League. The MSL went 8-4 in their crossover games with the two conferences set to play again next Friday.

Maine South withstood an early scare from Fremd to claim a 47-14 win Friday night.

Here’s a look at Week 3 football games in the Northwest suburbs, as the Mid-Suburban League and the Central Suburban League clash again in nonconference action.

One sudden change lifts Maine South past Warren

Here’s a look at the Week 2 football games in the Northwest suburbs, highlighted by Warren, the No. 1 team in the Daily Herald Top 20, hosting No. 2 Maine South. Also, Prospect plays host to Fremd in one of six Mid-Suburban League crossovers.

Maine South downed Stevenson in football action Friday night.

Scouting Week 1 football games in the Northwest suburbs

Scouting Week 1 football games in Lake County

Football: Scouting the 2021 fall season in the Central Suburban League

The Glenbrooks and others start a normal-looking high school football season.

The Glenbrooks and others start a normal-looking high school football season.

High school football schedules

Meet the All-Area Football Team for the Northwest suburbs

Naperville Central sent retiring coach Mike Stine out with a 31-30 win over Maine South.

Scouting Week 6 football games in the Northwest suburbs

Maine South beat New Trier in a football game Friday night.

Scouting Week 5 football games in the Northwest suburbs

Late thunder, big defensive play, deliver a Maine South victory over tough Glenbrook South

It has been close to 10 years since either Prospect or Buffalo Grove have won the Mid-Suburban East football championship. On Friday, when the two unbeaten teams meet at Buffalo Grove at 7 p.m. the winner will go home with a trophy.

Scouting Week 4 football games in the Northwest suburbs

Eventually, Maine South quarterback Luke Leongas displayed his chemistry with receivers like tight end Chris Petrucci on Saturday against Glenbrook North. First, Maine South had to get out of its own way. Six Hawks penalties in the first quarter made for slow going early, but they found their footing in a 42-3 Central Suburban League South victory over Glenbrook North at Wilson Field in Park Ridge.

Prospect quarterback Alex “Gary” Moeller answers to a pair of names. But so far this season his opponents have yet to find an answer to stop the senior.

Maine South defeated Glenbrook North in a football game Saturday night.

Scouting Week 3 football games in the Northwest suburbs

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in the Northwest suburbs.

Buffalo Grove’s Ian Luyando is a true diamond in the rough. Luyando, who is a senior quarterback, had only played just one half of organized football before his start last Saturday for the Bison. And he was more than impressive.

Maine South defeated Niles West in a football opener Friday night.

Here’s a look at Friday’s football games in the Northwest suburbs.

Here’s a look at the football season in the Central Suburban League.