Here’s a look at the first round of the IHSA football playoffs in the Northwest suburbs, including games being hosted by Prospect, Hersey, Buffalo Grove, Hoffman Estates and Maine South.

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.

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.

From the moment St. Viator stepped onto the field at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights Friday night for its CCL/ESCC Purple Division battle with Marian Catholic, the Lions had put their stamp on a dominant performance in which they led from start to finish emerging victorious 28-14.

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.

Notre Dame edged St. Viator 13-7 in overtime Friday in a CCL/ESCC crossover game in Niles.

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.

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.

St. Viator won its first game of the season Friday night, beating DePaul Prep 41-7.

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.

A tough last-minute loss after a long trip to Gately Stadium in Friday night rush hour traffic made it a rough night for St. Viator’s football team on Friday.

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.

South Elgin beat St. Viator 48-7 on Friday.

Scouting Week 1 football games in the Northwest suburbs

The football teams from South Elgin and St. Viator have found a game for Friday night — against each other.

St. Viator is taking a cautious approach to its scheduled Week 1 football game on Friday, August 27. So much so, that the Lions have canceled their scheduled game with St. Joseph Academy of Kenosha, Wisc.

Football: Scouting the 2021 fall season in the CCL/ESCC Purple

St. Viator graduate and Machesney Park Harlem football coach Bob Moynihan has been named the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Year for the spring 2021 season.

Meet the All-Area Football Team for the Northwest suburbs

St. Viator defeated Carmel in a football game on Friday night.

Scouting Week 6 football games in the Northwest suburbs

Palatine is giving its opponents a blank stare. For the second week in a row, the Pirates posted a shut out as they cruised past Schaumburg 44-0 Friday in Palatine.

Scouting Week 5 football games in the Northwest suburbs

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

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.

Scouting Week 3 football games in the Northwest suburbs

St. Viator defeated Marian Central 35-14 in a football game Friday night.

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.

St. Viator opened the football season with a win over Chicago Hope Academy Friday night.

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

Scouting the football season in the ESC/CCL Purple