The IHSA football playoffs are always special. After all, not every team makes it. Those who do have to earn their way. But this year’s playoffs are extra special, of course. After the reality check that was 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced an abbreviated season to last spring, minus a postseason.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 9, including Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West playing for the West Suburban Silver title, and Naperville North and Neuqua Valley meeting for the DVC crown.

Taking a look at some of the top storylines in DuPage County heading into Week 9, including a big game for Ethan Robert and the Naperville North Huskies, and looking ahead to Saturday’s playoff pairings night.

Wheaton North’s Jackson Moore was one of the first players to emerge out of the scrum at the goal-line early in the fourth quarter on Friday night. The senior free safety sprinted nearly 20 yards and pointed toward the opposite end zone, sending his teammates into a frenzy on the sidelines. From that moment, the Falcons put their game into overdrive, scoring 14 points in a four-minute span en route to a 27-0 rout over Geneva in DuKane Conference action.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 8, including Wheaton North looking for a 7th win when it hosts Geneva, and a matchup between a pair of 6-1 teams in the Upstate Eight when Glenbard South takes on Glenbard East.

Seth Kortenhoeven’s field goal flew well through the uprights to send the Wheaton North crowd home happy with a 10-8 DuKane Conference victory over Wheaton Warrenville South.

Here’s a look at some of the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 7, including the annual battle for Wheaton bragging rights between the Tigers and Falcons, and undefeated York trying to avenge last spring’s shutout loss to Hinsdale Central.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines heading into Week 7 in DuPage County, including a couple big wins last weekend for Lisle and York.

Wheaton North held on a last-minute 2-point conversion to beat Glenbard North 21-20 in a DuKane thriller Friday night.

Here’s a look at the best football matchups in DuPage County for Week 6, including undefeateds York and Glenbard West squaring off, Neuqua Valley taking its 5-0 record to Metea Valley, and Naperville North and Naperville Central renewing their rivalry, among others.

Here’s a look at some of the best storylines through the first five weeks of the regular season in DuPage County, including Willowbrook winning three straight games after an 0-2 start, among others.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 5, including a pair of matchups between 4-0 teams — South Elgin against Glenbard East, and Glenbard North vs. Batavia. Also, 3-1 Naperville Central travels to 4-0 Neuqua Valley.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines through the first four weeks of the season, including an outstanding game for Wheaton North running back Brayton Maske last week when he ran for 210 yards against St. Charles North.

Brayton Maske couldn’t hide his jubilant smile. It wasn’t regarding his 210-yard and three rushing score performance. It was after raving about his offensive line.

Here's a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 4, including York taking its 3-0 record into a matchup at Downers Grove North who also is 3-0 this season.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines in DuPage County through the first three weeks of the season, including an impressive win for Wheaton Warrenville South last Friday against St. Charles North.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines in DuPage County through the first three weeks of the season, including an impressive start by Glenbard East’s defense.

Jalen Buckley scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime to lift Batavia over Wheaton North 23-17 on Friday.

Here’s a look at the best football matchups in DuPage County for Week 3, including Downers Grove North facing off against Downers Grove South, and Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley traveling out of state to play.

Several DuPage Valley Conference teams will be headed out of state this weekend to play their football games. The reason for all the travel is the fact that there are only six schools in the DVC. Each school will play three nonconference games, including the long road trips.

Here’s a look at the best football matchups in DuPage County for Week 2, including Lincoln-Way East (1-0) visiting Naperville Central (1-0) and Glenbard North (1-0) traveling to Naperville North (1-0), among others.

Wheaton North defeated Downers Grove South in a nonconference football game in Downers Grove.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 1.

Here’s a look at what to expect in the DuKane Conference football season.

Meet the 2021 Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Football team

Wheaton North capped its season with a 16-7 win over Batavia on Saturday.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Tommy Rittenhouse plays the final game in a memorable career at St. Francis on Friday.

Wheaton North defeated Geneva 34-0 on Friday.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Naperville Central earned the No. 4 spot in this week’s Class 8A state rankings.

St. Charles North edged Wheaton North 14-12 on Friday night.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Riley Dravet relishes being back on the football field this spring for multiple reasons. Dravet, a Wheaton North senior, is playing significant minutes for the first time in over two years with classmates that went 9-0 together as freshmen.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Wheaton North defeated Lark Park 50-7 on Friday night.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Here's a look at this weekend's football games in DuPage County.

Here’s a look at the football season in the DuKane Conference.