Here are the first-round football pairings by the Illinois High School Association for the Southland and the Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County areas. Class 1A (1) LeRoy 9-0 vs. (16) Aurora Christian 5-4 Jonan Miceli and Eagles end regular season on two-game losing streak but gearing up for upset. Class 2A (6) Chicago Christian 8-1 vs. (11) Illini West 6-3 Could it be the Knights’ time? Brock Sperling leads way to six straight wins heading into playoffs. Class 4A (4) Wheaton Academy 8-1 vs. (13) Sandwich 5-4 A rematch of last season’s state quarterfinal game for the Indians, who seek a better result. (5) Richmond-Burton 7-2 vs. (12) St. Laurence 6-3 If Chase Kwiatkowski and Vikings get healthy for postseason, watch out. This group is legit. (6) Ag Science 7-2 vs. (11) Clemente (6-3) The Cyclones are 6-1 in their last six games, which bodes well for opening the playoffs. St. Laurence’s Mickey Lotus (6) chases down Brother Rice’s KJ Morris (7) on a kickoff during a CCL/ESCC crossover game in Burbank on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown) Class 5A (2) Rochelle 8-1 vs. (15) Marmion 5-4 Mateusz Nycz gets Cadets back to playoffs for first time since 2021 under coach Adam Guerra. (7) Benet 6-3 vs. (10) Perspectives 5-4 Ryan Kubacki Jr. leads Redwings back to playoffs a year later than hoped. They can win too. (1) Morgan Park 8-1 vs. (16) Tinley Park 5-4 Marcus Thaxton and Mustangs have been a juggernauts. Uphill climb here for Titans. (2) Peoria 7-2 vs. (15) Hillcrest 5-4 The Hawks lose heartbreaker in regular-season finale to Lemont, but keep eye on Erimus Wright. (7) Corliss 6-3 vs. (10) T.F. North 6-3 Trevon Conner and Meteors, a program on the rise, could be a team to watch in this class. (6) Joliet Catholic 6-3 vs. (11) Jacksonville 6-3 After beating archrival Providence, Zachary Beitler and Hilltoppers are ready and tested. St. Charles North’s Joell Holloman (8) runs the ball against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in Geneva on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News) Class 6A (8) Antioch 7-2 vs. (9) Grayslake North 7-2 Martin Cohen and Sequoits return from 5A. Mitchell Hughes and rival Knights are familiar too. (4) Belvidere North 8-1 vs. (13) Kaneland 5-4 Knights have lost four of their last five games, but all were battles. Expect another tough one. (5) Wauconda 7-2 vs. (12) Fenton 6-3 Can Liam Carney help Bulldogs break through to second round? First round shouldn’t get in way. (2) Libertyville 8-1 vs. (15) Deerfield 5-4 This season of Quinn Schambow show is different. More of same vs. Mac Jones and Warriors? (7) Lake Forest 7-2 vs. (10) Mather 6-3  Daniel Van Camp and Scouts can score — see their two signature wins — and will again. (3) Geneva 8-1 vs. (14) Amundsen 5-4 Look for Tony Chahino, Talyn Taylor and Vikings to get back at it after loss to St. Charles North. (6) Burlington Central 7-2 vs. (11) Grant 6-3 Jackson Alcorn all-world passing fuels Rockets, but Tyler Zdon and Bulldogs score in bunches. (4) Kennedy 7-2 vs. (13) Oak Forest 6-3 Bengals are back in playoffs for only second time since 2016 but earn a really good draw. (5) Glenwood 7-2 vs. (12) Crete-Monee 6-3 Derrin Couch and Warriors are as good as any 6-3 team in the state. You can bank on that. (2) Richards 8-1 vs. (15) Dunlap 6-3 Noah Escobedo and Bulldogs are riding high on eight-game winning streak. This could be nine. (7) Washington 7-2 vs. (10) Shepard 7-2 Anthony Loughran and Astros will want to get their offense into gear for first-round victory. (6) Bloomington 7-2 vs. (11) Lemont 6-3 Sophomore quarterback Mike Preuss has his team hitting all right notes going into playoffs. Richards’ Milan Mosley (1) picks up yards after his catch against Lemont during a South Suburban Conference crossover game in Lemont on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown) Class 7A (16) Jacobs 7-2 vs. (17) Bradley-Bourbonnais 7-2 Connor Goehring and Golden Eagles are more than good enough to go out and win first one. (9) Maine West 8-1 vs. (24) Lincoln-Way Central 6-3 A three-game winning streak to cap off the regular season has Knights thinking big things. (4) Batavia 8-1 vs. (29) Collinsville 5-4 Nathan Whitwell and Bulldogs will be out to take care of business. On three-game win streak too. (13) Pekin 7-2 vs. (20) Lincoln-Way West 6-3 If Austin Rowswell runs well, Warriors always seem to play well. This could be a thriller. (12) Fenwick 7-2 vs. (21) Brother Rice 6-3 After 1-3 start, Crusaders have cranked out five straight victories. Six wouldn’t be a stretch. (2) Quincy 9-0 vs. (31) Argo 5-4 Angel Perez and Argonauts are the best 31st-seeded team in state. And would love to prove it. (10) St. Rita 7-2 vs. (23) Rockford Guilford 6-3 This is what Justin Buckner and Mustangs have been playing for all year. Best game is in order. (3) St. Charles North 8-1 vs. (30) Rolling Meadows 5-4 Ethan Plumb and North Stars are coming off big win over previously unbeaten Geneva. Let it roll. (14) Harlem 7-2 vs. (19) Mount Carmel 6-3 Jack Elliott and Caravan want nothing more to get off to a stellar start for another title run. Naperville Central’s Sebastian Hayes (5) fends off pressure from Lincoln-Way East’s Michael Jemilo (95) during a Southwest Valley Conference crossover game in Frankfort on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown) Class 8A (1) Lincoln-Way East 9-0 vs. (32) Niles West 5-4 Gage LaDere the latest hero for the Griffins, who appear to be a team of destiny this season. (9) Stevenson 8-1 vs. (24) Sandburg 5-4 Count on Griffin Suren and Patriots to get defensive. Charlie Snoreck and Co. hope to play spoiler. (4) West Aurora 9-0 vs. (29) Huntley 5-4 It’s back to playoffs for Blackhawks, who feature big-time threat in Iowa-bound Terrence Smith. (13) Naperville North 7-2 vs. (20) Maine South 6-3 Points will be scored by Jacob Bell and Huskies, who are hard to slow down, never mind to stop. (5) Marist 8-1 vs. (28) Glenbrook South 5-4 RedHawks have rattled off five straight wins after overtime loss to Joliet Catholic. Heads up. (7) Naperville Central 8-1 vs. (26) Schaumburg 5-4 Jake Stanish and Redhawks’ defense will soar one week after only loss — to Lincoln-Way East. (10) Fremd 8-1 vs. (23) Andrew 6-3 Brady Tranquilut and Thunderbolts have flown under the radar. Will shine under spotlight. (3) Oswego 9-0 vs. (30) Waubonsie Valley 5-4 Carson Cooney and Panthers take on Owen Roberts and Warriors. Doesn’t get any better. (6) Palatine 8-1 vs. (27) Warren 5-4 Aaron Stewart and Blue Devils make it — harder than usual — and have unusually tough draw. (11) Barrington 7-2 vs. (22) South Elgin 6-3 Typically, a 1-3 start sends a team into a tailspin. Not the Storm, who have now won five straight. Compiled by Nathan Chambers and Bill Scheibe.