Gallery

Cary-Grove faces Belvidere North in an IHSA Class 5A quarterfinal playoff football game on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Cary-Grove High School, in Cary.

Class 5A was probably the most wide open field to try to analyze in the state playoffs, and with the ousting of one of the favorites, Prairie Ridge, that wide open feel remains. Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

Three teams in the Northwest Herald coverage area - Burlington Central, Cary-Grove and Richmond-Burton - are still alive in the state football playoffs. Get a preview of each team's quarterfinal game.

The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association announced its All-State teams this week, and several players in the Northwest Herald coverage area were selected.

Richmond-Burton, Burlington Central and Cary-Grove marched on with second-round wins, while Fox Valley Conference champion Prairie Ridge and Jacobs ended their seasons over the weekend.

Logan Abrams, Jackson Berndt and Leo Zavala each rushed for two touchdowns, while Jason Ritter Jr. had two interceptions as Cary-Grove dominated St. Patrick 55-21 in the second round of the IHSA 5A playoffs Saturday evening.

A clear favorite in the Class 5A draw still hasn't emerged. Will Round 2 provide some clarity on that topic? Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

Five Northwest Herald teams – Burlington Central, Cary-Grove, Jacobs, Prairie Ridge and Richmond-Burton – remain in the IHSA state playoffs. Here is a preview of each team's second-round game.

Jacobs won its first playoff game in four years Saturday when the 22nd-seeded Golden Eagles beat No. 11 Addison Trail 36-27 in a Class 7A opener. That, plus news on Burlington Central, Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove in the Northwest Herald football notebook.