Enrollment changes lead to the 4A draw looking a bit different than it has in the past few years. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 4A Playoffs.

Dixon's defense continues to help set the tone heading into the playoffs. Newman was challenged by Mon-Rose to end the regular season, and Polo's 70 points were the most the Marcos scored since at least 1935 in this week's Sauk Valley football notes.

Here is a look at the seven IHSA first-round playoff football matchups in the Sauk Valley area and what to watch for. Dixon and Sterling would face each other in Class 4A if they both win.

Sterling got a fifth win after beating Rock Island 42-14. EPC got its fifth win, Rock Falls fell just short to Rockford Lutheran and more in Friday's Sauk Valley football roundup.

Senior Landon Knigge rushed for a single-game school-record 447 yards and scored five touchdowns to lead Dixon to a 58-20 win over Genoa-Kingston in the regular-season finale Friday night at A.C. Bowers Field.

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Genoa-Kingston travels to Dixon to take on the Dukes. The game took place on Dixon's Senior Night, October 24th, 2025

Dixon hosts Genoa-Kingston, Newman faces Mon-Rose in a battle of 7-1 teams, Sterling heads to Rock Island, Rock Falls (0-8) faces Rockford Lutheran (0-8), Polo (7-1) hosts South Beloit (7-1) and more in this week's Sauk Valley slate.

Dixon dominated old conference foe Streator 65-0 Friday at Doug Dieken Stadium to move to 7-1.

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Dixon shut out Streator 65-0 on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 at Doug Dieken Stadium in Streator. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.