High school football pairings for the Southland and the Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County areas

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Here are the first-round pairings by the Illinois High School Association for the Southland and the Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County areas.

(13) Aurora Christian 5-4 vs. (4) Fulton 7-2

Max Bray and Co. look to get going after losing to Ottawa Marquette in first round last year.

(14) Chicago Christian 5-4 vs. (3) Wilmington 8-1

Knights get tough opening draw against Wildcats, a perennial state contender.

(9) Elmwood-Brimfield 6-3 vs. (8) Genoa-Kingston 7-2

Cogs enter postseason on two-game winning streak after 32-28 win over Stillman Valley.

(13) Providence 5-4 vs. (4) Wheaton Academy 8-1

In Tyler Plantz’s first season as coach, Celtics seek return to glory days of playoff success.

(12) Phillips 5-4 vs. (5) Joliet Catholic 7-2

Defending Class 4A state champion Hilltoppers face battle in Public League power.

(11) Chicago Noble-Comer 6-3 vs. (6) Evergreen Park 7-2

Mustangs rout Argo in regular-season finale, take three-game winning streak into playoffs.

(9) Carmel 6-3 vs. (8) Chicago Noble-Bulls 7-2

Future begins for Corsairs, back in playoffs for first time since 2016 with freshmen and sophomores in key spots.

(15) Fenwick 5-4 vs. (2) Morgan Park 8-1

Mustangs bounce back after Week 8 loss against Simeon, appear poised for long run.

(14) Hillcrest 5-4 vs. (3) Rockford Boylan 8-1

Hawks needed a Week 9 win over Oak Forest and got it with a 26-7 decision.

(16) Schurz 5-4 vs. (1) Wauconda 8-1

Expect Bulldogs to get back on track after 19-game regular-season win streak ended.

(9) Antioch 6-3 vs. (8) Notre Dame 6-3

Sequoits averaged 56.7 points in past three games but have tough opener.

(13) Deerfield 6-3 vs. (4) St. Ignatius 7-2

The Warriors, who outscored opponents 142-34 during five-game win streak, still have tall task.

(12) Grayslake Central 6-3 vs. (5) Belvidere North 7-2

Rams defense will have to slow down Blue Thunder for always dynamic Kaiden Miller to make difference.

(10) Riverside-Brookfield 6-3 vs. (7) Kaneland 6-3

Knights have quietly gone 5-1 in their last six games and could be primed to make another step.

(14) Senn 5-4 vs. (3) Grayslake North 8-1

Veteran quarterback Jacob Donohue and Knights are clicking on all cylinders.

(16) Eisenhower 5-4 vs. (1) Lemont 9-0

Nothing like a South Suburban Conference crossover to spice up the first round.

(12) Washington 6-3 vs. (5) Bremen 8-1

Braves beat Oak Lawn 44-14 in regular-season finale to extend winning streak to five.

(15) Oak Forest 5-4 vs. (2) Simeon 9-0

Bengals need to get back to winning ways after two-game losing streak, but they’re in.

(10) Champaign Centennial 7-2 vs. (7) Crete-Monee 7-2

After starting season 0-2, Warriors have been dominant. Could state title be next?

(11) Richards 6-3 vs. (6) East St. Louis 7-2

Bulldogs get tough draw in downstate power but are coming off 59-6 win over Reavis.

(32) Buffalo Grove 4-5 vs. (1) Mount Carmel (9-0)

Getting the Caravan in the first round is like putting ketchup on a hot dog. It’s not advised.

(24) Brother Rice 5-4 vs. (9) Jacobs 8-1

Flip your favorite coin. Crusaders play tough schedule, but Golden Eagles have been just that — golden.

(29) Maine West 5-4 vs. (4) St. Charles North 8-1

Will Vaske, Ethan Plumb, Drew Surges. The North Stars are loaded and ready to shine.

(28) Reavis 5-4 vs. (5) Prospect 8-1

Rams have been plagued by injuries all season, so getting in is a bigger accomplishment than for most.

(21) Geneva 6-3 vs. (12) St. Rita 7-2

Vikings are loaded with emerging stars, but Mustangs want to keep coach Todd Kuska’s final season going.

(31) Argo 5-4 vs. (2) Hersey 9-0

It’s mission accomplished for Argonauts in making it into the playoffs for first time since 2013.

(18) Batavia 6-3 vs. (15) Rockford Guilford 7-2

It’s hard to get a handle on these Bulldogs. They’ve played great competition. Could best be yet to come?

(26) Libertyville 5-4 vs. (7) Yorkville 8-1

Wildcats, who have struggled to score against winning teams, face Foxes defense that allowed just 79 points.

(22) Larkin 6-3 vs. (11) Lake Zurich 8-1

A five-game winning streak by Royals is nothing to sneeze at, but dominant Bears defense could be the tissue.

(32) Conant 5-4 vs. (1) Lincoln-Way East 9-0

The gold standard of the biggest class, Griffins have high expectations for Thanksgiving weekend.

(17) Neuqua Valley 7-2 vs. (16) Lane 7-2

Forget the seeds. With star Mark Mennecke or Ryan Mohler at QB, the Wildcats should roll.

(25) Stevenson 6-3 vs. (8) Warren 8-1

Blue Devils won conference matchup 36-16, but Patriots have allowed just 14 points in five wins since.

(24) Andrew 6-3 vs. (9) Huntley 8-1

Yowza. Thunderbolts beat defending 8A state champ Lockport 28-27 in double OT to close regular season.

(29) Belleville East 5-4 vs. (4) South Elgin 9-0

Even an injury at quarterback could not stop Storm from a perfect regular season. Good vibes here.

(28) Lockport 5-4 vs. (5) Glenbard West 8-1

Porters have been on a roller-coaster ride of a season and get another tough ticket with Hitters.

(21) Homewood-Flossmoor 6-3 vs. (12) Glenbrook South 8-1

Big rivalry wins over Sandburg and Lincoln-Way West have Vikings thinking big about the first round.

(31) Oswego East 5-4 vs. (2) York 9-0

The return of running back Oshobi Odior gives Wolves a boost after up-and-down regular season.

(18) Marist 6-3 vs. (15) Naperville North 7-2

Big win for RedHawks over Brother Rice in Week 9, but Huskies have been as steady as it comes.

(30) Rich Township 5-4 vs. (3) Plainfield North 9-0

First time in playoffs for the Raptors after the district merger, although Tigers represent rough test.

(19) Naperville Central 6-3 vs. (14) Lyons 7-2

Redhawks defense has to rebound from 31-3 loss to Naperville North in regular-season finale to beat Lions.