Football
Mt. Carmel
And then there were four
Seven teams from the Little Illini Conference began the quest to win an IHSA state football championship. Three were defeated in last weekend’s Opening Round of play. That leaves us with four teams left as we move on to the First Round of the newly-expanded playoffs.
Here’s the lineup for this weekend:
FRIDAY
Class 2A
Chester (6-4) at Newton (6-3), 7:00 p.m.
Chester is in the playoffs for the 23rd time, and if you don’t count the COVID cancellation of 2020, they are in for the eighth straight time… The Yellow Jackets are 8-22 all-time in the post-season… Newton, one of two LIC teams to get a first-round bye, is making its’ 21st appearance, and second straight… The Eagles are 18-20 all-time. Newton finished second in 2005… It’s their first-ever appearance in the Class 2A tourney after years in 3A… This is the first playoff meeting between the two schools… Chester defeated Trenton Wesclin, 55-14, in the Opening Round…Â Newton also beat Wesclin, 55-7, back in Week 2…Â Massey projects: Chester 28-27. Our prediction: Newton 33-28.
SATURDAY
Class 1A
Casey-Westfield (4-6)Â at Tuscola (7-2), 1:00 p.m.
Casey-Westfield is in the post-season for the 36th time, and fourth straight… The Warriors are 55-34 all-time in the playoffs… They won the Class 2A state title in 1985, and finished second in 1982… Tuscola is 56-22 all-time in the playoffs… The Warriors are making their 35th trip to the playoffs, and fifth straight… Tuscola won the 1A title in 2006 and 2009, and finished second three times… Casey-Westfield sprung a big upset in the Opening Round. The #22-seed Warriors won on the road at 11th-seed Astoria, 12-6… Tuscola had a bye last week… Casey-Westfield leads the playoff series, 2-1, but they haven’t met since 1996, Massey projects: Tuscola 40-13. Our prediction: Tuscola 47-0. Weather: Clouds, 65.
Class 3A
Greenville (7-3) at Mt. Carmel (9-0), 2:00 p.m.
Greenville is making its’ 28th appearance in the playoffs, and fourth in a row… The Comets are 31-27 all-time…
Mt. Carmel is 65-42 in the post-season… The Golden Aes are in the tournament for the 44th time, and seventh straight (not counting COVID)… They won the 3A state crown in 1981, and have also finished second five times…Â Greenville defeated Petersburg PORTA, 28-18, in the Opening Round last week… Mt. Carmel sat out with a bye last week… These two have meet before, with Mt. Carmel leading the playoff series, 2-1… Greenville won the last time they met, 71-70, in 2013 (the highest-scoring 3A playoff game in history)… Massey projects: Mt. Carmel 36-14. Our prediction: Mt. Carmel 33-12. Weather: Clouds, 69.
Paris (8-2) at Macomb (8-1), 2:00 p.m.
Paris is in the playoff series for the ninth time in school history, and second in a row… The Tigers are 3-8 all-time… Macomb is appearing for the 21st time, and third time in a row… The Bombers are 15-20 all-time… Macomb is back in the Class 3A state tournament for the first time since 2011 after spending years in the 4A division… They are 6-13 all-time in the 4A playoff field, and 9-7 in 3A games… Last week, Paris advanced with a 16-13 win at home over Eureka… Macomb had a bye last week… This is the first post-season matchup between the two schools… Massey projects: Macomb 32-21. Our prediction: Macomb 34-19. Weather: Rain, 62.
This story has been edited. Weather forecast inserted for Saturday games.
| Conference | Overall | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W-L | PF | PA | W-L | PF | PA | Home | Away | Strk |
| Mt. Carmel Golden AcesMCHS | 7-0 | 262 | 77 | 10-0 | 391 | 149 | 5-0 | 5-0 | W10 |
 Newton EaglesNEW | 5-2 | 292 | 142 | 7-3 | 401 | 207 | 5-0 | 2-3 | W5 |
 Paris TigersPAR | 5-2 | 260 | 122 | 8-3 | 351 | 199 | 5-1 | 3-2 | L1 |
 Olney TigersOLN | 4-3 | 249 | 196 | 4-6 | 305 | 297 | 3-1 | 1-5 | L2 |
 Robinson MaroonsROB | 3-4 | 120 | 205 | 4-6 | 186 | 371 | 1-4 | 3-2 | L1 |
 Casey-Westfield WarriorsC-W | 2-5 | 113 | 213 | 4-7 | 189 | 284 | 1-4 | 3-3 | L1 |
 Marshall LionsMAR | 2-5 | 120 | 217 | 3-7 | 150 | 309 | 1-3 | 2-4 | L3 |
 Lawrenceville IndiansLVILLE | 0-7 | 70 | 314 | 0-9 | 84 | 390 | 0-5 | 0-4 | L9 |
Standings are updated when results are made available. Some columns are hidden on small screens; scroll the table sideways or view on a larger screen for the full set.
- W-L:
- Conference Record
- PF:
- Total Points For
- PA:
- Total Points Against
- HOME:
- Home Record
- AWAY:
- Away Record
- STRK:
- Current Streak
WesclinWESC(2-8)8atMarshallMAR(3-7)16FINALRobinsonROB(4-6)44at
CharlestonCHA(1-8)41FINALNewtonNEW(7-3)26at
Civic MemorialCM(5-6)36FINALLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)14at
CarlyleCARL(7-4)26FINALOlneyOLN(4-6)7at
TaylorvilleTAY(6-4)47FINALCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)43at
East Alton-Wood RiverEAWR0FINAL
DuQuoinDUQ(6-5)22atMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)50FINAL
ChesterCHE(6-5)25atParisPAR(8-3)27FINALWesclinWESC(2-8)7atNewtonNEW(7-3)55FINALMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)35at
EffinghamEFF(2-8)28FINAL
Breese Mater DeiBMD(5-5)20atCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)15FINAL
BentonBEN(9-1)55atRobinsonROB(4-6)6FINAL
SalemSAL(6-5)28atOlneyOLN(4-6)27FINALParisPAR(8-3)42at
North VermillionNORT12FINAL
Eastland (Lanark)EAST(6-5)50atLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)0FINALMarshallMAR(3-7)7at
Sparta/SteelevilleSS(9-2)36FINALMarshallMAR(3-7)20atParisPAR(8-3)34FINALCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)14atNewtonNEW(7-3)42FINALLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)9atOlneyOLN(4-6)46FINALMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)29atRobinsonROB(4-6)13FINALParisPAR(8-3)45atLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)11FINALNewtonNEW(7-3)14atMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)43FINALRobinsonROB(4-6)20atCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)13FINALOlneyOLN(4-6)53atMarshallMAR(3-7)8FINALMarshallMAR(3-7)20atRobinsonROB(4-6)7FINALMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)24atParisPAR(8-3)20FINALNewtonNEW(7-3)25atOlneyOLN(4-6)30FINALLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)20atCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)40FINALRobinsonROB(4-6)19atLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)16FINALParisPAR(8-3)29atNewtonNEW(7-3)35FINALOlneyOLN(4-6)30atMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)38FINALCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)13atMarshallMAR(3-7)6FINALOlneyOLN(4-6)19atParisPAR(8-3)49FINALNewtonNEW(7-3)56atRobinsonROB(4-6)14FINALMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)42atCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)0FINALMarshallMAR(3-7)60atLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)8FINALMarshallMAR(3-7)0atMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)40FINALLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)6atNewtonNEW(7-3)58FINALCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)20atOlneyOLN(4-6)42FINALRobinsonROB(4-6)0atParisPAR(8-3)42FINALNewtonNEW(7-3)62atMarshallMAR(3-7)6FINALMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)46atLawrencevilleLVILLE(0-9)0FINALParisPAR(8-3)41atCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)13FINALOlneyOLN(4-6)29atRobinsonROB(4-6)47FINALMarshallMAR(3-7)7at
Moweaqua (Central A & M)MOW(5-6)48Opening RoundFINALOlneyOLN(4-6)22atSalemSAL(6-5)26Opening RoundFINALCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)12at
AstoriaAST(6-4)6Opening RoundFINAL
EurekaEUR(4-6)13atParisPAR(8-3)16Opening RoundFINALRobinsonROB(4-6)16at
Tolono (Unity)TOL(9-2)70Opening RoundFINALChesterCHE(6-5)22atNewtonNEW(7-3)28First RoundFINALCasey-WestfieldC-W(4-7)6at
TuscolaTUS(8-2)45First RoundFINAL
GreenvilleGRE(7-4)22atMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)44First RoundFINALParisPAR(8-3)6at
MacombMAC(9-1)27First RoundFINALNewtonNEW(7-3)at
Johnston CityJC(10-0)Second Round7:00 PMBentonBEN(9-1)atMt. CarmelMCHS(10-0)Second RoundTBD| Season | Champion(s) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Mt. CarmelMCHS |
| 2025 | OlneyOLN |
| 2024 | OlneyOLN |
| 2023 | Mt. CarmelMCHS |
| 2022 | Mt. CarmelMCHS |
| 2021 | Mt. CarmelMCHS |
| 2020 | No season (COVID) |
| 2019 | OlneyOLNParisPAR |
| 2018 | ParisPAR |
| 2017 | Red Hill |
| 2016 | NewtonNEW |
| 2015 | NewtonNEW |
| 2014 | Casey-WestfieldC-WLawrencevilleLVILLERobinsonROB |
| 2013 | Casey-Westfield (Eastern)/Olney-Robinson (Egyptian) |
| 2012 | Casey-Westfield (Eastern)/Olney (Egyptian) |
| 2011 | MarshallMAR |
| 2010 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 2009 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 2008 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 2007 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 2006 | Red Hill |
| 2005 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 2004 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 2003 | MarshallMAR |
| 2002 | MarshallMAR |
| 2001 | Red Hill |
| 2000 | MarshallMAR |
| 1999 | Casey-WestfieldC-WPalestine |
| 1998 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
| 1997 | MarshallMAR |
| 1996 | Casey-WestfieldC-W |
The official bracket. Seeds, halves and sites are the IHSA's own, imported from their bracket. Who wins each game is this site's projection and nothing more.
North
Opening Round23/24 Oct
Beardstown14Lanark (Eastland)Eastland-Pearl City42
Carthage (Illini West)Illini West48
HamiltonWest Hancock6
Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin)Bismarck-Henning51
Chicago (Marshall)Chicago Marshall14
Farmington22
Pleasant Plains16
Stillman Valley32
Braidwood (Reed-Custer)Reed-Custer31
Warrensburg (W.-Latham)Warrensburg-Latham42
Georgetown (G.-Ridge Farm)Georgetown-Ridge Farm19
Winnebago42
ElmwoodElmwood-Brimfield12
Westville27
Oregon35First Round30/31 Oct
Port Byron (Riverdale)Riverdale8Lanark (Eastland)Eastland-Pearl City11
Peotone51Carthage (Illini West)Illini West8
Downs (Tri-Valley)Tri-Valley63Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin)Bismarck-Henning14
Wilmington56Farmington26
El Paso (E.P.-Gridley)El Paso-Gridley56Stillman Valley9
ErieErie-Prophetstown12Warrensburg (W.-Latham)Warrensburg-Latham21
Aurora (A. Christian)Aurora Christian42Winnebago14
Maroa (M.-Forsyth)Maroa-Forsyth49Oregon18Second Round6/7 Nov
Lanark (Eastland)Eastland-Pearl CityPeotoneDowns (Tri-Valley)Tri-ValleyWilmingtonEl Paso (E.P.-Gridley)El Paso-GridleyWarrensburg (W.-Latham)Warrensburg-LathamAurora (A. Christian)Aurora ChristianMaroa (M.-Forsyth)Maroa-ForsythQuarterfinals13/14 Nov
PeotoneDowns (Tri-Valley)Tri-ValleyWarrensburg (W.-Latham)Warrensburg-LathamMaroa (M.-Forsyth)Maroa-ForsythSemifinals20/21 Nov
Downs (Tri-Valley)Tri-ValleyMaroa (M.-Forsyth)Maroa-ForsythSouth
Opening Round23/24 Oct
Carlinville35
Riverton28Chester55Trenton (Wesclin)Wesclin14DuQuoin (H.S.)DuQuoin35
ChristopherC.-Zeigler-Royalton0
McLeansboro (Hamilton County)Hamilton County38
Niantic (Sangamon Valley)Sangamon Valley8
Decatur (St. Teresa)St. Teresa42
Piasa (Southwestern)Piasa Southwestern7
Auburn54
Jacksonville (Routt)Routt7Moweaqua (Central A & M)Central A & M48Marshall7
Carmi (C.-White County)Carmi-White County6
Shelbyville42First Round30/31 Oct
Johnston City38Carlinville13Newton28Chester22
Nashville45DuQuoin (H.S.)DuQuoin28
Vandalia42McLeansboro (Hamilton County)Hamilton County6
West Frankfort (Frankfort)West Frankfort56Decatur (St. Teresa)St. Teresa28
Red Bud17Auburn38
Flora28Moweaqua (Central A & M)Central A & M13
Pana (H.S.)Pana13Shelbyville28Second Round6/7 Nov
Johnston CityNewtonNashvilleVandaliaWest Frankfort (Frankfort)West FrankfortAuburnFloraShelbyvilleQuarterfinals13/14 Nov
Johnston CityNashvilleWest Frankfort (Frankfort)West FrankfortFloraSemifinals20/21 Nov
Johnston CityFloraSeeds are the IHSA's own projection and change every week. Five wins qualifies, so teams on fewer are still playing their way in. The real draw also takes travel into account, so Classes 1A to 6A are split into North and South halves of 24 before seeding, as the IHSA does; 7A and 8A are seeded 1 to 48. Classes themselves are not settled until the field is final, so these can move. The number beside each school is its place in its half of the draw, which is what the bracket runs on; the outlook table shows the seed in the class as a whole, 1 to 48. R marks a conference representative, C a berth already clinched on four or more wins. Ties are listed in bracket order, so the top two seeds sit in opposite halves and can only meet in the final.