# 2026 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs

> Illinois high school football playoffs set for 2026 with Class 2A pairings and scores.
- Title: 2026 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Illinois high school football playoffs set for 2026 with Class 2A pairings and scores. Illinois High School Association reveals Class 2A state football…
- Keywords: ihsa, class 2a, state football playoffs, high school football, playoff pairings, scores, illinois, news, local, 2026, Class, State
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/high-school-football/2026/10/17/ihsa-state-football-playoff-pairings-class2a-illinois-2026
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:07:20.98+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ihsa, class 2a, state football playoffs, high school football, playoff pairings, scores, illinois, news, local
## 2026 IHSA Class 2A Playoffs
Illinois High School Association reveals Class 2A state football playoff pairings and scores for 2026.
## Playoff Structure
Top 16 seeds receive a bye in the Opening Round; higher seed hosts game unless both teams have hosted equally.
## Opening Round Dates
Opening Round games start Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
## Championship Location
Class 1A through 4A title games at Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
## Class 7A and 8A Seeding
48 teams seeded #1 through #48; seeds #1, #16 receive Opening Round bye.
## Class 1A through 6A Seeding
Each 24-team half seeded #1 through #24; seeds #1, #8 receive Opening Round bye.
## Class 2A North Pairings
Eastland-Pearl City (17) vs Riverdale (1), Illini West (9) vs Peotone (8), Bismarck-Henning (13) vs Tri-Valley (4), Farmington (12) vs Wilmington (5).
## Class 2A South Pairings
Carlinville (16) vs Johnston City (1), Chester (9) vs Newton (8), DuQuoin (13) vs Nashville (4), Hamilton County (12) vs Vandalia (5).
## Opening Round North Scores
Eastland-Pearl City 42, Beardstown 14; Illini West 48, West Hancock 6; Bismarck-Henning 51, Marshall 14.
## Opening Round South Scores
Carlinville 35, Riverton 28; Chester 55, Wesclin 14; DuQuoin 35, Christopher-Ziegler-Royalton 0.
## Next Steps
Opening Round winners join bye teams in Round 1; championship games on Nov. 27 and 28.
## Key takeaway

Illinois High School Association reveals Class 2A state football playoff pairings and scores for 2026.