# 2026 IHSA Class 3A State Football Playoffs

> 2026 IHSA Class 3A state football playoff pairings and scores revealed.
- Title: 2026 IHSA Class 3A State Football Playoffs · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: 2026 IHSA Class 3A state football playoff pairings and scores revealed. Illinois High School Association announces Class 3A state football playoff pairings…
- Keywords: ihsa, class 3a, state football playoffs, playoff pairings, scores, high school football, 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-class3a-illinois-2026
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:09:21.944+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ihsa, class 3a, state football playoffs, playoff pairings, scores, high school football, illinois, news, local
## 2026 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs
Illinois High School Association reveals Class 3A state football playoff pairings and scores for 2026.
## Playoff Structure
Top 16 seeds receive a bye in the Opening Round; higher seed hosts lower seed in first round.
## Hosting Rules
Higher seed hosts game unless both teams have hosted equal times, in which case higher seed hosts.
## Game Schedule
Opening Round games on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24; championship games at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
## 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 in each half receive Opening Round bye.
## Class 3A North First Round
Princeton (17) vs. Richmond-Burton (1), Manteno (9) vs. Peru St. Bede (8), and other matchups.
## Class 3A South First Round
Roxana (16) vs. Hillsboro (1), Olympia (9) vs. Monticello (8), and other matchups.
## Class 3A North Opening Round Scores
Princeton defeated South Shore 64-20, Manteno beat Mendota 62-7, and other results.
## Class 3A South Opening Round Scores
Roxana beat Massac County 60-23, Olympia defeated Columbia 56-28, and other results.
## Key takeaway

Illinois High School Association announces Class 3A state football playoff pairings and scores for 2026.