# 2026 IHSA Class 7A Football Playoffs

> Chicago Sun-Times reveals 2026 IHSA Class 7A state football playoff pairings and scores.
- Title: 2026 IHSA Class 7A Football Playoffs · Chicago Sun-Times
- Summary: Chicago Sun-Times reveals 2026 IHSA Class 7A state football playoff pairings and scores. 2026 IHSA Class 7A state football playoffs begin with Opening Round…
- Keywords: ihsa, class 7a, state football playoffs, opening round, playoff pairings, scores, glenbard west, lincoln park, normal, st charles north, brother rice, kenwood
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/high-school-football/2026/10/17/ihsa-state-football-playoff-pairings-class7a-illinois-2026
- Published: 2026-10-18T02:42:04.254+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ihsa, class 7a, state football playoffs, opening round, playoff pairings, scores, glenbard west, lincoln park, normal, st charles north, brother rice, kenwood
## 2026 IHSA Class 7A Playoffs
The Illinois High School Association state football playoffs for Class 7A have been announced with pairings and scores.
## Opening Round Format
Higher seeds host in the Opening Round; subsequent rounds alternate hosting based on fewer games hosted.
## Playoff Schedule
Opening Round games start Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24, with championship games at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
## Class 7A Seeding
48 teams in Class 7A are seeded #1 through #48 with #1, #16 receiving an Opening Round bye.
## Class 7A First Round Pairings
Lincoln Park vs. Normal, Glenbard East vs. Kenwood, St. Charles North vs. Brother Rice, and other matchups are scheduled.
## Opening Round Scores
Edwardsville defeated Lincoln Park 42-0, Glenbard East beat Bartlett 42-14, and other games have been played.
## Next Round
Winners from the Opening Round join the bye teams in Round 1 of the playoffs.
## Championship Dates
Class 1A through 4A title games on Friday, Nov. 27; Class 5A through 8A title games on Saturday, Nov. 28.
## Playoff Structure
In Class 1A through 6A, each half has 24 teams seeded #1 through #24 with #1, #8 receiving an Opening Round bye.
## Key Matchup
Glenbard West’s Keyante Johnson (9) carries the ball against Lyons in the playoffs.
## Key takeaway

2026 IHSA Class 7A state football playoffs begin with Opening Round games on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24.