Sterling, Dixon, and Amboy Open Second Round in Illinois Playoffs

Sterling football players prepare for a matchup against Marmion on Friday at 7 p.m. The Warriors, ranked fourth in Class 4A with a 7-2 record, earned a bye in the first round after splitting the Western Big 6 Conference title with Moline. Marmion, ranked 20th with a 4-6 record, advanced after a 40-0 victory over North Lawndale. Sterling quarterback Brady Berlin has thrown for 1,913 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. The Warriors will face the winner of the Phoenix versus Hillcrest game in the next round if they win.

Dixon travels to Evergreen Park on Saturday at 1 p.m. for their Class 4A second-round game. The Dukes, ranked 10th with a 7-3 record, defeated Plano 28-13 in their opener. Brenden Kastner and Dylan Conderman each ran for two scores in that win. Evergreen Park, ranked seventh with a 7-2 record, has not won eight games since 2022. The winner will meet the victor of the Coal City versus Leo game.

In Class 2A, Eastland-Pearl City visits undefeated Riverdale on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Wildcatz, ranked 17th with a 5-5 record, beat Beardstown 42-14 in the first round. Riverdale, ranked first, has won every game by at least 14 points this season. Lucas Dunbar has rushed for 1,506 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Rams. The winner proceeds to face the victor of the Peotone versus Illini West matchup.

Warrensburg-Latham plays Erie-Prophetstown on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Prophetstown. The Cardinals, ranked 10th with a 7-3 record, beat a Ridge Farm co-op team 42-19 last week. Erie-Prophetstown, ranked seventh with a 7-2 record, is coming off a bye. The winner will play the victor of the El Paso-Gridley versus Stillman Valley game.

Maroa-Forsyth hosts Oregon on Friday at 7 p.m. in Class 2A. The Trojans, ranked sixth with an 8-1 record, average 49 points per game. Oregon, ranked 22nd with a 4-6 record, beat Westville 35-27 in the first round. The winner faces the victor of the Aurora Christian versus Winnebago game.

In Class 1A, Newman travels to Rockridge on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Comets, ranked 14th with a 6-4 record, beat Tremont 46-6 in the first round. Rockridge, ranked third with an 8-1 record, beat Newman 46-30 earlier this season. Coach Mike LeMay said his team is excited for the challenge. The winner will face the victor of the Fulton versus Stark County game.

Lena-Winslow plays Forreston on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Class 1A. The Panthers, ranked 10th with a 7-3 record, are defending state champions. Forreston, ranked seventh with a 7-2 record, lost to Lena-Winslow 30-14 in Week 3. The winner will face the victor of the Stockton versus Orion game.

Fulton hosts Stark County on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Class 1A. The Steamers, ranked 11th with a 7-3 record, set a school record with a 70-15 win over Monmouth United last week. Stark County, ranked sixth with a 7-2 record, has not beaten a team with a winning record since the first two weeks of the season. The winner will face the victor of the Rockridge versus Newman game.

In Illinois 8-Man Football, Milledgeville visits Amboy on Saturday at noon. The Missiles, ranked 16th with a 5-4 record, are the last team to beat the Clippers. Amboy, ranked first with a 9-0 record, has won 21 games in a row and seeks a fourth consecutive state title. The winner will face the victor of the Ridgewood versus South Fork game.

South Beloit plays Polo on Saturday at noon in the 8-man division. The Sobos, ranked 10th with a 6-3 record, beat River Ridge 36-6 to end their season. Polo, ranked seventh with a 7-2 record, has Jordan Reed who rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns in their last win. The winner will face the victor of the West Carroll versus B-PC game.

Hiawatha faces West Carroll on Friday at 7 p.m. in the 8-man division. The Hawks, ranked 13th with a 6-3 record, lost to West Carroll 66-20 two weeks ago. West Carroll, ranked seventh with an 8-1 record, has not played a close game since Week 3. The winner will face the victor of the Metro-East Lutheran versus Pawnee-Lincolnwood game.