Hearts to Host Breese Central in First Round of 4A Playoffs

The Effingham Flaming Hearts will host the Breese Central Cougars in the first round of the Class 4A high school football playoffs.

(THE PLAYOFF BOUND EFFINGHAM FLAMING HEARTS GATHERED AT HEARTLAND DENTAL FOR THE PAIRINGS ANNOUNCEMENT SATURDAY NIGHT...thanks to Tyler Repking of Repking Media)

This is not the Breese Mater Dei team that the Hearts defeated the opening week of the season; this is the public school in Breese. The Cougars finished the regular season at 5-4 and will take on the 8-1 Hearts. The Hearts are the #3 seed in the south part of the 4A bracket; Breese Central is the #14 seed.

Game time is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday. If you missed the Hearts win over Freeburg Friday night, watch the replay here.

The other two area high school football teams also made the playoffs. 

In 1A, the Cumberland Pirates at 6-3 will travel to Fisher, who finished 7-2. The Pirates are the #9 seed in the South, Fisher is the #8 seed.

In 3A, the Newton Eagles, who won Friday night to finish at 5-4, made the playoffs. The Eagles will travel to Chillicothe IVC, the #1 seed in the South. But, they're in.

In fact, only two five-win teams in the state did not make the playoffs. Some four-win teams who won their conference made the playoffs, and there are two three-win teams who are a conference champ or a conference qualifier, who made the playoffs, the first time in Illinois that's ever happened.

Here are the IHSA brackets for the first round of the playoffs: 

1A

First Round

Game 1 — #16 Lewistown (5-4) at #1 Kewanee (Wethersfield) [A.-Wethersfield Coop] (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 2 — #9 Forreston (7-2) at #8 Ottawa (Marquette) (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 3 — #13 Cambridge [Ridgewood Coop] (6-3) at #4 Morrison (9-0), Sat. 4pm

Game 4 — #12 Abingdon (A.-Avon) (6-3) at #5 Kirkland (Hiawatha) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 5 — #15 Aurora (A. Christian) (5-4) at #2 Lena (L.-Winslow) (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 6 — #10 Orangeville (6-3) at #7 Chicago (C. Hope Academy) (7-2), Sat. 1pm

Game 7 — #14 Fulton (H.S.) (5-4) at #3 Freeport (Aquin) (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 8 — #11 Stockton (6-3) at #6 Princeville (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 9 — #16 Havana (5-4) at #1 Moweaqua (Central A & M) (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 10 — #9 Toledo (Cumberland) (6-3) at #8 Fisher (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 11 — #13 Oakland [Tri-County Coop] (5-4) at #4 Arcola (7-2), Sat. 1pm

Game 12 — #12 Mt. Sterling (Brown County) (5-4) at #5 Greenfield [G.-Northwestern Coop] (7-2), Sat. 1pm

Game 13 — #15 White Hall (North Greene) (5-4) at #2 Argenta (A.-Oreana) (8-1), Sat. 1:30pm

Game 14 — #10 Arthur (A.-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond) (6-3) at #7 Carrollton (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 15 — #14 Catlin (Salt Fork) (5-4) at #3 Camp Point (Central) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 16 — #11 Casey (C.-Westfield) (6-3) at #6 Athens (7-2), Sat. 2pm

2A

First Round

Game 1 — #16 Rockford (R. Christian) (5-4) at #1 Knoxville (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 2 — #9 Tremont (6-3) at #8 Watseka (6-3), Sat. 1pm

Game 3 — #13 Orion (5-4) at #4 Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 4 — #12 Rushville (R.-Industry) (6-3) at #5 Gibson City (G.C.-Melvin-Sibley) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 5 — #15 Savanna (West Carroll) (5-4) at #2 Minonk (Fieldcrest) (9-0), Fri. 6pm

Game 6 — #10 Chicago (Orr) (6-2) at #7 Elgin (St. Edward) (6-3), Sat. 1pm

Game 7 — #14 Mendon (Unity) [Coop] (5-4) at #3 Clifton (Central) (9-0), Sat. 3pm

Game 8 — #11 Palos Heights (Chicago Christian) (6-3) at #6 Aledo (Mercer County) (6-3), Sat. 3pm

Game 9 — #16 Red Bud (5-4) at #1 Pana (H.S.) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 10 — #9 Nokomis [Coop] (7-2) at #8 Fithian (Oakwood) (7-2), Fri. 7pm

Game 11 — #13 Eldorado (5-4) at #4 Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin) (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 12 — #12 Villa Grove [V.G.-Heritage Coop] (5-4) at #5 Nashville (8-1), Sat. 1:30pm

Game 13 — #15 Sesser (S.-Valier) [Coop] (5-4) at #2 Maroa (M.-Forsyth) (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 14 — #10 Auburn (6-3) at #7 Chester (7-2), Sat. 1:30pm

Game 15 — #14 McLeansboro (Hamilton County) (5-4) at #3 Decatur (St. Teresa) (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 16 — #11 Flora (6-3) at #6 Tuscola (7-2), Sat. 2pm

3A

First Round

Game 1 — #16 Poplar Grove (North Boone) (5-4) at #1 Princeton (8-1), Fri. 7pm

Game 2 — #9 Spring Valley (Hall) (6-3) at #8 Peotone (6-3), Sat. 1pm

Game 3 — #13 Seneca (5-4) at #4 Farmington (7-2), Fri. 7pm

Game 4 — #12 Chicago (Carver) (6-2) at #5 Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda) (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 5 — #15 Rock Island (Alleman) (5-4) at #2 Byron (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 6 — #10 Chicago (Harlan) (6-2) at #7 Durand [Du-Pec Coop] (6-3), Sat. 1pm

Game 7 — #14 Lisle (Sr.) (5-4) at #3 Wilmington (8-1), Fri. 7pm

Game 8 — #11 Chicago (Dunbar) (6-2) at #6 Eureka (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 9 — #16 Newton (5-4) at #1 Beardstown (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 10 — #9 Quincy (Notre Dame) (6-3) at #8 Greenville (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 11 — #13 Alton (Marquette) (5-4) at #4 Fairfield (9-0), Sat. 2pm

Game 12 — #12 West Frankfort (Frankfort) (6-3) at #5 Breese (Mater Dei) (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 13 — #15 St. Joseph (S.J.-Ogden) (5-4) at #2 Williamsville (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 14 — #10 Monticello (6-3) at #7 DuQuoin (H.S.) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 15 — #14 Virden (North Mac) (5-4) at #3 Vandalia (9-0), Sat. 2pm

Game 16 — #11 Carlinville (6-3) at #6 Mt. Carmel (8-1), Sat. 2pm

4A

First Round

Game 1 — #16 Chicago (Phoenix) (3-4) at #1 Coal City (9-0), Sat. 2pm

Game 2 — #9 Chicago (Agricultural Science) (6-2) at #8 Kewanee (H.S.) (6-3), Sat. 1pm

Game 3 — #13 Chicago (Clark) (5-3) at #4 Wheaton (St. Francis) (8-1), Sat. 11am

Game 4 — #12 North Chicago (5-4) at #5 Genoa (G.-Kingston) (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 5 — #15 Chicago (Urban Prep/Bronzeville) (4-5) at #2 Richmond (R.-Burton) (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 6 — #10 Manteno (5-4) at #7 Marengo (7-2), Fri. 7pm

Game 7 — #14 Chicago (Sullivan) (5-3) at #3 Elmhurst (IC Catholic) (8-1), Sat. 6pm

Game 8 — #11 Dixon (H.S.) (5-4) at #6 Stillman Valley (8-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 9 — #16 Taylorville (5-4) at #1 Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central) (9-0), Sat. 6pm

Game 10 — #9 Murphysboro [Coop] (7-2) at #8 Bethalto (Civic Memorial) (7-2), Sat. 4pm

Game 11 — #13 Clinton (6-3) at #4 Tolono (Unity) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 12 — #12 Kankakee (McNamara) (6-3) at #5 Paris (8-1), Sat. 1:30pm

Game 13 — #15 Roxana (5-4) at #2 Columbia (9-0), Sat. 2pm

Game 14 — #10 Fairbury (Prairie Central) (7-2) at #7 Olney (Richland County) (7-2), Fri. 7pm

Game 15 — #14 Breese (Central) (5-4) at #3 Effingham (H.S.) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 16 — #11 Salem (7-2) at #6 Benton (8-1), Sat. 3pm

5A

First Round

Game 1 — #16 Chicago Heights (Marian) (5-4) at #1 Sterling (H.S.) (9-0), Fri. 7pm

Game 2 — #9 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South) (6-3) at #8 Chicago (St. Rita) (6-3), Fri. 7pm

Game 3 — #13 Burbank (St. Laurence) (5-4) at #4 Country Club Hills (Hillcrest) (8-1), Fri. 7pm

Game 4 — #12 Oak Park (Fenwick) (5-4) vs. #5 Chicago (Payton) (8-0), Sat. 6pm

Game 5 — #15 Chicago (Hyde Park) (5-3) at #2 Rockford (Boylan Catholic) (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 6 — #10 Aurora (Marmion Academy) (6-3) vs. #7 Chicago (Amundsen) (7-1), Sat. 1pm

Game 7 — #14 Evergreen Park (5-4) at #3 Sycamore (H.S.) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 8 — #11 Elmwood Park (6-3) at #6 Lombard (Montini) (7-2), Sat. 1pm

Game 9 — #16 Decatur (MacArthur) (5-4) at #1 Mt. Zion (9-0), Sat. 1pm

Game 10 — #9 Joliet (Catholic Academy) (6-3) at #8 Morton (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 11 — #13 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-3) at #4 Kankakee (Sr.) (8-1), Sat. 3pm

Game 12 — #12 Mascoutah (6-3) at #5 Carbondale (H.S.) (8-1), Sat. 2:30pm

Game 13 — #15 LaSalle (L.-Peru) (5-4) at #2 Rochester (8-1), Sat. 3pm

Game 14 — #10 Highland (6-3) at #7 Cahokia (H.S.) (7-2), Sat. 2pm

Game 15 — #14 Troy (Triad) (6-3) at #3 Marion (H.S.) (8-1), Sat. 2pm

Game 16 — #11 Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) (6-3) at #6 Morris (7-2), Sat. 2pm

6A

First Round

Game 1 — #16 Grayslake (North) (5-4) at #1 Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge) (8-1)

Game 2 — #9 Lake Villa (Lakes) (6-3) vs. #8 Chicago (Simeon) (6-1) 

Game 3 — #13 Chicago (St. Ignatius) (5-4) at #4 Cary (C.-Grove) (7-2)

Game 4 — #12 Chicago (Mather) (6-2) at #5 Antioch (7-2)

Game 5 — #15 Crystal Lake (South) (5-4) at #2 Deerfield (H.S.) (7-2)

Game 6 — #10 Riverside (R.-Brookfield) (6-3) vs. #7 Chicago (Kenwood) (7-1)

Game 7 — #14 Lake Forest (H.S.) (5-4) at #3 Belvidere (North) (7-2)

Game 8 — #11 Crystal Lake (Central) (6-3) at #6 Maple Park (Kaneland) (7-2)

Game 9 — #16 Chicago (Morgan Park) (5-3) at #1 East St. Louis (Sr.) (9-0)

Game 10 — #9 Rock Island (H.S.) (7-2) at #8 Dunlap (7-2)

Game 11 — #13 Washington (6-3) at #4 Oak Lawn (Richards) (8-1)

Game 12 — #12 Palos Heights (Shepard) (6-3) at #5 Peoria (H.S.) (8-1)

Game 13 — #15 Danville (H.S.) (6-3) at #2 Chatham (Glenwood) (9-0)

Game 14 — #10 Springfield (H.S.) (7-2) at #7 Lemont (H.S.) (7-2)

Game 15 — #14 Midlothian (Bremen) (6-3) at #3 Crete (C.-Monee) (9-0)

Game 16 — #11 New Lenox (Providence Catholic) (6-3) at #6 Normal (Community West) (7-2)

7A

First Round

Game 1 — #32 Blue Island (Eisenhower) (5-4) at #1 Chicago (Mt. Carmel) (9-0)

Game 2 — #17 Lisle (Benet Academy) (6-3) at #16 Carol Stream (Glenbard North) (6-3)

Game 3 — #25 New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West) (5-4) vs. #8 Chicago (Phillips) (7-1)

Game 4 — #24 Burbank (Reavis) (6-3) at #9 Normal (Community) (7-2)

Game 5 — #29 Rockford (Auburn) (5-4) at #4 Arlington Heights (Hersey) (8-1)

Game 6 — #20 Lake Zurich (6-3) at #13 Tinley Park (Andrew) (7-2)

Game 7 — #28 Moline (H.S.) (5-4) at #5 Villa Park (Willowbrook) (8-1)

Game 8 — #21 Lansing (Thornton Fractional South) (6-3) at #12 Yorkville (H.S.) (7-2)

Game 9 — #31 Libertyville (5-4) at #2 LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) (9-0)

Game 10 — #18 Pekin (6-3) at #15 Harvey (Thornton) (7-2)

Game 11 — #26 South Holland (Thornwood) (5-4) at #7 Batavia (7-2)

Game 12 — #23 Fox Lake (Grant) (6-3) at #10 Rockton (Hononegah) (7-2)

Game 13 — #30 Chicago (Lincoln Park) (5-3) at #3 Rolling Meadows (9-0)

Game 14 — #19 DeKalb (6-3) at #14 Mt. Prospect (Prospect) (7-2)

Game 15 — #27 Downers Grove (North) (5-4) at #6 Des Plaines (Maine West) (8-1)

Game 16 — #22 Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) (6-3) at #11 Machesney Park (Harlem) (7-2)

8A

First Round

Game 1 — #32 Joliet (West) (4-5) at #1 Minooka (9-0)

Game 2 — #17 St. Charles (East) (7-2) at #16 Edwardsville (H.S.) (7-2)

Game 3 — #25 Oswego (East) (5-4) at #8 South Elgin (8-1)

Game 4 — #24 Chicago (Brother Rice) (5-4) at #9 Bartlett (8-1)

Game 5 — #29 Plainfield (East) (5-4) at #4 Gurnee (Warren) (9-0)

Game 6 — #20 Plainfield (North) (6-3) at #13 Palatine (Fremd) (7-2)

Game 7 — #28 Elgin (H.S.) (5-4) at #5 Oswego (H.S.) (8-1)

Game 8 — #21 Bolingbrook (6-3) at #12 Hinsdale (Central) (8-1)

Game 9 — #31 Downers Grove (South) (5-4) at #2 Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West) (9-0)

Game 10 — #18 Wilmette (Loyola Academy) (6-3) at #15 Park Ridge (Maine South) (7-2)

Game 11 — #26 Chicago (Taft) (5-3) at #7 Huntley (8-1)

Game 12 — #23 Chicago (Marist) (5-4) at #10 Lombard (Glenbard East) (8-1)

Game 13 — #30 Plainfield (South) (5-4) at #3 Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) (9-0)

Game 14 — #19 Barrington (6-3) at #14 Niles (Notre Dame) (7-2)

Game 15 — #27 Chicago (Curie) (5-3) at #6 Flossmoor (Homewood-F.) (8-1)

Game 16 — #22 Hoffman Estates (Conant) (6-3) at #11 Naperville (Neuqua Valley) (8-1)