Darren Kinnard
Section618.com
Here’s a look at the updated high school football playoff pictures for teams in the region heading into the final games of the regular season. Teams clinch playoff spots by winning their conference championship or by winning six games. Teams winning five games are considered “playoff eligible.”
Of note, the IHSA has marked Cahokia (4-4) as the conference champion rep for the South 7. The Comanches finished in a three-way tie for the title with Marion and Carbondale.
Statewide, 151 teams have clinched playoff berths, leaving 105 available spots. There are currently 63 teams “playoff eligible” at 5-3, and another 70 teams are 4-4. If more than 28 of the 4-4 teams lose, then we will see 4-5 team(s) in the field.
Conferences included in this snapshot: Black Diamond, Cahokia–Illinois, Cahokia–Mississippi, Little Illini, Mississippi Valley, South 7, SIRR–Mississippi, and SIRR–Ohio along with Breese Mater Dei.
Clinched (Playoff points in parentheses):
Breese Mater Dei 8-0 (31) @ Mt. Zion
Mt. Carmel 8-0 (30)* @ Paris
Benton 8-0 (27)* @ Anna-Jonesboro
Johnston City 7-1 (37)* vs CZR
Breese Central 7-1 (34)* vs Herrin
Mascoutah 7-1 (33)* @ Carbondale
Nashville 7-1 (31)* vs West Frankfort
Fairfield 7-1 (30) vs Vienna/Goreville (forfeit)
Marion 7-1 (26) vs Mattoon
Murphysboro 6-2 (38) @ Du Quoin
Carterville 6-2 (37) vs Harrisburg
Triad 6-2 (35) @ Lincoln
Freeburg 6-2 (34) @ Waterloo
Paris 6-2 (33) vs Mt. Carmel
S-V/Waltonville 6-2 (32) @ Hamilton Co.
Chester 6-2 (30) vs Mt. Vernon*
Cahokia 4-4 (31) @ True Divine Word Academy (MO)*
Win and In (Playoff Eligible):
Harrisburg 5-3 (36) @ Carterville
Carmi-White Co. 5-3 (34) @ Flora
Carbondale 5-3 (33) vs Mascoutah
Flora 5-3 (33) vs Carmi-White Co.
Casey-Westfield 5-3 (33) @ Red Hill
Lawrenceville 5-3 (33) @ Oblong
Civic Memorial 5-3 (27) vs Taylorville
Win to be Playoff Eligible:
Highland 4-4 (45) @ Effingham
Du Quoin 4-4 (39) vs Murphysboro
Centralia 4-4 (39) @ Collinsville
Anna-Jonesboro 4-4 (36) vs Benton
Olney 4-4 (36) vs Robinson
Newton 4-4 (33) @ Marshall
Columbia 4-4 (32) @ Jerseyville
Salem 4-4 (31) @ Charleston
Red Bud 4-4 (26) @ EAWR
Win and need help:
Waterloo 3-5 (47) vs Freeburg
*Conference champion