Illinois high school football: Recap, highlights from Peoria-area IHSA Opening Round playoffs

The road to a championship is under way for 384 teams as the 2026 IHSA playoffs have arrived.We'll deliver live updates, pictures, video clips and more from opening round action for Peoria-area high school teams on Friday night. Richwoods, Peoria High, Washington, Galesburg, LaSalle-Peru, IVC, Metamora, East Peoria, Elmwood-Brimfield, Illini West, Princeville and others are on the field Friday night.You can find the full slate of games from teams in the Peoria area by tapping here.Here is the Journal Star preps experience for the playoffs, your one-stop shop as we look around the Peoria-area football landscape in the first week of the 2026 high school postseason:Watch IHSA football games on NFHS Network all seasonHere's where to find the Opening Round playoff scheduleThe opening round of the IHSA playoffs for Peoria-area teams can be found by tapping here.Peoria area: The live scores for playoffs Opening RoundCheck out the live-updated scores for Peoria-area teams in the playoffs here.The statewide IHSA Opening Round playoff scoresEvery game, all around the state, this is the place to look for scores from around Illinois in the opening round of IHSA prep football playoff games.IHSA playoff football picks and predictions for Peoria areaWho's gonna win? Check out Adam Duvall's picks for the playoffs, all in one place by tapping right here.He knows how these games are going to go. Duvall merely went 104-36 (.743) in his predictions during the 2026 season.Champs, Final Four, sleepers for each IHSA classThe Journal Star's Adam Duvall predicts a state champion, final four, sleeper team for each of the IHSA's eight classes in the 2026 high school football playoffs. He correctly picked three state champions last season.Who are the best of the best? State rankingsCheck out the final Illinois state rankings poll heading into playoff action by tapping here.Peoria-area football power rankingsTap right here to see how the Peoria-area teams stack up in Week 9.Looking back: Takeaways from Week 9 Peoria-area footballThe Journal Star's Adam Duvall delivers his four takeaways from Week 9 of the 2026 prep football season in the Peoria area. Just tap here to see them.More: How IVC's rookie coach led team past elite counterpart and closer to IHSA football playoffsMore: 'All or nothing': How Pekin's star made big play in big moment for Week 6 football winMore: Football 'perfection': Peoria High RB powers high-scoring offense in Week 5 victoryMore: How an Illini commit helped Morton snap rival's 27-game league win streak in Week 4 prep footballMore: 'That was awesome': How Dunlap's QB handles strike zone and red zone to deliver victoryMore: 'My year': East Peoria running back makes name for himself in team record bookCan't go to the game? How to watch playoff opening roundWe have gathered links to the live streaming Peoria-area high school football games right here. Just tap and find your game. (Some of these require a subscription)Washington on the board08:29 PM ET, October 23 2026, Dave EminianThe Panthers get a 3-yard TD run from Caleb Hendershot to answer Mascoutah's scoring drive. Panthers miss the PAT kick, so they trail 7-6 in this Class 5A road game.Washington trails, 7-008:20 PM ET, October 23 2026, Dave EminianMascoutah takes a 7-0 lead on a 16-yard TD run from Sean Murphy on its opening drive. He broke two tackles and powered through a pack at the goal line to get there.Mascoutah stopped Washington's game-opening drive, then took over on its 21 and went to a no-huddle, frenzy tempo offense to drive nine plays for the score.This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois high school football: Recap, highlights from Peoria-area IHSA Opening Round playoffsOur editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.