Previewing Saturday’s high IHSA state soccer playoff video games

It’s a loaded Saturday within the second spherical of the IHSA state playoffs. Here are previews of some of one of the best video games.

Class 8A: Bolingbrook at No. 11 Warren, 7 p.m.

Warren (9-1) is without doubt one of the state’s most one-dimensional groups, throwing barely 9 passes a sport. But what the Blue Devils do, they do very effectively. Aaron Stewart, a senior dedicated to Illinois for soccer and wrestling, has 295 carries for two,634 yards and 44 touchdowns. Warren has gained eight in a row since a Week 2 loss to Maine South and owns notable wins over Hersey and Lake Zurich. Bolingbrook (8-2) went from final within the Southwest Prairie West in 2024 to convention champ this yr. The Raiders even have a productive operating again in junior TJ Lewis, who has 1,487 yards and 19 TDs.

Class 8A: No. 4 Maine South at Hinsdale Central, 1 p.m.

Maine South (10-1) misplaced 41-0 to Lincoln-Way East in Week 1, however has been dominant since with high quality wins over Warren, Palatine, Barrington and Glenbrook South. The Hawks have good steadiness offensively with Indiana commit Jameson Purcell at quarterback and Niko Kokosioulis at operating again. Purcell threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns final week vs. Downers Grove South and Kokosioulis scored 5 TDs. Hinsdale Central (7-3) was examined usually within the deep West Suburban Silver and has a signature win over Lyons. Senior quarterback/security Riley Contreras is without doubt one of the space’s elite two-way gamers.

Class 7A: No. 10 Downers Grove North at No. 7 Glenbard West, 1 p.m.

This is a rematch of a Week 4 sport gained 35-21 by Glenbard West with one main distinction: Downers North quarterback Owen Lansu, who was out with an damage that day, is again. Glenbard West (9-1) led that one 28-0 within the first quarter and was by no means critically challenged. Dynamic quarterback AJ Rayford provides an additional dimension to a Hilltoppers offense that, as standard, has a deep group of gifted operating backs. For Downers North (8-2), Lansu has one other Big Ten decide to throw to: Illinois-bound tight finish Will Vala.

Class 7A: Kenwood at No. 22 Lincoln-Way West, 2 p.m.

Kenwood (9-1) has gained 9 straight since shedding by 4 to St. Francis in Week 1 and is the Public League’s greatest hope for a deep playoff run. Kenyonte Louis is the Public League’s high quarterback with 2,278 passing yards and 28 TDs. He’s additionally the Broncos’ main rusher with 754 yards and 16 scores. Lawrence Carr and Drake Harris have mixed for 1,461 receiving yards and 19 TDs. Lincoln-Way West (10-1) shared the Southwest Valley Red title with Lincoln-Way Central and Bradley-Bourbonnais. The Warriors have one of many state’s high kickers in Zach Hermanson, who has area targets of 52, 50 and 49 yards this season.

No. 13 Carmel at No. 14 St. Charles North, 7 p.m.

Expect loads of scoring on this one. Carmel (8-2) averages 47 factors a sport, whereas St. Charles North (9-1) averaged 32 factors in its 9 wins. Carmel quarterback Trae Taylor, a Nebraska commit, is finishing 82% of his passes for 3,302 yards and 36 TDs with three interceptions. He additionally has run for 505 yards and 10 scores. St. Charles North (9-1) additionally has an elite quarterback in JT Padron.