Lake County High School Football: Eight Teams Advance to Class 1A Quarterfinals
Local coaches and analysts project which squads will move on to the next round of the postseason tournament.
By Charlotte Dubois ·
Eight Lake County high school football teams advanced to the Class 1A quarterfinals following the first round of playoffs. Analysts have released their predictions for the upcoming matchups. The results will determine which teams advance to the regional semifinals.
Heyworth, an 11-0 team, faces Fisher, which stands at 8-2. Heyworth secured a victory over Galena in the first round. Fisher won its first playoff game since 2019. The Bunnies had won only three games over the previous five years. Analysts pick Heyworth to win this contest.
Clifton Central, with a 9-1 record, plays Dwight, which is 8-3. Dwight defeated Clifton Central 43-14 in the second round of last year’s playoffs. Clifton Central has won nine straight games since its first week loss. Dwight reached the quarterfinals in each of the last two seasons. The pick goes to Clifton Central.
Stockton, 9-1, takes on Forreston, 8-2. Forreston defeated defending champion Lena-Winslow in the first round. Stockton lost only to El Paso-Gridley in the first week. Both teams are competing for supremacy in the NUIC conference. Analysts favor Stockton in this game.
Newman Central Catholic, 7-4, faces Fulton, 8-3. Newman Central Catholic beat Rockridge in the first round after losing to them in week eight. Fulton scored 216 points in its last four games. The Steamers finished fourth in the NUIC. Fulton is the selected winner.
Brown County, 10-0, plays Oakwood, 8-3. Brown County beat Athens easily in the first round. It has one of the largest margins of victory in the state. Oakwood gave Arthur its only loss this season. Oakwood is projected to lose to Brown County.
Sullivan, 9-1, meets Camp Point Central, 9-1. Sullivan beat Havana 57-49 in the first round. Sullivan scored more points than Camp Point Central has allowed all season. Camp Point Central has held all but one opponent to two touchdowns or less. Camp Point Central is the pick.
Arthur, 9-1, faces Salt Fork, 8-2. Arthur has scored at least 42 points in every game this season. Salt Fork lost only to Oakwood in its last seven games. Oakwood also beat Arthur 31-16 earlier in the year. Salt Fork is favored to win.
Hardin Calhoun, 9-1, plays Tuscola, 8-2. Calhoun shut out Carlyle in the first round. It allowed 32 points to Brown County, its only loss. Tuscola has two losses by a combined 82 points. Hardin Calhoun is the projected winner.
