FRANKFORT, IL — Lincoln-Way East High School's varsity football team will play Oak Park River Forest in the first round of the 2026 Class 8A IHSA football playoffs.
East had a bye for the opening round. Oak Park River Forest (no. 33 seed) defeated Aurora East to make it to the first round against Lincoln-Way East, according to IHSA.
The game will be played at 6:15 p.m. Friday at East.
The postseason has a different look this year after IHSA member schools voted to expand the football playoffs for the first time since 1985.
Each of the eight classes will have 48 playoff qualifiers, up from 32. The change expands the total field from 256 to 384 teams.
To maintain historical consistency in the number of teams competing in each stage, the playoff rounds will be called the Opening Round, First Round, Second Round, Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
The winner of Lincoln-Way East vs. Oak Park River Forest will advance to the second round and play the winner of Von Steuben vs. Hinsdale Central.
Lincoln-Way East is the no. 1 seed (9-0).
The Class 8A state championship will be played Nov. 28 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
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