LOCKPORT, IL — Lockport Township High School's varsity football team defeated Stevenson, 35-21, in the opening round of the 2026 Class 8A IHSA football playoffs.
Next up, Lockport will play Bolingbrook (no. 5 seed) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Bolingbrook in the first round of playoffs.
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.
Lockport is the no. 28 seed, and is 6-4 this season, according to IHSA.
The winner of Friday's game will play the winner of Perspectives/Leadership vs. Lyons Township at a date to be announced.
The Class 8A state championship will be played Nov. 28 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
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