Lemont High School To Play In Opening Round Of IHSA Class 8A Football Playoffs

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School's varsity football team has advanced to the 2026 Class 5A IHSA football playoffs. Lemont will face Peoria High School at 7 p.m. on Friday at home.

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 the Lemont vs. Peoria game will face Morton High School (no. 4 seed) in the first round, according to IHSA.

The Class 5A state championship will be played Nov. 28 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.