Bismarck-Henning was one of a number of 5-4 teams to make it out of the first round. Will the Blue Devils be able to do it again against a Maroa-Forsyth team that is using all of its weapons?

Central A&M will have its hands full with a strong Petersburg PORTA offense. But the Raiders found a way to get past one good team.

This could be quite a defensive struggle. Top-seeded Brown County has eight shutouts on the season. Tuscola has six and has given up just six points in the last five games.

Red Bud looked awfully good in its first-round win. It’s two losses were by a touchdown to two playoff teams — 4A Freeburg and 3A Breese Central.

A pair of lower seeds got past the first round. Anna-Jonesboro has had some defensive lapses this season. It might be enough for Pana to make it another round.

Could we be in store for another wild 90-point game? Illini West averaged more than 56 points in the regular season.

Top-seeded Quincy Notre Dame warmed up with a 42-0 first-round win. Effingham prevailed in the slop with a last-minute field goal.

Maroa has won its first-round game in five straight seasons. But Carlinville carries a hot hand coming into this matchup.

Outside of a loss to Williamsville, the Auburn defense has been stiff this season. And the Trojans know about how to get it done in the postseason, getting their 13 straight years now.

Central A&M’s three losses came by a total of 14 points against two 3A playoff teams and one 2A playoff team. Flora won its last three games by a combined 129-2.

It’s been about the defense at Tuscola as the Warriors haven’t allowed an offensive touchdown in three games. They could be pushed by Cumberland’s strong ground game.

Freeburg had three straight weeks of giving up 38, 41 and 47 points. But the Midgets are capable of knocking off Mount Zion if the Braves are looking ahead to Breese Mater Dei.

MacArthur will have to travel three hours south to get its playoff journey started. The Generals get a Marion team that is from the tough South Seven Conference.

South Piatt’s reward for getting into the playoffs for the first time since 2003 is the No. 1 team that has given up just nine points all season.

Belleville Althoff lost two of its last four but those were to Class 5A No. 2 Cahokia and Class 5A 8-1 Marion. The Crusaders will be ready for Effingham.

Casey is one of just two unbeaten teams in 2A. Has Casey been tested enough to make a run? Will it even matter?

Camp Point Central has scored at least 60 points four times this season. Monticello will have to come through with another defensive effort like it had against St. Teresa.

Pittsfield was looking unbeatable until a 60-12 loss to Illini West. But Pittsfield still averaged more than 43 points per game.

Robinson is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002 but will have to tighten up on defense if it wants to stay more than one round.

Both teams are in but would certainly love to have the momentum from a win like this. Can Monticello get past a banged-up St. Teresa squad?

A bit of the luster has been taken off this game, but MacArthur could still finish in second place in the Big 12 if it can match last week’s offensive effort.

Both teams have been beat up on the field and off, missing some key players recently. Mattoon hasn’t scored in two straight.

Maroa got a bit dinged up last week but should have plenty of weapons available in its bid to secure at least a share of the Okaw Blue title.

Central A&M has plenty of good wins but is 1-3 against playoff teams. The Raiders would like to make a statement to prepare for the playoffs.

Tuscola has posted back-to-back shutouts, perhaps showing that the Warriors are ready for the playoffs?