The Salem Wildcats will get a rematch from Week 2 in the opening round of the IHSA 4a State Football Playoffs as they will host the Olney Tigers Friday night at Jim Finks Field. It will be the first home playoff game for the Wildcats since 1997. Salem won the first matchup on the road at Olney 28-27 as Trey Clark scored to tie the game with 19 seconds left and Avery Gullion hit the point after to give Salem the win. The winner will advance to the next round and will travel to undefeated Carterville.
Centralia is the #1 seed in the south and will get an opening round bye taking on the winner of Civic Memorial and Quincy Notre Dame.
Also 4a opening round games include Cahokia hosting East Peoria, Waterloo is at Taylorville, Highland hosts Lincoln with the winner getting Freeburg, Breese Central will get the winner of Metamora and Marquette and Effingham at 2-7 will play at MacArthur with the winner getting Mt Zion.
