Burlington Central senior quarterback Landon Arnold almost quit football his first two years of high school. Saturday, the dual-threat QB leads the Rockets into their Class 6A state quarterfinal game against Fenwick.

Nazareth and East St. Louis are still on track for a titanic showdown, but other upstarts are hoping to derail that plan. Steve Soucie breaks down the quarterfinal round of the 2025 IHSA Class 6A Playoffs.

Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East are set to collide in a Class 8A quarterfinal matchup. Brother Rice continued its dominance in 7A and will battle St. Charles North in the quarterfinals. Fenwick cruised into the 6A quarterfinals and will take on Burlington Central.

A look at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area heading into the IHSA state quarterfinals.

Three teams in the Northwest Herald coverage area - Burlington Central, Cary-Grove and Richmond-Burton - are still alive in the state football playoffs. Get a preview of each team's quarterfinal game.

Brock Phillip was just looking for a chance to show what he can do. Now he's led St. Francis to its fourth straight Class 5A quarterfinal. Plus, notes on another dramatic St. Charles North comeback, Burlington Central rewriting history, and a conference clash in the quarterfinals

The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association announced its All-State teams this week, and several players in the Northwest Herald coverage area were selected.

Richmond-Burton, Burlington Central and Cary-Grove marched on with second-round wins, while Fox Valley Conference champion Prairie Ridge and Jacobs ended their seasons over the weekend.

Landon Arnold didn't want to give the ball up, and the Burlington Central senior QB delivered. Arnold ran the ball seven times for 80 yards on a game-clinching drive as the Rockets topped Harlem 24-14 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006.