The Class 5A bracket certainly has some unexpected teams still alive in the draw. Steve Soucie breaks down the semifinals of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

St. Rita took a high-scoring battle with Hersey, St. Laurence will meet East St. Louis in the 6A semifinals and St. Francis is semifinal-bound for the fourth straight year. IC Catholic Prep's season concluded with a 3A quarterfinal loss to unbeaten Byron.

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

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Josh Welge as they preview the semifinal round of the Illinois high school football playoffs

Courtney Bridgeforth scored 20 points to lead St. Francis to a win in its season opener, Grace Brunscheen drained a trio of 3-pointers to help Kaneland to its first win of the season and Aurora Central Catholic moved to 2-0 with a win over La Salle-Peru.

Kathlyn Bainbridge put up 16 points, including all seven of St. Charles East's points in overtime, while adding nine rebounds and six steals in a 43-39 OT victory over York.

Freshman Scarlett LaFleur totaled 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while sister Audrey LaFleur scored 13 points as Burlington Central beat Sycamore 55-51 during the Mark Einwich Girls Basketball Tournament on Tuesday.

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Here are Karen Naess' photos from Tuesday's game between St. Charles East and York at the York Thanksgiving Tournament.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview the Illinois high school football semifinals in the western suburbs