IHSA Playoffs: Week Three Preview
Written by Connor Allyn on November 12, 2026
Image courtesy of Normal Community Athletics / Quotes via WZND Sports / Story by Elliot Oliver
NORMAL, Ill. — The quarterfinal round of the IHSA playoffs is set to kick off this weekend, with two teams in the Bloomington-Normal area still fighting for a state championship.
The Normal Community Ironmen (11-0) match up against 2025 State Champion Brother Rice (9-2). The Ironmen defeated Kenwood by a margin of one point last week, 49-48. Kicker Alder Jimenez kicked the game winning extra point to lift the Ironmen to victory.
Normal Community hasn’t hosted a home quarter/semi final game since 2007, and Coach Jason Drengwitz says he is excited for the atmosphere.
“It brings a lot more excitement for your team,” said Drengwitz. “To get to play in front of their family, their friends, their classmates, and the community, it’s a really big deal.”
Brother Rice is coming off a 49-6 win over Batavia and is looking to keep rolling as they make the two-hour trip south. Brother Rice Head Coach Aaron Marshall says the travel will be “different, not difficult”, and they are looking forward to the hostile environment as well as the challenge that comes with it.
The game is at Dick Tharp Field on Saturday at 5 p.m. The winner of Saturday’s game will face the winner of Mt. Prospect vs. East St. Louis.
The Normal West Wildcats (10-1) got past the Pekin in round two, winning by a score of 33-21.
The Wildcats will travel up to Wheaton Warrenville-South to match up against the Tigers (8-3). The Tigers are coming off a strong 45-14 victory against Riverside-Brookfield, where they had over 550+ yards of offense and four interceptions defensively.
Wildcats Head Coach Nathan Fincham knows his team has a tough test ahead of them Saturday.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Fincham. “Wheaton Warrenville-South is obviously a really talented team that’s got a rich tradition in football, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge for us. So we’re excited about that.”
The game is set for a 2 p.m. kickoff, and the winner of the game will face the winner of Quincy or Nazareth Academy.
For all things IHSA Football, stay tuned to wznd.com
