Making it to the playoffs is one thing, winning in the playoffs is another and thankfully for many football teams in and around Peoria and Bloomington/Normal, there was plenty of winning in the first round of the playoffs.
Nine out of the top 10 teams in last week’s CSM Central Illinois football power rankings won in their first round matchups while three others scored victories as well.
Despite nearly every team in these rankings having the same outcome in the first round of the playoffs, a few teams found themselves in new spots, including Peoria Notre Dame who beat state powerhouse Rochester 59-58 on the road in overtime for an unforgettable win.
The second round of the playoffs kicks off this weekend and Central Illinois will have a larger array of Friday games to choose from than other areas in the state, with Normal Community, Washington, Peoria High and PND all getting another chance to play under the lights.
The rankings are split up between small schools and large schools with teams from the Mid-Illini and Big 12 making up the large schools while every other area school falls into the small school rankings. Other teams receiving consideration are listed as well.