
Week 9 always provides plenty of drama in high school football. This season, there are nearly 30 area teams hoping to pick up a fifth victory and a spot in the Illinois High School Association state playoffs, the field and brackets for which will be announced live on television Saturday night (8 p.m., The U, streamed on NFHS Network).
The rules are confusing, but here’s a quick refresher: Only 256 teams qualify — a set number.