Analyzing the area high school football playoff picture

For seven area high school football teams, Friday night could bring about postseason-clinching celebrations. That’s because they’re one win away from a sixth win that automatically qualifies them for the IHSA playoffs. Sports Editor Matt Daniels assesses the area scene ahead of Week 6 kicking off:

They’re eligible

All these teams are 5-0

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond

Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley

LeRoy

Paxton-Buckley-Loda

St. Joseph-Ogden

Sullivan/Okaw Valley

➜ Who to watch: What a turnaround by Sullivan/Okaw Valley coach John Bertetto. For a program that ended a 32-game losing streak in 2022, the folks in Moultrie County can get excited about a likely second straight postseason berth. Beat Sangamon Valley (2-3) on Friday night, and the Redskins could likely play host to a second straight first-round playoff game this fall.

On the brink of eligibility

All these teams are 4-1

Clinton

Monticello

Salt Fork

➜ Who to watch: Clinton is chasing something more than just getting to the playoffs. It’s something the Maroons have done nine previous times. But what the school in DeWitt County has never enjoyed is a playoff win. Third-year coach Ron Bass has Clinton on the cusp of something special, but it won’t be easy Friday night when his team travels to Downs and faces his old school, Tri-Valley (4-1) in a showdown under the lights.

Still some work to do

All these teams are 3-2

Arcola

Centennial

Mahomet-Seymour

Prairie Central

Tuscola

Watseka

➜ Who to watch: Arcola is the only one of the six who is riding a three-game win streak. Multiple playmakers have emerged for Steve Snider‘s program this season in wins against the likes of Argenta-Oreana, Tri-County and Villa Grove. Now, the key is to keep the positive vibes flowing when the Purple Riders host Cumberland (3-2) on Friday night during Arcola’s homecoming matchup with the Pirates at Thomas-Bradford Field.

Need to start stacking wins

All these teams are 2-3

Champaign Central

Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac

Oakwood

Ridgeview/Lexington

Unity

Westville

➜ Who to watch: Unity is enduring something that has rarely happened in coach Scott Hamilton’s tenure. A losing streak. The Rockets lost 20-10 last Friday night to Bloomington Central Catholic and 53-52 the week prior to Belleville Althoff. Both at Unity’s home venue, Hicks Field in Tolono. Unity needs to get back on the winning track on Friday night at Pontiac (0-5). Or else the 29th playoff appearance in Hamilton’s 31st season might not happen this fall.

Have to win out

All these teams are 1-4

Danville

Fisher

Rantoul

Tri-County

➜ Who to watch: The stop-and-start nature for Danville isn’t unexpected. The Vikings have made the playoffs 24 times in their program history, but a run of six straight from 2006 to 2011 is the longest span of success. Coach Marcus Forrest and his Vikings head to Tommy Stewart Field to play Champaign Central (2-3) on Friday night, but still has to play at Normal Community (4-1) and Peoria Notre Dame (3-2) this season.

Better luck next year

All these teams are 0-5

Argenta-Oreana

Cerro Gordo/Bement

Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman

Iroquois West

Urbana

Villa Grove

➜ Who to watch: Argenta-Oreana had high hopes this season after narrowly missing out on a playoff berth last year by finishing 4-5, with the Bombers not sustaining their fifth loss until Week 9. The chance to add some wins, though, is there for coach Clay Haurberg‘s program after playing the top three Lincoln Prairie Conference teams already. Starting Friday night with a home game against Tri-County (1-4).