Fenwick's Myles Hill, Providence's Broden Mackert, St. Ignatius's Nino Capuano and Mount Carmel's Brady Cloherty are just some of the standout performers from CCL football teams during the Second Round of the 2026 IHSA playoffs.
⚫️Fenwick (6-3) is in the playoffs for the third straight year. The defending 6A champions also won the 5A state title in 2021. They open with Highland Park, and if they take care of business Friday, Hononegah or Willowbrook awaits in the second round. The Friars are in the same section of the bracket as Geneva, which would make quite the quarterfinal matchup if both teams get that far (Geneva will see another CCL Orange team this Saturday, when they host Carmel). Star RB/S Jake Thies gets most of the headlines, and deservedly so–the Orange Division Player of the Year found the end zone 18 times and led a defense that held all 9 opponents below their season scoring averages. Thies is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, as well. The offensive line, anchored by Drake commit Jack Woods, has come together nicely and gives Myles Hill plenty of time to find any of several talented receivers.
🏈Scoring averages: Offense 30.1 / Defense 20.2
👀One player to watch: Senior Kam Rutlin is a difference-maker on both the offensive and defensive lines
🔵Behind Enemy Lines: Highland Park
The Giants (7-3) defeated Streamwood 35-14 to earn a first round game at Fenwick. That was just their second playoff win of the last decade, but the core group has plenty of experience playing together, and they won’t be intimidated walking into Triton College on Friday night. They became the first-ever champions of the CSL Central this year, after the Central Suburban League made a CCL-style switch to 3 divisions of 4 teams.
🗓️Schedule: Weak - 30 opponents’ wins, none ranked or receiving votes
🏈Scoring averages: Offense 31.6 / Defense 23.9
🏆Best regular season win: Week 5 vs. Evanston, 35-28
👀One player to watch: Senior OL/DL Addison Courtman-Simanek and his fellow pass rushers will have to create pressure consistently if the Giants want to pull off the upset
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I’m beyond blessed to announce that I have officially committed to Bemidji
State University !
Thank you to my family, coaches, teammates, and everyone who has supported me through this journey.
I’m ready for this next chapter and excited to get to work.
#GoBeavers 🦫🪓