The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) recently announced its qualifiers and brackets for its upcoming state football playoffs.
Fresh off a thrilling 28-27 regular season ending win over Salt Fork, the Central Comet football team qualified for the IHSA 1A State Playoffs. The Comets enter the postseason with a 5-4 record and winners of four of its last five games. The Comets finished with the same record (5-4) in the Vermilion Valley Conference, tying for third place with two other squads.
The Comets, who are the 15th seed in the north bracket, will face second seeded Lena-Winslow in the opening round on Saturday, November 2, at 2 p.m.
Lena-Winslow finished the year 9-0 and ranked second in the AP poll. Lena-Winslow is making its 23rd consecutive appearance in the state playoffs and 30th overall. Last season, the Panthers finished runner-up in the IHSA 1A State Playoffs, falling to Camp Point Central. The previous two seasons (2022 and 2021), the Panthers won back-to-back state titles. With the 2020 season moved to spring, Lena-Winslow won the 2019 state title. Overall, Lena-Winslow has captured six state titles and one runner-up finish.
The Comets return to the postseason after a one-year absence. This will be head coach Brian Spooner’s 22nd trip to the state playoffs. Overall, this is the 31st appearance for the Comets in the state’s postseason. The deepest run by the Comets were semifinal appearances in 2008 and 2012.
Lena-Winslow will use Go Fan digital ticketing and cash. Go Fan digital tickets will be $6. Cash at the ticket window will be $7. Go to gofan.co to purchase a digital ticket.
There is no tailgating allowed on school property. Lion’s Park is just west of the football field that fans can use for tailgating purposes. There is a pavilion and charcoal grills available. There is a walking path from the park to the ticket booth. Please see attached map.
All fans sit on the same side at the Lena-Winslow football field. No fans are allowed on the north side of the field. There is limited bleacher seating available so we encourage all visiting fans to bring chairs. The south side of the field is elevated and you can see over the players on the sideline. The visiting spectators sit on the west side of the press box.
This game will be live streamed on NFHS.
No spectators are allowed inside the fence surrounding the track before, during, or after the game.
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