Simeon, Barrington advance in IHSA football playoffs

The IHSA Class 7A quarterfinals feature several teams that defied preseason expectations. Simeon High School, a No. 21 seed, defeated No. 5 Oak Lawn 28 to 19 on Friday night in Oak Lawn.

The Wolverines started the regular season with a 1-5 record. They won four straight games before beating Oak Lawn. Simeon trailed 13-6 before scoring three consecutive touchdowns to take control. Sophomore Eshun Flowers blocked a punt on the first play of the fourth quarter and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.

Barrington High School, a No. 24 seed in Class 8A, beat No. 9 Sandburg 24 to 21 on the road. Running back Lamar Osterhues rushed for 218 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. The Broncos start the season 0-4 but won five straight games to qualify. They face Mount Carmel at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

Belvidere North, a No. 12 seed in Class 4A, defeated No. 5 Wheaton Academy 42 to 36 on the road. Zavian McElroy rushed for a career-high 334 yards and five touchdowns. It was his second consecutive playoff game with five rushing touchdowns. Belvidere North plays Wauconda at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

Roxana, a No. 16 seed in Class 3A, beat No. 1 Hillsboro 55 to 48. The Shells handed the Hilltoppers their first loss of the season. Mekhi Shorter rushed for 374 yards on 32 carries. Roxana plays Monticello at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Sandwich, a No. 13 seed in Class 3A, defeated No. 4 Durand/Pecatonica 29 to 20. The Indians overcame a 14-13 halftime deficit. Wyatt Gregory rushed for 119 yards and a 35-yard touchdown. Sandwich faces Chicago Hope Academy at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Metamora, a No. 12 seed in Class 2A, beat No. 5 Breese Central 21 to 20. Brayden Cox scored on a 27-yard run with less than a minute left. Metamora then converted a two-point play. The Redbirds face Sacred Heart-Griffin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Shelbyville, a No. 22 seed in Class 4A, defeated No. 6 Pana 28 to 13. The Rams play Flora at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.