Soucie Picks Morris, Montini, Central In Class 4A Round

Steve Soucie released his Class 4A playoff analysis for the round of 32 on Oct. 28, naming a pick in each of the 16 scheduled matchups. Morris (9-0) hosts Tinley Park (5-5), and Montini (7-2) hosts Geneseo (7-3).

Morris enters the matchup having held every opponent to 21 points or fewer this season. The Warriors' defense allowed Simeon to exceed that mark. Tinley Park beat Woodstock North in the opening round for its first playoff win since 2015.

Montini, the defending 4A champion, lost to Sandburg and St. Rita by a combined eight points. Geneseo's offense has produced in every game over the past five weeks; the Maple Leafs took a Week 8 forfeit win over Alleman.

Soucie's other picks in the round include Sterling, Hillcrest, Coal City, Dixon, Rochelle, Aurora Central Catholic, Centralia, Mount Zion, Sacred Heart Griffin, Breese Central, Carterville, Highland, Rochester, Cahokia and Jacksonville.

Several teams in the bracket reached the round of 32 after long absences. Leo had not appeared in the playoffs since 2013 before beating Marengo. Salem's opening-round win over Richland County delivered the program's first playoff victory since 1994 and its first winning season. Marmion's win over North Lawndale stopped a stretch in which the Cadets dropped five of their previous six games.

Records and season results inform the matchups. Centralia (9-0) beat Civic Memorial 49-7 in Week 2, and the two meet again. Mount Zion has outscored opponents 182-37 over the last four weeks. Breese Central has scored at least 33 points in every game this season.

Jacksonville has not won eight games since 2004, when the Crimson finished 10-3. Cahokia has scored heavily in the second half of its season, with a Week 9 loss to Morris the exception, and Jacksonville's defense has limited scoring. Freeburg has allowed nearly half its season total in losses to Centralia and Breese Central.

The round of 32 games follow the first round played last weekend. Aurora Central Catholic beat Carver in that round; it defeated Noble/Rauner in last year's first round, which was Rauner's only prior playoff appearance in program history. No game dates or kickoff times are listed in the analysis.