MAC ON SPORTS: IHSA TO ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS PAIRINGS SCHEDULE OCT. 23

        The road to the IHSA Football Playoffs is always a test of stamina over the course of the nine-week regular-season, but high school football fans in Illinois have never endured a wait like this.

On Saturday, October 23, the IHSA Playoff Pairing Television Show will reveal the 2021 football playoff field during a live telecast on the IHSA TV Network that will air statewide from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

        The IHSA TV Network is brought to you via a partnership with the Gray Media, who will produce the telecast.

The pandemic pushed the 2020 IHSA football season to the spring of 2021, where a condensed six-week season culminated with no postseason, marking the first time since 1973 that the IHSA did not crown state champions in the sport.

“Playoffs pairing night is always special, but it feels even bigger this time around,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “256 teams and communities are going to get the opportunity to hear their name called and be recognized for the hard work they have put into qualifying for the postseason. It is a major accomplishment and I hope they take a moment to enjoy and celebrate it amidst all the recent challenges.”

IHSA TV veteran Dave Bernhard will join WEEK-TV Sports Director Jim Mattson to reveal and react to the first round matchups. The stations below will carry the show live. Fans are encouraged to check local listings, or the station websites, for exact channel details.

Decatur Comcast customers can view the show on Channel 49

I will have more on this developing story in a future print edition of the Decatur Tribune.