2026 IHSA playoffs: Steve Soucie’s Class 6A playoff analysis and picks

Round of 16 matchupsHarlem (10-0): vs. Burlington Central (8-3): Harlem passed its first test outside of the NIC-10 conference, but barely. The Huskies defense has answered the bell time and time again, but it remains to be seen if it will hold up against better opponents. Burlington Central is also steeped in defensive play, having allowed single digit scoring five times and just three teams have posted more than 18 points against them.Pick: Burlington CentralLibertyville (8-2): vs. Niles Notre Dame (7-4): Libertyville dropped off everyone’s radar after a 0-2 start albeit against good competition (Geneva, Naperville North) but the Wildcats have only given up 56 points in the eight games since. Niles Notre Dame is looking like a team that learned some lessons from a brutal CCL schedule as the Dons have ripped through their first two playoff games.Pick: Niles Notre DameGeneva (9-1) vs. Wheaton North (7-3): Although Geneva defeated every one of its DuKane Conference opponents it probably