2026 IHSA playoffs: Steve Soucie’s Class 8A playoff analysis and picks

Quarterfinal round picksLincoln-Way East (11-0) vs. Mount Carmel (9-2): While this a game pitting the No. 1 seed against the No. 8, the top seed looks like the underdog here. Mount Carmel has strung together some very strong performances as of late and has history on its side, including a 49-7 win over the Griffins in last year’s quarterfinals.Pick: Mount CarmelOswego (10-1) vs. Bolingbrook (10-1): Yet another regular season matchup revisited as Bolingbrook topped Oswego 21-7 back in Week 4. Bolingbrook is in the midst of a 10-game winning streak and much of that improvement has been steeped in stellar defensive play that has allowed just 84 points since its opening week loss to Homewood-Flossmoor. Oswego has also tightened the clamps on defense since giving up 42 points to Geneva in Week 2 and will likely need to bring those adjustments to the table in the rematch.Pick: BolingbrookHuntley (11-0) vs. New Trier (10-1): Huntley has only advanced this far in the 8A playoffs in 10 appearan