The Joliet area has nine teams remaining in the state high school football playoff hunt, with second-round games on tap this weekend. And so far, we still have the potential to send a team to the championship game in any of the six classes from 3A through 8A.

As I reviewed the matchups in the nine second-round playoff football games involving area high schools, a thought occurred. Honestly, virtually every game can go either way.

Lincoln-Way East upheld the honor of the Joliet area last week when the Griffins opened the Class 7A state high school football playoffs with a 35-7 win over Belleville West. Joliet Catholic did the same with a 48-7 thumping of Troy Triad in 5A, and Minooka joined in with a 44-25 win over 7A foe Edwardsville.

The nine Friday night high school football playoff games involving area schools are likely to be played in rain and wind. The four Saturday games should be a little chilly but not bad from a weather standpoint.