CCL football: Here are 5 storylines to watch in the second round of the 2026 IHSA playoffs

Will Loyola continue its winning ways against York?The Ramblers and Dukes are set to square off this Saturday afternoon in Wilmette. The two teams have quite a bit of history.Loyola and York battled for the 2024 Class 8A state championship, with the Ramblers beating the Dukes 35-14. They also met in the 2023 Class 8A semifinals, where Loyola ousted York 23-14 before defeating Lincoln-Way East for the title. Rewind the clock another year and Loyola eliminated York 30-3 in the 2022 8A semifinals.Last season, both teams were knocked out in the first round. York fell to Lyons 24-21, while Loyola had its run of three straight Class 8A titles ended with a 21-17 loss against Mount Carmel. Can St. Ignatius take down Class 8A power Maine South?The Wolfpack breezed through the first round, running over West Aurora 55-7 and posting their fifth 50-plus-point game this fall. Next up? One of Class 8A’s longtime powerhouse programs in Maine South. The Hawks under Dave Inserra, one of the IHSA’s winni