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PBL Football Aims for Expanded IHSA Playoffs
12 Aug
Summary
- IHSA playoff field expands from 32 to 48 teams.
- PBL missed playoffs despite a 4-5 record last season.
- PBL opens season on the road vs. Bloomington Central Catholic.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is increasing its football playoff participation from 32 to 48 teams. This expansion is anticipated to provide a better chance for teams like Paxton-Buckley-Loda (PBL) to qualify for the postseason.
PBL head coach Josh Pritchard expressed that his team felt they were competitive enough for the playoffs last year, despite a 4-5 record. He cited a difficult schedule, playing mostly 3A teams, as a primary reason for missing the postseason for the first time in four seasons.
The PBL Panthers will commence their 2026 season with an away game against Bloomington Central Catholic. This conference matchup marks the beginning of their campaign under the new playoff structure.
