2026 IHSA playoffs: Steve Soucie’s Class 3A playoff analysis and picks

Quarterfinal matchupsRichmond-Burton (11-0) vs. Hope Academy (8-4): It took Richmond-Burton a little while to shake free of Manteno in the Round of 16, but the Rockets high octane offense turned in its “least productive” offensive effort of the year by scoring just 35 points. The Cinderella story of Hope Academy continues as a young but talented roster refuses to believe they probably shouldn’t be at this stage of the bracket.Pick: Richmond-BurtonByron (11-0) vs. IC Catholic (10-1): It is the Class 3A postseason battle that fans have been pointing toward the entire season. Byron beat IC Catholic 28-6 in last year’s quarterfinals en route to the Class 3A state title. Before that IC Catholic beat Byron comfortably in the 2022 semifinals and Byron beat them 15-14 the year before. Both of these two teams have consistently been battling for No. 1 honors in polls all season and the winner here becomes the clear favorite to hoist the heavy hardware Thanksgiving weekend.Pick: IC CatholicMontic