2026 IHSA playoffs: Steve Soucie’s Class 4A playoff analysis and picks

Round of 32 matchupsTinley Park (5-5) at Morris (9-0): Tinley Park snapped a two-game winning streak and copped the program’s first playoff win since 2015 with a victory over Woodstock North in the opening round. Morris hasn’t allowed an opponent within 21 points all season long and Simeon is the only team on the Morris schedule that has managed to score more than 21 in a game against the Warriors very staunch defense.Pick: MorrisGeneseo (7-3) at Montini (7-2): The only time Geneseo offense has been slowed over the last five weeks was when the Maple Leafs had a week off to collect a forfeit win over Alleman in Week 8. Montini’s two losses came ot Sandburg and St. Rita this season by a total of eight points so there’s little denying that the defending 4A champions are significantly under-seeded on what the Broncos skill set actually is.Pick: MontiniMarmion (4-6) at Sterling (7-2): Marmion’s opening round playoff win over North Lawndale stopped a troubling trend for the Cadets who had lo