2026 IHSA playoffs: Steve Soucie’s Class 7A playoff analysis and picks

Round of 32 matchupsEdwardsville (5-5) at Normal Community (9-0): Edwardsville rolled to a shutout victory over Lincoln Park in the opening round of the playoffs, its fourth shutout of the season. But the fact remains that the Tigers still haven’t notched a win over a team above the .500 mark. The week off gave Normal Community’s scoreboard operator a needed break as the Ironmen have scored at least 41 points every game this season.Pick: Normal CommunityGlenbard East (7-3) at Kenwood (6-3): After an 0-2 start, Glenbard East quickly righted the ship with its only loss coming at the hands of Riverside-Brookfield in Week 8. It was also the only time that Rams gave up more than 24 points right now. Kenwood has largely flown under the radar this season after starting 0-2 and the Broncos look like one of the few Chicago Public League teams that might have the chops to do some damage in the playoffs.Pick: KenwoodSt. Charles North (6-4) at Brother Rice (7-2): Every single team on St. Charles N