Champaign Central Maroons Clinch Football Playoff Berth
The Maroons secured a postseason spot following a late-season surge to finish with a winning record.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Does your community benefit from supporting local high school sports teams?
The Champaign Central Maroons have officially qualified for the state football playoffs in the 6A classification. The team will face East Moline United in the opening round this Friday.
Why it matters
This playoff appearance marks a significant turnaround for the Maroons, who overcame a difficult start to the season to earn their postseason spot. The team secured their place by winning critical games against Centennial, Peoria, and Bloomington.
The Maroons finished their regular season with a 5-4 record, climbing back from a challenging 1-4 start to the season. The team is entering the postseason as the 16th seed in the 6A classification.
The players
Matt Leskis
He is the current head coach of the Champaign Central Maroons and previously served as the head coach at Hoopeston.
Champaign Central Maroons
They are a high school football team representing Champaign that competes in the 6A classification.
East Moline United
They are the high school football opponent facing the Maroons in the opening round of the state playoffs.
The details
Coach Matt Leskis guided the team to victory in three consecutive games to reach the 5-4 threshold required for playoff qualification. This postseason berth represents the first time the program has qualified for the playoffs since 2019.
Timeline
2019: Last time the team qualified for the playoffs.
2021: Coach Leskis ended the Hoopeston playoff drought.
Friday, October 23, 2026: Opening round playoff game at East Moline United.
Season Trajectory
This playoff berth marks the first appearance for the program since the 2019 season. The qualification shifts the team trajectory back to postseason contention after several years of missing the bracket.
The Maroons enter the bracket as the 16th seed and will face the 17th-seeded East Moline United on Friday. Winning this opening round matchup is required for the team to advance to the next stage of the state playoffs.
The takeaway
The turnaround highlights the importance of late-season consistency in high school athletics. Players and fans should note that postseason seeding is finalized based on the total wins and classification record.
Further reading
For more local sports coverage, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WICS.
Live Poll
Does your community benefit from supporting local high school sports teams?
