Minooka Defeats Evanston in Class 8A Playoff Opener
Minooka overcomes an early deficit to eliminate Evanston Township High School from the IHSA state playoffs.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football
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Minooka defeated Evanston Township High School 35-21 in the opening round of the Illinois High School Association Class 8A state playoffs at Lazier Field. Despite holding a 21-7 lead in the third quarter, Evanston fell after conceding two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Why it matters
The loss ends the season for Evanston, which finished with a 5-5 overall record. Minooka advances in the tournament bracket and is now scheduled to face Loyola Academy.
Minooka running back Quinn Schiffbauer recorded four touchdowns, including two 2-yard scores in the final quarter. Evanston quarterback Aiden Payne threw for 159 yards, while teammate Sean Hopson Jr. added 96 rushing yards on 20 carries.
The players
Quinn Schiffbauer
He is a running back for Minooka who scored four touchdowns during the playoff victory.
Aiden Payne
He serves as the quarterback for Evanston Township High School.
Sean Hopson Jr.
He is a running back for Evanston who carried the ball 20 times for 96 yards.
Evanston Township High School
This is a public secondary school located in Evanston that competes in the IHSA.
Loyola Academy
This is a private college preparatory school that serves as the next opponent for Minooka.
The details
Evanston struggled to hold its lead while playing without four injured defensive starters. Minooka capitalized on the opportunity, sealing the victory with a late surge that broke the game open.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Minooka defeated Evanston in the opening round of the state playoffs.
2003: The last year Evanston previously secured a victory in a playoff game.
Week of October 26, 2026: Minooka is set to play Loyola Academy.
Season Trajectory
This defeat eliminates Evanston from the Class 8A bracket and closes their season at 5-5. The result forces Minooka to pivot immediately toward a difficult upcoming matchup against Loyola Academy.
Evanston ends its season with a 5-5 record, while Minooka secures a spot in the next round of the Class 8A playoffs. The loss highlights the impact of the four missing starters on Evanston's defensive depth during the elimination game.
The takeaway
The game demonstrated how depth issues can derail a team during the high-pressure environment of the state playoffs. Maintaining a healthy roster of starters remains critical for schools aiming to survive deep into the postseason.
What happens next
Minooka is scheduled to play at Loyola Academy during the week of October 26, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on the high school gridiron, visit Evanston Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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