York and Willowbrook have both locked in IHSA football playoff spots ahead of their regular-season finales.

The Dukes (5-3, 40 playoff points) clinched their sixth straight postseason bid and have positioned themselves to potentially host an opening-round game, as first reported by Shaw Local. Willowbrook (5-3, 30 playoff points) secured its 10th consecutive playoff berth after clinching with a win over Morton and following up with victories over Proviso East and Proviso West.

The IHSA expanded its football playoffs to 384 teams this year, or 48 per class. The top 16 seeds in each class receive a first-round bye.

York riding back-to-back wins over ranked opponents

York's seeding outlook has climbed after consecutive wins in early October. The Dukes beat previously undefeated Downers Grove North in overtime, then topped Class 7A No. 7 Glenbard West 25-22 on Saturday, Oct. 10, in Glen Ellyn, as Shaw Local's Mike Clark reported.

Running back Chris Georgas carried 27 times for 168 yards and a touchdown against Glenbard West. Quarterback Zack Assaad went 14-of-18 for 124 yards, adding a six-yard rushing touchdown and a 23-yard scoring pass to Tyler Fuentes. Conner Smith's 29-yard field goal with 2:47 left broke a 22-22 tie. Glenbard West missed a 42-yard attempt as time expired.

Two-way linemen Owen Roberts, a Purdue commit, and Brayden Byford, committed to Dayton, anchored both sides of the line. Roberts shifted to playing both ways after a key offensive lineman went down.

Before those wins, York lost consecutive three-point games to Hinsdale Central and Oak Park. After the Glenbard West victory, coach Don Gelsomino told Shaw Local what changed the team's mindset.

"Your brothers and all those guys you look up to — they're gone. This is your team. We just have to move on and keep playing good football," Gelsomino said after the Oct. 10 win.

York closes the regular season against 6-2 Lyons Township, a matchup with seeding implications for both teams. Shaw Local reported that an opening-round bye is in play for Lyons but likely requires a win.

Willowbrook eyes home game against Addison Trail

The Warriors sit on the dividing line between Class 6A and 7A, according to Shaw Local. Willowbrook faces fellow 5-3 squad and district rival Addison Trail on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Villa Park, according to a DuPage District 88 game schedule. A win could secure an opening-round home game.

Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth said in early October, after the Warriors' homecoming win over Morton, that the team still had work to do on finishing drives. "We did move the ball, but we turned it over three times," Hildreth said after that 15-7 victory. "We didn't finish those drives. That's what we've got to figure out."

The Warriors committed three turnovers in that contest, including two interceptions at the goal line in the final two minutes of the first half.

They have won three straight since.

IC Catholic Prep also locked in

IC Catholic Prep (7-1, 39 playoff points), ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A statewide poll, is also locked into the postseason. The Knights' remaining goal is to secure a first-round bye and favorable bracket positioning relative to defending Class 3A champion Byron. IC Catholic hosts Joliet Catholic in its regular-season finale.