2026 IHSA playoffs: Steve Soucie’s Class 6A playoff analysis and picks

Round of 32 matchupsSt. Charles East (4-6) at Harlem (9-0): St. Charles East snapped a five-game losing streak with its opening round playoff win over Elk Grove Village. The Saints were dangerously close to having a better mark to speak of, losing several close games. Harlem largely ran rough shod over the majority of the NIC-10 Conference, a closed loop, so how well the Huskies will fare against teams outside of the conference is always a mystery that can’t be solved until the playoffs begin.Pick: HarlemBurlington Central (7-3) at Lake Zurich (6-3): Burlington Central has been anchored in its defensive play but in its three losses this season the Rockets gave up 30-plus points in each of them. Lake Zurich is also steeped in quality defensive play and after giving up 54 points in its first two games (both losses), the Bears have only up 68 points in the seven games since.Pick: Lake ZurichNoble/Muchin (6-4) vs. Libertyville (7-2): Noble/Muchin’s first ever playoff appearance went well f