IHSA football scores | Top playoff performers for second round around Peoria, Illinois, area

Each week, the Journal Star will spotlight the top-performing teams and players from weekend playoff football games across the Peoria area.

Players from Dunlap and Farmington lead our list from second-round games.

IHSA football playoffs second round: Live updates | Peoria-area scores | Statewide scores

Jayden Schmick, Dunlap

The running back scored four touchdowns, including one from 47 yards out, to lead the Eagles past Crete-Monee 28-21 in Class 6A. The Eagles (9-2) are in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017 and will host Burbank St. Laurence next weekend.

Breon Greene, Peoria High

The quarterback accounted for four touchdowns including the game-winning score in a 38-34 win over Morton in Class 5A. His five-yard TD with 28 seconds left in the game proved to be the score that sealed it. He finished with 94 rushing yards and another TD, while throwing for 227 with two TDs — one to Jaylen Rayford (66 yards) and the other to Dereon Mays (74 yards).

Carson Noy, Farmington

The freshman quarterback scored the go-ahead touchdown, running 45 yards on fourth down to send the unbeaten Farmers (11-0) into the Class 2A quarterfinals on the road at fellow unbeaten El Paso-Gridley.

AJ Jones, Washington

The dynamic receiver scored three touchdowns to help the Panthers to a 38-14 victory over Mahomet-Seymour in Class 5A. His only two catches were a pair of TDs of 15 and 47 yards from Noah Garcia. Jones also rushed for one score, finishing with 76 yards on six carries. The Panthers (10-1) advance to face state power New Lenox Providence in a road quarterfinal next weekend.

Devon Horrie, Annawan/Wethersfield

The running back ran for 111 yards and two TDs — including the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter, helping the Titans (11-0) remain unbeaten and hold off upset-minded Deer Creek-Mackinaw, 33-26, in Class 1A. Quarterback Maddux Heitzler added 167 rushing yards and three TDs for Annawan, which faces Lena-Winslow in the state quarterfinals.

Aaden Adams, El Paso-Gridley

The running back ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns to led the unbeaten Titans (11-0) past Sterling Newman in Class 2A. EP-G now has won six in a row by three touchdowns or more, making their first quarterfinal trip since 2017. The Titans will host Farmington next weekend.

Silas Steffen, Morton

The athlete was all over the field in Morton’s 38-34 loss to Peoria High. He rushed for 175 yards on 25 carries highlighted by 100 yards and two TDs in the first quarter alone. Steffen also caught six balls for 58 yards including a 30-yard score to put Morton up late in the fourth quarter.

Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack

The senior running back ran 36 times for 268 yards and three touchdowns, but Deer Creek-Mackinaw came up short in an upset bid vs. unbeaten Annawan/Wethersfield, 33-26. Zack Day added 92 rush yards and a TD on 16 carries for the Chiefs, who end the season at 7-4.

Stephen Petri, Metamora

The quarterback was 7-for-10 with 201 yards passing and three TDs, adding another 72-yard rushing score for Metamora in its 64-50 loss to rival Morris in Class 5A. Petri had TD passes to Brayden Bitner (two catches for 56 yards), Kylan McMillen (two catches for 33 yards) and Jaiduan Cranford (131 rushing yards, 68 receiving), who also added a 57-yards rushing and 86-yard kick return touchdowns for the Redbirds (8-3).

This story will be updated.