(This story was updated to add new information.)

Stockton and Lena-Winslow, the Rockford area's top two Class 1A teams, can't meet up until the state semis, and Byron's road back to the 3A state championship game looks a bit smoother than it was last year.

It was all laid out as the IHSA announced the 256 state qualifying teams and the eight-class brackets on Saturday night, one class at a time. And players and coaches from all across the Rockford area paid close attention from watch parties, basement gatherings, or just corner recliners in the living room. More Rockford-area football: Rockford-area football Week 9 top performances led by Belvidere upset

"We're playing our best, right now; right now," Belvidere North QB Andrew Bucci said after helping his team to a 9-0 regular-season r

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