Playoff Journey

As I made the three-hour drive south to Farmington, I found myself lost in thought — reminiscing about all the playoff experiences I’ve witnessed since my first one back in 1993. There’s something special about playoff season — the anticipation of a Saturday football game, the early-morning excitement, piling in with friends for a road trip, or meeting up at a familiar small-town field.

Then it hit me — all this talk lately about travel.

As I passed through towns like Dakota, Freeport, Forreston, Sterling, Prophetstown, Annawan, Kewanee, Elmwood, and by places like Brimfield, Toulon, and Princeville, I couldn’t help but think of all the miles I’ve logged over the years. You don’t really think about it when you’re planning the trip — you just go. But somewhere along the way, you realize the journey itself becomes part of the story.

It’s driving through unfamiliar towns, seeing yard signs cheering on the home team. It’s rolling past places like Alexis, Carthage, Jacksonville, Greenfield, LeRoy, Pawnee, Ottawa, Dwight, Biggsville, and Aurora. It’s remembering the roads through Cambridge, Geneseo, El Paso, Downs, Maroa, Heyworth, Mahomet, Clifton, Paxton, Momence, Gilman, Carrollton, Winchester, White Hall, New Berlin, Pleasant Plains, Carlinville, Seneca, Morris, and Decatur.

I may not have seen a game in every one of those towns, but each drive brings back memories — of legendary teams, unforgettable moments, and those state championship Fridays in Champaign, DeKalb, Normal, and Monmouth.

That’s the beauty of playoff football. It’s not just the games. It’s the journey — the connections, the shared moments, the stories that stick with you long after the final whistle.

Football has a way of uniting people from every corner of the state, giving us something to rally around, something that outlasts the scoreboard. That’s what makes this sport different. That’s what makes it sacred.

So don’t be bothered by that long trip. Embrace it. As you travel, look through the towns and see how they support their teams just like you do your own. It’s magical — a reminder that this journey may not come again. Enjoy the playoffs, because it truly is something special.