The IHSA football playoffs are far from unfamiliar territory for Clifton Central .

The 2025 season marked the Comets’ 32nd playoff appearance and their 26th in the last 31 seasons, but in their last three postseasons, the first round was as far as they went.

After falling behind in the second quarter Saturday, No. 4 Central (9-1) pulled away with 24 unanswered points to down No. 13 Knoxville 24-6 and start off the Class 1A postseason with a win, its first playoff victory since 2019.

Lineman Brody O’Connor started the afternoon by carrying the team’s flag onto the field. After the game, he took a minute to soak in the sights and sounds of the first playoff win for him and his fellow seniors on their home field.

“Just to win at home, the atmosphere and everything, I’m very emotional ab

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