Step outdoors this weekend, and you’ll encounter a few naked trees, the cold whip of a winterish wind, the smell of bonfires and burning leaves.

That feeling? It’s playoff football. High school football, that is.

The IHSA football playoffs kick off tomorrow, with first-round matchups scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Here’s how things are shaping up for Tri-Cities’ squads:

As the 7 seed in the 7A bracket, Batavia (8-1) hosts Chicago Brother Rice (5-4) at 7PM tomorrow.

The formidable Bulldogs’ only loss this season came to Lincoln-Way East — by one on a failed two-point conversion attempt as time expired. Batavia defeated both Geneva and St. Charles North.

Should they win, the Bulldogs will face the winner of the New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) vs. Algonquin (Jacobs).

Geneva (7-2), the 7 seed in the 6A bracket, will square off against Chicago Senn (6-3) at home tomorrow at 7:30PM.

The Vikings only losses came against Batavia and Wheaton North. Geneva also defeated St. Charles North.

If they advance, Geneva will face the winner of Chicago Lake View vs. Lake Forest.

As the 17 seed in the 7A bracket, St. Charles North (6-3) will go on the road to face Bradley-Bourbonnais (6-3) at 6PM on Saturday.

The North Stars enter the postseason following a loss to Geneva last Friday. If they win, they’ll play the winner of Normal (Community) vs. Summit (Argo).

St. Charles North and Batavia find themselves on opposite ends of the 7A bracket. Which means — stay with me here — they could theoretically meet in the state championship on 11/25, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

That, however, would likely require the North Stars to advance past first-seeded Normal in the second round, so…let’s just get that first W under our belt.

The Batavia-Geneva rivalry across all athletics is well-documented; many of you probably have strong feelings on the subject (talking to you, Mom).

Interestingly enough, despite Batavia’s recent dominance, the all-time football record favors Geneva at 51-49-5.

Beginning in 2006 (my senior year at BHS), the Bulldogs have been on a tear. They lost in the 6A state title game that year to Normal, but found redemption in 2013 when they beat Richards High School of Oak Lawn to claim the 6A state championship.

They also won the 2017 7A state title before coming up short in last year’s championship game against Mount Carmel.

The 2018 St. Charles North team became the school’s first to reach the 7A state championship game, but ultimately fell short to Nazareth 31-10.

Geneva last reached the state title game (7A) in 2008, losing to East St. Louis. The only other time the Vikings reached the final game was in the fall of 1975 — when their hopes were dashed by Crystal Lake South.

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☑️ Show me the green: That new St. Charles solar field we referenced in Monday’s newsletter? It’s expected to save Kane County about $200K per year in energy costs.

☑️ Constructing smiles: On 11/9, Geneva’s Planning & Zoning Commission will review plans for Khanna Dentistry’s proposed 5,000-square-foot, two-unit commercial building on the 600 block of East State Street.

☑️ Trick-or-treat downtown: It’s just like regular trick-or-treating, except participating downtown Geneva shops and restaurants will be dishing out the candy TODAY from 2-5PM.

🔒 Local politics: A 2024 Democratic primary challenger for Bill Foster’s 11th Congressional District seat has raised more money than the incumbent — but does he have a real shot?

☑️ Preschool lottery: Any Batavia parents hoping to enroll a child in preschool at the Early Childhood Center can participate in a lottery system that opens on 11/1.

*Below I’ve included “listed” start/end times — actual play times tend to vary. The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee. Links to band/event info are provided where available.

✔️ Mike Hayes: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Musician info

✔️ Scott Tipping: Preservation | Geneva | 6-9PM | Event info + video

✔️ PBJ: Evenflow | Geneva | 7PM

✔️ Peter Miletic: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Martin Barre - History of Jethro Tull: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 7:30PM | Event info

✔️ Cat Man Dog: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9PM-12AM | Band info

✔️ Frankie Smiles: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info

✔️ Halloween Party with DJ Remi.X: Tanna Tap | Geneva | 8-11PM

✔️ Jacelyn Vale: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Musician info

✔️ Luis Alcantar Trio: The Hive | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Band info

✔️ Alex Hoffer: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Event info + video

✔️ Afternoon Logic: Eden Restaurant | St. Charles | 6:30-9:30PM | Band info

✔️ Drew Clausen: Foxfire | Geneva | 7-10PM | Event info

✔️ Tank and the Beez: Sturdy Shelter | Batavia | 7-10PM | Band info (+ Uncle Cam’s food truck)

✔️ Stan Karcz: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ FireHouse: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8PM | Event info

✔️ St. Malarkey: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8-11PM | Band info

✔️ Sam Wyatt: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM

🎟️ Billy Joel & Elton John Night: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 8:30PM | Event info

✔️ Olivia Ports: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Mike & Joe: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info

✔️ Invisible Cartoons: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-1AM | Band info

✔️ Jim Gruden: 93 Octane Brewing | St. Charles |1-4PM

✔️ “Spooky” Matt Keen: Flagship on the Fox | St. Charles | 4-7PM | Musician info

✔️ Steve Petrovich: Geneva Winery Bistro & Wine Bar | Geneva | 5-8PM | Musician info

✔️ Completely Dead: D and G Brewing | St. Charles | 6PM | Band info (D and G Halloween Party)

✔️ DJ Mario: The Wine Exchange | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Event info

✔️ Willard Wilcox: Preservation | Geneva | 6:30-10PM | Musician info

✔️ DS Wilson: Foxfire | Geneva | 7:00-10PM | Event info

✔️ Ben and Jake: Riverlands Brewing | St. Charles | 6-9PM | Event info (Halloween party)

✔️ Johnny Burnett: ROX at Hotel Baker | St. Charles | 7:30-11PM | Musician info

✔️ Wildwood Country Music: Tanna Tap | Geneva | 8-11PM | Band info

✔️ RedLine Saints: The Hive | St. Charles | 8:30-11:30PM | Band info

🎟️ Josh Turner: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 8-11PM | Event info

✔️ Major Climb: Pollyanna Brewing | St. Charles | 8-11PM | Band info

✔️ Nacho Cheese: Bar Evolution | Batavia | 8:30-11:30PM

🎟️ Rosie and the Rivets: Club Arcada | St. Charles | 7PM | Event info (Halloween Bash)

✔️ Dave Ramont: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 9-11PM | Musician info

🎟️ Anchors Away!: EvenFlow | Geneva | 9PM | Band info

✔️ Gerry Hundt: The House Pub | St. Charles | 9:30PM-1AM | Musician info

✔️ Doc Elliot: Preservation | Geneva | 1PM | Musician info

✔️ Blue Grass Sunday: Sidecar Supper Club | Batavia | 4-7PM | Event info

🎟️ Mr. Speed - Kiss Tribute: Arcada Theatre | St. Charles | 5PM | Event info

☑️ 50 cents for the Fox: Stockholm’s in Geneva has been running a fantastic fundraiser since April to support Fox River cleanup efforts — consider donating before the program ends on Halloween.

☑️ Spooky season: The St. Charles Business Alliance assembled a great roundup of Halloween-themed sales, specials and promotions you can find at local businesses over the next couple weeks.

☑️ Stress reliever: First-time moms (or soon-to-be moms) can access free support and guidance from a registered nurse through the Kane Kares program.

🔒 Thriller on 38: More than 2,000 spectators descended on downtown Geneva last Friday to witness the unique, exhilarating dance performance. Check out the photos.

☑️ Difference maker: In its community leader recognition series, Patch St. Charles gave a shout-out to Laura Purdy of STC Alliance for her work connecting neighbors, businesses and community groups.

☑️ Yee-haw: Rudy’s Bar, a new country-themed tavern in downtown St. Charles, just opened on Main Street. You can’t find it on Google Maps yet, which, if you ask me, gives it an under-the-radar vibe that only adds to its appeal.

🔒 Ribbon cutting: The St. Charles Chamber will be celebrating the new location of Rosie’s Color studio in downtown St. Charles today at 4:30PM.

*️⃣ Ribbon, cut: With Mayor Schielke presiding, the Batavia Chamber joined owner Vito Brandonisio to celebrate the upcoming opening of the new location for Acquaviva Ristorante Batavia last Friday. The restaurant is now open and taking reservations.

☑️ Science Night! American Science & Surplus is known for interesting oddities on a normal day, so forgive me if my imagination gets carries away when I picture what they have in store for a spooky evening of experiments, demos and costumes.

🔒 Spooktacular Halloween & Dia De los Muertos Extravaganza: The Geneva Commons will morph into a family-friendly carnival of frightful fun from 11AM to 3PM.

🎟️ Halloween Wine & Craft Beer Train Hop: Meet up with your crew at the Geneva Metra station, where you’ll fire up at Third Street Station before scooting on to Wheaton and Elmhurst in a unique, BYOB-on-the-train bar crawl.

🎟️ Clueless in the 70's: Evidently, murder mystery parties are all the rage these days. This 70s-themed shindig at The Lewis in St. Charles looks like a really good one. It begins at 8:30PM.

🎟️ There's No Place Like Home - A Wizard of Oz-themed Dinner: A four-course themed dinner party at The Graceful Ordinary in St. Charles on at 6PM. Proceeds benefit Lazarus House.

🌧️ Today: High 68F | Low 61F | Mild + gloomy

🌧️ Friday: High 70F | Low 36F | Overnight cold front

🌥️ Saturday: High 52F | Low 40F | Standard late October

🌧️ Sunday: High 44F | Low 26F | Freezing temps + rain 😱

We’re also on Facebook and Instagram. We tend to be a bit more active on Instagram throughout the week.

🔥 Loved it, keep up the good work [this]

😐 Decent, like the Bears QB last Sunday [this]

🛑 3 minutes I’ll never get back [this]

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Cheers,

Sam

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