The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Football Playoff Pairing Show returns to CSN Chicago for its sixth season in 2016. CSN Chicago, the home for the most games and the most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox, will air the show live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. CT on Saturday, October 22.

The IHSA Football Playoff Pairing Show, which will reveal the brackets and first round match-ups of all 256 playoff qualifiers across eight classes, can also be viewed via live interactive stream on the internet at IHSA.tv and CSNChicago.com.

"The IHSA Football Playoff Pairing Show' continues to be one of the most highly-anticipated events in the state of Illinois and we couldn't be prouder to once again showcase two-straight hours of live, interactive coverage to our on-air and online viewers on Saturday night," said Phil Bedella, VP/GM of CSN Chicago. "This show is the perfect precursor to kick off our IHSA Football season, which includes four live playoff battles, along with live coverage of all eight championship match-ups."

CSN anchor Leila Rahimi hosts the show and will be joined by a panel of experts on-set, including long-time IHSA TV announcer Dave Bernhard and Kankakee Daily Journal sportswriter and Illinois high school football bracketologist Steve Soucie. IHSA TV veteran Matt Rodewald will breakdown each class with media members from around the state, including CSN prep football expert “Edgy” Tim O’Halloran. Viewers are encouraged to interact with the show and ask questions to be answered during the program by utilizing the Twitter hashtag #IHSAbrackets.

The program will once again feature highlights, coaches interviews and media analysis from all over the state. In addition, CSN will be gathering teams & fan reaction moments throughout the “Land of Lincoln” on Saturday from numerous school playoff pairing parties taking place that evening.

“The Football Playoff Pairing Show on CSN Chicago is one of the most anticipated IHSA events of the year,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “As a former high school football coach in the state, I can vividly recall the excitement that built throughout the day as we waited to find out our playoff fate. We appreciate the time and effort that our partners at CSN Chicago put into making this night so special for the players and coaches.”

Saturday’s show also serves as a kick-off for the exciting IHSA Football Playoff action that CSN will carry throughout the 2016 postseason. CSN will air one playoff game live during each of the first four rounds of the playoffs (Oct. 28, Nov. 5, 12, 19), building up to CSN carrying the eight state championship games live on Friday and Saturday, November 25-26.

The pairings show will be distributed to Comcast SportsNet Chicago’s entire viewing territory. Viewers are urged to visit CSNChicago.com to find the exact channel locations in their area.