A look at the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference for the 2025 season, including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, six can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

Lyons two-way lineman Roman Sosnovyy waited his turn to be a senior captain. Senior linebacker Patrick Cheney is excited for his last shot to make an impact for the Lions. They're leaders of a senior class aiming even higher after Lyons' historic 11-1 season in 2024.

Coming off a record-setting junior year, Sterling kicker and multi-sport athlete Ryan Gebhardt looks to be a reliable player once again for the Golden Warriors this season. He also balances kicking with the fall soccer season.

Dekker Zelensek was a late starter to football, with good reason – his mom didn't allow him to play at a young age. He played soccer growing up, and didn't start football until the eighth grade. Now he is expected to be Oswego's lead running back this season.

After spending time as the No. 3 wide receiver for Geneva's state runner-up team last year, junior Bennett Konkey is ready to step up as the team's top threat out wide.

After making the playoffs for the second time in a decade, Erie-Prophetstown hopes for continued improvement under Tyler Whitebread.

Here’s a list of breakout players from around Bureau County for the 2025 football season that you should watch for.

Izzy Abrams has had a calendar year that would make a young man dizzy. The Montini quarterback was not even promised playing time going into last season. And then he led the Broncos to the Class 3A championship. A recruiting circus followed, and now he has upwards of 20 offers.

A very young and inexperienced Kaneland team started last year 4-0 and made the playoffs. Starters return in 17 positions this year as expectations are high for what is now an experienced and explosive team.