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.

After falling short of an eighth straight playoff appearance, Fulton hopes to build off last year's strong finish as it heads into a fifth year in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference.

The IHSA just released its statewide football schedule for the 2025 season. Here is a game to watch each week in the Sauk Valley coverage area.

Here is the 2024 Sauk Valley All-Area Football Team.

Dixon senior QB Cullen Shaner and Newman senior linebacker/running back Daniel Kelly were both named All-State by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association on Wednesday. A number of Sauk Valley 8-man players and honorable mentions were also recognized.

Lincoln-Way East and Loyola can't meet for a third consecutive time in the Class 8A title game because they are on the same side of the bracket, who will emerge as a new challenger? Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2024 IHSA Class 8A playoffs.

Mount Carmel is still the leading threat to capture the 7A crown, but several other teams appear poised to mount a stern challenge to the Caravan. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2024 IHSA Class 7A playoffs.

Are we lining up another Cary-Grove/East St. Louis battle for the title? Or can another team join the mix. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2024 IHSA Class 6A playoffs.

Nazareth became the first team in state history to win a state title with five losses last season. Nazareth is back in the field trying to defend, but will another lower seed make an epic run? Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2024 IHSA Class 5A playoffs.