As the August 29 kickoff nears, the 2025 football season promises thrilling rivalries and potential surprises, with Kaneland and Sycamore eyeing playoff streaks, DeKalb seeking redemption, and emerging players ready to claim the spotlight.

Kaneland football coach Mike Thorgesen has said that his team last year had boys, but this team has men. Jake Buckley is a man among boys. A chiseled 6-foot-4 and 265-pound senior, Buckley is the anchor of Kaneland’s line on both sides of the ball.

Illinois commit and DeKalb rising senior Davon Grant leads a talented group of returning football players in the Daily Chronicle area next season. We look at five, most of whom have D-I offers under their belts already.

Here is the 2024 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team

There were no shortage of people who could catch the ball this year - whether that was on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Here's this year's Daily Chronicle All-Area Football team.

Sycamore rolled to six ground touchdowns in a 50-8 rout of Noble/Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. Now the Spartans are the last Daily Chronicle team alive as the playoffs enter the second round this week. Kaneland and Genoa-Kingston both lost road openers.

Four carries. Four touchdowns. And 207 yards. It was more than just an impressive stat line for Belvidere North running back Ben Bucher. It was the difference in the No. 4 Blue Thunder’s 35-20 win over No. 13 Kaneland in a Class 6A first-round playoff game.

Kaneland faces Belvidere North in Round 1 of the 2024 Class 6A IHSA football playoffs Friday Night Drive editor Eddie Carifio will have live updates, scores and news from the game

Sycamore, Genoa-Kingston and Kaneland all start their playoff journeys this weekend with first-round games. Beyond the obvious playmakers, we look at one player from each team that may be a little less heralded but could have a big impact on the field in Round 1.