The SouthWest Suburban Conference was an intriguing follow last fall with Lockport taking down the Class 8A state championship and Sandburg surprising pretty much everyone.

Lockport's Hayden Timosciek admits that the wait he had to endure to secure a scholarship wasn't ideal. But now, after recently committing to continue his athletic and academic career at Purdue University, all appears to have worked out in the end.

With the state-wide football schedule release on Thursday here's a look ahead at what could be the marquee games on the schedule come this fall.

The Lockport football team did exactly what any program would hope to do with a experience laden roster in capturing a state championship. But sustaining a level of success will now lean on the next wave of Porters.

Meet the Herald-News Fall 2021 All-Area Football Team.

Check out all the Herald-News area football players who signed their letters of intent Wednesday.

Gallery

The City of Lockport honors the football team with a parade and rally at city hall.

Lockport running back Ty Schultz missed his junior season with a torn ACL but got the perfect ending to his high school career, as he ran for 231 yards and scored two touchdowns to help lead the Porters to the Class 8A state championship.

Lockport's defense has been on a seek-and-destroy mission all season. The Porters got their final target in their sights and didn't miss on Saturday night.