Join hosts Steve Soucie and Josh Welge as they preview an exciting Week 1 in Illinois high school football on the Friday Night Drive podcast

Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the CCL/ESCC Blue.

After several teams easily captured state titles after utilizing a multiplier waiver that allowed them to compete at lower classifications, the IHSA announced changes to both its multiplier waiver and success formula equations for the 2025-2026 athletic seasons.

St. Francis junior Zachary Washington got a special opportunity when Michigan State offered him. He got a chance to play with his former high school quarterback. Plus more recruiting notes on Mount Carmel's Claude Mpouma, Carmel's Trae Taylor and Brother Rice's King Liggins.

Pat Swanson realized his dreams of becoming a head coach Friday when St. Laurence announced his hiring as the team's new coach.

The CCL/ESCC will lose plenty of talented players to graduation, but there's plenty of talent left to watch this fall. Here are 10 CCL/ESCC players to watch for the 2025 season.

Mount Carmel senior quarterback Jack Elliott overcame obstacles to help the Caravan win a third straight state championship. Elliott earned Elliott's 2024 Friday Night Drive Offensive Player of the Year honor.

Meet Friday Night Drive’s 2024 All-CCL/ESCC team, which was selected by the Friday Night Drive staff with input from coaches across the 24-team league.

Nazareth seniors set a new standard for the Roadrunners' program on and off the field after winning their third straight state championship. Plus more CCL/ESCC notes on Mount Carmel, Loyola, Montini, DePaul Prep and Joliet Catholic.