Local high school football coaches — Ottawa’s Chad Gross, Streator’s Jay Slone, and Seneca’s Terry Maxwell — while not quite the same as when they played, still get 'That feeling' when Friday's game day rolls around.

The Illinois high school football season kicks off later this month, and official practices begin Monday. Here are five storylines we here at The Times have our eyes on this coming fall.

Ottawa head football coach Chad Gross said he’s encouraged with the progress his group has made in the offseason and is looking forward to seeing what the Pirates can accomplish in 2025.

With the release of the 2025 IHSA football schedules, here is a week-by-week look at the can't-miss games across The Times coverage area.

Here are five of our very early guesses as to Ottawa/Streator-area players to watch for when the 2025 season arrives.

We are proud to present The Times 2024 All-Area Football Team, with 22 first-team selections and 22 more honored as second-teamers from area teams Marquette, Seneca, Streator, Sandwich, Ottawa, Fieldcrest and Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland.

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Seneca defeated El Paso-Gridley 39-23 in the first round of the Class 2A football playoffs on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 at Seneca High School.

More from the Week 9 sideline across The Times area, including notes on Seneca, Marquette, FCW, Ottawa and Streator.

St. Bede finished a tough season with a positive as the Bruins defeated Ottawa 38-28 on Friday in Peru.