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.

Streator graduate, three-sport standout and Times All-Area Football first-teamer Isaiah Weibel signed on to continue his education at Benedictine University and his football career at the NCAA Division III level with the Eagles.

Recent Streator graduate and Times All-Area Football first-teamer Tristan Finley has committed to continue his education and football career at Benedictine University.

As any good contractor will tell you, building requires a solid foundation. That’s what first-year Streator head coach Jay Slone is trying to install this summer for the Bulldogs football program.

J.T. Pedelty, Eddie Carifio and Sam Ramirez react to the IHSA football schedule getting released in the latest Friday Night Drive podcast, and break down games in DeKalb and La Salle counties, along with the Sauk Valley region

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.

Numbers weren’t high – just under 40 program-wide – but the mood and energy both were Wednesday as the Streator High football team continued summer workouts under new head coach Jay Slone.

Gallery

Here are J.T. Pedelty's photos from Streator Bulldogs summer football practice Wednesday, July 16, 2025.