FND - DuPage & Cook Counties

Over 200 high schools in Illinois are expected to have girls flag football teams this year as the sport's popularity continues to rise. "There’s no shortage of opportunities."

Montini senior Isaac Alexander is looking to double his impact this season as a running back and safety, and eager to help the defending Class 3A state champion Broncos make another run in the state playoffs and Chicago Catholic League.

Glenbard South's Henry Riley has length and burst "that you can't teach" and last season it finally clicked for him blocking-wise to become a complete tight end. Now he's part of a talented tight end combo with Elijah Donahue while Ari Ioannou leads the Raiders' defense.

With the release of the IHSA 2025 statewide football schedule, here are the top games week by week to watch in the Suburban Life coverage area.

The Illinois High School Association released its state-wide 2025 football schedule on Friday. Filling nine-game schedules proved challenging for some of the state's elite programs.

What looks different for the new high school football season? With the IHSA football schedules now out, Steve Soucie looks at the differences for the new campaign.

Steve Soucie and Josh Welge preview the 2025 IHSA high school football schedule, including games to watch and more in the latest Friday Night Drive podcast

Friday Night Drive’s Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz discuss what the IHSA football schedule will look like in the western suburbs for the 2025 season, games they are looking forward to, and more

Downers Grove North senior Oliver Thulin has a good grasp of the recent history of the football program, the third Thulin brother to play for the Trojans. Now he is set to make a bigger mark as a two-way standout at wide receiver and defensive back.

St. Francis is motivated to take the next step in the playoffs, after its season ended in the semifinals the last three years. With a talented receiving corps led by Michigan State recruit Zach Washington, the Spartans have the pieces in place for another deep run.

History tends to repeat itself in regards to the IHSA Football Playoffs, but the new enrollment numbers could lead to a bracket that looks a lot different in the next postseason chase. Here is Steve Soucie's 2025 IHSA football preseason playoff projection.