FND - Illinois Valley

The Seneca football program announced it will play Sangamon Valley in Week 2 this season, filling the void left when Lisle went to a junior varsity schedule only.

In the first installment of our series looking at the favorite calls of football coaches' careers, current DeKalb coach Derek Schneeman reflects on the game-changing two-point conversion that secured a playoff victory in 2014 in his first year as a head coach with Fieldcrest.

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.

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.

The St. Bede football team got to face former coach Jim Eustice and his new Mendota team in a joint practice Thursday that also included Sandwich.

New Bureau Valley football coach Patrick Elder comes from a family synonymous with football in Illinois. Kevin Hieronymus of Friday Night Drive visited with Elder on his first day of summer camp, talking about his family lineage and previous experiences.

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

The Seneca football squad is motivated in a number of different ways to record another in a string of solid seasons and is working hard to make that happen.

Teegan Davis and Bennett Williams each have had their share of adversity. The former Princeton standouts took in the Tigers’ summer scrimmage July 24 to check in on their former teammates while mapping their way back to the gridiron this fall.

Marquette Academy graduate Rush Keefer has committed to continue his education and football career at Benedictine University.

Fieldcrest football’s summer camp has been defined by strong senior leadership and growing team chemistry as the Knights gear up for the upcoming season.

In his first year as head coach at his alma mater, Nick Sterling is bringing the Hall football team back to the basics.

It was hot and humid. There was some hitting. The play was getting a little chippy at times on the field. It felt like football. The Princeton Tigers welcomed the East Peoria Red Raiders to Little Siberia Field for a controlled scrimmage Thursday morning.

Nick Michalek is a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who will surely be Sandwich's lead back in its wing-T this fall. But he treats every day like a kid fighting for a job. "You can't ever think your spot is safe." Michalek is one of the seniors who will lead Sandwich this fall.

The Bureau Valley High School football team held their annual summer camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Manlius.

The Hall High School football team held their annual summer camp on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Hall High School.

Leadership and accountability have been a main focus for the Marquette football program summer workouts under first-year head coach Ken Carlson.

La Salle-Peru and St. Bede held a joint practice at Howard Fellows Stadium on Monday as the teams continued their summer work under first-year head coaches.

There was a special guest for the first day of the Bureau Valley football camp Monday at Ken Bourquin Field in Manlius. John Elder, father of new Storm head coach Pat, made the 80-mile trip from Alexis to see his son’s new squad in action.

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.

First-year St. Bede football coach Jack Brady is making some changes to the Bruins offensive scheme this season.

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.

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.

A look at the top games to watch in the NewsTribune/BCR area for the 2025 football season.

Under new head coach Ken Carlson, the Marquette football program competed well in its 7-on-7 against La Salle-Peru on Tuesday and will look to continue improving throughout the rest of the offseason.

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

New La Salle-Peru football coach JJ Raffelson said he's "putting a focus back on those little things in the game" during summer workouts

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.

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

In a stretch of 11 seasons, from 1991 to 2001, the Hall Red Devils put themselves on the state football map with nine playoff berths, including three state finals appearances, two semifinals and three quarterfinals. The 1995 and 2001 Red Devils took Hall all the way to the top.

Streator graduate Jordan Lukes has committed to continue his education and football career at Monmouth College.

Princeton will invite 16 teams to participate in Saturday’s 7-on-7 and Linemen’s Challenge at Bryant Field and Little Siberia, including Dixon, EPC, Ottawa, LaSalle-Peru and Sandwich.

A total of 16 teams took part in the annual Central 7 on 7 and Lineman Challenge on what was a busy Saturday of football at Central High School in Clifton.

Recent Woodland graduate and Times All-Area Football first-teamer Aydan Radke has selected to continue his education and football career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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.