Football

NIU upset Notre Dame 16-14 on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Eureka defeated St.Bede 39-23 on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at St. Bede Academy. Check out photos from freelance photographer MaKade Rios.

Erie-Prophetstown's Panthers scored early and often in their 41-7 win over Spring Valley Hall on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024. The Panthers moved to 2-0 on the season and face Sterling Newman at home on Friday, Sept. 13.

Crystal Lake Central faces Cary-Grove in a Fox Valley Conference football game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Cary-Grove High School in Cary.

Jacobs faces Hampshire in a Fox Valley Conference football game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Hampshire High School.

Seneca shut out Lisle 40-0 on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Seneca High School. Check out photos from freelance photographer Katy Arnold.

Ottawa defeated Streator 34-7 on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Doug Dieken Stadium.

Prairie Ridge faces Crystal Lake South in a Fox Valley Conference football game on Friday, Sept. 30, 2024, at Crystal Lake South High School.

Four people, including former White Sox manager Gene Lamont, and the entire undefeated 1964 Hiawatha High School football team made up the inaugural class inducted this week into district’s new Hall of Fame.

Sterling football hosts Niles Notre Dame Sept. 6, 2024, in week 2 of the season.

Oregon visits Dixon Friday Sept. 6, 2024 for week 2 of football action.

The Northern Illinois University Huskie football team met Western Illinois Saturday afternoon at Huskie Stadium at NIU in DeKalb.

Aurora Christian defeated Marquette 24-19 on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 at Gould Stadium. Check out photos from freelancer photographer Tom Sistak.

Orion defeated Hall 42-14 on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 at Richard Nesti Stadium. Check out photos from freelance photographer MaKade Rios.

Plano defeated Ottawa 17-14 on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 at King Field.

L-P defeated United Township 18-16 on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 at Howard Fellows Stadium.

Huntley vs. Crystal Lake Central in a Fox Valley Conference football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Crystal Lake Central High School.

Crystal Lake South faces Dundee-Crown in a Fox Valley Conference football on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Dundee-Crown High School in Carpentersville.

Prairie Ridge faces Jacobs in a Fox Valley Conference football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Jacobs High School in Algonquin.

The Sycamore and DeKalb football teams opened their seasons with the annual FNBO Challenge Friday night in Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University.

Sterling hosts Metamora to kick off their 2024 football season Friday, Aug. 30, 2024. Sterling falls 28-9.

Dixon and Stillman Valley square off Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Dixon to start the 2024 football season. Dixon won 56-14.

The Plainfield District 202 Board of Education voted 6-0 to approve a settlement agreement in a federal civil case that alleged two former student athletes were subjected to hazing and sexual assault.

The DeKalb football team doesn't just have 22 seniors this year. Many of the juniors on the squad started last year, giving the team a lineup stacked with experience pretty much everywhere.

Members of the Cary-Grove football team practice on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at Cary-Grove High School, as the 2023 IHSA Class 6A champions look to defend their state title.

The Plainfield School District 202 Board of Education may consider approving a settlement agreement in a federal lawsuit case involving allegations of hazing and sexual assault of two former football players.

The Chicago Bears played their preseason home opener Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in Chicago.

A car show in Woodstock Square takes place Saturday, Aug. 17.

The Kaneland High School football team practiced Friday as they continue to get ready for the 2024 season.

The Genoa-Kingston High School football team practices Wednesday as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Seneca’s Josh Lucas has signed to continue his education and football career at the College of DuPage.

Seneca’s Asher Hamby has signed to continue his education and football career at Aurora University.

Defending 3A state champion Byron looks as loaded as ever. Dixon brings back a ton of talent from a nine-win team. And Oregon and Genoa-Kingston look to be in the playoff picture. That, plus players to watch and Steve Soucie's picks in the Big Northern Conference preview.

The Sterling Warriors take the turf Tuesday, Aug. 13, for the 2024 football season. Sterling hosts Metamora on Aug. 30.

The Rock Falls Rockets gear up for the football season Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, during the first week of practice. The Rockets host Byron on Aug. 30.

The Dekalb football team held their first practice as they prepare for the start of the 2024 season.

The Sycamore High School football team held their first practice Monday as they prepare for the 2024 season.

The Dixon Dukes hit the gridiron Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, for the first day of Illinois High School Association football practice.

Players take the field at Newman High School in Sterling on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, for the first day of Illinois High School football practice.

Seneca’s Kysen Klinker has signed on to continue his education and football career at Aurora University.

Seneca’s Nathan Grant has signed on to continue his education and football career at the University of Dubuque.

Fall sports head coaches at Northern Illinois University spoke to reporters Tuesday during media day in the Barsema Hall of Champions at NIU in DeKalb.

Ottawa's Luke Boaz will be continuing his education and football career at Millikin University.

Girls flag football officially becomes an IHSA-sanctioned sport this fall. Local players got tips from the Chicago Bears at a camp at McHenry High School Wednesday.

Girls flag football becomes an official high school sport in Illinois this fall. Many players are new to the sport but are getting tips from the Chicago Bears.

The Northern Illinois University football team marked the start of the season Wednesday holding their first practice as they prepare for the season opener Aug. 31 against Western Illinois.

Recent Ottawa graduate Colby Mortenson will be continuing his education and football career at Elmhurst University.

St. Bede played Ottawa during a 7-on-7 meet on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at Ottawa High School. The teams are scheduled to play against each other on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, for the first time since 1980.

Players hit the gridiron Tuesday, July 16, 2024, for preseason football camp at the Rock Falls sports campus. The season will officially kick off with practice in about a month.

Several local football teams including DeKalb, Geneva, Kaneland, Plano and Woodstock North took part in the Kaneland 7-on-7 Tuesday afternoon at Kaneland High School in Maple Park.