Football

Cary-Grove's Class 6A football state championship was voted the No. 1 local sports story for 2021 by the Northwest Herald sports staff. The COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on sports came in second. See the complete Top 10 here.

Tents filled with hot chocolate and coffee for excited football fans who arrived early Friday morning at Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium in DeKalb to cheer on their favorite high school teams vying for state titles. “We back all of our sports 100%," Jeff Friddle, of Wilmington, said.

The IHSA football state championships attract approximately 25,000 visitors to DeKalb County and contribute between $800,000 and $1 million to the local economy. “Win or lose, they will always remember the state championship game at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb," said Brad Hoey of the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

In extraordinary times, it’s taken extraordinary efforts for teams to make it to Huskie Stadium in 2021 for the IHSA Football State Championships. Everyone has worked really hard to make this weekend happen, and we hope you enjoy yourself here in DeKalb. We've got a lot to be thankful for this year.

State Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, made good on his bet against House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, delivering Italian beef sandwiches from Tom and Jerry’s of Sycamore.

State Rep. Jeff Keicher is betting it all on a Spartan win against Fenwick High School alum Jim Durkin, House Republican leader, ahead of Saturday’s Sycamore Varsity Football IHSA semifinal showdown against the Fenwick Friars. The friendly wager? Italian beef sandwiches.

There is a lot to do this weekend that is Halloween-themed. But don't overlook high school football and Christmas crafts.

Northern Illinois University and DeKalb County will again host the Illinois High School Association Football State Championships Nov. 26-27 at NIU’s Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Organizers are looking for volunteers.

All the Daily Chronicle's Week 3 football coverage in one place.

Kaneland, DeKalb, Hiawatha and Genoa-Kingston all picked up wins, while Sycamore fell to the Barbs in overtime. Links to photos, videos and more are all here.