Friday Night Drive
Downers Grove North quarterback Owen Lansu blossomed into one of the top players in the West Suburban Conference last season by leading the Trojans to a runner-up finish in Class 7A. Now a junior with nine offers, he's ready to take the next step and lead the Trojans forward.
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.
Riley Contreras has accumulated varsity football experience that few players his age have. Now a third-year starter, the junior quarterback is the leader of a Hinsdale Central offense hoping to lead the program back to its winning ways after back-to-back losing seasons.
NIU recruit Dyllan Malone, going into his third varsity season, will lead a talented, deep receiving corps for Yorkville this fall.
Jeremiah Cain has a checklist of NFL receivers that he enjoys watching. Davante Adams and Justin Jefferson come to mind. Cain, an Oswego senior and Northern Iowa commit, considers Odell Beckham Jr. his favorite. Cain, though, has his own highlight reel that’s next-level worthy.
Chase Rivera plays five different positions for the Peotone football team, all of them well.
Batavia hosted teams from Oswego East, Downers Grove North and Wheaton Warrenville South for a 7-on-7 tournament on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
It's been a whirlwind month for Kyle Tutt. Previously head coach at Streator for four seasons, Tutt was hired as an assistant at Plano in June. But when Rick Ponx left Plano to take an assistant coaching job at Benedictine University, Tutt was elevated to head coach this week.
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.
Oswego East, seeking a return to the playoffs after a 3-6 2023 season, must first replace its entire offensive line. The Wolves, though, can lean on what looks to be a strong defense and the return of junior quarterback Niko Villacci.
Downers Grove South High School hosted a 7-on-7 football tournament on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
With the release of the 2024 statewide football schedule, here are the top games week by week to watch in the Suburban Life coverage area.
With the release of the 2024 statewide football schedule, here are the top games to watch, week by week, in the Record Newspapers coverage area.
Members of the Hall football team held camp on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at Hall High School under new head coach Logan Larson.
The Fieldcrest Knights held their high school football camp on Monday, July 8, 2024 in Minonk.
Gavin Mueller has not played a down of high school football, and yet the St. Francis junior already holds 11 scholarship offers from the likes of Florida and Wisconsin. High school tight ends his size don’t grow on trees.
Naperville North hosted a 7-on-7 football tournament that included Plainfield East, St. Francis, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard West and Lincoln-Way East football teams on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
Tiger coach Ryan Pearson holds what he calls a “NEL” Draft each summer, establishing a team commitment to a “No Excuses League.”
Plainfield North lineman Dominic Fasano has been active on the college visitations in an effort to play offensive line at the next level. He's expected to move into a full-time starting role as a senior.
The Illinois House of Representatives passed a proclamation in honor of Cary-Grove's 2023 football championship.
The Div. 3 All-American from Aurora University and Hall High School attended the Chicago Bears “Pro Day” at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on Tuesday. He also attended a “Pro Day” at Northwestern University.
Oswego junior linebacker Carson Cooney, a three-star prospect and the oldest son of Panthers head coach Brian Cooney, announced his verbal commitment to Iowa on Sunday, picking the Hawkeyes from 11 offers. "It was a dream situation."
Matt Furlong, 42, a defensive coordinator for Cary-Grove High School, has been named as the next head coach for the Maple Leafs according to the Geneseo school press release.
Kaleb Cain (2021) served as equipment manager for the University of Oklahoma and brothers Branden (2020) and Caleb (2021) Haring worked as equipment managers for the University of Arizona
Seneca senior lineman Chris Peura's dedication in the weight room led to many pancakes and tackles which helped the Fighting Irish football team to a fantastic season, and himself to being named the 2023 Times Football Player of the Year.
On Wednesday afternoon at the Sterling Schools Foundation building in front of a crowd of friends, family, teammates and coaches, Sterling senior offensive lineman Lucas Austin made it official: he’ll play Division I football at West Virginia University next fall.
A vote of the IHSA's membership group led to a district football proposal being voted down by a count of 379 to 272, with 76 abstentions. The current conference-based system will remain in place.
With the season in the record books, it's time to meet the 2023 Sauk Valley Media All-Area Football Team.
Polo's Brock Soltow set I8FA career records in total offensive yards and rushing touchdowns this season while helping the Marcos to their third straight state semifinals appearance. The senior is the 2023 Sauk Valley Media Football Player of the Year.
Fourth-year head coach Scott Payne led the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio Clippers to the I8FA state championship this season. He has been named the Sauk Valley Media Football Coach of the Year.
East St. Louis was dealt a massive blow early in the third quarter of the IHSA Class 6A state championship versus Cary-Grove when four-year starting quarterback Robert Battle exited the game with an apparent lower leg injury. But the Flyers responded well to the adversity.
Friday Night Drive reporter Steve Millar has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 8A state title football game between Loyola and Lincoln-Way East.
Friday Night Drive reporter Jake Bartelson has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 7A state title football game between Downers Grove North and Mount Carmel.
Friday Night Drive reporter Joe Stevenson has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 6A state title football game between Cary-Grove and East St. Louis.
Friday Night Drive reporter Jake Bartelson has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 5A state title football game between Nazareth and Joliet Catholic.
Nazareth Academy met Joliet Catholic Academy to decide the IHSA Class 5A state championship Saturday in Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University in Normal.
The Cary-Grove football team took on East St. Louis Saturday in the IHSA Class 6A state championship game Saturday in Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University in Normal.
Rochester defeated Burbank (St. Laurence) 59-38 to win the Class 4A State football championship on Friday, Nov, 24, 2023 in Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University in Normal.
Byron defeated Mr. Carmel 69-7 to win the Class 3A State football championship on Friday, Nov, 24, 2023 in Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University in Normal. The Tigers broke the IHSA record for most points in a season and earned its second Class 3A state championship in three years.
Friday Night Drive reporter Michal Dwojak has live updates and scores from Friday’s IHSA Class 4A state title football game between St. Laurence and Rochester.
Friday Night Drive reporter Alex Kantecki has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 3A state title football game between Byron and Mt. Carmel.
Camp Point Central capped an undefeated season with a 14-0 win over the three-time defending state champion Lena-Winslow Panthers in the Class 1A state championship game Friday at Hancock Stadium.
Friday Night Drive reporter Steve Millar has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 2A state title football game between Wilmington and Athens.
Friday Night Drive reporter Dan Wussow has live updates and scores from Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A state title football game between Lena-Winslow and Camp Point Central.
Le-Win and Camp Point clash on the field at Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University for the class 1A state football title Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Camp Point took the win 14-0 for their first ever state title.
Wilmington and Athens hit the gridiron Friday, Nov, 24, 2023 for the state title in Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University for the 2A state football title. Wilmington won 28-3.
Quarterback Logan Malachuk ran for two touchdowns, one in each half, Nazareth rushed for 227 yards as a team, and the Roadrunners built a 17-point lead and held off St. Francis 38-31 in a Class 5A semifinal to continue its improbable playoff ride and return to the state finals.
Mount Carmel hosted Batavia in the Class 7A football semifinal in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Nazareth Academy hosted St. Francis in the Class 5A football semifinal in La Grange Park on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.