Friday Night Drive

As the first game of the season neared last fall, Dixon quarterback Tyler Shaner was getting more and more nervous after being thrust into the starting role in the weeks leading up to the game. But this year, he feels much much more comfortable and confident heading into Week 1.

Coming off a 1-8 season, and with new talent coming in and an experienced sophomore class, Rock Falls is as motivated as ever to end its streak of losing seasons and try to build a winning culture.

After reaching the doorstep of the eight-man football state championship last season, the Clippers are determined to finish the job this year.

The West Carroll football players are counting down the days until their Week 2 game on Sept. 2 against Fulton. After a shortened 2021 spring season and a 2021 fall season spent playing JV games, the Thunder are poised to play varsity football for the first time in three years.

With high school sports practice officially open across Illinois as of Monday, teams are back to their normal operations and process of piecing together the puzzle of starting lineups and depth charts. Excitement is in the air everywhere, and it's no different in Fulton.

Can York take the next step after a breakout 2021 season? Can Montini bounce back after missing the playoffs for the first time in almost three decades? Who are the players to watch? Here are five storylines to watch around the Suburban Life coverage area.

The Kaneland High School football team practiced in Maple Park on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022.

The Genoa-Kingston football team continues getting ready for the 2022 campaign starting fall practices this week.

Minooka hits the field preparing for the 22-23 season that kicks off in two weeks.

The Hiawatha football team practiced this week in preparation for the 2022 season of eight-man football.

Last season was fairly chaotic for the AFC football team. Second-year coach Ben Mershon expects a little more consistency in 2022. The injury bug hit the Raiders hard last fall, but AFC now has more experience thanks to a large group of seniors.

Plano football kicked off its fall practice on Monday with a focus on "finishing." The Reapers, coming off a successful 6-4 season, either led or was tied in the second half of all four of its losses. "We can't let that happen again. It's a mindset."

Lincoln-Way East look to go deep into the playoffs with most of their starters returning.

St. Charles East held their first official football practice of the season on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022.

With Wisconsin commit Chris Terek anchoring what is billed as the biggest offensive line in Glenbard West history – and with all five starters back – the Hilltoppers are hoping for a 'return to glory' after an 8-3 2021 season. They were off and running at Monday's first practice.