Here are team-by-team previews of the Northern Lake County Conference, plus players to watch and Steve Soucie's predictions.

Downers Grove North senior quarterback Owen Lansu’s legacy is still unfinished. A three-year starter, Lansu has already put his name among the best players in Downers Grove North program history. Heading into his final season he's eyeing a state title to cement his status.

With its enrollment number teetering between Class 6A and Class 7A, Batavia decided to take the guesswork out of it and asked the IHSA to "play up" to Class 7A if the Bulldogs' enrollment number lands them in 6A when the final pairings are determined.

Dundee-Crown's football team may lack size, but 5-foot-8 Tristan Gatenby and 5-6 Kadin Malone are proof that the Chargers won't back down this season in the formidable Fox Valley Conference.

St. Charles East running back Xander Salazar's junior season ended with him on the sidelines after suffering a concussion. Now, he's ready to be at the forefront of an experienced offense looking for it's first playoff berth since 2019.

Oswego East's Jasiah Watson was limited to five games last season because of mononucleosis and an injury. But the senior running back and third-year varsity player has the juice back for a big finale. 'I know what I'm capable of, and I want to prove what I'm capable of.'

How will Bureau Valley do in Patrick Elder's first season as head coach? Can Farmington defend its conference championship? Here's preview capsules for the 2025 Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Conference Large School Division teams.

The offseason has been about the BBA for the DeKalb football team - bounce-back ability. Players and coach Derek Schneeman said they like what they've seen so far as they look to turnaround a 1-8 season.

Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the CCL/ESCC Red.

York senior Hunter Stepanich, a rare three-sport athlete committed to play both football and volleyball at Princeton, is poised for an expanded role this season. The 6-foot-7 Stepanich and the Dukes are looking to build off last year's Class 8A championship game appearance.

After a return to the playoffs last season, Eastland-Pearl City wants to make the postseason a habit again. It’s going to take a blend of veteran leadership and new faces to do so.

Speed and quickness. Sure, TJ Harland has those skills in spades like any prototypical tailback. But what really excites the Yorkville senior? It’s blocking. “I love the physicality." Harland will be key as the Foxes aim to return to the playoffs this fall.

Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the CCL/ESCC Orange.

As Sycamore prepares for the 2025 season, a wave of new faces emerges to uphold its strong legacy, led by senior Cooper Bode, who embraces the challenge of maintaining the Spartans’ playoff-bound momentum despite significant departures on the roster.

A look at the Kishwaukee River Conference for the 2025 season, including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

Here's everything you need to know about the Interstate 8 Conference in 2025, including teams, players and matchups to watch plus Steve Soucie's predictions for how the final standings will wind up.

The Illinois Central Eight Conference will actually be the ICE seven for the 2025 season. Can anyone challenge defending champion Wilmington and runner-up Coal City atop the conference standings this fall?

Princeton coach Ryan Pearson calls senior QB Gavin Lanham "Cool Hand Luke" because “Nothing seems to faze him. There’s not a moment that’s too big for this kid."

A look at the Fox Valley Conference for the 2025 season, including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

Here is the 2025 season preview for the Central Suburban League with team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five must-games and Steve Soucie's predictions.

Burlington Central's football team returned to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years last season. The Rockets hope to repeat their success this fall, and massive offensive linemen Zach Hultgren and Aidan Nuno plan to pave the path.

The 2025 football season is just around the corner. Here's a preview of where the teams in the DuKane Conference stand, as well as five players to watch, five can't miss matchups, and Steve Soucie's conference predictions.

After tying the school record with a 10-2 season and third-ever trip to the state quarterfinals, the Dixon Dukes will lean on their experience in the trenches to build on that this fall.

Mendota senior quarterback Aden Tillman's improvement was "off the charts" during the summer under new coach Jim Eustice.

In a league that is down to just four teams, but three reached the playoffs last season, Seneca looks to be the favorite again in the Chicagoland Prairie Conference. But the Irish will have tons of fight from Dwight, Marquette and St. Bede this fall.

It’s not the situation Lisle High School would prefer. However, there’s a game plan. A football program dating to the school’s 1957 opening, the Lions will not be fielding a varsity team this fall. A member of the Illinois Central Eight, Lisle will play a junior varsity schedule.

With lots of young players gaining valuable experience last season, the Forreston Cardinals look to return to their high standards this fall.

Coming off of a second-place finish in Class 7A a season ago, Batavia's offensive line, led by guys like Princeton commit Ryan Myers and Steven Bannos are ready to help the team to its first state title since 2017.

In their final high school season, twins Braden and Jack Curran hope to help Hall turn things around and lay a foundation for the future.

Here is the 2025 Chicagoland Christian Conference preview complete with team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos from Oswego East football's practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos from Yorkville football's practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Rockford Christian and Schlarman Academy both recently announced they will be cancelling their upcoming 8-man football seasons, leaving a question mark in the schedule for their opponents.

Here are Karen Naess' photos from Batavia's football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

A look at the Heart of Illinois Medium Division for the 2025 season including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

Jacobs senior twins Connor and Carson Goehring hope to fuel another winning season for the Golden Eagles. The quarterback and wide receiver share many interests, including sports and cars.

The Hazelett family will impact multiple Kankakee sports this year. Father, Ed, is the new football coach while son, EJ, is an Indiana state basketball commit.

After falling short of an eighth straight playoff appearance, Fulton hopes to build off last year's strong finish as it heads into a fifth year in the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference.

After running for 742 yards and six touchdowns last year as a sophomore, St. Bede's Landon Marquez is again expected to be a key piece of the Bruins offense as Jack Brady takes over as head coach.

The football coaches at Bradley-Bourbonnais, Kankakee and Bishop McNamara all used the same word to describe their moods on the first day of practice Monday – excited.

Twins Jaron and Mason Morscheiser, who are each 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, are expected to be impact players for La Salle-Peru this fall.

After snapping a 6-year playoff drought with back-to-back playoff berths, the Oregon Hawks are hoping to take the next step this fall in the postseason.

After returning eight of their starters from last season's DuKane Conference winning team, St. Charles North's defense, headlined by players like linebackers Matthew Plumb and Aidan McClure, are ready to go further in 2025.

Dontrell Young does admit that the thought to give up football briefly crossed his mind – but the speedy Oswego junior safety and three-time state track medalist is back on the field after a meniscus tear cost him all but two games last fall.

A three-time state champion and Division I prospect, Nazareth senior receiver Trenton Walker has been an integral player for the Roadrunners for the majority of his career. But Walker is adjusting to a new position as fall practice began on Monday – senior leader.

Bureau County players were excited to get started for the first official practices of the 2025 season. For three teams, Bureau Valley (Pat Elder), Hall (Nick Sterling) and St. Bede (Jack Brady) it came under the direction of new head coaches.

Cary-Grove's football team is ready to pick up where it left off after a second-straight trip to the Class 6A state semifinals, and senior linebacker Oliver Antonelli plans to make sure the Trojans are prepared.

Here are Karen Naess' photos as St. Charles North football held its first fall practice on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos as Nazareth held its first fall football practice on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos as Oswego held its first fall football practice on Monday, August 11, 2025.