Friday Night Drive

McHenry County schools Jacobs, Huntley, Richmond-Burton and Woodstock remain undefeated through the first three weeks of the high school football season. Get a preview of each team's game this week, plus other Week 4 contests in the area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Here are previews and picks for all the 2026 Week 3 football games from around the Suburban Life area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Kaneland's 3-0 start didn't arrive without adversity, and the Knights are ready for a battle against Morris on Friday night. Plus, West Aurora shakes off slow start with an electrifying RB duo performance from Bryce Riley and MJ Williams. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Join hosts Josh Welge, Skyler Kisellus and Matt McGowan as they preview Week 4 in the western suburbs in IHSA football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Every game matters, perhaps more than ever in projecting the IHSA playoff field, and a new wrinkle was introduced into this week's playoff projection that makes it even more difficult to figure. Steve Soucie projects the IHSA playoff field here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Mount Carmel takes on Marist, unbeaten Loyola hosts Brother Rice, Nazareth battles Montini, St. Rita plays against St. Francis and St. Ignatius welcomes unbeaten Fenwick. Those matchups and more in our Week 4 Chicago Catholic League preview. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Brooklyn Anderson dazzled with 313 passing yards and six touchdowns, three of which went to Addison Hoffmann, as McHenry cruised over Huntley 40-7 and remained undefeated during Tuesday's Fox Valley Conference girls flag football matchup at McCracken Field. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated...

St. Bede quarterback Stuart McGunnigal is happy to be back from an injury, La Salle-Peru offensive lineman Ben Swanson scored his first career touchdown, and more in the NewsTribune/BCR football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Batavia's passionate response to Rochester loss headlined by quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren - and a 5 a.m. practice, plus Marmion's continued success with new QB and reshuffled offensive line. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

It's hardly been an easy three weeks for Plano, but the Reapers are hardly deterred after an 0-3 start. That, Yorkville's standout front seven and Oswego East's continued struggles against Minooka in Skyler Kisellus' Kendall County notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Providence beat Joliet Catholic for the first time in four years, putting together a dominant 27-0 win over its longtime rival. Plus, a look at Bolingbrook’s win over Yorkville and more storylines from around the Joliet area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here’s more from the Week 3 sidelines across The Times coverage area, including notes on Ottawa, Seneca and Dwight. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Speedy Adan Castaneda steps in at quarterback for short-handed Woodstock North. Plus, an injury update on Richmond-Burton star Blake Livdahl and news on McHenry and Cary-Grove uniting Friday on 9/11 in the McHenry County Week 3 football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Gavin Gardiner helped St. Patrick win the CCL Purple Division and reach the playoffs a year ago. Now a senior, the 6-foot-6 quarterback is bigger and stronger after adding 30 pounds in the offseason. He's accounted for nine touchdowns in two games for the 3-0 Shamrocks. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Downers Grove South gets a big win at Addison Trail behind Forest Bates' career night – 310 yards and five touchdowns, Montini holds on at Marist, and 3-0 teams Westmont, Wheaton North and IC Catholic Prep in the Suburban Life football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Sterling had a big comeback win at Moline, Rylan Alvarado stepped up to lead Newman's backfield in a victory and Byron used big plays to get past Dixon in this week's Sauk Valley football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

It was a defining week for the Friday Night Drive Power Rankings where a number of the top teams had opportunities to get clear of some of the teams in the middle of the pack. Here are the complete Friday Night Drive Power Rankings. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald as they give you their analysis of Week 3 in Illinois high school football for the 2026 season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mount Carmel's Nathan Samuels, Brother Rice's Jameson Davis, Loyola's Melo Maldonado, Montini's Israel Abrams and Providence's Isaac Patton are just some of the top performers from CCL teams during Week 3 of the 2026 IHSA football season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Loyola, Brother Rice, Providence and Niles Notre Dame all earned shutout victories in Week 3, which featured 12 head-to-head CCL matchups. Mount Carmel rolled over Nazareth, Montini topped Marist, IC Catholic Prep edged out St. Ignatius, Fenwick defeated DePaul Prep and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

99 teams have already fundamentally secured spots in the IHSA State Playoffs and some of those squads presence on that list are pretty surprising. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 3. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Vote for the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week for Week 3 of the 2026 season! Choose your favorite school and submit your vote by 8 p.m. Monday Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The La Salle-Peru football team improved to 2-1 with a 35-7 victory over Alton on Saturday at Howard Fellows Stadium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mick Smith caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Marion Persich late in the fourth quarter to help Morris secure a 44-27 win over Simeon Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Bradley-Bourbonnais' flag football team ran away with an All-City title on Saturday, with wins over Kankakee and Bishop McNamara in the first year all three city schools have flag teams. Bishop McNamara finished second, downing Kankakee for the first win in program history. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .