Friday Night Drive

St. Francis faces quarterback question, but has security blanket in Tivias Caldwell. That, plus notes on St. Charles East, Marmion and Geneva in the Kane County Chronicle football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Join hosts Josh Welge, Skyler Kisellus and Matt McGowan as they preview Week 2 in the western suburbs in IHSA football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Lyons waits out one of the bigger Week 1 wins, over Barrington, Downers Grove North has both quarterbacks throw touchdowns in win over Morgan Park, James White wins coaching debut at Benet plus notes on Wheaton Warrenville South and York in Josh Welge's football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A chaotic Week 1 played havoc with the preseason Friday Night Drive Rankings as a new No. 1 team emerges. Check out the latest rankings here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Hosts Matt Rodewald and Steve Soucie break down everything they saw during a weather-delayed Week 1 in Illinois high school football, including East St. Louis' win over Mt. Carmel. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Weather affected games in Week 1, L-P sophomore running back Sam Carter shined in his varsity debut, Hall excelled in the passing game and more in the NewsTribune/BCR football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dixon sophomore Xavion Jones had an explosive debut with two long touchdowns in a win over Genoa-Kingston. Rock Falls got a win by forfeit, Sterling fell 10-0 to Metamora after midnight and more in the Week 1 Sauk Valley football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is a look at the girls flag football teams in the Herald-News area for the 2026 season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

With the season upon us, here are five girls flag football players to watch in the Herald-News area for the 2026 season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Lincoln-Way East quieted any talk of a down season with a thrilling win over Brother Rice. That, plus notes on Joliet Catholic, Morris and more in the Herald-News football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The DeKalb run defense took some steps forward against Sycamore Saturday while the Spartans capped of the Interstate 8's perfect 6-0 Week 1, plus week look at other storylines for Genoa-Kingston, Hiawatha and Kaneland in our Week 1 rewind. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Games aren't played on paper. And a wild Week 1 showed exactly why that was the case. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 1. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

East St. Louis knocked off Mount Carmel, Lincoln-Way East upset Brother Rice, IC Catholic Prep took down Nazareth, Fenwick defeated Joliet Catholic, Providence outlasted St. Rita and Loyola shut out Warren. Those results and more in this week's CCL football roundup. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Oswego, Oswego East and Yorkville made their marks on flag football in 2025. But that was last year. With the IHSA's third flag football season set to kick off Monday, here are previews for each team in the Record Newspapers coverage area. 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! Choose your favorite school and submit your vote by 8 p.m. on Monday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ronnie Gomiller totaled 152 yards, ran for three touchdowns and caught a touchdown to lead East St. Louis during its 42-23 win over defending Class 8A champion Mount Carmel at Illinois State on Saturday. Marshaun Thornton scored three touchdowns for the Caravan. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

32 carries. 193 yards. One dominant performance. Dylan Curtis put Sycamore on his back in a 20-14 win over DeKalb on Saturday — the Spartans' fifth straight over their rival. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Newman's football team looked sharp in all three phases of the game in Saturday’s 47-0 shutout win over Sherrard to open the season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Hiawatha senior Tim Pruitt had a career day in Saturday's season opener, running for 277 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Hawks to a 54-34 win over Milford/Cissna Park. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rochelle's offensive line paved the way for 497 yards rushing, 174 from Jon Andrist alone, and the Hubs pounded visiting Normal U-High 54-14 in Saturday's season opener. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Led by a 193-yard rushing performance from Wes Weatherford, Ottawa's football team opened the 2026 season Saturday with a 21-14 victory over the visiting Plano Reapers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Charles North came out explosive on offense Saturday, defeating visiting Minooka 28-7 in the season opener that was postponed one day due to inclement weather Friday. Sophomore Dashel Von Qualen, who rotated with Landon Conroy at quarterback, ran and threw for touchdowns. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Burlington Central's Bennek Braden scored on a 50-yard pass from first-year starting QB Reece Beemer and added a interception late as the Rockets defeated Dundee-Crown 13-3 in their season opener Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The La Salle-Peru football team started strong Friday and continued to dominate when the game was continued Saturday in a 59-14 victory over Lanphier at Howard Fellows Stadium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Fulton fumbled twice early and faced a 16-point deficit, but the Steamers took control on the line of scrimmage to rally for a 32-24 victory over St. Bede on Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .