Friday Night Drive

Colton Ludwig’s touchdown in the second quarter gave Kaneland the lead for good in the Knights’ 49-7 home win over Rock Island on Friday night. Junior quarterback Brody Guthrie was 9 for 11 for 203 yards and three touchdowns in his debut. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jalen Callaway rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a third touchdown, leading Aurora Christian to a 27-18 win on Friday at Marquette in a game delayed twice by lightning. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Marengo QB Sam Vandello threw for four touchdowns and ran for another, while the Indians defense forced four turnovers and allowed just 65 total yards in a 47-0 season-opening win over Streator on Friday night at Rod Poppe Stadium in a game that featured a 2-hour lighting delay. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Huntley defense had a strong showing in a 49-0 win against Hampshire on Friday, setting the tone early and helping the Red Raiders' offense open the game with a one-play, 11-yard touchdown drive. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are results and recaps for every Week 1 game of the 2026 season from around the Suburban Life coverage area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The 2026 IHSA girls flag football season is here. Here are season preview capsules for each of the McHenry County-area teams competing this season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Crystal Lake Central's Ryleigh Smith, Dundee-Crown's Kerrigan Svec, Huntley's Addison Avi, Jacobs' Brianna VerBurg and McHenry's Addison Hoffmann are five girls flag footbal players to watch in McHenry County this season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Forreston beat Dwight 42-12 as Connor Politsch had three TDs. Erie-Prophetstown beat Monmouth-Roseville 24-22, while Milledgeville, Polo, Amboy, West Carroll and Eastland-Pearl City also picked up wins on Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

After a 2-hour, 32-minute weather delay, Bureau Valley took control in the second half to beat United 36-27 in its season opener Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Sterling's defense kept things close against a good Metamora team, but the Redbirds were able to pull away in the fourth quarter of a 10-0 win. The game did not finish until after midnight due to a lightning delay. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Batavia senior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren entered Friday night's season-opener against Maine South with a chip on his shoulder. Five passing touchdowns later, and the Bulldogs own a 49-35 win. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Quinn Eddy ran for three touchdowns to lead Mendota to a season-opening win, plus more in Friday's NewsTribune/BCR roundup. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Kankakee opened the season with a 28-7 win over Edwardsville, behind a two-touchdown day from running back Kymani Billings, and more in the Daily Journal Week 1 football roundup. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dionel Rocha’s three-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal was the difference as Willowbrook – in a game delayed by lightning – beat Glenbard East 20-13 for the Warriors' first Week 1 win since 2018. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

On opening night of the 2026 IHSA football season, Seneca suffered a close road loss at Chicago Christian, while Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland's game in Biggsville was halted at halftime. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Behind three touchdowns from senior quarterback Jagger Kemp, and sophomore wide receiver Xavion Jones scoring on his first varsity touch, the Dixon Dukes opened the season with a 27-6 win at Genoa-Kingston. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton, Woodstock North, Woodstock and Marian Central all won their season openers in convincing fashion. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Northwestern commit Brady Johnson made a spectacular touchdown catch and made a 36-yard grab to set up one of two Amari Harris TDs, and Johnson and the Glenbard West defense turned away two Lockport possessions in the fourth quarter for a 21-14 road win. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Oswego junior running back Ammar Banire racked up 276 all-purpose yards and scored five total touchdowns, the driving force in Oswego's 44-22 win over Neuqua Valley. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Fenwick opened the 2026 season with a 28-13 win over Joliet Catholic at Memorial Stadium, overcoming a slow start offensively and scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Quarterback Marion Persich ran for 176 yards and three TDs and threw for 111 yards and two scores in Morris' 56-16 win over Lemont. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

On a field with several elite players with Power 4 offers, IC Catholic Prep sophomore Jakobe Baldwin stole the show by rushing for 202 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Knights to a 35-21 win over Nazareth at Lewis Stadium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rock Falls got off to a strong start and ultimately walked away with a 14-0, forfeit victory over Rockford Lutheran after a long weather delay Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Bradley Bourbonnais defeated TF North 34-7 in its first game under head coach Joe Kubal. It was largely thanks to a big performance by three-star class of 2028 RB Ky'ren Edmon, who scored four touchdowns. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Crystal Lake South's Yeidan Ramirez scored a go-ahead, 61-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and the Gators upset Prairie Ridge 22-8 in the teams' Fox Valley Conference opener. It was South's first win over Prairie Ridge since 2012. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .