Friday Night Drive

With the season four days away, here are five football players to watch in the NewsTribune area this fall. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is a 2026 season preview of the Upstate Eight East including Joshua Welge's team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss matchups and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Batavia senior wide receiver Darin Ashiru still eyes goals for his final high school season. Western Michigan awaits, but not before a 1,000-yard year and a state title. "I'm looking at everything as a stepping stone..." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dixon's Jagger Kemp brings leadership, efficiency and swagger as the Dukes' quarterback. Kemp has plenty of confidence in himself and his teammates heading into his senior season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Senior offensive lineman Jamarie Lymon is hoping the DeKalb football team is going to back to the run game, and with it a return to some good old fashioned smashmouth football. “I’m excited to destroy some guys this year, man." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

An overtime loss to Fenwick in the Class 6A semifinals last fall ended Nazareth's quest for a fourth consecutive state championship. Now, the Roadrunners are back, rich with Division I talent and reloading for another deep postseason run this fall. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mark Molinari believes his quarterback, Downers Grove South junior James Sobkowiak, has a future as a Division I athlete. He’s just not sure what sport. A kid with a 6-foot-3 frame and golden arm, Sobkowiak started all 10 games as a sophomore. He's also a star baseball player. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Charles East junior Liam Barrett is far from complacent. With 10 Division I offers to his name, the offensive lineman stands out among his teammates not just with his height, but his passion and motivated leadership. "I'm just ready to dominate." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Ashton-Franklin Center football team is looking to stay competitive for four quarters in coach Josh Stone's second year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Running back Jonathan Ward, a 2016 Bishop McNamara grad and six-year NFL veteran, signed a free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, reuniting him with an organization that signed him to its practice squad last season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mount Carmel held its annual Brown vs. White scrimmages at Barda-Dowling Stadium on Thursday evening. The Caravan, who went 14-0 and won the IHSA Class 8A state title last season, are seeking their fifth consecutive state title under coach Jordan Lynch. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rock Falls football coach Dave Chavira hopes the program can take another step forward in the second year of its overhaul. An expanded playoff field provides another source of motivation. The Rockets have not reached the playoffs since 1992. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is a preview of the DuPage Valley Conference. Team-by-team previews from Eddie Carifio, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Plano offense like to run the football, but the wide receiver trio of Ethan Taxis, Caleb Martin and Finley Winter could prove to be a dangerous one this fall. The senior captains will also man the Reapers' starting defense as they look to improve on last year's 1-8 season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

After adding more than 30 pounds and committing to Notre Dame this offseason, Bolingbrook 5-star recruit Darieon Prescott enters his junior season ready to take the next step. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland Falcons have a team motto for the 2026 season: “Earned, not given.” Indeed, with the bulk of last year’s leaders gone, this fall’s cast of Falcons will be trying to earn their own place in the successful football co-op's history. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mendota won two games last fall after going 1-17 the two seasons prior. This season, the Trojans look to take another step forward in coach Jim Eustice's second season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Take a look at the season preview for the Vermilion Valley Conference, including team-by-team outlooks, players to watch and games to watch. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Week 1 in Illinois high school football is finally here for the 2026 season. Join hosts Steve Soucie and Josh Welge as they preview all of the top games, how the playoff expansion has affected regular-season scheduling, and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

While the Dwight Trojans return a handful of key offensive pieces from last season's second straight push to the playoff quarterfinals, ninth-year head coach Luke Standiford we be looking for new players to fill roles. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

In Nick Sterling's second season as head coach, Hall-Putnam County is looking to take a step forward and earn its first postseason berth since 2022. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Replacing 19 seniors would be a daunting task for any small-school football program. At Seneca, however, it’s simply the next group’s turn to carry on a standard that has become ingrained in the program. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Princeton enters a new season with a wealth of experienced players determined to leave their mark on the Tigers' program. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ryan Wynn largely worked in the shadows of Oswego's run to the Class 8A championship game a season ago. Now a senior with Division I football in his future, the tight end wants to make a splash for a Panthers squad looking to return to the postseason. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A large group of experienced returners, more established routines and a bigger roster have Bureau Valley seeking improvement in its second year under head coach Pat Elder. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .