Friday Night Drive

He shares a name with one superstar athlete, but senior quarterback LeBron Carrington reminds DeKalb football teammate Jamarie Lymon of another one much more relevant to his own sport. "There’s really not more to say besides him being a young Lamar Jackson.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The sting of last season’s ending hasn’t gone away at Bolingbrook. If anything, the Raiders have spent the past nine months using it as fuel. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

New Hampshire football coach Braden Foster has been busy building and solidifying relationships since his hire in February. Foster, whose Whip-Purs open the season Friday, Aug. 21 at Huntley, is getting married in November. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

There will be a lot of unfamiliar faces looking to make their mark on Milledgeville football this fall. The lone returning starter is junior quarterback Kyson Francis, now entering his third year under center. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jack Ponto isn't the biggest linebacker on the field, but Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc says the senior "flips a switch" when he steps between the white lines. Last year, Ponto led the Wolves with 73 tackles. Now he's mentoring younger players and chasing a deeper playoff run. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Bede returns four starters on the offensive line this season. "It all stems from the O line. A good O line leads to a good team, so if we all work together and have a good drive for the team, I think we’ll be very successful," junior Luke Fess said. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

"I like the bye week. It's a good thing to push for." Sycamore football's Peter Gehrig on the Spartans' new target under the IHSA's revamped playoff system. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

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. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the DuKane Conference for the 2026 season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Hosts Eddie Carifio and JT Pedelty break down their 2026 Illinois high school football games to watch in the western and southern portions of northern Illinois Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

It's schedule release day for the 2026 IHSA football season. Hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald break down the games to watch, how the new playoff expansion affects scheduling and much more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Patrick four-star defensive lineman David Folorunsho, who led the Shamrocks to the CCL/ESCC Purple Division title and the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs in 2025, announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Laurence three-star linebacker Sean Rice, who compiled 123 tackles and led the Vikings to the IHSA Class 6A state semifinals during his junior season, announced his commitment to Illinois on Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mount Carmel four-star wide receiver Quentin Burrell, who caught 67 passes for 1,139 yards and 16 touchdowns while helping the Caravan win a fourth straight IHSA state championship during his junior season, announced his commitment to Michigan on Wednesday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Marmion's Henry Miller ran for 355 yards and 5 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending groin injury in 2025. Miller will return to the Cadets this fall and he'll be joined by wide receiver Colin McEniry, the CCL/ESCC's Offensive Player of the Year in the Red Division. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Lincoln-Way East offensive lineman Mason Halliman, a member of the Griffins' Class of 2027, committed over the weekend to continue his career at the University of Illinois. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A 2006 Ottawa High School graduate and two-year starting quarterback, Jared Mundt is the Pirates new varsity football coach. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Two-time All-Interstate 8 Conference quarterback Marion Persich, who is receiving plenty of college recruiting interest, is transferring to Morris from La Salle-Peru for his junior season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Oswego's Ammar Banire was an unknown before last season, but opened eyes with breakout performances in a crosstown win and the state semifinal. Now the sophomore has seen his recruitment take off with Division I offers from Western Michigan and Miami of Ohio. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Early this year Alabama voted overwhelmingly to separate public and private schools into different championship competitions. Could Illinois follow Alabama's lead? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Early this year Alabama voted overwhelmingly to separate public and private schools into different championship competitions. Could Illinois follow Alabama's lead? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Who are the winningest active head football coaches in the IHSA? As the 2026 season approaches, Friday Night Drive has listed the state's winningest active coaches. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Despite missing the IHSA playoffs in each of the last two seasons, St. Ignatius has brought home consecutive Prep Bowl titles. Connor Hites and Connor Wanzung, who each hold Division I offers, are ready to lead the Wolfpack back to the playoffs in 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Prior to being recognized at the Kankakee City Hall meeting Monday night, 2019 Kankakee graduate Keagen Trost was celebrated at his alma mater as the school's first NFL draft pick in almost 50 years. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Football players from La Salle-Peru and Ottawa had the opportunity to gain recruiting exposure by participating in IHSA combines, which are new this spring. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .