Friday Night Drive

Led by linebacker Ben Hultgren, Burlington Central's defense returns to normal. Plus, West Aurora and Aurora Central Catholic win with new quarterbacks under center in Matt McGowan's Kane County Chronicle football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

256 teams have already reached three victories, so why does it seem we are destined to need a considerable group of 2-wins to fill the field? An explanation as to why comes this week as Steve Soucie projects the IHSA playoff field. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Crystal Lake Central intercepted four passes, with two coming from senior Katelyn Hallum, whose pick-six sealed the team's 25-12 win over Dundee-Crown during Fox Valley Conference flag football action Tuesday night. The Tigers improved to 11-0 and 8-0 in FVC play. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-gen...

The Batavia and Geneva football rivalry dates back to a practice game in 1912 at an unknown location. Since then, the two teams have played official games almost every year, and in their 108th all-time matchup, they boast two of the state's best offenses. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated co...

Each fresh off a blowout win, SPC West foes Oswego and Yorkville will go toe-to-toe Friday in another edition of a competitive psuedo-rivalry. That, Sandwich's big bounce-back at Harvard and Oswego East's continued dominance over Joliet Central in Skyler Kisellus' football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode...

Koby Armstrong and his coach have a discrepancy on just how diminutive the Hinsdale South senior receiver is. His impact in his debut season? Giant. The 5-6 transfer is a huge part of the Hornets 3-2 start. That, Montini receiver Damacio Ortegon does it again vs. Carmel and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode...

Hosts Russ Hodges and Steve Soucie preview Week 6 in the CCL and more on the latest podcast. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Sterling's 63-56 win over Galesburg was the highest combined point total in program history after 17 total touchdowns. Amboy rolled to a win at Polo and a Maceo Williams interception helped Newman bounce back at Mercer County in this week's Sauk Valley football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI...

The football rivalry between Cary-Grove and Huntley added a new chapter Friday night. For the fifth year in a row, their Fox Valley Conference game came down to the final minute. Plus, info on C-G QB Jackson Berndt and Crystal Lake Central QB Evan McMahon in this week's notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode in...

Join hosts Josh Welge, Skyler Kisellus and Matt McGowan as they preview Week 6 in the western suburbs in IHSA football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Bede relied on senior Brennen Hirst in overtime Friday, La Salle-Peru continued to dominate Ottawa, Hall-Putnam County and Mendota have bye weeks upcoming, and more in the NewsTribune/BCR football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

The top of the Friday Night Drive Power Rankings remained very stable, the same can not be said for the lower half of the rankings. 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 . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Loyola and IC Catholic Prep look to remain undefeated, Brother Rice squares off with Mount Carmel in the Blue Division and Fenwick battles Providence in the Orange Division. Here are the notable Chicago Catholic League matchups for Week 6 of the 2026 IHSA football season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode include...

Here are the IHSA regional and sectional assignments for McHenry County-area girls flag football teams. Playoffs begin next week. The state tournament will be held Oct. 16-17 at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

A passing touchdown and a running score by Mallory Crisafulli sparked Joliet West to a 20-6 flag football win over Joliet Central on Monday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

The flag football postseason begins on Sept. 29. Undefeated St. Charles North is the top seed in its sectional grouping, which features eight other Kane County Chronicle area teams. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald as they go Inside the Huddle and review what they saw during Week 5 of Illinois high school football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton senior Trey Maziarz started playing soccer when he was 5 years old and last year scored 20 goals for the Rockets. He gave up the sport this year, however, choosing to focus solely on kicking for R-B's undefeated football team. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Erie-Prophetstown's Evan Steimle is the Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week, presented by Loescher Heating and Air Conditioning. He helped the Panthers beat Newman 14-13 for the first win over the Comets in 23 years. E-P is also 5-0 for the first time in program history. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-...

Here’s more from the Week 5 sidelines across The Times coverage area, including notes on Marquette, Streator, Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland and Ottawa. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

On the field, Marmion’s Nick Roche is one of 11. Off the field, he’s one of 10 siblings. Taking lessons from his older brothers, the junior linebacker wants to be the best version of himself. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Nazareth handed Providence its first loss since dismissing coach Tyler Plantz, Fenwick outlasted St. Francis, Mount Carmel dominated St. Patrick, Montini won a shootout against Carmel and both Loyola and IC Catholic Prep remained undefeated through five weeks. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generat...

Loyola's Matthew Lee, Montini's Damacio Ortegon, Fenwick's Jake Thies, Joliet Catholic's Dylan Travis and IC Catholic Prep's Will Schmidt are some of the notable individual performers from Chicago Catholic League teams during Week 5 of the 2026 IHSA football season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-g...

The list of undefeated teams is dwindling quickly after a week where scoreboards around the state were strained. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 4. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Just as Sycamore found its offense against Kaneland on Friday night and made it a 14-7 game, the Knights scored twice in a row and too the Spartans out of their offense in a 41-13 win. That and more in the Week 5 rewind. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.