Friday Night Drive

Here are scores and more from Week 2 of the IHSA football season for teams across the Herald-News coverage area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

An interception and a blocked punt gave Sycamore all the field position it needed Friday. The Spartans scored twice from inside the 5-yard line and cruised to a 38-22 home win over Moline, their second straight victory built almost entirely on the ground game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Wilmington head coach Jeff Reents became the 10th coach in IHSA history to reach 300 career wins with the Wildcats' 48-0 road win, Bradley-Bourbonnais wins 13-12 to improve to 2-0 under coach Joe Kubal and more in the Daily Journal's Week 2 football roundup. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Kaneland’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage Friday night, holding Lemont scoreless through two quarters and defeating the Knights 17-10 in a defensive showcase — a stark contrast to last season’s 42-37 shootout between the same teams. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Morris quarterback Marion Persich had two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to lead the team to a 28-7 road win over Coal City, scoring 28 unanswered points in the win. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Providence, led by RB Broden Mackert's 213-yard, five-touchdown performance, improved to 2-0 with a 39-24 triumph over Kenwood Academy. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

North Dakota commit Charles Calhoun, after missing the season's first game, returned to rush for 84 yards and two touchdowns, and Nazareth's defense bounced back in a big way to beat visiting York 27-3 on Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jason Goode rushed for two touchdowns and blocked a punt as DeKalb dominated Phillips 49-0 Friday night. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Perennial Fox Valley Conference powers Cary-Grove and Prairie Ridge were both looking to avoid an 0-2 start Friday night. QB Jackson Berndt ran for 2 TDs and passed for one, and C-G spoiled the debut of the Wolves' new turf with a 25-12 win. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Miami recruit Israel Abrams threw for 233 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, but Montini couldn't stop Sandburg, which defeated the Broncos 35-28 and ended their 25-game winning streak. It's Montini's first loss since Sept. 20, 2024. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Trailing Kankakee by a point entering the fourth quarter, Lincoln-Way East took the lead with just over 10 minutes to play on a punt return touchdown from senior Jayden Cawthon, with the Griffins holding on from there to win 22-14 and improve to 2-0 on the season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

If Friday’s 105th meeting indeed turns out to be the final varsity Streator-Ottawa game ever played, the state’s third-oldest high school football rivalry sure ended on a great one, a thrilling 41-36 Streator victory. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Forreston junior quarterback Connor Politsch ran for a pair of scores and threw for another while the Cardinals defense played tough throughout a 34-13 victory over host Seneca on Friday night. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Bishop McNamara bounced back from a season-opening loss with a 41-0 win in its home opener over Herscher, allowing its brand new video board to display plenty of points in its first game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Johnsburg opened Friday's game with a 91-yard kick return touchdown from Ryan Franze that sparked a 61-0 thrashing of Larkin in Johnsburg. Senior CJ Jones tied Alex Peete's school record with five TDs on just six carries. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dixon scored four defensive touchdowns to go with four scoring strikes by Jagger Kemp in a 68-16 victory over Rockford Lutheran on Friday in the Dukes' home opener at A.C. Bowers Field. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Sterling football team got back on track for senior night with plenty of contributors in a 54-0 win over Hansberry. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton's Hunter Carley scored four TDs on just eight carries and piled up 271 yards on the ground as the Rockets held off Marian Central QB Colin Hernon and the Hurricanes in a 56-34 nonconference win Friday night in Richmond. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Responding quickly to an early challenge and turning up the pressure on defense, St. Bede enjoyed its first win of the 2026 football season by overtaking Bureau Valley 28-14 on Friday in Manlius. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jacobs jumped ahead by three touchdowns and held on to beat upset-minded Hampshire 21-14 in the teams' Fox Valley Conference football game Friday night. Cooper Dolson had two INTs for the Golden Eagles. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Joliet Central improved to 2-0 behind 202 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 3:15 remaining, from Tristen Sellers and the Steelmen defense came up big to hold off a late Bremen rally in a 27-26 win Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Burlington Central senior RB Parker Auxier ran for 102 yards and three TDs, while the Rockets' starting defense didn't give up any points in a 41-7 Fox Valley Conference victory over Crystal Lake South on Friday night at Rocket Hill in Burlington. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dundee-Crown's Tristan Gatenby fought off cramps and scored on a game-winning 57-yard touchdown to help lift the Chargers past McHenry 22-15 in a Fox Valley Conference football game Friday at McCracken Field in McHenry. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Riverdale scored on two of its first three offensive plays and cruised to a 39-14 victory over Hall-Putnam County on Friday in Spring Valley. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mendota led by a touchdown at halftime, but Erie-Prophetstown dominated the second half to win 27-7 on Friday in Mendota. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .