Friday Night Drive

Vote for the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week! Choose your favorite school and submit your vote by 8 p.m. on Monday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ronnie Gomiller totaled 152 yards, ran for three touchdowns and caught a touchdown to lead East St. Louis during its 42-23 win over defending Class 8A champion Mount Carmel at Illinois State on Saturday. Marshaun Thornton scored three touchdowns for the Caravan. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

32 carries. 193 yards. One dominant performance. Dylan Curtis put Sycamore on his back in a 20-14 win over DeKalb on Saturday — the Spartans' fifth straight over their rival. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Newman's football team looked sharp in all three phases of the game in Saturday’s 47-0 shutout win over Sherrard to open the season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Hiawatha senior Tim Pruitt had a career day in Saturday's season opener, running for 277 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Hawks to a 54-34 win over Milford/Cissna Park. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rochelle's offensive line paved the way for 497 yards rushing, 174 from Jon Andrist alone, and the Hubs pounded visiting Normal U-High 54-14 in Saturday's season opener. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Led by a 193-yard rushing performance from Wes Weatherford, Ottawa's football team opened the 2026 season Saturday with a 21-14 victory over the visiting Plano Reapers. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Charles North came out explosive on offense Saturday, defeating visiting Minooka 28-7 in the season opener that was postponed one day due to inclement weather Friday. Sophomore Dashel Von Qualen, who rotated with Landon Conroy at quarterback, ran and threw for touchdowns. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Burlington Central's Bennek Braden scored on a 50-yard pass from first-year starting QB Reece Beemer and added a interception late as the Rockets defeated Dundee-Crown 13-3 in their season opener Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The La Salle-Peru football team started strong Friday and continued to dominate when the game was continued Saturday in a 59-14 victory over Lanphier at Howard Fellows Stadium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Fulton fumbled twice early and faced a 16-point deficit, but the Steamers took control on the line of scrimmage to rally for a 32-24 victory over St. Bede on Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

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 .