Friday Night Drive

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 .

On opening night of the 2026 IHSA football season, Seneca suffered a close road loss at Chicago Christian, while Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland's game in Biggsville was halted at halftime. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Behind three touchdowns from senior quarterback Jagger Kemp, and sophomore wide receiver Xavion Jones scoring on his first varsity touch, the Dixon Dukes opened the season with a 27-6 win at Genoa-Kingston. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton, Woodstock North, Woodstock and Marian Central all won their season openers in convincing fashion. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Northwestern commit Brady Johnson made a spectacular touchdown catch and made a 36-yard grab to set up one of two Amari Harris TDs, and Johnson and the Glenbard West defense turned away two Lockport possessions in the fourth quarter for a 21-14 road win. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Oswego junior running back Ammar Banire racked up 276 all-purpose yards and scored five total touchdowns, the driving force in Oswego's 44-22 win over Neuqua Valley. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Fenwick opened the 2026 season with a 28-13 win over Joliet Catholic at Memorial Stadium, overcoming a slow start offensively and scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Quarterback Marion Persich ran for 176 yards and three TDs and threw for 111 yards and two scores in Morris' 56-16 win over Lemont. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

On a field with several elite players with Power 4 offers, IC Catholic Prep sophomore Jakobe Baldwin stole the show by rushing for 202 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Knights to a 35-21 win over Nazareth at Lewis Stadium. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Rock Falls got off to a strong start and ultimately walked away with a 14-0, forfeit victory over Rockford Lutheran after a long weather delay Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Bradley Bourbonnais defeated TF North 34-7 in its first game under head coach Joe Kubal. It was largely thanks to a big performance by three-star class of 2028 RB Ky'ren Edmon, who scored four touchdowns. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Crystal Lake South's Yeidan Ramirez scored a go-ahead, 61-yard touchdown in the third quarter, and the Gators upset Prairie Ridge 22-8 in the teams' Fox Valley Conference opener. It was South's first win over Prairie Ridge since 2012. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Senior Tommy McCracken kicked a 33-yard field goal with 4:55 left and the Lincoln-Way East defense held the rest of the way as the Griffins beat defending Class 7A champion Brother Rice 22-21 on Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The time it took Bennett Konkey to return the opening kickoff to the end zone were the only seconds Geneva did not lead Libertyville in an eventual 28-14 home victory. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Defending Class 2A state champions Wilmington got its 2026 season underway with a 16-7 win over Bishop McNamara, with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns from Dan Van Duyne getting things going. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

McHenry started strong and then came through late in posting a 19-13 victory over Crystal Lake Central. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Broden Mackert and Brayden McKay each ran for two touchdowns as Providence overcame a late second half surge from St. Rita to beat the Mustangs 28-21 on Friday. Jaxson Hutton had two sacks for Providence and John Fennell threw two touchdown passes to TJ Burgos for St. Rita. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

High school football scores from around Illinois for Week 1 of the 2026 season: Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

As quarterback and slot receiver on offense and the two starting cornerbacks on defense, Micah and Malachi Lee are looking to lead Bishop McNamara to another playoff appearance this fall, and then some. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are team-by-team previews of the Daily Journal area's girls flag football teams from the 2026 Daily Journal football preview tab. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are team-by-team previews of the Daily Journal area's Illinois 8-Man Football Association teams from the 2026 Daily Journal football preview tab. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are team-by-team previews of the Daily Journal area's Vermilion Valley Conference football teams from the 2026 Daily Journal football preview tab. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Kankakee head coach Ed Hazelett will not be with the team for its season opener in Edwardsville on Friday night due to what interim athletic director Chris Pickett described as a personal issue. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are team-by-team previews of the Daily Journal area's Illinois Central Eight Conference football teams from the 2026 Daily Journal football preview tab. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .