Friday Night Drive

Led by dual-threat senior quarterback Braeden Novak, Riverside-Brookfield is rolling toward the Upstate Eight East title. That, Nate Lang and IC Catholic cuts it loose against Loyola and banged-up St. Francis remains confident in a playoff run in Josh Welge's football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode incl...

Hosts Russ Hodges and Steve Soucie preview Week 9 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 .

DeKalb plays its third former Northern Illinois Big 12 conference-mate this week when it closes its season against Rochelle, while Kaneland faces a current foe of the Barbs, Metea Valley. Plus a look at matchups for Sycamore, Genoa-Kingston and Hiawatha. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated con...

349 teams are locked into IHSA playoff berths while 49 teams officially have no path to reach the playoffs. That leaves 92 teams trying to grab one of the remaining 35 spots. Steve Soucie projects all eight clases of the IHSA playoff field here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Loyola faces Mount Carmel, Marist takes on Brother Rice, Providence and St. Ignatius battle for the Orange Division title and IC Catholic Prep plays Joliet Catholic for the White Division title. Here are notable Chicago Catholic League games to watch in Week 9. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-genera...

A late defensive stop in the final seconds of the IHSA Belleville East Sectional championship game secured a 26-22 win for the Bradley-Bourbonnais girls flag football team, putting the Boilermakers in the state quarterfinals for the second time in three years. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generat...

Crystal Lake Central's offense was never able to get on track, and the Tigers' memorable girls flag football season came to an end Tuesday with a 13-7 loss to Hononegah in the Antioch Sectional final. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Lyons advanced to the flag football state finals with a 26-6 win over Romeoville in the sectional finals on Wednesday night. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Harvard's Braden Wittum isn't following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a Pro Bowl punter in the NFL, but the senior has been developing his own legacy in football and track and field. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Sterling senior running back Cobey Shipma is the Sauk Valley Athlete of the Week, presented by Loescher Heating and Air Conditioning. He is the team's leading rusher and has 14 touchdowns in eight games this season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Another edition of the Crosstown Classic is on the horizon as Oswego East prepares to host backyard rival Oswego in the regular season finale. That, Joel Castillo's unlikely kick-return TD for Yorkville and Sandwich's looming KRC swansong in Skyler Kisellus' football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode inclu...

Here's where football teams across the greater Joliet area stand in their quest for the IHSA playoffs as the regular season concludes this weekend. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

There’s only one week left for IHSA football teams and two weeks for I8FA’s eight-man squads to lock up berths in this year’s expanded playoff field. Here's where Marquette, Dwight, Sandwich, FCW, Ottawa, Seneca and Streator stand. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

There is only one week left to earn a spot in the postseason, and plenty of Suburban Life area teams still are battling for a spot. Here are where teams stand heading into Week 9. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Join hosts Josh Welge, Skyler Kisellus and Matt McGowan as they preview Week 9 in the western suburbs in IHSA football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

La Salle-Peru, Princeton, St. Bede and Mendota have locked up playoff berths, while Bureau Valley and Hall are still in the mix, plus 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.

Loyola fended off a challenge to its roost on the top of the Friday Night Drive 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.

Fenwick's Jake Thies, IC Catholic Prep's Nate Lang, St. Francis's Alex Taylor and Providence's Dominic Vita are just some of the standout performers from Chicago Catholic League football teams during Week 8 of the 2026 IHSA season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

St. Charles North's flag football team scored just seven points in the first half, but responded with three touchdowns in the second half to take down Oswego East 27-12 in the St. Charles North Sectional final and advance to state. 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 8 of Illinois high school football. They also look ahead to our special live show on Friday night, where we will project the brackets in all eight classes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The journey for Huntley hasn't always been easy, despite six running-clock wins and a perfect record. Chase Hojnacki's transfer last year has helped get the Red Raiders on track. Plus, info on Crystal Lake South, Hampshire and Crystal Lake Central in this week's football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode i...

A rundown of Week 8's IHSA and I8FA football results across The Times coverage area, here is our Week 8 Rewind. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

With just one week left to go in the regular season the playoff brackets are starting to take shape at the top of each classification, while the race to fill out the remainder of the field is fully on. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 7. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated...

If there was any concern that Coal City may look past Herscher Friday, those fears were squashed early. The Coalers built a 57-0 halftime advantage on the strength of four interceptions and put up a season-high 70 points in a dominant 70-6 win Friday in Herscher. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-gene...

On a night when 24 Wilmington seniors were honored before the game, it was a junior that stole the show. Hunter Kaitschuck touched the ball 12 times on Friday against Reed-Custer and made his presence felt as he scored three touchdowns and amassed 233 total yards. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-gen...