Friday Night Drive

Six McHenry County football teams - Cary-Grove, Huntley, Jacobs, Johnsburg, Richmond-Burton and Woodstock - are navigating an unprecedented bye week with opening-round playoff games taking place this weekend. Here is how those six teams are spending the week. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generate...

The Herald-News area IHSA prep football preview for Week 10, featuring key opening-round playoff showdowns across the greater Joliet area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 5A playoffs and makes his picks for every game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

From their days of running routes at local fields as middle-schoolers, Niles Notre Dame quarterback Eric Couper and top receiver Peter Panagiotopoulos have shattered program records. The dynamic duo is leading the Dons into their first IHSA playoff game since 2022. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-ge...

Sycamore and Genoa-Kingston begin their postseason runs at home while Hiawatha concludes its regular season against Orangeville. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Former Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould has stepped down as the head football coach at St. Viator after two seasons. The longtime NFL veteran went 3-15 in his time at St. Viator. He previously spent one season at Rolling Meadows. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

"So it's a lot less blocking, a lot more catching, and it's awesome." Genoa-Kingston senior Blake Ides on his move from tight end to receiver. The Cogs are scheduled to host North Boone at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class 3A playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

St. Charles East football travels to Elk Grove, St. Charles North hosts McHenry, St. Francis battles Grayslake North, and more previews and picks for opening round playoff games in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Hosts Josh Welge and Steve Soucie break down the Opening Round of the 2026 IHSA football playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 4A Playoffs with picks for every game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Oswego East begins its postseason Saturday with a trip to Chicago, where it'll look to get its first playoff win since 2016 against coach Tyson LeBlanc's former school, Curie. Here are previews and picks for that game and others around the Record Newspapers coverage area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode include...

Hinsdale Central hosts Lake Park and Lyons hosts Metea Valley in Class 8A, and St. Francis and Nazareth are on the road. Here are previews and picks for all of the opening-round games of the IHSA football playoffs in DuPage and suburban Cook county. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Against long odds, the 2-7 Plano Reapers are playing postseason football this week after winning on senior night. That, Quentin Jackson's steady presence for Oswego and Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc's upcoming rematch with his former team in Skyler Kisellus' football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode inc...

Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs, with picks for every game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Geneva football senior Lincoln Mercado loves his versatility in football, a sport that was taken away from him at a young age. He returned to the sport at a bigger size, and now roams at tight end in the Vikings' dominant offense. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Montini's football team, which rallied from a two-score deficit in the fourth quarter to beat St. Francis 28-24, is the Week 9 Friday Night Drive Team of the Week. Here is Joshua Welge's Q&A with Montini's Ben Evenson and Gavin Ericson-Staton. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 2A Playoffs, with his picks for every game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2026 IHSA Class 1A Playoffs with his picks for each game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Can Nazareth turn another 4-5 start into state championship glory? What do the paths look like for returning finalists Providence and St. Francis? Will Leo win its first playoff game in 13 years? Here are five CCL storylines to watch entering the opening round of the playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode in...

Longtime Batavia head football coach Dennis Piron won his final regular season home game last week. Batavia's mayor called it Dennis Piron Day, but for the coach, it was senior night. Piron won't credit himself, but his players can attest to what he's meant. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated...

No player was more dangerous for the vaunted Oswego East Wolves this year than Avaya Kittling-Turner, who made 72 catches for 1,125 yards and 17 TDs while adding seven interceptions. That's why she has been named the Record Newspapers Girls Flag Football Player of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode inclu...

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

York's Tommy Hosler received his first varsity action as a sophomore two years ago in the state championship game. Now the senior linebacker and team's leading tackler leads the surging Dukes into the playoffs. That, plus notes on Nazareth, Downers Grove North and Montini. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includ...

Hosts Russ Hodges and Steve Soucie preview how CCL teams will do in the opening round of the 2026 IHSA football playoffs and more on the latest podcast. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Sterling's Brady Berlin, Quincy Maas and Jack Saathoff combined to set seven school records in the win over Rock Island while earning a share of the Western Big 6 Conference title. Newman's Rylan Alvarado also finished the regular season strong and Dixon hopes to bounce back. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode inc...