Friday Night Drive

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...

Mount Carmel's Brady Cloherty, Montini's Luca Florio, Fenwick's Jake Thies, St. Francis's Bren Kolinski, Providence's Brayden McKay and IC Catholic Prep's Will Schmidt are just some of the standout performers from CCL football teams during Week 9 of the 2026 IHSA season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes...

There's a new team atop the Friday Night Drive Power Rankings and a complete shakeup of th Top 25. 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.

The St. Bede football team flipped its record, going from 2-7 to 7-2, Bureau Valley's Dane Stewart reached 1,000 yards rushing and 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.

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald as they go Inside the Huddle and review what they saw during Week 9 of Illinois high school football and look ahead to the opening round of the IHSA playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Charles North girls flag football quarterback Kaelie Tomalak ended her high school career with a state championship. It just took a little convincing from her dad to join the team. Now, the player and assistant coach share the sport they love. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Here is more from the football sideline across the greater Will and Grundy county area for Week 9 of the IHSA football season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Richmond-Burton senior running back Hunter Carley finished the regular season with 2,090 rushing yards and 38 rushing TDs, and his remarkable run might be far from over. Plus, news on Johnsburg and Jacobs players breaking school records in this week's McHenry County notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includ...

The Sycamore football team got a shutout in its final regular season game, Kaneland topped Class 8A Metea Valley before its bye week and DeKalb got a look at its future with a pair of freshmen starting in its final game of the season against Rochelle. That and more in the rewind. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode...

Kaiden Klein rushed for 132 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead Reed-Custer past Lisle 42-25 in Friday's regular season finale. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.