Friday Night Drive

Fenwick moves up to No. 4 in Class 6A, Montini jumps to No. 2 in Class 4A and both Loyola (Class 8A) and IC Catholic Prep (Class 3A) remain No. 1 in their respective classes. Here are the CCL football teams ranked in the Week 9 Illinois Media Poll. 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 was eligible to receive a waiver of the 1.65 enrollment multiplier, but the Bruins will not be playing with a waiver due to an issue submitting the waiver application, St. Bede officials said in a statement. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Here is the Week 9 Illinois Media Poll for football, which was released Thursday for all eight classes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Week 9 results have the potential to wildly alter the projected brackets. Check here to see revision updates by Steve Soucie as the final week's results pour in. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Projecting the playoff field in 2026, was different than this exercise has ever been in the 30+ years this reporter has been doing it in some form. How did we build the field of 384 teams and what surprises could be in store in Week 9? Steve Soucie breaks it all down here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includ...

The final week of the high school football regular season is here, and many McHenry County-area teams are still looking to either secure a spot in this year’s expanded field or potentially earn an opening-round bye. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Hosts Alex Kantecki and Joe Aguilar preview Week 9 in high school football in McHenry County, including a very interesting way the Kishwaukee River Conference could end up in the final standings. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Hosts Eddie Carifio and JT Pedelty preview Week 9 of Illinois high school football in the western and southern portions of northern Illinois. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are previews and picks for each Sauk Valley area game in Week 9. Sterling can win a Western Big 6 Conference title with a win over Rock Island, Dixon has a big challenge at Du-Pec, Newman is at Mendota, Forreston is at Stockton and more. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

The regular season really looks like it is destined to go out with a bang rather than a whimper with huge matchups across the state. Steve Soucie takes a look at the top matchups of Week 9. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Week 9 of the IHSA/I8FA football season features some key matchups in The Times area, including Ottawa visiting Rich Township for a win-and-in, Marquette hosting La Salle-Peru and FCW in a matchup of 5-2 eight-man teams. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Lots of area teams are trying to improve their playoff statu,s while others are trying to find a way to get into the field. Here is the Herald-News IHSA football preview for Week 9, featuring key 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.

The Kankakee football team looks to secure its third unbeaten Southland Athletic Conference season in four years, other area teams look to wrap up the regular season with some momentum, and more in the Kankakee County area Week 9 football preview. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Carmel earned its third win and became the 19th Chicago Catholic League football team to earn playoff eligibility entering Week 9 of the 2026 IHSA season. De La Salle fell to 0-8 and has been eliminated from playoff contention. Here's the current playoff picture for CCL teams. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode in...

The Bureau Valley football team looks to win its third game to lock up a playoff spot, plus a look at the Week 9 matchups for La Salle-Peru, Princeton, St. Bede, Hall-Putnam County, Mendota and Amboy co-op. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Lincoln-Way West was voted in as Friday Night Drive’s Week 8 Team of the Week following a 14-10 win over rival Lincoln-Way Central last Friday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

Get ready for the final week of the high school football regular season with Batavia vs. Wheaton Warrenville South, St. Francis vs. Montini, West Aurora vs. Aurora East, and more previews and picks from 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.

The regular season's final week will see rivals Oswego and Oswego East clash in the annual Crosstown Challenge and Sandwich make a trip to Johnsburg for its final act in the KRC. Here are picks and previews for those games 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 in...

Hosts Josh Welge and Steve Soucie preview Week 9 in Illinois high school football and look ahead to what the brackets will look like after Friday's games. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Lyons travels to York in a West Suburban Silver clash, Wheaton Warrenville South goes to Batavia in the DuKane and CCL powers Montini and St. Francis meet up. Get ready for Week 9 with Josh Welge's previews and picks for all the games from around the Suburban Life area. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes...

Week 8 Football Notebook: Aurora Christian junior Jalen Callaway shines on both sides of the ball for the Eagles and broke a program record last week in their win over Wheaton Academy. Plus, the return of Tivias Caldwell Jr. boosts St. Francis. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

The 1973 Milledgeville football team finished the season 9-0, one year before the IHSA playoffs began. The team will be induced into the Northwest Illinois Sports and Milledgeville Hall of Fame this weekend. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

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...