Friday Night Drive

A Roxana High School proposal that would expand the playoffs and provide a regional schedule model has released regional mockups for Class 7A and Class 8A. See the proposed regions here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

One of the city's most successful seasons came to a collective end, Wilmington and Coal City marched on, and more in this week's Daily Journal 2-Minute Drill. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dixon showed no quit until the very end against Coal City. Newman's seniors left their mark, and three area 8-man teams are in the semifinals in this week's Sauk Valley football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A number of ranked teams bowed out in the second round of the playoffs shaking up the Friday Night Drive Power Rankings considerably. Check out the new rankings here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East are set to square off in the Class 8A state quarterfinals. Defending champions Nazareth and Montini are still in the hunt after two rounds. Here are all of the quarterfinal matchups featuring CCL/ESCC programs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Join hosts Matt Rodewald and Steve Soucie as they break down the second round of the Illinois high school football playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

More from the Times-area’s sidelines from Week 11 (the second round of the IHSA football playoffs), including notes on Seneca and Dwight's second-round games and quarterfinal matchups. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton, Burlington Central and Cary-Grove marched on with second-round wins, while Fox Valley Conference champion Prairie Ridge and Jacobs ended their seasons over the weekend. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Lincoln-Way East, Morris, Coal City, Lincoln-Way East, Dwight and Wilmigton all scored more than 40 points in second-round wins Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here's a Bureau County area IF8A and IHSA football playoffs update Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is the 2025 All-Fox Valley Conference girls flag football team, as selected by coaches. A total of 38 players from nine schools received All-FVC honors. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

High seeds had a rough go of it in Round 2 of the playoffs, while the CCL/ESCC flexed its muscles in numerous classifications. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 11. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

"I’m going to miss these kids. They put us back on the map." The season ended Friday for Kaneland. The Knights reached the second round of the playoffs for the seventh time since 2015. And the 8-3 mark matches their best record since a 9-2 campaign in 2013. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Each week, we’ll have 22 players – 11 on offense, 11 on defense – to make the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week. Vote for your favorite players for Round 2 of the playoffs! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Matt Kies flew in and batted down a 2-point conversion pass in the final seconds as the Lockport Porters held on for a 21-20 victory over Homewood-Flossmoor in a classic Class 8A second-round matchup on a rainy Saturday night at Lockport. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Third-seeded St. Charles used three straight turnovers to force a momentum swing, scoring 19 consecutive points for a come-from-behind 26-23 victory over 14th-seeded Carmel to advance to the Class 7A playoff quarterfinals. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are the quarterfinal round pairings for the 2025 IHSA playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Landon Arnold didn't want to give the ball up, and the Burlington Central senior QB delivered. Arnold ran the ball seven times for 80 yards on a game-clinching drive as the Rockets topped Harlem 24-14 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Wilmington rushed 54 times for 418 yards and six touchdowns and held host Seneca to just 42 total yards in a 42-0 rain-soaked victory on Saturday in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Donato Gatses rushed for 233 yards and two touchdowns, passing 2,000 yards rushing on the season, as Glenbard North beat Moline 22-14 to advance to a Class 7A quarterfinal rematch with DuKane Conference rival Batavia. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Kaden Abrantes rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown and Lake Zurich beat Antioch for the second time this season, 35-0 in Saturday's Class 6A second-round game. The Bears advanced to face Nazareth in the quarterfinals. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

With the rain, wind and cold in Gurnee on Saturday night, nobody was going to do much through the air. So maybe it’s accurate to say Bolingbrook beat Warren at its own game, advancing in the playoffs with a 20-14 victory. TJ Lewis and Tyson Ward each ran for second-half TDs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Logan Abrams, Jackson Berndt and Leo Zavala each rushed for two touchdowns, while Jason Ritter Jr. had two interceptions as Cary-Grove dominated St. Patrick 55-21 in the second round of the IHSA 5A playoffs Saturday evening. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dwight scored three touchdowns on offense, two on defense and one on special teams in a 43-14 win over Clifton Central in the IHSA Class 1A second round on Saturday, advancing to quarterfinals for the second season in a row. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Like it did three years ago, Brother Rice made its way up to Algonquin for a playoff matchup and came away with a 46-0 win over Jacobs in a Class 7A second-round game Saturday night. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .