Friday Night Drive

Kaneland and Belvidere North meet Friday in a Class 5A second-round game. It's a rematch of a 6A first-round contest from last year, a win for the Blue Thunder. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Northwest Upstate Illini Conference and the Western Illinois Valley Conference are already stealing the headlines in the Class 1A postseason. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 1A playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Kankakee, Bradley-Bourbonnais and Bishop McNamara all clash with CCL/ESCC powers, Wilmington and Coal City face familiar postseason faces and more in the Daily Journal's second-round playoff previews. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

"I know having a social life is pretty much out the window." DeKalb baseball and football standout Cole Latimer committed to play both sports at NIU on Monday and said he is ready for the challenge of playing both at the NCAA Division I level. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A Roxana High School proposal that would expand the playoffs and provide a regional schedule model has released regional mockups for Class 5A and Class 6A. See the proposed regions here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton junior defensive end Breckin Campbell had ACL surgery on his right knee in May. He returned to the football field in Week 6, and his early return has sparked the Rockets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Richmond-Burton junior defensive end Breckin Campbell had ACL surgery on his right knee in May. He returned to the football field in Week 6, and his early return has sparked the Rockets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Join hosts Joel Boenitz and Josh Welge as they preview the second round of the Illinois high school football playoffs in the western suburbs Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Oswego junior linebacker Cam Loghmani has had a flair for the big play ever since the first play of the first game of the season – and that continued in his team's first-round win last Friday. That, plus getting to know Oswego's next opponent and more in Kendall football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Congratulations to these 22 Illinois high school football players who were voted onto Friday Night Drive's Team of the Week for Round 1 of the 2025 high school football playoffs Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The All-City schools made local history, Clifton Central's Brady Shule made school history 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 was dominant in 4A, and Newman rolled in 2A to open the playoffs. Amboy, Milledgeville, Polo and West Carroll also advanced in the 8-man playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ranked teams did what they should do largely rolling to easy first round victories in the state playoffs. Check out the new rankings here: Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

C.J. Gray led Brother Rice over Jefferson, Zach Washington's kick return sparked St. Francis against Morgan Park and Israel Abrams tossed four TD passes to help Montini remain undefeated. Fenwick, St. Rita, Providence and IC Catholic Prep added first-round playoff wins. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Ranked teams did what they should do largely rolling to easy first round victories in the state playoffs. Check out the new rankings here: Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jonas Williams returns for Lincoln-Way East, plus notes on Bolingbrook, Minooka and Wilmington in the Herald-News Football notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Matt Rodewald, Steve Soucie, and John Sahly break down what happened with a fifth down in the PORTA vs. Fairfield first-round playoff game, and review what else happened in Round 1 in the IHSA football playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Princeton coach Ryan Pearson wanted to make sure seniors Casey Etheridge, Gavin Lanham and Ryan Jager all got in the end zone in Saturday's playoff game. BCC star Valshun Powe said it was a "team win." Amboy prepares to hit the road, doesn't care about seeds. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jacobs won its first playoff game in four years Saturday when the 22nd-seeded Golden Eagles beat No. 11 Addison Trail 36-27 in a Class 7A opener. That, plus news on Burlington Central, Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove in the Northwest Herald football notebook. 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 10 (the opening week of the IHSA playoffs) of the football season, including notes on Seneca, Marquette and Dwight's first-round games and second-round matchups. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here's a look at the Princeton-Bloomington Central Catholic first-round playoff boxscores along with a recap of area of playoff scores/pairings Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

If you like points being scored the opening round of the playoffs was definitely worth tuning into. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 10. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Lincoln-Way Central displayed all its weapons Friday night in a 49-7 shellacking of Reavis to open its 7A playoff adventure. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are results and recaps for every first-round playoff game for teams in the Suburban Life coverage area. 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 1 of the playoffs! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .