Friday Night Drive

Khairi Sias hauled in a 49-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Lockport a two-touchdown cushion, and the Porters went on to a 21-14 win over Sandburg in a Class 8A first-round game Saturday night. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Coal City's Logan Natyshok rushed for 272 yards and five touchdowns while the Coalers defense allowed Sterling just 100 total yards in a 49-7 victory in Saturday's Class 4A playoff first-round game in Coal City. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

After relying on its ground game for most of the night, Burlington Central went airborne to pull out a thrilling 21-17 Class 6A opening round win over Libertyville Saturday night at Rocket Hill. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Chris Chang returned the opening kick for a touchdown, intercepted two passes and caught a 70-yard TD to lead Lake Zurich to a 46-13 win over Grant in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Belleville East topped West Aurora 48-34 in the teams' Class 8A playoff opener Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Patrick used a big second quarter to take control in a 49-28 win over Wauconda in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Emmett Dowling threw two long touchdown passes to Marshaun Thornton and Mount Carmel knocked off three-time defending 8A champion Loyola 21-17 to remain undefeated in its quest for a fourth straight state title. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

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

Carmel put up 540 yards against Normal Community in a 7A playoff opener, but the win didn’t come without some anxious moments in the fourth quarter. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Luke Gadomski already had an interception under his belt when Lakes quarterback Ean Ankney was eyeing a receiver on a comeback pass. Gadomski saw what was coming, jumped the route, and took off 64 yards for a touchdown, one of three pick-sixes in the Knights’ 68-21 win over the E Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A touchdown with 59.5 seconds to play was the difference in DuPec’s 18-13 Class 3A playoff victory over host Johnsburg. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Seneca outscored visiting Port Byron Riverdale by 14 points in the second quarter, ultimately the difference in the Fighting Irish's 35-21, first-round Class 2A playoff victory. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Kays got timely plays on both sides of the ball, including fourth-quarter touchdowns from Kymani Billings and Ezekiel Sherrod, to get past Lemont in a physical, defensive-minded Class 5A playoff game at Kankakee Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Clifton Central scored 24 unanswered points in its 24-6 win over Knoxville in the first round of the IHSA Class 1A playoffs, getting three passing touchdowns from Brady Shule. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Grant Pomaranski threw for four touchdowns and ran for two scores as St. Anne pulled away in the second half to beat Metro-East Lutheran 39-20 in the first round of the Illinois 8-Man Football Association playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Nate Lang threw five touchdown passes to four different receivers, two of them to Grant Bowen, and IC Catholic Prep scored touchdowns on five straight possessions in the second quarter and went on to beat Hope Academy 42-13 in a Class 3A first-round game in Chicago. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Valshon Powe scored five touchdowns and rushing for 243 yards to lead Bloomington Central Catholic to a 41-20 victory over Princeton in a Class 3A playoffs opener. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Jacobs made a goal-line stand then drove 99 yards for a touchdown to help spark the Golden Eagles to a 36-27 win over Addison Trail in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Wilmington ran for 362 yards on just 19 carries and held West Hancock to 3 rushing yards in a 70-8 win in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Glenbard South closed within two points in the second half, but Antioch pulled away for a 45-23 victory in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

After struggling to establish the run early, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley relied on explosive plays through the air and a lockdown defensive effort to beat the Marquette Crusaders in a 1A first-round playoff game Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Broden Mackert ran for 145 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter alone as Providence routed Springfield High on Saturday, 63-19. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Zach Washington returned a kick 81 yards for a TD to help spark St. Francis to a 35-28 come-from-behind victory over Morgan Park in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Amboy began its quest for a third straight Illinois 8-Man state championship with a 68-8 win over Milford-Cissna Park on Saturday. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Polo grabbed momentum early, then Hiawatha fought back. But the Marcos had the answers in the second half and went on to defeat the Hawks 36-14 in their Illinois 8-Man Football Association first-round playoff game Saturday in Polo. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .