Friday Night Drive

12 new or returning teams joined the projection this week but week over week the projection was fairly stable. Steve Soucie's latest playoff projection can be found here. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Batavia has been on the wrong side of a close football game twice this season. But against a long-standing rival in Geneva, it finally changed the tide. Plus, notes on historic wins for St Charles North, Kaneland and Aurora Central Catholic in this week's Kane County notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Batavia has been on the wrong side of a close football game twice this season. But against a long-standing rival in Geneva, it finally changed the tide. Plus, notes on historic wins for St Charles North, Kaneland and Aurora Central Catholic in this week's Kane County notebook. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Bishop McNamara visits Wheaton Academy for a primetime matchup, Kankakee returns home for the first time since Week 1, and more in the Daily Journal's Week 7 football previews. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

La Salle-Peru senior defensive back Regan Doerr had eight tackles, three pass breakups and two interceptions in a 28-14 win over Ottawa, earning him Friday Night Drive Team of the Week MVP. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Oswego's Jazmin Hurston intercepted a Joliet West pass with 27 seconds to go in Tuesday's IHSA Kankakee Regional semifinal game, sending the Panthers into Thursday's regional championship. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Plainfield Central and Romeoville both won flag football games as lower seeds Tuesday in the Romeoville Regional Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Yorkville closed out Tuesday's IHSA Kankakee Regional semifinal game on a 20-0 run to beat the host Kays 26-13 and advance to Thursday's regional title game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Dixon's defense continues to have eye-popping numbers after a fourth straight shutout in the Big Northern Conference. Sterling is on a roll heading into a big matchup, and Matthew Blackert helped get Newman back on track in this week's Sauk Valley notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Josh Welge as they preview Week 7 in Illinois high school football and take a look at what the brackets could look like come playoff time. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here’s a look at Bureau County all-time rushing records as compiled by BCR Sports Editor Kevin Hieronymus over the years Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

With three weeks left in the regular season, here's where Illinois Valley stand in their quest to make the IHSA (or for eight-man teams, the I8FA) playoffs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Sandwick senior Nick Michalek is on pace for his third 1,000-yard season – and possibly becoming the program's career rushing leader – after a huge game against Richmond-Burton. That, plus more on Oswego East, Yorkville and Oswego in Joshua Welge's football notes. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Hinsdale Central junior defensive ends John Breton and Tommy Riordan are both making waves this season. The Red Devils have benefited from the rapid improvements by Breton and Riordan to contend in the West Suburban Silver. That, plus notes on St. Francis and more from Bob Narang Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview Week 7 in the western suburbs in Illinois high school football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

With just three weeks left in the regular season, we take a look at the path each DeKalb County team has on the way to a potential playoff berth. 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 Week 6 of the 2025 high school football season Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

There are only three weeks left to earn a spot in the postseason, and plenty of Suburban Life area teams still are battling for a spot. Here are where teams stand heading into Week 7. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Reed-Custer's Tristan Randall came through in the clutch against Peotone to create even more parity in the Illinois Central Eight Conference, Bishop McNamara is the area's last undefeated team and more in the Daily Journal 2-Minute Drill. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

With just three weeks remaining in the 2025 football season, every Kane County team has at least a slight chance of playing postseason football this season. Here are where teams stand before Week 7 kicks off. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

It was another strong week for the teams at or near the top of the Friday Night Drive Power Rankings as three new or returning teams joined the group. Check out this week rankings here: Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

There are only three weeks left to earn a spot in the playoffs, and there are plenty of McHenry County area football teams still battling to get in. Here are where teams stand heading into Week 7. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mount Carmel and Montini clinched automatic playoff bids, while several CCL/ESCC teams including Brother Rice, Nazareth and Fenwick are sitting comfortably with three weeks left in the regular season. 4-2 teams include Carmel, Loyola. St. Francis and Providence. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Mount Carmel and Montini clinched automatic playoff bids, while several CCL/ESCC teams including Brother Rice, Nazareth and Fenwick are sitting comfortably with three weeks left in the regular season. 4-2 teams include Carmel, Loyola. St. Francis and Providence. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Matt Rodewald and Steve Soucie break down what they saw in Week 6 of Illinois high school football. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .