Friday Night Drive

St. Francis grad Tommy Rittenhouse came back from throwing five picks to throw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes and lead Illinois State in a colossal upset of No. 1 North Dakota State. Two wins later, Rittenhouse is set to lead the Redbirds into the FCS title game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Francis grad Tommy Rittenhouse came back from throwing five picks to throw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes and lead Illinois State in a colossal upset of No. 1 North Dakota State. Two wins later, Rittenhouse is set to lead the Redbirds into the FCS title game. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

RJ Haines, a core of the Kankakee area football coaching scene for more than two decades, is a part of the upcoming Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame class. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

There is one thing you will find behind every winning head coach and successful football program: a good assistant coach who is loyal and dedicated to the head coach and the mission of the team. For 38 years, for nine different head coaches, Charlie Waca was that assistant coach. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Team of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

St. Francis two-way lineman Jaylen Torres, who controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage and helped the team to its first state title since 2008, is the Kane County Chronicle football Player of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Montini junior quarterback Israel Abrams, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns and led the Broncos to a 14-0 record and the Class 4A state championship, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Offensive Player of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Team of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

As the IHSA announced an expansion of the football playoffs starting next season, Suburban Life-area coaches offered their reactions. "I'm excited about the opportunities our kids might get. It is a net positive for us." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Charlie Waca, a longtime assistant with four decades on Bureau County area sidelines, will be inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall Fame in the Class of 2026. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Brother Rice sophomore defensive lineman Kameron McGee, a five-star prospect who recorded 21 TFLs and 10.5 sacks while guiding the Crusaders to an IHSA 7A state championship this season, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Defensive Player of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Here are the best of the best on the gridiron in the Herald-News area for the 2025 season. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

USC-bound quarterback Jonas Williams of Lincoln-Way East became the IHSA's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Williams is the 2025 Herald-News Football Player of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Brother Rice defensive lineman King Liggins, a two-time All-CCL/ESCC player who helped the Crusaders finish 13-1 and win the IHSA 7A state championship this season, has signed to continue his football career at Illinois. "I feel like I can motivate the guys around me..." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

As the IHSA announced an expansion of the football playoffs starting next season, Suburban Life-area coaches offered their reactions. "I'm excited about the opportunities our kids might get. It is a net positive for us." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Zach Weigel was approved as the new head football coach at Sherrard High School at Wednesday’s school board meeting. Currently a teacher at Davenport Central High School, Weigel brings a wealth of coaching experience across multiple levels. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

IHSA schools split on Proposal 19: Sycamore backs expanded playoffs, Genoa-Kingston resists, DeKalb sees new hope. Scheduling relief or more lopsided games? Local ADs weigh the trade-offs. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A day after the IHSA announced that a proposal had passed to expand the football playoffs by 128 teams, Kendall County-area coaches reacted to the news. "More kids get a chance to play high school football one extra week.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

A day after the IHSA announced that a proposal had passed to expand the football playoffs by 128 teams, Kendall County-area coaches reacted to the news. "More kids get a chance to play high school football one extra week.” Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

Forty-four of the top football players from Seneca, Marquette, Fieldcrest, Ottawa, Streator, FCW and Sandwich, here is the 2025 Times All-Area Football Team. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

After stepping into the featured back role for the best football team in the area, Seneca senior Cam Shriey is the 2025 Times Football Player of the Year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The Sycamore School District 427 Board on Wednesday announced that Rob Stover will follow Joe Ryan as the head coach of the Spartan football team. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .

The IHSA announced Tuesday that the state football playoffs will be expanding from 256 to 384 teams starting in 2026. The Northwest Herald reached out to several local coaches, and here are their reactions. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support .