From a couple of NIU commits at quarterback to dynamic players in the secondary, we look at the best football players in DeKalb County with the Daily Chronicle 2025 All-Area Football Team.

Wednesday marked the beginning of the 2025 Early Signing Day Period for NCAA Division I football. Here is a list of CCL/ESCC players who will be playing Division I FBS and FCS football next year.

Oswego junior linebacker Cam Loghmani walked into the postgame interview room carrying the Class 8A runner-up trophy, and briefly put it in the center of a table. He could indeed hold it high. The Panthers, in defeat, put a fitting capper on a memorable run to the Class 8A final.

There was almost no flashiness in the final game of the IHSA football season as Mount Carmel and Oswego found themselves embroiled in a defensive struggle with the Caravan claiming their 17th state title with a 20-3 win.

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The Oswego football team played Mount Carmel Saturday to decide the IHSA Class 8A state championship in Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Kameron McGee recorded 4 TFLs and 2 sacks, Brayden Parks had 3.5 TFLs and Javeyon Lockett totaled 10 tackles as Brother Rice shut out St. Rita 16-0 to win the IHSA 7A state football championship at NIU on Wednesday. McGee: "I think we have the best defense in the country."

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The Brother Rice and St. Rita football teams played Wednesday in the IHSA Class 7A State Championship game in Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

Willowbrook senior Marli Smrz, who threw for over 3,600 yards and 72 touchdowns in leading the Warriors to a 22-1 record and third place in the state, is the Suburban Life girls flag football Player of the Year. Read more about her in this Q&A interview.

Oswego East junior quarterback Danielle Stone, who led the Wolves to Southwest Prairie Conference and regional titles, is the Record Newspapers girls flag football Player of the Year. Read more about her in this interview.