There is only one week left to earn a spot in the playoffs, and there are plenty of McHenry County area football teams still battling to get in. Here is where teams stand heading into Week 9.

Michael Cannady, Caden DuMelle and Justin Gonzalez all ran for 100-plus yards and two scores as Jacobs beat Crystal Lake South to officially clinch a playoff spot. Marian Central blew past St. Edward, and more in the Week 8 McHenry County roundup.

Johnsburg pulled away from Plano for a 27-7 win, Marengo blanked Harvard 49-0, plus more in the Week 7 McHenry County football roundup.

Here is a look at the Illinois 8-Man Football Association teams within our Friday Night Drive footprint, including West Carroll, Polo, St. Anne, Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, Amboy/LaMoille/Ohio, Milford/Cissna Park, Milledgeville, Hiawatha, Ashton-Franklin Center and Alden-Hebron.

The 2025 high school football season starts Friday for Northwest Herald teams. Here is a look at Week 1 games, including Prairie Ridge at Cary-Grove in a matchup of the past two Fox Valley Conference champions.

Rockford Christian and Schlarman Academy both recently announced they will be cancelling their upcoming 8-man football seasons, leaving a question mark in the schedule for their opponents.