After enduring a three-year playoff drought, the longest in school history, Bishop McNamara didn't just rebound this year. The Fightin' Irish went 9-0 for the first time in almost 30 years.

Join hosts Mason Schweizer and Steve Soucie as they preview the first round of the IHSA football playoffs in Kankakee County

Bishop McNamara and Herscher meet for the second time this season, Bradley-Bourbonnais and Kankakee also host first-round playoff games, and more in the Daily Journal's first-round playoff previews.

After he was one of the final preseason cuts by the New York Giants last month, Kankakee native and 2016 Bishop McNamara graduate Jonathan Ward joined the New England Patriots practice squad on Tuesday.

Class 3A's North Bracket is chock full of impressive programs setting up some very early titanic matchups. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 3A Playoffs.

A total of 10 Daily Journal area football teams made the IHSA or I8FA playoffs. Read previews on all 10 teams, as well as their first-round opponents, here.

Bishop McNamara wrapped up its first undefeated regular season since 1998, Bradley-Bourbonnais had its best offensive night of the year to secure a three-way conference title tie and more in Friday's Daily Journal roundup.

Join hosts Mason Schweizer and Steve Soucie as they preview Week 9 in Kankakee County high school football

Kankakee and Crete-Monee clash for the Southland Athletic Conference, Wilmington and Coal City square off for the Illinois Central Eight championship and more in the Daily Journal's Week 9 football previews.