Here are team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the West Suburban Conference.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview Week 1 in Illinois high school football for Kane and DuPage counties on the Friday Night Drive podcast.

Here are team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games plus Steve Soucie's predictions for the Upstate Eight Conference.

With the kickoff of the high school football season days away, here is the Friday Night Drive preseason Top 25. Who is No. 1?

History tends to repeat itself in regards to the IHSA Football Playoffs, but the new enrollment numbers could lead to a bracket that looks a lot different in the next postseason chase. Here is Steve Soucie's 2025 IHSA football preseason playoff projection.

Can Lemont continue its dominance of the South Suburban Blue with an experienced offensive group? Can Hillcrest return to its peak form? Can TF North duplicate a breakout 2023? Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions.

Lyons two-way lineman Roman Sosnovyy waited his turn to be a senior captain. Senior linebacker Patrick Cheney is excited for his last shot to make an impact for the Lions. They're leaders of a senior class aiming even higher after Lyons' historic 11-1 season in 2024.

Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the CCL/ESCC Green.

Izzy Abrams has had a calendar year that would make a young man dizzy. The Montini quarterback was not even promised playing time going into last season. And then he led the Broncos to the Class 3A championship. A recruiting circus followed, and now he has upwards of 20 offers.

Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the CCL/ESCC Purple.

Team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions for the CCL/ESCC White.

Downers Grove North senior quarterback Owen Lansu’s legacy is still unfinished. A three-year starter, Lansu has already put his name among the best players in Downers Grove North program history. Heading into his final season he's eyeing a state title to cement his status.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos from Lyons football practice on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 in Western Springs.

York senior Hunter Stepanich, a rare three-sport athlete committed to play both football and volleyball at Princeton, is poised for an expanded role this season. The 6-foot-7 Stepanich and the Dukes are looking to build off last year's Class 8A championship game appearance.

The 2025 football season is just around the corner. Here's a preview of where the teams in the DuKane Conference stand, as well as five players to watch, five can't miss matchups, and Steve Soucie's conference predictions.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos from York's football practice on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos from Downers Grove North's football practice on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

Here is the 2025 Chicagoland Christian Conference preview complete with team-by-team breakdowns, five players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predictions.

A three-time state champion and Division I prospect, Nazareth senior receiver Trenton Walker has been an integral player for the Roadrunners for the majority of his career. But Walker is adjusting to a new position as fall practice began on Monday – senior leader.

Here are Gary Duncan's photos as Nazareth held its first fall football practice on Monday, August 11, 2025.

The Illinois high school football season gets underway Monday, Aug. 11, with the start of preseason practices. Here are some of the top storylines to watch in the Suburban Life area this season.

Downers Grove South senior Joseph Vieyra has prided himself on playing a multitude of positions, and last season played strong safety, but also played running back, long snapper, holder, kick returner and even punted a few times. He's a key returner for the Mustangs this fall.

Lemont senior Jackson Dybcio is ready to show off his all-around skills this season. After playing primarily at safety and inside linebacker the last two seasons, Dybcio is slated to take more reps at running back for Lemont this fall.

Over 200 high schools in Illinois are expected to have girls flag football teams this year as the sport's popularity continues to rise. "There’s no shortage of opportunities."

Montini senior Isaac Alexander is looking to double his impact this season as a running back and safety, and eager to help the defending Class 3A state champion Broncos make another run in the state playoffs and Chicago Catholic League.

Glenbard South's Henry Riley has length and burst "that you can't teach" and last season it finally clicked for him blocking-wise to become a complete tight end. Now he's part of a talented tight end combo with Elijah Donahue while Ari Ioannou leads the Raiders' defense.

With the release of the IHSA 2025 statewide football schedule, here are the top games week by week to watch in the Suburban Life coverage area.

The Illinois High School Association released its state-wide 2025 football schedule on Friday. Filling nine-game schedules proved challenging for some of the state's elite programs.

What looks different for the new high school football season? With the IHSA football schedules now out, Steve Soucie looks at the differences for the new campaign.

Steve Soucie and Josh Welge preview the 2025 IHSA high school football schedule, including games to watch and more in the latest Friday Night Drive podcast

Friday Night Drive’s Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz discuss what the IHSA football schedule will look like in the western suburbs for the 2025 season, games they are looking forward to, and more

Downers Grove North senior Oliver Thulin has a good grasp of the recent history of the football program, the third Thulin brother to play for the Trojans. Now he is set to make a bigger mark as a two-way standout at wide receiver and defensive back.

St. Francis is motivated to take the next step in the playoffs, after its season ended in the semifinals the last three years. With a talented receiving corps led by Michigan State recruit Zach Washington, the Spartans have the pieces in place for another deep run.

History tends to repeat itself in regards to the IHSA Football Playoffs, but the new enrollment numbers could lead to a bracket that looks a lot different in the next postseason chase. Here is Steve Soucie's 2025 IHSA football preseason playoff projection.