Here are Gary Duncan's photos from Thursday's game between St. Francis and Kenwood at Gately Stadium.

Senior quarterback Brock Phillip, in his first varsity start and St. Francis debut after transferring from Geneva, led two touchdown drives in the final seven minutes with a go-ahead TD pass to Dario Milivojevic with 12 seconds left as the Spartans rallied to beat Kenwood 38-34.

Both Richards and St. Rita announced their intent to join Batavia among schools that are electing to "play up" from 6A to 7A for a two-year period of postseason play.

We take a look at the football games around the Kane County Chronicle area heading into the first week of the 2025 season.

Join hosts Steve Soucie and Josh Welge as they preview an exciting Week 1 in Illinois high school football on the Friday Night Drive podcast

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?

Batavia quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren became an unlikely hero for Batavia in its run to the Class 7A state title game in 2024. Now, he's ready to do it once again in his first full season under center.

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.

After spending time as the No. 3 wide receiver for Geneva's state runner-up team last year, junior Bennett Konkey is ready to step up as the team's top threat out wide.

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

A very young and inexperienced Kaneland team started last year 4-0 and made the playoffs. Starters return in 17 positions this year as expectations are high for what is now an experienced and explosive team.

Here are Karen Naess' photos from Geneva's football practice on Thursday, Aug. 21.

With its enrollment number teetering between Class 6A and Class 7A, Batavia decided to take the guesswork out of it and asked the IHSA to "play up" to Class 7A if the Bulldogs' enrollment number lands them in 6A when the final pairings are determined.

Here are Karen Naess' photos from St. Charles East's football practice on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.

St. Charles East running back Xander Salazar's junior season ended with him on the sidelines after suffering a concussion. Now, he's ready to be at the forefront of an experienced offense looking for it's first playoff berth since 2019.

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

Here's everything you need to know about the Interstate 8 Conference in 2025, including teams, players and matchups to watch plus Steve Soucie's predictions for how the final standings will wind up.

A look at the Fox Valley Conference for the 2025 season, including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

Burlington Central's football team returned to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years last season. The Rockets hope to repeat their success this fall, and massive offensive linemen Zach Hultgren and Aidan Nuno plan to pave the path.

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.

Coming off of a second-place finish in Class 7A a season ago, Batavia's offensive line, led by guys like Princeton commit Ryan Myers and Steven Bannos are ready to help the team to its first state title since 2017.

Here are Karen Naess' photos from Batavia's football practice on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

After returning eight of their starters from last season's DuKane Conference winning team, St. Charles North's defense, headlined by players like linebackers Matthew Plumb and Aidan McClure, are ready to go further in 2025.

Here are Karen Naess' photos as St. Charles North football held its first fall practice on Monday, August 11, 2025.

The Illinois high school football season gets underway Monday with the start of preseason practices. Here are some of the top storylines to watch in Kane County this season.

In the latest installment of our series looking at the favorite calls of football coaches' careers, Michael Thorgeson describes a pivotal halftime adjustment that turned the tide against Andrew that not only secured an upset but turned out to have major playoff implications.

Geneva defensive back Dylan Reyes is one of only a few returners from the Geneva team that made it all the way to the Class 6A title game, but the rising senior is more than ready to help block out the noise and help them to another successful season.

With the release of the IHSA 2025 statewide football schedule, here are the top games week by week to watch in the Kane County 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

As college football players navigate the evolving financial landscape, NIU linebacker Quinn Urwiler insists on prioritizing passion over profit, embodying a resilient mentality that fuels this season's quest for greatness.

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

Yorkville, Dixon and Woodstock North were among the schools participating in a 7 on 7 football tournament on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Kaneland High School in Maple Park.

Kaneland football coach Mike Thorgesen has said that his team last year had boys, but this team has men. Jake Buckley is a man among boys. A chiseled 6-foot-4 and 265-pound senior, Buckley is the anchor of Kaneland’s line on both sides of the ball.

In the 25th annual “Battle of the Big Butts” Lineman Challenge, host West Aurora walked away with top team honors among 24 teams after winning three team events for the second consecutive season.

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.

Batavia High School hosted teams from Geneva, Bolingbrook and Huntley in a 7 on 7 tournament on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Batavia.

Oswego football hosted a joint practice with Kaneland on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Oswego High School.

Former St. Charles North standout and current New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin returned to his alma mater to host what he hopes in his first of many youth football camps.

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.