As Plano coach Kyle Tutt has made the long daily drive from Streator to Plano, he found words in the title of a Drew Green country music song to inspire his team. “Get Up and Get It.” Condensed down to “GUAGI” for football motivational purposes, it’s been a Reapers' rallying cry.

Nick Michalek is a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who will surely be Sandwich's lead back in its wing-T this fall. But he treats every day like a kid fighting for a job. "You can't ever think your spot is safe." Michalek is one of the seniors who will lead Sandwich this fall.

Yorkville football coach Dan McGuire has had few quarterbacks who can throw it like Jack Beetham, and Beetham entering his second season as varsity starter is motivated to help the Foxes return the playoffs after missing out last fall. 'We felt like we let our community down.'

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.

With the release of the 2025 statewide football schedule, here are the top games to watch in the Record Newspapers coverage area.

If Niko Villacci is throwing a football, chances are Lincoln Ijams is catching it. That checks. Villacci, Oswego East’s senior quarterback, and Ijams, a senior receiver, are going on their third varsity season together. The connection, apparently, goes back way longer than that.

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

Teddy Manikas emerged as an all-conference slot receiver for Oswego in his second varsity season last year. Now, as one of just a handful of starters returning from a team that went 9-0 in the regular season, Manikas is ready for an even greater role.

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.

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

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.