Prairie Ridge quarterback Luke Vanderwiel rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns, and Prairie Ridge defeated host Cary-Grove 34-21 Friday night in a battle of the past two Fox Valley Conference champions

Trailing 14-10 in the fourth quarter, McHenry sophomore Joey Spelman scored a game-winning, 4-yard touchdown in a 17-14 Fox Valley Conference win over Dundee-Crown.

Jacobs defensive lineman Lucas Retzler scored on a 72-yard fumble return, and the Golden Eagles coasted to a 53-13 Fox Valley Conference win over Hampshire in their season opener.

Brian Iossi is expecting big things from a defense he thinks will be one of the best in his years at Burlington Central. After Friday's Week 1 performance, you can see why. Central held Crystal Lake South to 52 yards of offense in a 21-0 shutout.

Richmond-Burton junior RB Hunter Carley ran for 211 yards and five touchdowns as the Rockets coasted to a 49-13 win against Marian Central on Friday at George Harding Field in Woodstock

High school football scores from across Illinois for Week 1 of the 2025 season

Richmond-Burton faces Marian Central in a nonconfernce football game on Friday Aug. 29, 2025, at Marian Central High School.

Prairie Ridge face Cary-Grove in a Fox Valley Conference football game on Friday Aug. 29, 2025, at Cary-Grove High School.

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.

Cary-Grove "beast" and two-way star Logan Abrams is ready for his senior football campaign after an injury-laden junior 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

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.

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.

Led by senior captains Dan French, Matt Conlon and Josh Gawronski, Marian Central looks to turn its fortunes around. The Hurricanes are seeking their first winning season since 2017.

Marian Central prepares for their upcoming season during football practice on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Marian Central High School in Woodstock.

Dundee-Crown's football team may lack size, but 5-foot-8 Tristan Gatenby and 5-6 Kadin Malone are proof that the Chargers won't back down this season in the formidable Fox Valley Conference.

A look at the Kishwaukee River 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.

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.

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.

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.

Jacobs senior twins Connor and Carson Goehring hope to fuel another winning season for the Golden Eagles. The quarterback and wide receiver share many interests, including sports and cars.

Jacobs prepares for the 2025 season during its football practice on Tuesday, August 15, 2025, at Jacobs High School in Algonquin.

Cary-Grove's football team is ready to pick up where it left off after a second-straight trip to the Class 6A state semifinals, and senior linebacker Oliver Antonelli plans to make sure the Trojans are prepared.

Cary-Grove prepares for the 2025 season during its first fall football practice on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Cary-Grove High School.

High school football practice officially starts Monday, and the opening night for the season for local teams is Aug. 29. Here are Joe Aguilar's five storylines to watch this season in McHenry County.

First-year McHenry football coach Colt Nero has surrounded himself with veteran coaches, including two who will be his offensive and defensive coordinators. Like Nero, they happen to be graduates of Fox Valley Conference rival Crystal Lake South.

Prairie Ridge traveled to Grant for a scrimmage on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Grant High School in Fox Lake.

Youth flag football players learn skills during the Chicago Bears Mini Monsters Flag Football Camp on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at McCracken Field in McHenry.

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."

A year after sharing duties at quarterback with two seniors, Crystal Lake South junior Michael Silvius is ready to be the Gators' full-time starter at quarterback and help turn around their fortunes.

Hampshire's football team is emphasizing teamwork and culture ahead of the 2025 football season. The Whip-Purs continued to put in the work at a recent 7-on-7 practice held at Kaneland.

Marengo defensive end Brady Kentgen enters his fourth varsity season with big goals for his senior season. Marengo will rely on a physical defense as it tries to build on last year's 5-5 record.

Woodstock North’s Parker Halihan was not immediately sold on the pitch to play quarterback. But the former wingback grew into the position, and last year led the Thunder to the most wins in program history. Now he's one of 19 starters back for first-year coach Jeremiah Homuth.

Richmond-Burton's Hunter Carley grew up playing 8-man football in Michigan. Now, the Rockets junior is one of the top running backs in the Kishwaukee River Conference. "He's never satisfied."

Junior Carson Rowe and sophomore Malik Carter have spent the summer battling for the starting quarterback position at Huntley. And while it's so far unclear who has the advantage on the field, both have established themselves as leaders off of it.

Johnsburg's Carter Block broke out in a big way a year ago. The quarterback led all Kishwaukee River Conference players in passing yards and spent the offseason getting bigger and smarter for his last season as the Skyhawks look to build on a 6-4 record.

Crystal Lake Central's senior football players have embraced their roles as new coach Matt MacCrindle takes over program.

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.

The IHSA released football schedules for the 2025 season, and Week 1 features a matchup between the past two Fox Valley Conference champions, as Prairie Ridge will visit Cary-Grove. Check out the top games to watch each week in McHenry County.

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

Crystal Lake Central and Richmond-Burton take part in a 7-on-7 football practice Monday, July 14, 2025, at Richmond-Burton High School, with teams from Grayslake North and Mundelein.

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.

Here are six Northwest-Herald football players poised for big 2025 seasons.

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.