With just two weeks left in the regular season, here's where Herald-News area teams stand in their quest to make the IHSA postseason.

A proposal has been put forth to the IHSA to expand the playoff field by 96 teams and introduce a flexed regional scheduling concept to ease the pressures for teams having difficulties putting together a full football schedule

With only two weeks left in the regular season, here's where Illinois Valley football teams stand in their quest to make the IHSA (or for eight-man teams, the I8FA) playoffs.

After playing free safety and slot receiver last season, Riverside-Brookfield senior Warren Mason is primarily a defensive player this season. He's one of the players that's helped lead the 7-0 Bulldogs to their best start since 2001. That, plus notes on Lemont and more.

With just two weeks left in the regular season, we take a look at the path each DeKalb County team has on the way to a potential playoff berth.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview Week 8 in the western suburbs in Illinois high school football

Jeremiah Smith barely saw the field as a junior, but after throwing himself into the weight room the Oswego East senior has emerged as a key part at left tackle of an offensive line that's helped pave the way to a 6-1 start. That and more in Joshua Welge's Kendall County notes.

Congratulations to these 23 Illinois high school football players who were voted onto Friday Night Drive's Team of the Week for Week 7 of the 2025 high school football season

In a week that seemed to be a less challenging one for ranked teams, that did not come to fruition as several ranked teams were upset. Check out the shuffled rankings here:

Kankakee's looking more like a state contender each week, seven area teams have officially punched their playoff tickets and more in this week's Daily Journal 2-Minute Drill.

Rock Falls seeks more leadership from key players after a promising start against IVC led to another loss. Dixon's Landon Knigge had a five-TD first quarter, and Sterling is looking for another bounceback in this week's Sauk Valley football notes.

There are only two weeks left to earn a spot in the playoffs, and there are plenty of McHenry County area football teams still battling to get in. Here is where teams stand heading into Week 8.

Join hosts Matt Rodewald and Steve Soucie as they review Week 7 in Illinois high school football and start looking ahead to the playoffs.

Plainfield Central scored on the game's opening drive and never trailed in a 22-8 win over Yorkville in Monday's Danville Sectional semifinal

Marli Smrz threw three touchdown passes, highlighted by a 48-yard TD to Janell Adams, as unbeaten Willowbrook shut out Naperville Central 28-0, while Sarahi Carlos threw a scoring pass in overtime to Gracie Del Toro as West Aurora beat Oswego East 8-6 in the sectional semifinals.

Kennedy Manning totaled 364 yards and two touchdowns on offense while adding an 85-yard interception return for a score as Cary-Grove's girls flag football season ended with a 38-18 loss to Harlem in the IHSA sectional semifinals at McHenry's McCracken Field.

Winning its next two games will be difficult for Hampshire’s football team, but at least the Whip-Purs have put themselves in position to earn a postseason berth if they can pull it off. Plus, news on Richmond-Burton in the McHenry County Week 7 notebook.

Here's a look at boxscores for 2025 Week 7 games around Bureau County, including Bureau Valley, Hall, Princeton and St. Bede games

With just two weeks remaining in the 2025 football season, a majority of Kane County teams have clinched a spot in the playoffs or are on the verge of clinching with a win. Here is where teams stand before Week 8 kicks off.

There are only two weeks left to earn a spot in the postseason, and plenty of Suburban Life area teams still are battling for a spot. Here are where teams stand heading into Week 8.

Five CCL/ESCC football teams have secured automatic playoff bids through seven weeks of the IHSA regular season. Nazareth, Fenwick and Brother Rice all improved to 6-1, joining Mount Carmel and Montini in the postseason. Several five and four-win teams are still in the hunt.

Minooka has shaken off a 1-2 start and the loss of their starting QB and is in the midst of a four-game win streak, plus more from sidelines in Will and Grundy County in this week's Herald-News Football Notebook.

With just two weeks of the regular season remaining, seven of the Daily Journal area’s football teams have clinched postseason opportunities. Here is where teams stand heading into Week 8.

There are only two weeks left to earn a spot in the playoffs, and there are plenty of Kendall County area football teams still battling to get in. Here are where teams stand heading into Week 8.

The CCL/ESCC had a number of fantastic matchups this week further proving the power possessed by the strongest conference in the state. Steve Soucie takes a look at what we learned in Week 6.

Davon Grant set his second DeKalb receiving record in as many weeks, Sycamore held off La Salle-Peru, Hiawatha picked up win No. 5 and more in our Week 7 rewind.

Each week, we’ll have 22 players – 11 on offense, 11 on defense – to make the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week. Vote for your favorite players for Week 7!

All three phases kicked into gear in the second quarter as Hiawatha blocked a punt, recovered a fumble and scored on every full possession in the quarter to pull away to a 54-6 win over Rockford Christian Life on Saturday.

Here are results and recaps for every Week 7 game from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Here are results and recaps for all the Week 7 games from around the Record Newspapers coverage area.

Neuqua Valley had a potential game-tying touchdown on a trick play taken away when it was ruled that Drake Mennecke lost control of the ball as he reached for the pylon, resulting in a touchback, and Naperville North hung on for the 29-23 win.

Gavin Mueller, Derrion Thurman and Julian Huerta scored seven of South Elgin's eight touchdowns in a 55-19 win over Bartlett in Upstate Eight Conference action Friday night.

A quartet of interceptions, including three that turned into touchdowns the other way, and a quartet of Aaron Stewart touchdowns powered Warren over Stevenson.

Miss out on any of the high school football action in northern Illinois? Listen to the audio versions of our stories from Week 7 of the 2025 season here

Junior quarterback Jackson Cacini threw five touchdown passes, and Prospect – on the night it honored its 2005 Class 7A state champions – edged Rolling Meadows 35-32.

Kole Fager scored four rushing touchdowns and Palatine earned its fourth win of the season as the Pirates (4-3, 2-1) kept their playoff hopes alive with a 35-21 road victory over Hoffman Estates on Friday evening.

Sparked by a handful of Nathan Kutella touchdowns, Conant got the best of rival Schamburg.

Indiana recruit Jameson Purcell threw for 235 yards and five touchdowns in one half, and Maine South routed Glenbrook North 56-0 to set the stage for a Week 8 showdown with Glenbrook South for the Central Suburban League title.

Seneca came into the game with a game plan to run down the heart of the St. Bede defense and remain undefeated on the season and that’s exactly what the Irish did as they ran for 488 yards and came away with the 48-16 victory over the visiting Bruins to move to 7-0 on the season

Roman Villalobos rushed for three touchdowns and Rochelle earned an emotional 21-20 win over Kaneland playing for junior running back Dylan Manning, who remains hospitalized after suffering a head injury last Friday at Morris.

Barrington got big plays on offense, defense and special teams in a two-score win over Fremd on Friday.

Lockport quarterback Brendan Mecher ran for four touchdowns, his scores accounting for all of the team’s points in a 28-7 victory over Sandburg.

Dixon and Newman each got their sixth wins after earning road victories. Oregon fell to Stillman Valley, Morrison and Fulton won and more in Friday's Sauk Valley football roundup.

Herscher got its fifth win in dramatic fashion, Logan Natyshok totaled five touchdowns for Coal City and more in Friday's Daily Journal football roundup.

Israel Abrams threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for a fourth, in a half of play, and Montini took care of business in a 49-3 blowout of St. Viator.

Providence's second-half rally to produce a stirring 21-20 victory over Loyola will eventually be the stuff of legend. On Friday night, it was reality.

IC Catholic Prep scores touchdowns on each of its first six offensive possessions, including all five in the first half, in blowing out Marmion 57-14.

The Fieldcrest football team lost to visiting Ridgeview-Lexington on Friday, while the Ottawa boys, Dwight’s Isabella Dinelli and Seneca’s Piper Stenzel advance to Day 2 at state golf. Plus, results from the Little Ten Conference volleyball tournament.

Mt. Carmel remained perfect on the season, moving to 7-0 and leaving Joliet Catholic 2-5 with a 35-7 victory in the rivalry game that honors the late Kevin Hansen.

Two Batavia second-half defensive stops stymied Wheaton North‘s comeback attempt, allowing the Bulldogs to grab a 28-7 DuKane Conference win Friday at Bulldog Stadium.