Friday Night Drive
banner
fridaynightdrive.bsky.social
Friday Night Drive
@fridaynightdrive.bsky.social
One great community for high school football in northern Illinois: https://www.shawlocal.com/friday-night-drive/
St. Francis two-way lineman Jaylen Torres, who controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage and helped the team to its first state title since 2008, is the Kane County Chronicle football Player of the Year.
St. Francis senior lineman Jaylen Torres is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle football Player of the Year
St. Francis two-way lineman Jaylen Torres, who controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage and helped the team to its first state title since 2008, is the Kane County Chronicle football Player of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Here is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team.
2025 Kane County Chronicle Football All-Area team
Here is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team.
www.shawlocal.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Montini junior quarterback Israel Abrams, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns and led the Broncos to a 14-0 record and the Class 4A state championship, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Offensive Player of the Year.
2025 Friday Night Drive Offensive Player of the Year: Montini’s Israel Abrams
Montini junior quarterback Israel Abrams, who threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns and led the Broncos to a 14-0 record and the Class 4A state championship, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Offensive Player of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Here is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Team of the Year.
Friday Night Drive’s 2025 Team of the Year
Here is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Team of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:10 PM
With the 2025 Early Signing Period over, we take a look at some of the top Class of 2027 prospects the CCL/ESCC has to offer.

Carmel's Trae Taylor, Montini's Israel Abrams and Mount Carmel's Quentin Burrell are among the league's top junior players.
CCL/ESCC football: Here are top Class of 2027 prospects to watch
With the 2025 Early Signing Period over, we take a look at some of the top Class of 2027 prospects the CCL/ESCC has to offer. Carmel's Trae Taylor, Montini's Israel Abrams and Mount Carmel's Quentin Burrell are among the league's top junior players.
www.shawlocal.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Charlie Waca, a longtime assistant with four decades on Bureau County area sidelines, will be inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall Fame in the Class of 2026.
Notebook: Princeton’s Charlie Waca to be inducted into the IHSFCA Hall of Fame
Charlie Waca, a longtime assistant with four decades on Bureau County area sidelines, will be inducted into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall Fame in the Class of 2026.
www.shawlocal.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Brother Rice sophomore defensive lineman Kameron McGee, a five-star prospect who recorded 21 TFLs and 10.5 sacks while guiding the Crusaders to an IHSA 7A state championship this season, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Defensive Player of the Year.

2025 Friday Night Drive Defensive Player of the Year: Brother Rice’s Kameron McGee
Brother Rice sophomore defensive lineman Kameron McGee, a five-star prospect who recorded 21 TFLs and 10.5 sacks while guiding the Crusaders to an IHSA 7A state championship this season, is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Defensive Player of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Here are the best of the best on the gridiron in the Herald-News area for the 2025 season.
Presenting the 2025 Herald-News All-Area Football Team
Here are the best of the best on the gridiron in the Herald-News area for the 2025 season.
www.shawlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Brother Rice defensive lineman King Liggins, a two-time All-CCL/ESCC player who helped the Crusaders finish 13-1 and win the IHSA 7A state championship this season, has signed to continue his football career at Illinois.

"I feel like I can motivate the guys around me..."
‘I want to bring the juice’: Brother Rice’s King Liggins signs with Illinois
Brother Rice defensive lineman King Liggins, a two-time All-CCL/ESCC player who helped the Crusaders finish 13-1 and win the IHSA 7A state championship this season, has signed to continue his football career at Illinois. "I feel like I can motivate the guys around me..."
www.shawlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
USC-bound quarterback Jonas Williams of Lincoln-Way East became the IHSA's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Williams is the 2025 Herald-News Football Player of the Year.
Lincoln-Way East QB Jonas Williams named Herald-News Football Player of the Year
USC-bound quarterback Jonas Williams of Lincoln-Way East became the IHSA's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. Williams is the 2025 Herald-News Football Player of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
As the IHSA announced an expansion of the football playoffs starting next season, Suburban Life-area coaches offered their reactions. "I'm excited about the opportunities our kids might get. It is a net positive for us."
Suburban Life-area coaches react to IHSA football playoff expansion: ‘It is a net positive’
As the IHSA announced an expansion of the football playoffs starting next season, Suburban Life-area coaches offered their reactions. "I'm excited about the opportunities our kids might get. It is a net positive for us."
www.shawlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Zach Weigel was approved as the new head football coach at Sherrard High School at Wednesday’s school board meeting. Currently a teacher at Davenport Central High School, Weigel brings a wealth of coaching experience across multiple levels.
Zach Weigel named as head football coach at Sherrard
Zach Weigel was approved as the new head football coach at Sherrard High School at Wednesday’s school board meeting. Currently a teacher at Davenport Central High School, Weigel brings a wealth of coaching experience across multiple levels.
www.shawlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:50 PM
IHSA schools split on Proposal 19: Sycamore backs expanded playoffs, Genoa-Kingston resists, DeKalb sees new hope. Scheduling relief or more lopsided games? Local ADs weigh the trade-offs.
Scheduling relief or false hope? IHSA playoff expansion divides local schools
IHSA schools split on Proposal 19: Sycamore backs expanded playoffs, Genoa-Kingston resists, DeKalb sees new hope. Scheduling relief or more lopsided games? Local ADs weigh the trade-offs.
www.shawlocal.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
After stepping into the featured back role for the best football team in the area, Seneca senior Cam Shriey is the 2025 Times Football Player of the Year.
Seneca’s Cam Shriey is the 2025 Times Football Player of the Year
After stepping into the featured back role for the best football team in the area, Seneca senior Cam Shriey is the 2025 Times Football Player of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Forty-four of the top football players from Seneca, Marquette, Fieldcrest, Ottawa, Streator, FCW and Sandwich, here is the 2025 Times All-Area Football Team.
Presenting the 2025 Times All-Area Football Team
Forty-four of the top football players from Seneca, Marquette, Fieldcrest, Ottawa, Streator, FCW and Sandwich, here is the 2025 Times All-Area Football Team.
www.shawlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM
A day after the IHSA announced that a proposal had passed to expand the football playoffs by 128 teams, Kendall County-area coaches reacted to the news. "More kids get a chance to play high school football one extra week.”
Kendall County football coaches react to IHSA playoff expansion: ‘More kids get chance to play one more game’
A day after the IHSA announced that a proposal had passed to expand the football playoffs by 128 teams, Kendall County-area coaches reacted to the news. "More kids get a chance to play high school football one extra week.”
www.shawlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
The Sycamore School District 427 Board on Wednesday announced that Rob Stover will follow Joe Ryan as the head coach of the Spartan football team.
Rob Stover named Sycamore football coach
The Sycamore School District 427 Board on Wednesday announced that Rob Stover will follow Joe Ryan as the head coach of the Spartan football team.
www.shawlocal.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
The IHSA announced Tuesday that the state football playoffs will be expanding from 256 to 384 teams starting in 2026. The Northwest Herald reached out to several local coaches, and here are their reactions.
McHenry County coaches react to IHSA football playoff expansion
The IHSA announced Tuesday that the state football playoffs will be expanding from 256 to 384 teams starting in 2026. The Northwest Herald reached out to several local coaches, and here are their reactions.
www.shawlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Two-win teams in the playoffs? Join hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald as they review the IHSA expansion of the high school football playoffs and what it means for the sport going forward.
Friday Night Drive Podcast, Episode 350: IHSA expands football playoffs: Why, and what happens now?
Two-win teams in the playoffs? Join hosts Steve Soucie and Matt Rodewald as they review the IHSA expansion of the high school football playoffs and what it means for the sport going forward.
www.shawlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
IHSA Proposal 19 was passed by a majority of member schools in an IHSA schoolwide vote. Its implementation will increase the number of playoff qualifiers from 256 teams to 384 teams.
IHSA football playoffs expanded with passage of Proposal 19
IHSA Proposal 19 was passed by a majority of member schools in an IHSA schoolwide vote. Its implementation will increase the number of playoff qualifiers from 256 teams to 384 teams.
www.shawlocal.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Of the 16 Bureau County area schools to respond about the IHSA's Proposal 19 calling for football playoffs expansion, six said they are voting in favor of it, while nine voted against it, with one school voting “no opinion.”
Bureau County area schools voice views on Proposal 19 for playoffs expansion
Of the 16 Bureau County area schools to respond about the IHSA's Proposal 19 calling for football playoffs expansion, six said they are voting in favor of it, while nine voted against it, with one school voting “no opinion.”
www.shawlocal.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Take a look at the players selected for the 2025 Daily Journal All-Area Football Team.
2025 Daily Journal All-Area Football Team
Take a look at the players selected for the 2025 Daily Journal All-Area Football Team.
www.shawlocal.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:44 PM
One of the most decorated offensive, defensive and special teams players in Bradley-Bourbonnais history, Lyzale Edmon is the 2025 Daily Journal's Football Player of the Year.
2025 Daily Journal Football Player of the Year: Bradley-Bourbonnais’ Lyzale Edmon
One of the most decorated offensive, defensive and special teams players in Bradley-Bourbonnais history, Lyzale Edmon is the 2025 Daily Journal's Football Player of the Year.
www.shawlocal.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area football team.
2025 Northwest Herald Football All-Area team
Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area football team.
www.shawlocal.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:24 PM
A Day 1 varsity starter as a running back his freshman year, Prairie Ridge senior Luke Vanderwiel developed into an all-state quarterback. He is the 2025 Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year after leading the Wolves to an undefeated regular season.
2025 Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year: Prairie Ridge’s Luke Vanderwiel
A Day 1 varsity starter as a running back his freshman year, Prairie Ridge senior Luke Vanderwiel developed into an all-state quarterback. He is the 2025 Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year after leading the Wolves to an undefeated regular season.
www.shawlocal.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:14 PM