Friday Night Drive

Rochelle senior Roman Villalobos, an IHSFCA All-State running back with over 2,800 career rushing yards, has committed to play football at North Central College. "I've wanted to go to North Central since I was a little kid."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

IHSA member schools voted in favor of expansion for the state football playoffs, adding 128 teams to the postseason this fall by a statewide vote of member schools in December by a tally of 377-252, But the schools who voted later found there was a little catch.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

IHSA member schools voted in favor of expansion for the state football playoffs, adding 128 teams to the postseason this fall by a statewide vote of member schools in December by a tally of 377-252, But the schools who voted later found there was a little catch.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Carmel junior quarterback and Nebraska recruit Trae Taylor announced that he will transfer to Millard South High School in Omaha for his senior football season. Taylor threw for 3,571 yards and 38 touchdowns with 12 rushing touchdowns in 2025.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Several CCL/ESCC athletes, including FND Defensive Player of the Year Kameron McGee and FND Offensive Player of the Year Israel Abrams, were selected to the 2025 MaxPreps All-American Teams.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

From aiding Illinois State's run to the FCS National Championship game to earning spots on all-conference teams for the SEC and Big Ten, several Kankakee County area football figures made their mark on the 2025-26 college football season.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Rochelle's Dylan Manning, who collapsed on the sideline after suffering a severe head injury during the team's varsity football game at Morris on Oct. 3, recently underwent a successful cranioplasty and is home from Loyola Medical Center.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Richmond-Burton junior Blake Livdahl, an all-state linebacker who helped lead the Rockets to the Class 3A semifinals, has had his wrestling season come to an end after tearing his right ACL. He was a state runner-up wrester as a sophomore.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Benet senior wide receiver Luke Doyle, a two-time All-CCL/ESCC player and the 2025 CCL/ESCC Purple Offensive Player of the Year, has committed to play football at Division I FCS Lafayette College.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Benet senior wide receiver Luke Doyle, a two-time All-CCL/ESCC player and the 2025 CCL/ESCC Purple Offensive Player of the Year, has committed to play football at Division I FCS Lafayette College.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

After a recent passed proposal to expand the football playoffs and extend the season by a week changed the preseason calendar, the IHSA has called a special board meeting to consider moving the start of preseason practice back to accommodate for more time to prepare.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

After a recent passed proposal to expand the football playoffs and extend the season by a week changed the preseason calendar, the IHSA has called a special board meeting to consider moving the start of preseason practice back to accommodate for more time to prepare.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Dixon High School announced on Wednesday night that assistant Brad Winterland has been hired as its new head football coach.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Dixon High School announced on Wednesday night that assistant Brad Winterland has been hired as its new head football coach.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Four Bureau County's collegiate football players went bowling at the end of season - Spring Valley's Mac Resetich (Illinois) and Princeton's Noah LaPorte (Northwestern), Teegan Davis (Iowa) and Drew Harp (North Central College).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Four Bureau County's collegiate football players went bowling at the end of season - Spring Valley's Mac Resetich (Illinois) and Princeton's Noah LaPorte (Northwestern), Teegan Davis (Iowa) and Drew Harp (North Central College).Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Stillman Valley's Mike Lalor is stepping away as head football coach after 28 years.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Stillman Valley's Mike Lalor is stepping away as head football coach after 28 years.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Dixon's Jared Shaner felt like it was time to step down after a successful run leading the Dukes' football team.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Dixon's Jared Shaner felt like it was time to step down after a successful run leading the Dukes' football team.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Oswego football coach Brian Cooney, who helped lead the Panthers to the Class 8A state championship game this past fall, has been selected to coach in the prestigious Navy All-American Bowl on Jan. 10 in San Antonio.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

With the 2025-26 Early Signing Period over, we're taking a brief look at some of the top 2028 prospects in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference. Here are some notable prospects to watch for as the 2025-26 offseason progresses.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

With the 2025-26 Early Signing Period over, we're taking a brief look at some of the top 2028 prospects in the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference. Here are some notable prospects to watch for as the 2025-26 offseason progresses.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

St. Francis grad Tommy Rittenhouse came back from throwing five picks to throw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes and lead Illinois State in a colossal upset of No. 1 North Dakota State. Two wins later, Rittenhouse is set to lead the Redbirds into the FCS title game.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

St. Francis grad Tommy Rittenhouse came back from throwing five picks to throw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes and lead Illinois State in a colossal upset of No. 1 North Dakota State. Two wins later, Rittenhouse is set to lead the Redbirds into the FCS title game.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

RJ Haines, a core of the Kankakee area football coaching scene for more than two decades, is a part of the upcoming Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame class.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

There is one thing you will find behind every winning head coach and successful football program: a good assistant coach who is loyal and dedicated to the head coach and the mission of the team. For 38 years, for nine different head coaches, Charlie Waca was that assistant coach.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Here is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Team of the Year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Here is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Here is the 2025 Kane County Chronicle All-Area football team.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Here is the 2025 Friday Night Drive Team of the Year.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

Here are the best of the best on the gridiron in the Herald-News area for the 2025 season.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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..."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.

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.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/friday-night-drive--3534096/support.