DailyHerald.com > Sports > Prep Sports > Football
8/13/2009 1:01:39 AM
Whistles blew early on the first day of football practice at area high schools Wednesday, a sound that couldn't come soon enough for anxious athletes.
8/13/2009 1:01:39 AM
In some ways, the official start of the high school football season is a bit anticlimactic. But that doesn't mean players and coaches all over the state don't still get a bit giddy when a certain special day rolls around on the calendar.
8/12/2009 1:33:11 PM
With hard work and a little luck, some of the area's high school football teams will compete for a state championship on the frigid Memorial Stadium field in Champaign on Thanksgiving weekend.
8/12/2009 5:20:48 PM
There's a theory in DuPage County. Even though high school football is played only three months a year, the other nine months are spent getting ready for high school football
8/12/2009 5:55:46 PM
The Elk Grove High School football team kicks off its season with its first practice.
8/12/2009 4:36:12 PM
Opening Day of football practice at Wheaton North High School, Wednesday in Wheaton.
8/12/2009 3:50:56 PM
The first day of football practice Wednesday at Elgin High School.
8/12/2009 5:01:50 PM
First day of football practice at Montini High School in Lombard.
8/12/2009 4:48:38 PM
First day of football practice Wednesday at Carmel High School in Mundelein.
8/12/2009 4:43:14 PM
First day of football practice Wednesday at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.
8/12/2009 4:41:42 PM
The Naperville North Huskies football team takes to its field for the first time this year on Wednesday, August 12.
8/12/2009 3:53:43 PM
First day of football practice at Batavia High School Wednesday.
8/12/2009 3:51:54 PM
The first day of football practice for Geneva High School at Broadview Academy Wednesday.
8/12/2009 3:14:14 PM
First day of Bartlett High School football practice.
8/12/2009 3:15:02 PM
First day of Dundee-Crown High School football practice.
8/12/2009 12:56:47 PM
First day of football practice at Antioch High School.
8/12/2009 12:43:00 PM
First day of football practice at St. Charles North High.
8/14/2009 1:40:33 PM
Former Hersey High School football and basketball star Chris Nowinski is returning home August 26 to speak about problem of concussions suffered by athletes.
8/14/2009 4:36:06 PM
Palatine High School football practice Friday.
8/18/2009 5:14:47 PM
An early morning football practice for Hersey High School as they runs drills and go over plays getting ready for their first game of the season.
8/18/2009 5:10:20 PM
Wheeling High School Varsity football practice.
8/19/2009 2:01:37 PM
Rolling Meadows High School football practice.
8/19/2009 1:53:11 PM
Images from football practice at Bartlett High School
8/21/2009 4:19:29 PM
Images from football practice at Fremd High School
8/21/2009 4:18:34 PM
Dundee-Crown football practice Friday in Carpentersville.
8/26/2009 1:01:15 AM
Last year a total of 12 points separated the champions from the runners-up in the Gold and Silver football divisions of the West Suburban Conference.
8/26/2009 1:01:15 AM
The Hampshire football team's primary goal this season is to repeat as champions of the Big Northern Conference East Division, but winning back-to-back titles will be a stiff challenge.
8/25/2009 1:01:02 AM
A five-team race seems to be the consensus for Mid-Suburban East football this year. For second place behind defending champion Prospect.
8/25/2009 1:01:01 AM
Those in the know don't seem to know who will emerge as the best in Mid-Suburban West football. I have no clue," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci, whose program has won outright or shared the last six West titles.
8/27/2009 1:07:45 AM
If change is indeed good, 2009 should be a good year for football in the Valley Division of the Fox Valley Conference.
8/26/2009 3:51:07 PM
For two years DuPage Valley Conference football fans were treated to amazing Week 9 showdowns between Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville North that determined the champion.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
It's been eight years since Naperville Central's football team last won the DuPage Valley Conference title. With quarterback Nick Linne, however, anything's possible this season.
8/28/2009 1:01:43 AM
So who will cause Lake Zurich football coach Bryan Stortz to lose sleep more? His boys? Or his girls? He's not counting on the former, as his squad heads into this season with a chip on its shoulder after a disappointing playoff-opening loss to St. Charles East last fall.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
Don't pigeonhole Elgin football coach Dave Bierman. Known in recent years for directing prolific spread passing attacks, Elgin's second-year coach said he will adjust his scheme this season to a more traditional offense based on what he sees as the strength of this group.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
The Burlington Central football team doesn't intend to let one bad break keep it from returning to the upper echelon of the Big Northern Conference East Division.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
The Cary-Grove football program has epitomized regular-season dominance for the last five years, a trend unlikely to change in 2009.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
A major tenet of the Larkin football philosophy this season is to outwork the opponent, and not just on game days.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
The buzz surrounding South Elgin football is growing louder. Upstate Eight Conference football coaches were virtually unanimous this month in saying the Storm should be one of the most improved teams in the league.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
Geneva's Rob Wicinski knows it's a prep football coach's lot to mold a new cast every season. "It's the same-old, same-old. You try to get back to work and put it all together," he said.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
St. Charles North coach Mark Gould raises an interesting fact: Every North Stars football player thus far has been on a playoff team. Now, it's not a long history, but dozens of programs would love to have made the playoffs seven straight seasons.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
John Angotti, Mike Cornely and Kevin Mulligan are athletes for all seasons at Buffalo Grove. Second-year BG coach Jim Farrell hopes this is the football season where the senior trio is rewarded with the end of a five-year playoff drought.
8/28/2009 1:01:44 AM
Brian Doll knows there is a natural surge of energy any time someone new takes over a football program. But Doll is also hoping to see some negative energy in his first year at Elk Grove.
8/28/2009 1:01:44 AM
Some aspects will be easier and others will be tougher for Christian Liberty in its second year of organized football. Last year the school had only two weeks to prepare for its inaugural season.
8/28/2009 1:01:44 AM
Schaumburg hopes speed thrills its fans and chills opponents. The Saxons hope opposing defenses struggle to get a handle on threats such as Dionte Hackler, Darrel Williams, Warren Brewer and Kevin Hilliard when they get their hands on the football.
8/28/2009 1:01:44 AM
Mention defending a title at Palatine and it is likely to bring a quick correction. "Going after it," coach Tyler Donnelly said of Palatine's quest to repeat as Mid-Suburban West football champions.
8/28/2009 1:01:43 AM
When assessing his Grayslake North football program after its third varsity season last year, Steve Wood came to a conclusion.
8/28/2009 1:01:43 AM
Nick Goshe grinned almost like a father proudly watching his two sons tussle. At some point, boys - especially those who play football - have to show toughness and pride, even against those whom they respect, and maybe a little physical interaction isn't such a bad thing.
8/28/2009 1:01:43 AM
Young in years doesn't necessarily mean wet behind the ears. Just ask Carmel coach Andy Bitto. He's got some young players who will play on both sides of the football this season, but it's not like they won't know what hit them.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Bill Mitz is not pulling a Brett Favre. Stevenson's venerable football coach isn't saying he's retiring and then changing his mind. He's just not saying.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
NONCONFERENCE
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Geneva (13-1) at St. Charles East (8-3)
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
The Crystal Lake South football program has been building momentum for nearly a decade.
8/28/2009 1:01:45 AM
If any team in the DuPage Valley Conference would favor a track meet type of football game, it would be West Aurora.
8/28/2009 1:01:43 AM
Five years ago this month, Luke Mertens was assigned the task of creating a football team from scratch at brand new Lakes High School.
8/28/2009 1:01:43 AM
A successful, veteran, North Suburban Conference football coach is retiring. While Stevenson coach Bill Mitz is not closing the door on a possible return next year, Randy Kuceyeski of Libertyville claims he's pinned down his retirement year.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Downers Grove South football coach John Belskis prefers his view of quarterback Chandler Whitmer.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
The growing pains of new offensive and defensive schemes were evident with Benet's football team last season.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Hinsdale Central football coach Mike DiMatteo minces no words when talking about quarterback John Whitelaw.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Now that Glenbard West football is back on top, the goal is to stay there. The program posted a 45-3-2 record last year, including a 12-1 varsity season that ended in heartbreak with a 27-20 semifinal loss to eventual Class 7A champion East St. Louis.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Part farewell tour and part welcome wagon, this will be a memorable season for Addison Trail's football program.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
While many folks will focus on what Glenbard North's football team no longer has, the Panthers plan to thrive with what remains.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
In so many ways, Glenbard South's football team came so very close last season. All three losses came to teams that went unbeaten until at least the state semifinals.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
It's hard, with a roster of 27, to assemble all the components of a quality football team. That is Lisle's dilemma.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
It's an enviable situation, having three-year starters at the two key spots on the football field. It's the deal at Lake Park. Quarterback Larry Nawrot and linebacker Ryan Gerts look to win an Upstate Eight Conference title and return this once-perennial playoff squad to the postseason for the first time since 2006.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
When choosing between reloading and rebuilding, bet on reloading when it comes to Naperville North's football program.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
West Chicago's primary goal is to win more football games. Perhaps more important, though, is the goal of program stability.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
With the graduation of one player, York's football team lost 2,500 yards of offense and 17 touchdowns. It'll take a committee to replace those numbers, but with a dominant line the Dukes plan to do just that.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Two games, two points, two losses. The end of last season still stings Wheaton Warrenville South's football team.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
One of the magical moments of the 2008 football season was St. Francis hoisting the Class 5A championship trophy.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
Wheaton North quarterback Taylor Graham had a tremendous off-season while accepting a football scholarship from Ohio State.
8/28/2009 1:01:42 AM
The first senior class in Wheaton Academy's rejuvenated football program seeks big things.
8/27/2009 6:37:44 PM
Due to the excessive rains this week, Elgin High School has announced a change in schedule for Friday night's home-opening football game with Dundee-Crown.
8/29/2009 1:10:27 AM
For nine months Wheaton Warrenville South's football team felt like it had something to prove.
8/29/2009 1:40:35 AM
Bartlett takes on Hoffman Estates in football on Friday, Aug, 28.
8/29/2009 2:22:53 AM
Barrington plays at Libertyville in football on Friday, Aug. 28.
8/29/2009 2:01:19 AM
Geneva vs. St. Charles East in the football season opener in St. Charles Friday.
8/29/2009 1:42:22 AM
Hinsdale Central at Wheaton Warrenville South football on Friday, Aug. 28.
8/29/2009 1:35:17 AM
Naperville North's Idris Hanidu had waited to put his stamp on a high school football game.
8/29/2009 1:32:11 AM
Batavia's Battlin' Bulldogs take on the St. Charles North Stars for the first game of the season on Friday, August 28.
8/29/2009 1:01:55 AM
Naperville North at Neuqua Valley football Friday, Aug. 28 in Naperville.
8/29/2009 12:04:31 AM
Dundee-Crown vs Elgin football at Memorial Field in Elgin Friday: August 28, 2009.
8/29/2009 2:06:08 AM
There was little Schaumburg could do to stop the offensive juggernaut that is the Maine South football program.
8/29/2009 2:05:26 AM
The relationship between track and field and football has been long established.
8/29/2009 1:48:15 AM
The football season opener helps both teams work the preseason kinks out of the system before conference play.
8/29/2009 1:34:25 AM
Glenbard East quarterback Jack Merrithey picked up where he left off last season in Friday's football opener against rival Willowbrook. Merrithey used both his arm and legs to power the host Rams to a 27-7 nonconference victory over the Warriors in Lombard.
8/29/2009 1:31:22 AM
Visiting Vernon Hills was able to display a lot of its weapons on both sides of the ball Friday night as the Cougars headed into Niles West for their 2009 football season opener.
8/29/2009 1:29:37 AM
History was made at Grayslake North on Friday night, as the Knights won their second game in the history of the school by defeating Woodstock North 22-6 in a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division football game.
8/29/2009 1:06:52 AM
Friday's games
8/29/2009 12:52:37 AM
Round Lake football not only lost its sight and dealt with a low-lying fog during its nonconference opener on Friday night.
8/29/2009 12:52:23 AM
Execution was the main game plan for Jacobs' football team as it took the field in its season opener against Moline on Friday night. When it came down to it, the Golden Eagles executed on both sides of the ball, overcoming turnovers with great defense en route to a 21-9 victory over the Maroons.
8/29/2009 12:34:12 AM
Any football coach would hate to lose a running back who rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and scored 35 touchdowns.
8/29/2009 12:32:09 AM
Paul Reinke's career as a head football coach began Friday night, but after he watched his West Chicago Wildcats drop a 36-7 decision at Plainfield North, he had a lament that a coach working his 1,000th game would have been proud of:
8/29/2009 12:26:20 AM
Let the "Golden Era" of St. Edward football begin.
8/30/2009 11:29:00 PM
The end came Sunday for one of the state's top football openers, the eight-year series between Montini and Sacred Heart Griffin.
9/2/2009 10:47:45 AM
The St. Edward Green Wave used 5 Hampshire turnovers and a strong offensive line push for a 32-6 season opening victory at Greg True Field in Elgin Friday night.
9/3/2009 11:55:47 PM
Rockford Lutheran replaces Kirkland-Hiawatha on St. Edward's nonconference schedule. The Crusaders, a Class 4A team from the Big Northern Conference's West Division, are coming off a 1-8 season and were shut out in last week's season opener.
9/3/2009 10:44:06 PM
For the last six years, Warren's non-conference schedule has included perennial power Maine South. When that contract expired at the end of last season, the Blue Devils replaced one Central Suburban League foe with another.
9/3/2009 11:53:21 AM
Mundelein High School football practice.
9/3/2009 7:44:52 PM
Wheeling opened the football season with a nice comeback win at Maine West but also lost a big reason it happened for about a month.
9/3/2009 10:41:47 PM
High school football coaches accept the fact that injuries come with the game. The preseason, though, is a different story. Several key area players missed last week's season openers because of injuries suffered in the days leading up to the game.
9/4/2009 12:21:12 AM
The state of Ohio is known for its top-notch high school football programs and now, the football team at Grayslake Central knows exactly why.
9/3/2009 3:05:00 PM
Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije and Bears official Patrick McCaskey will help unveil Orr Academy's newly renovated football field and track during a special dedication ceremony Saturday at the Chicago High School.
8/29/2009 10:26:59 PM
For all the turnovers caused by Naperville Central's defense, Saturday's football game against Waubonsie Valley came down to a couple of simple stops.
8/29/2009 8:31:27 PM
Glenbard North's Evin Natick has waited his whole life to make his varsity football debut. He got his chance on Saturday afternoon against host Oak Park-River Forest and made it pretty unforgettable.
8/29/2009 7:24:34 PM
Waubonsie Valley vs. Naperville Central football at Benedictine University in Lisle Saturday: August 29, 2009.
8/29/2009 8:03:24 PM
Marmion vs South Elgin football at Streamwood's Millennium Field Saturday: August 29, 2009.
8/29/2009 8:13:17 PM
Marmion vs South Elgin football at Streamwood's Millennium Field Saturday: August 29, 2009.
8/29/2009 3:27:03 PM
Jon Hoffing still smacks people on turf, just not with a lacrosse stick anymore. The Libertyville senior offensive lineman played lacrosse his first two years in high school before giving up the sport to focus on football.
9/5/2009 1:24:43 AM
When you impress a National Football League head coach, you know you've done something right.
9/5/2009 1:37:36 AM
The stars shared top billing in Friday's Mid-Suburban League crossover football game at Elk Grove's Robert Haskell Stadium.
9/5/2009 12:35:01 AM
Senior Josh Hoffman smiled about the missed opportunity where freshman Shawn Anderson made a statement about Christian Liberty's novice football program.
9/5/2009 12:02:42 AM
The St. Edward football team is in the exact position it was last season.
9/5/2009 12:37:45 AM
It's never a good thing when a football team punts the ball 11 times.
9/5/2009 12:35:25 AM
Hampshire football coach Dan Cavanaugh walked off the field Friday night disappointed but proud the way his team played in its 10-0 loss to Winnebago at Hampshire.
9/5/2009 1:51:49 AM
Burlington Central football coach Aaron Wichman still believes that his team is a playoff caliber squad, despite losing for the second time to start the season.
9/5/2009 1:51:41 AM
The fans of both schools came in vast numbers to support their Mid-Surburban League football teams Friday night when Fremd hosted Hersey.
9/5/2009 1:51:25 AM
Prospect's offense was explosive in its 48-14 pounding of visiting Schaumburg Friday night at George Gattas Stadium in the Mid-Suburban League football crossover.
9/5/2009 1:39:03 AM
Although it is early in the season, a pattern is developing in St. Charles North football games.
9/5/2009 1:38:26 AM
Things couldn't have started any better for Jacobs' football team Friday night in Algonquin.
9/5/2009 1:35:16 AM
The football players and staff from Crystal Lake South believed they could win at Bartlett Friday night, but not even the most confident Gator could have predicted a 40-0 blowout victory in a nonconference meeting between 2008 state semifinalists.
9/5/2009 1:34:31 AM
The first-ever meeting between host Warren and Highland Park on the football field turned out to be quite an eventful one Friday night in Gurnee.
9/5/2009 12:43:07 AM
Note to DuPage Valley Conference football teams: don't give quarterback Jack Merrithey and the Glenbard East Rams more than three minutes to stage a fourth-quarter rally.
9/5/2009 1:24:12 AM
Football practices at South Elgin used to take place on dirt. Or pavement. The one grass practice field that was occasionally available was a bus ride away and it had no lines or goalposts.
9/5/2009 1:21:47 AM
Geneva's football team found itself in unfamiliar position Friday night.
9/4/2009 5:32:42 PM
Lakes High School football practice.
9/6/2009 1:27:46 AM
Two, four, six, eight - who does the Antioch football team appreciate? Well, on Saturday, the Sequoits were extremely thankful for a deep, balanced backfield that brought its A-game to Waukegan's Weiss Field.
9/5/2009 11:44:47 PM
One of Lake County's best high school football players could be out of action the entire month of September. Wauconda senior defensive end/tight end Bradon Prate suffered what he called a Grade 2 sprain of his medial collateral ligament and a Grade 1 sprain of his anterior cruciate ligament in the Bulldogs' season opener against Huntley.
9/5/2009 11:35:21 PM
J.D. Vanderwiel couldn't understand why he had to hustle off Orr Academy's brand-new football field just because a little blood was smeared on his arm.
9/9/2009 9:47:39 PM
The light in Cody Schue's head went on last season as he listened to Larkin assistant football coach Adrian Barbera address the team during practice.
9/9/2009 5:59:48 PM
Wauconda High School varsity football practice.
9/11/2009 12:34:14 AM
The Batavia football program has had many outstanding accomplishments during the past quarter-century and head coach Mike Gaspari has been there for all of them.
9/10/2009 11:26:51 PM
As the melee ensued, Glen Kozlowski felt his heart breaking. Now, the North Chicago football coach has been given the task of trying to mend a broken season. And it won't be easy.
9/11/2009 2:52:32 AM
Here's today's local football schedule
9/11/2009 12:35:53 AM
The quick hit: The Redhawks are on a major roll after rallying for last week's win over Neuqua Valley. Fierce defensive pressure starts up front with Cam Brate and Alex Schaefer. West Aurora, led by running back Leon Spears, is 2-0 for the sixth straight year.
9/11/2009 12:34:48 AM
Wheaton Warrenville South's football team emerged from its brutal nonconference schedule with a 1-1 record following last week's 27-9 loss at defending Class 8A state champion Maine South.
9/12/2009 1:49:34 AM
After playing a pair of rugged nonconference opponents in Geneva and Naperville North to open its season, St. Charles East's football team was
9/12/2009 1:57:57 AM
Friday night's Upstate Eight Conference visit by South Elgin to Neuqua Valley could have been looked at as a case study in what's more important to a football team, the lessons learned by Neuqua Valley in dropping two close games to open the season to highly regarded teams, or the confidence gained by South Elgin in crafting the school's first 2-0 start to a season.
9/12/2009 1:40:52 AM
What a difference a week made for Rolling Meadows' football team. The Mustangs welcomed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back to the starting lineup Friday after missing last week's 21-0 loss to Conant with a sore neck. Garoppolo delivered exactly what the Mustangs needed, a Mid-Suburban League crossover victory.
9/12/2009 11:36:08 AM
Week 3 football, Hersey at Schaumburg
9/12/2009 1:56:30 AM
The Lake Park football players emerged with a 27-18 victory in Elgin Friday night by doing to Larkin exactly what had been done to them the week before.
9/12/2009 1:03:44 AM
As the North Chicago High School football program waits to hear what the ultimate penalty will be for its brawl with Simeon High School, a top state athletic official talked with the Daily Herald Friday.
9/12/2009 2:23:51 AM
It sure didn't seem like Gator football to Crystal Lake South in the first half.
9/12/2009 2:00:13 AM
Friday's results
9/12/2009 1:59:15 AM
Grayslake North's football team wanted to make something special happen in its first-ever meeting with McHenry on Friday night.
9/12/2009 1:58:14 AM
After missing the first two games of the year due to injuries, running back Jibril Jones made his season debut for Willowbrook in Friday's football game against West Suburban Gold rival Morton. And his return sure could not have come at a better time.
9/12/2009 1:52:59 AM
In this Mid-Suburban League football crossover, the Hoffman Estates Hawks and Elk Grove Grenadiers were trying to bounce back from losses.
9/12/2009 1:48:28 AM
It took a little less than 20 minutes for St. Charles North's football team to activate a running clock in Aurora on Friday night.
9/12/2009 1:45:32 AM
Leyden football coach Tom Cerasani could only stare in disbelief as his Eagles squandered their bid for a late-game comeback against Downers Grove South on Friday in Northlake.
9/12/2009 1:36:02 AM
St. Viator quarterback Julian Sipiora knew its East Suburban Catholic Conference football opener with St. Patrick was more than just big. The Lions had something to prove Friday night.
9/11/2009 12:34:14 AM
The Batavia football program has had many outstanding accomplishments during the past quarter-century and head coach Mike Gaspari has been there for all of them.
9/12/2009 12:45:11 AM
Lake Zurich's 47-7 home win over Zion-Benton Friday night featured much of what has become vintage Lake Zurich football.
9/12/2009 12:44:33 AM
The Grant-Lakes contest wasn't so much a football game as it was a collection of short stories.
9/12/2009 12:30:26 AM
Waubonsie Valley football coach Paul Murphy thought his team's best play Friday night was the game-tying touchdown. The game-winning touchdown wasn't bad either.
9/12/2009 12:26:31 AM
After pulling out a 50-49 shootout win over Glenbrook South last week, visiting Stevenson wanted to keep the positive momentum going Friday night in its North Suburan Conference football opener at Mundelein.
9/12/2009 9:12:25 PM
Time will tell if Saturday's showdown ultimately determines the West Suburban Silver Conference football champion.
9/12/2009 10:55:30 PM
Leading by 25 points after three quarters, St. Edward football coach Mike Rolando felt comfortable.
9/12/2009 11:14:11 PM
Benet and St. Joseph played a game of "Can you can top me?" in Saturday's East Suburban Catholic Conference football showdown.
9/15/2009 2:04:50 PM
Illinois High School Association Executive Director Marty Hickman announced on Tuesday that the North Chicago football program has been reinstated from suspension at all levels and will be allowed to participate in games this week.
9/15/2009 1:25:26 AM
While the National Football League officially kicked off its season this past weekend, our local high school teams began their respective conference campaigns last Friday night.
9/15/2009 1:02:18 AM
It's back to the gridiron at North Chicago - at least for some of the football players in the program.
Copyright 2009 Daily Herald, Paddock Publications, Inc.
Sports
7/24/2009 10:52:19 PM
It's that time of year again. Though it's still a bit premature to throw yourself into full blown football adulation, the days are creeping nearer and nearer to opening day. By my calculations, there are just 34 days left before opening kickoff in Oswego.
7/24/2009 1:24:44 AM
Heading up the line on Wednesday in the Morris Community High School gymnasium was football coach George Dergo. To his right, coach Dave Auwerda was recording players names and numbers. Behind the coaches, 50-plus players stood in line, waiting to take the exact height and weight measurements for the team. From there the players were funneled to coach John Courter who passed out pads, then to Jon Lanning who was sorting through loose pads and handing them out.
7/24/2009 1:06:53 AM
Morris football coach George Dergo has been AWL in recent weeks from the team that he so loves to care for. As is absence with leave.
7/27/2009 12:24:58 AM
Coal City has not been as active in 7-on-7 football passing camps as some teams, but that has not stopped the Coalers from having a productive summer.
7/28/2009 12:12:55 AM
If lifting weights can translate into victories on the football field, the Coal City Coalers should be reckoned with during the 2009 season.
7/29/2009 2:07:01 AM
One of the more positive things that Morris football fans was looking forward to this year was watching a seasoned secondary perform while also getting to see linebacker Devin Singer cleaning up in front of them.
7/30/2009 12:32:54 AM
Though the football season opener Aug. 28 at Glenbrook South is still about a month away, the Minooka Indians have kept busy during the past few weeks.
7/31/2009 12:32:41 AM
Seneca High School's second summer under football coach Ryan Reade has a different feel to it than did the first, according to senior linebacker Pat Ugolini.
8/1/2009 12:07:19 AM
The Morris football team is trying to figure out which way it wants to go on offense. As usual Morris will probably take advantage of having some sizable players up front in order to run the ball, but other than running back Jake Perry, the Redskins are loaded in the backfield with smaller and quicker scatbacks.
8/4/2009 12:09:38 AM
That fantasy football leagues keep drafting earlier and earlier is sorta ironic, considering the NFL keeps pushing back the start of its regular season further into September.
8/15/2009 7:57:36 PM
On Saturday night at the Moose Lodge, Morris football fans could be found following their noses. At first, the smell of hamburgers and brats permeated the air, but it was soon replaced by an even more familiar scent. The scent of opening night of football season, that is.
8/22/2009 12:00:48 AM
One constant about this time of year is that every prep football team, regardless of its showing the previous season, is optimistic about its chances for success.
8/26/2009 3:04:26 AM
While the topic of steroid use is framed towards men and boys, mainly due to the number of baseball and football players as well as those who have admitted use in the professional wrestling field, it is an issue of concern for girls, too.
8/25/2009 1:29:22 AM
Hall of Fame football player Dick Butkus has been looked up to by many Illinois residents over the years. From his days of playing high school ball at Chicago Vocational, to his college exploits at the University of Illinois and then domination from his linebacking position in the NFL, Butkus has been, and has inspired people far and wide.
8/25/2009 1:26:24 AM
Maybe the lack of players from the Morris Daily Herald readership area is at least partially what caused Illinois to be overlooked in the preseason football polls.
8/28/2009 12:54:30 AM
The Joliet Catholic Academy Hilltoppers got two quick goals from senior forward Alex Corcoran before holding on to edge the Morris Redskins 2-1 in non-conference soccer at the MCHS football field Thursday afternoon.
8/28/2009 12:43:29 AM
Morris sophomore football coach Alan Thorson has seen the highs and lows of the incoming talent pools in his five years as coach for the Redskins. This year looks to be an inviting one for the locals, especially since his current crew went 8-1 as freshmen a year ago.
8/29/2009 1:52:53 AM
GLENVIEW — The Minooka Indians moved the chainsl but gave up points in every quarter while dropping a 38-14 non-conference football game against the Glenbrook South Titans Friday night.
8/29/2009 1:49:32 AM
Forty eight minutes and 97 plays were not enough to determine the outcome of Friday night's football opener in Oswego. After each side went toiling away on the defensive side of the ball for that duration, the game remained at a scoreless deadlock.
8/29/2009 1:43:27 AM
One of the things that most people like to talk to me about when they have the chance is the schedule that the Morris football team plays. Considering that the schedule looks a lot different this year than most other seasons, it's an obliging conversation.
8/30/2009 11:18:05 PM
LISLE — Reed-Custer's defense pitched a shutout to start the 2009 varsity football season, highlighting a 17-0 victory for the Comets over Lisle in an Interstate 8 Conference crossover game between 2 playoff teams last season.
8/30/2009 11:15:15 PM
SENECA — Coal City football coach Lenny Onsen repeatedly praised Seneca's effort in a 28-21 loss to the Coalers Friday night that kicked off the 2009 varsity season.
9/1/2009 1:46:05 AM
The Minooka freshmen football team won its opener on Saturday while scoring four touchdowns. The Reed-Custer Comets finished second in the Somonauk soccer tournament.
9/2/2009 1:11:39 AM
Scoring a trio of goals in the second half, the Morris Redskins knocked off the defending NCIC champion Sterling Golden Warriors 4-1 Tuesday at the MCHS football field.
9/2/2009 1:08:25 AM
OSWEGO — One play into the season, the Morris sophomore football team had done something the varsity could not do that same night in four quarters and an overtime — score a touchdown.
9/3/2009 1:40:33 AM
Before I get started, I'd like to thank Mark Bardell for his help in digging up some of the more obscure facts surrounding Morris' loss to Oswego on Friday night. For those who do not know, Bardell operates morrisredskinsfootball.com and it contains a great database for those looking for these kinds of things.
9/3/2009 1:37:29 AM
One of the challenges the Morris football team faces as it prepares for Friday night's game is trying not to get caught up looking back when it needs to be looking forward. Especially when its next opponent is St. Rita of Chicago.
9/4/2009 1:38:32 AM
SENECA — Based on 2008 results, Week 2 will get no easier for Coal City after the Coalers got all they could handle on the football field from Seneca last Friday.
9/4/2009 1:22:16 AM
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Northern Illinois University has given head football coach Jerry Kill a two-year extension of his contract, through the 2015 season.
9/5/2009 2:17:55 AM
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A day after Oregon's college football season opened, it ended for running back LeGarrette Blount.
9/5/2009 2:08:44 AM
MINOOKA — Zion-Benton Zee-Bees football coach Bob Strickland walked across the dewy turf carpeting the Minooka High School football field Friday night.
9/5/2009 2:06:10 AM
For the third straight season, the Morris football team has found itself behind the eight ball at the onset of the year. In 2007 the Redskins opened with back-to-back losses against Pontiac and Joliet Catholic Academy, in '08 they lost back-to-back against Bishop McNamara and Addison Driscoll Catholic and now this year has dawned with consecutive losses to Oswego and St. Rita.
9/5/2009 2:02:52 AM
BRAIDWOOD — Reed-Custer was out-gained 306 yards to 252 Friday night, but the Comets defeated Seneca 21-12 in an Interstate 8 Conference crossover varsity football game.
9/7/2009 9:29:50 PM
The much-maligned Big Ten Conference had a big opening week record-wise, going 10-1 against non-conference opposition as the college football season got underway during the past few days.
9/10/2009 1:23:56 AM
After going 1-1 in the non-conference portion of the 2009 football season, the Minooka Indians and coach Bert Kooi kick off Southwest Prairie action Friday with a new opponent.
9/10/2009 1:06:54 AM
One of the few early bright spots for the Morris football team last Friday night was the play of the special teams — especially from returner Danny Niewinski. He returned the opening kickoff back to the 45 yard line and things looked good at the onset.
9/10/2009 12:42:50 AM
The Morris sophomore football team played tooth and nail with the St. Rita Mustangs on Friday night and, in the end, the whole game had to be played out before a winner could be decided.
9/9/2009 1:21:55 AM
Through two games, the offensive numbers can be staggering. It's been enough to cause shortness of breath from the Redskins' football fans, truncated answers from Morris coaches and some relative stuttering from the local players. Still, after an accumulative 48-10 score behind an offense which has accumulated just 173 yards over 83 offensive plays, the attitude is still relatively positive at MCHS.
9/9/2009 12:58:02 AM
Recently, I got together with Dan Hutchings, Coal City High School Athletic Director, for an interview session to get caught up on what's happening in Coalers sports. Football is a real positive at Coal City. Many key players are back and it looks like a very promising season. The Coalers are off to a 2-0 start with wins over Seneca and Lisle.
9/11/2009 1:25:19 AM
Though the NFL season started Thursday night, most area professional football fans will have to wait another couple of days for their team, the Chicago Bears, to debut.
9/12/2009 3:02:05 AM
In freshman football action this past week, both the Morris and Minooka squads garnered victories.
9/12/2009 2:50:56 AM
Dillon Harris threw a couple of touchdown passes to Trent Wiles, one for 28 and another for 10 yards and Christian Kulla kicked a field goal and added a PAT kick in Dwight's 16-14 win over Manteno on Friday night.
9/12/2009 2:42:39 AM
The Coal City football team claimed a 48-0, running-clock victory on the road at Westmont on Friday.
9/12/2009 2:30:53 AM
Bloomington, IL. -- Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Executive Director Marty Hickman announced on Thursday, September 10 that all levels of the North Chicago High School football program will be suspended from competition until further notice. The North Chicago team and fans were involved in a fight during the varsity contest against visiting Simeon High School on Friday, September 4. The incident occurred with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Simeon led 21-0 at that juncture and was declared the winner via forfeit, as the game was called by officials following the incident.
9/12/2009 2:27:45 AM
Bishop McNamara 56, Lake Forest Academy 28
9/12/2009 1:27:53 AM
LA SALLE — One week after St. Rita spoiled their home varsity football opener, the Morris Redskins made themselves right at home in the North Central Illinois Conference.
9/12/2009 1:12:21 AM
Two weeks ago when we last met for the Saturday Sentinel, football was the talk of the town. Not much has changed since then, only the thoughts of Morris fans has gone from cautiously optimistic to the opposite side. Especially since the Redskins had started the season with an 0-2 record for the third year in a row.
9/13/2009 7:18:06 PM
WESTMONT — The Coal City football team claimed a 48-0, Interstate 8 Conference crossover varsity running-clock victory on the road at Westmont on Friday.
9/16/2009 1:10:28 AM
Morris racked up 299 yards of total offense (178 yards rushing) in the NCIC season-opening 43-7 win at Howard Fellows Stadium Friday. The Redskins are now 2-1 on the season.
9/15/2009 1:37:11 AM
Talk about a disastrous start to the football season for the Chicago Bears, and I picked them to lose to Green Bay in Sunday night's opener.
9/17/2009 1:21:10 AM
So, I have to admit that I've felt a bit sheepish in recent days. Mainly over the way that I called out the Morris football team's offensive line after two games of action.
Football
7/26/2009 2:15:00 AM
PEORIA – Bryan Bradshaw was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Illinois Coaches Association Shrine All-Star football game Saturday.
7/22/2009 2:15:00 AM
Harrison Daniels, Bryan Bradshaw and Jordan Neukirch know the quality of high school football players in Illinois.
7/9/2009 1:09:00 PM
C.J. Fiedorowicz originally balked at his mother’s idea to leave one day early last month for a 7-on-7 football passing camp at the University of Illinois.
7/3/2009 2:10:00 AM
Last season, Richmond-Burton and Crystal Lake South each made it to the state football semifinals.
7/1/2009 3:57:18 PM
Area football schedules are below
7/1/2009 2:13:00 AM
The fact that Jordan Neukirch was bigger, stronger and faster than most other players on a football field would have been enough to make him stand out.
5/7/2009 2:15:00 AM
Suburban Christian Conference athletic directors received the official word from the IHSA that any football opponents of Driscoll in the upcoming football season would receive forfeits.
4/2/2009 2:15:00 AM
ISI Athletics would like to branch out.
2/13/2009 2:00:00 AM
JOHNSBURG – Barry Creviston liked everything he saw in Johnsburg, from the school itself to the football program to the Fox Valley Conference.
2/12/2009 4:20:00 PM
JOHNSBURG – Barry Creviston liked everything he saw in Johnsburg, from the school itself to the football program to the Fox Valley Conference.
2/12/2009 2:00:00 AM
JOHNSBURG – Barry Creviston liked everything he saw in Johnsburg, from the school itself to the football program to the Fox Valley Conference.
2/6/2009 4:22:00 PM
Crystal Lake South senior Max Bush didn’t do a lot of searching for colleges where he could play football because he found what he liked right away.
2/6/2009 2:00:00 AM
Crystal Lake South senior Max Bush didn’t do a lot of searching for colleges where he could play football because he found what he liked right away.
2/5/2009 3:42:41 PM
The Bradshaw-Carpenter football relationship has come full circle.
8/3/2009 5:32:18 PM
The Rant has football on the brain and can’t wait to hear some pads crackin’ and some big ’ol linemen gruntin’. Ah yes, it looks like the weather is gonna heat up just in time for the age old tradition of two-a-days, which start in about a week.
8/7/2009 2:15:00 AM
CRYSTAL LAKE – Colin Masterson’s once-promising high school football career is finished.
8/11/2009 7:30:06 PM
The Rant feels like a kid on Christmas Eve. That’s because football practices officially start on Wednesday, and that is about the best present The Rant could get.
8/13/2009 2:15:00 AM
The words on the back of Richmond-Burton football coach Pat Elder’s T-shirt were self-explanatory.
8/14/2009 2:15:00 AM
Zack Kleven’s senior football season at Alden-Hebron was derailed before it even got started.
8/15/2009 3:04:48 PM
The pads are on, and the intensity level just went through the roof. This is what local prep football coaches and players have been waiting for. Now that we have contact, that first kick-off ain’t far off.
8/18/2009 1:03:47 PM
Each day this week, we're unveiling season preview videos on the area high school football teams.
8/24/2009 2:15:00 AM
Alden-Hebron football coach John Lalor found for a new starting quarterback at the most unlikely spot – his offensive line.
8/24/2009 2:15:00 AM
For years, Alden-Hebron pretty much had its way with football teams in the Indian Trails Conference.
8/26/2009 2:15:00 AM
CRYSTAL LAKE – Prairie Ridge football coach Chris Schremp holds Greg Drain in such high regard that he’s bucking tradition.
8/25/2009 2:15:00 AM
Richmond-Burton entered last season as a young, relatively unknown football team.
8/25/2009 2:15:00 AM
RICHMOND – In football, instinct is everything.
8/18/2009 1:03:47 PM
We've unveiled our season preview videos on all area high school football teams.
8/28/2009 2:15:00 AM
Fox Valley Conference
8/27/2009 1:00:15 PM
Our new Web show called "The Huddle" focuses on the local prep football scene.
8/29/2009 3:37:00 AM
CRYSTAL LAKE – Crystal Lake South’s Alec Giles intercepted a pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown with 7:57 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday to help the Gators secure an opening-night football victory against Grant.
8/29/2009 3:34:00 AM
CARY – If a list were compiled of local football teams that don’t need any help from their opponents, Cary-Grove likely would top it.
8/29/2009 3:24:00 AM
ALGONQUIN – A year ago, Jacobs’ football team needed three overtimes to put away Moline.
8/29/2009 2:15:00 AM
McHENRY – The third consecutive football season opener between the McHenry Warriors and the Larkin Royals started slowly, but had an exciting finish, as Larkin won 15-6.
8/29/2009 2:15:00 AM
OREGON – Richmond-Burton’s Kenny Riordan and Justin Russell both rushed for more than 100 yards as the Rockets rolled to a 35-7 season-opening football victory against Oregon a Friday at Landers-Loomis Field.
8/29/2009 2:06:58 AM
Area roundups from Week 1 of the prep football season.
8/28/2009 4:53:04 PM
It is finally time for football and The Rant couldn’t be happier. The Rant got out the face paints and his jersey from back in the 70’s, and is ready to go.
8/31/2009 2:15:00 AM
Athlete of
8/30/2009 2:15:00 AM
PALOS HEIGHTS – Marengo’s football team had not won a season opener since 2004, had not won by a double-digit margin since late in 2004 and had not shut out an opponent since 2001.
8/30/2009 2:15:00 AM
NORTH CHICAGO – Marian Central junior running back Andrew Stone had a varsity football debut to remember Saturday night.
8/29/2009 2:33:32 PM
We run down Friday's high school football games, with highlights from Crystal Lake Central at Cary-Grove, Larkin at McHenry, Grayslake Central at Johnsburg, Grant at Crystal Lake South, and Prairie Ridge at Woodstock.
9/2/2009 5:33:24 PM
The Rant is eying the Week 2 football schedule, and it looks like there are some pretty darn good match-ups for all of us football geeks.
9/2/2009 5:13:59 PM
Sports Editor Eric Olson and Senior Sports Writer Joe Stevenson analyze this week's prep football games and visit with Crystal Lake South defensive back Alec Giles.
9/4/2009 2:15:00 AM
Fox Valley Conference
9/5/2009 3:16:19 AM
Scores and info from Friday's prep football games.
9/7/2009 2:15:00 AM
Athlete of the Week
9/6/2009 2:15:00 AM
MARENGO – Marengo’s football team held on to beat Aurora Central Catholic on Saturday, 14-10, but not without a few tense moments late in fourth quarter.
9/5/2009 1:30:32 PM
The Rant’s head is spinning just thinkin’ about all the storylines from Week 2 football, and the week ain’t even over yet.
9/9/2009 6:05:42 PM
Sports Editor Eric Olson and Senior Sports Writer Joe Stevenson talk about this week's prep football games and predict winners in the weekly sports show "The Huddle." Click the link to view this week's episode.
9/9/2009 2:19:24 AM
Stats through Week 2.
9/8/2009 8:37:33 PM
Let’s face it, The Rant doesn’t know how Marengo’s football team will finish out the season any more than he knows what the Blizzard of the Month will be next month at Dairy Queen.
9/11/2009 2:15:00 AM
Northeastern Athletic
9/11/2009 2:15:00 AM
RICHMOND – Richmond-Burton’s offensive linemen look at the area football statistics with a great sense of pride.
9/12/2009 5:03:36 AM
We recap Week 3 of the prep football season, with video highlights from Stillman Valley at Richmond-Burton, Dundee-Crown at Johnsburg, Prairie Ridge at Jacobs, Grayslake Central at Crystal Lake South, and Cary-Grove at Woodstock.
9/12/2009 3:30:00 AM
GRAYSLAKE – The McHenry football team notched its first win of the season Friday, blanking Grayslake North, 42-0, in a Fox Valley Conference crossover game.
9/12/2009 3:01:18 AM
The Rant noticed that even the close football games in Week 3 of the football season weren’t that close makin’ it a night of blowouts.
9/12/2009 2:15:00 AM
WOODSTOCK – Most high school football teams would interpret a 60-6 blowout victory to mean near perfection.
9/12/2009 2:15:00 AM
HUNTLEY – Huntley’s football team scored on the opening kickoff and didn’t let up Friday night against Woodstock North.
9/12/2009 1:26:58 AM
Scores and roundups from Friday's prep football games.
9/14/2009 2:15:00 AM
Athlete of the Week
9/15/2009 2:15:00 AM
There was no shame in Harvard’s football team losing its season opener to Big Foot.
9/17/2009 2:15:00 AM
Grayslake North (1-2)
9/16/2009 8:58:18 PM
The Rant can’t believe it’s already Week 4 of the football season and he hasn’t had a pork chop sandwich yet. Time is movin’ faster than a tray of donuts at a Rant family get-together and we almost are halfway through the regular season.
