Prep sports are back as fall practice starts
Our 2025 prep newsletter debuts today with the start of practices for football, girls volleyball, boys soccer and more fall sports.
Dick Quagliano reports on Palatine and Grant football, both primed for big seasons.
Read about St. Charles North's prospects for another excellent season in the DuKane Conference.
And our football conference previews begin with a look at the Central Suburban League North.
Plenty of stars return for Batavia
Matthew Plumb is one of the many North Stars who returned from their DuKane Conference title team from last season. The North Stars enter the season as one of the most experienced teams in the state, with 17 of their starters from last season returning in 2025. Of those returners, eight of them are on defense.
Palatine, Grant looking to return to playoffs
Palatine and Grant are among the suburban teams looking to extend playoff streaks this season.
“I miss this,” Palatine quarterback Will Santiago said. “A lot of people hate school. I missed being in the hallways and seeing all my teachers and teammates and coaches. And getting back here out in the field tops the day.”
Breaking down the Central Suburban League
Can Maine West make it four CSL titles in a row? If the Warriors are going to do it, it will be with an entirely revamped team.
Vernon Hills running back Giuseppe Urso is among the players to watch in the conference this season as well.
10 senior football recruits to watch this season
There’s a lot of talent in the trenches this fall. Palatine’s Tony Balanganayi, an Illinois commit, and Naperville North defensive lineman Gabriel Hill, an Indiana commit, are among the players to watch.
The suburbs top quarterbacks
Montini’s Israel Abrams, Fremd’s Johnny O’Brien, Maine South’s Jameson Purcell and Carmel’s Trae Taylor are among the quarterbacks expected to put up big numbers this fall.
Prep football player of the year candidates
“Edgy” Tim O’Halloran takes a look at several preseason player of the year candidates in the Daily Herald coverage area.