Prep Sports

Restore the roar: Lisle football returns like it never left

Lisle had to cancel the varsity football schedule last year due to low numbers. But the Lions are back with a confident group of juniors.

Boys golf season preview: From Class 3A to 1A, no shortage of teams eyeing state trophies

Girls golf season preview: Stevenson, Hinsdale Central among those trying to dethrone Glenbrook North

Naperville Central cornerback Eron Kennedy ‘lets the game come to him.’ Division I offers are coming too.

Two-way star Justin Douglas mans the middle at linebacker for No. 8 Aurora Christian

Third-year quarterback Carter McDonald returns to lead the way for South Elgin

Hersey football players hustle to their next drill during practice this week. (Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald)

Why preseason prep football practice matters

This edition of the High Five looks at why preseason high school football practice matters.

Lamar Osterhues ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns as a sophomore last year for MSL West champion Barrington. (Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald)

High school football 2026: Scouting the MSL West

Barrington Last year: 10-2, 5-0 (First in MSL West) Coach: Joe Sanchez Top returning players: Lamar Osterhues (5-7, 170, Jr., RB); Jack Kavanagh (6-3, 30...

Hersey coach Tom Nelson talks to players at practice last week. The Huskies won the MSL East last year with a 5-0 record. (Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald)

High school football 2026: Scouting the MSL East

Hersey looks to defend championship behind Kentucky-bound QB Jake Nawrot

Naperville North's Jack Zitko (12) leaps for more yards past Naperville Central's Gavin Ellison during last year’s matchup at North Central College in Naperville. The teams are going back to DuPage Valley Conference play this fall after playing the past two seasons in the Southwest Suburban. (Brian Hill/Daily Herald)

DuPage Valley Conference football is back, renewing rivalries. ‘That’s a good thing.’ But challenges remain

Football teams from the DuPage Valley Conference are back together following the dissolution of a two-year merger with the SouthWest Suburban Conference. That setup had c...

Antioch’s Logan Lennon looks for room to run against Wauconda’s Khalil Roberson last season in Wauconda. (John Starks/Daily Herald)

Division I prospect Logan Lennon makes things happen for Antioch

Antioch’s Logan Lennon can do virtually anything on a football field. A 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior who has an offer from Miami of Ohio and interest from other MAC teams, ...

West Aurora's Bryce Riley, a senior running back/linebacker, takes a break before preseason practice at Ormond Stadium on Wednesday. (Rick Armstrong/for The Beacon-News)

Speedy running back Bryce Riley doing double duty at West Aurora

If busy hands are indeed happy hands, it’s no wonder that West Aurora’s Bryce Riley sports a smile these days preparing for his third varsity season. The senior running b...

Montini's Israel Abrams celebrates with his teammates after beating Morris in the Class 4A semifinals last season. (Brian Hill/Daily Herald)

Countdown to prep football: Three bold predictions for the 2026 season

Kevin Schmit: Our countdown to prep football continues with three bold predictions for the upcoming season.

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