2026 Week 2 IHSA Football: Will & Grundy County Previews
Source: The Shaw Local News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
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Week 2 of the 2026 IHSA football season brings a full slate of nonconference matchups across Will and Grundy counties, with teams looking to build on early successes or recover from opening-week setbacks. The action kicks off Friday evening and extends into Saturday.
Joliet Central (1-0) travels to Bremen (0-1) for a 7 p.m. Friday kickoff. The Steelmen opened with a win for the second straight year, but last season that victory was followed by eight consecutive losses. A strong second-half defensive effort against Thornridge — holding them scoreless after the break — offers hope that this year will be different. Bremen, which has won just one game over the past two seasons, was routed 56-6 by Glenbard South in Week 1 and continues to struggle offensively. The Friday Night Drive pick favors Joliet Central.
Yorkville (1-0) visits Joliet West (0-1) at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Foxes used an experienced roster to grind out a win over Crete-Monee, with wide receiver Joel Castillo catching five passes for 130 yards. Joliet West has historically struggled against Southwest Prairie Conference crossover opponents, but its defense features impact players who can set the tone while the offense finds its footing. The pick is Yorkville.
Sacred Heart Griffin (1-0) takes on Joliet Catholic (0-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Cyclones survived a late scare, scoring with less than 10 seconds left to beat Lincoln-Way Central after nearly blowing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead. Quarterback Cam Brinkman, a dual-threat, will be key. Joliet Catholic showed promise in a loss to defending Class 6A champion Fenwick, but growing pains are expected with younger players, including sophomore quarterback Liam Huffman, who threw for 147 yards in his debut. The pick is Joliet Catholic.
Lincoln-Way East (1-0) hosts Kankakee (1-0) at 6 p.m. Friday. The Griffins, despite losing high-end talent, edged highly regarded Brother Rice, with quarterback Evan LeFevour providing steady leadership and running back Aidan Cavanaugh grinding out tough yards. Kankakee, which beat Edwardsville on a long road trip, features explosive offensive weapons and quarterback Phillip Turner. The pick is Lincoln-Way East.
Lockport (0-1) welcomes Naperville Central (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Porters lost to Glenbard West but believe in testing themselves against top competition, a strategy that worked in last year's run to the Class 8A semifinals. Quarterback Griffin Russell showed flashes in his varsity debut, and the receiving corps is deep. Naperville Central, coming off a 2-7 season, struggled in a Week 1 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South. The pick is Lockport.
Lincoln-Way Central (0-1) hosts Barrington (0-1) at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Knights rallied from 17 points down against Sacred Heart Griffin before losing on a last-second touchdown, but they showed playmakers, especially wide receiver Lucas Maeder. Barrington, which has averaged 10 wins per season over the last three years, lost a narrow decision to Lyons and typically puts up points in a high-octane offense. The pick is Barrington.
Peoria High (0-1) visits Lincoln-Way West (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Lions, one of the state's top-scoring teams in recent years, showed defensive vulnerabilities in a loss to Peoria Richwoods. Lincoln-Way West, facing a schedule where all nine opponents made the playoffs last season, earned a comfortable win at Belleville East, allowing just seven points. The pick is Lincoln-Way West.
Kenwood (0-1) travels to Providence (1-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Broncos, a solid Chicago Public League team, scared Palatine in Week 1 before falling. Providence beat St. Rita on the road, with the running back duo of Broden Mackert and Brayden McKay proving difficult to stop, and the defense showing signs of dominance. The pick is Providence.
Bolingbrook (0-1) hosts Simeon (0-1) at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The Raiders had a disappointing start, shut out by Homewood-Flossmoor while missing several injured linemen, and struggled to get stops. They started slowly last year before catching fire in the second half. Simeon, once the CPL's top team, lost to Marist in Week 1 and struggled offensively until late. The pick is Bolingbrook.
Neuqua Valley (0-1) faces Minooka (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Warriors hung with Class 8A finalist Oswego in the first half before fading, and have won only five games over the last two seasons. Minooka lost to St. Charles North 28-7 after a schedule change, and its roster is largely inexperienced. The pick is Neuqua Valley.
Plainfield North (1-0) takes on Glenbard East (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Tigers scaled back their nonconference schedule and beat Lake Park, relying on sturdy defense. Glenbard East lost in overtime to Willowbrook, but has won exactly eight regular-season games in each of the last three campaigns. The pick is Glenbard East.
Plainfield Central (1-0) visits Metea Valley (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Wildcats scored 59 points in Week 1, more than half their total from last season, suggesting a potential turnaround. Metea Valley has won no more than two games since 2021 and lost to St. Charles East. The pick is Plainfield Central.
Plainfield East (1-0) hosts De La Salle (0-1) at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The Bengals flattened Argo, with running back David Croom setting the tone early. De La Salle, which had to cut its 2024 season short due to numbers, has won just one game over the last two seasons. The pick is Plainfield East.
Andrew (1-0) travels to Plainfield South (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. The T-Bolts beat Class 5A semifinalist Oak Forest, with running back Landon Parades and tight end Luke Lewandowski leading an offensive line that controls the line of scrimmage. Plainfield South earned first-year head coach Rob Szudarski his first win, with quarterback Armani Ford showing a touch on deep throws. The pick is Andrew.
Romeoville (0-1) visits Tinley Park (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. The Spartans managed just three points in a loss to Stagg, but their defense held Stagg to six points. Tinley Park has lost nine straight but showed a robust offense in its loss, with experienced quarterback Randy Ludke leading the way. The pick is Tinley Park.
Kaneland (1-0) takes on Lemont (0-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Kaneland rolled over Rock Island, with quarterback Brody Guthrie going 9 for 11 for three touchdowns before easing up. Lemont ran into a buzzsaw against Morris, but settled in after the initial storm. The pick is Kaneland.
Morris (1-0) visits Coal City (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Morris exploded past Lemont, with quarterback Marion Persich accounting for five touchdowns in a mercy-rule win. Coal City also forced the mercy rule against Pontiac, with running back Logan Natyshok chewing up yards. The pick is Morris.
Wilmington (1-0) travels to Morrison (0-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Wilmington's run defense was dominant in a win over Bishop McNamara, and opponents will likely struggle to run against them. Morrison, unable to find a Week 1 opponent, opens its season against a small-school powerhouse. The pick is Wilmington.
Peotone (1-0) hosts Marengo (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. Peotone followed its blueprint, rushing for over 300 yards, with Elliott Chenoweth doing most of the damage. Marengo routed Streator, with quarterback Sam Vandello throwing four touchdowns in the second quarter and finishing with five total. The pick is Marengo.
Decatur St. Teresa (1-0) visits Reed-Custer (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday. St. Teresa upset Quincy Notre Dame, with quarterback Gavin Paul providing a dual threat and a strong defense. Reed-Custer easily beat Harvard, but faces a tougher test this week; running back Kaden Klein is a big threat. The pick is St. Teresa.
Forreston (1-0) hosts Seneca (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. Forreston looked strong against Dwight, with Connor Politsch scoring three touchdowns, and may be poised for postseason noise. Seneca lost much of its offensive production to graduation and is likely to face early bumps. The pick is Forreston.
Chicago Christian (1-0) visits Dwight (0-1) at 7 p.m. Friday. Christian, two years removed from a Class 2A state title, looks to bounce back from a 3-6 season with a more experienced roster. Dwight struggled against Forreston but has enough talent to rebound. The pick is Chicago Christian.
Article commentary
Week 2 of the 2026 IHSA football season in Will and Grundy counties offers a fascinating snapshot of where teams stand early in the year. The nonconference slate is packed with matchups that test programs against different styles and competition levels, often revealing more about a team's identity than a conference game might. One of the most compelling narratives involves Joliet Central. The Steelmen have developed a troubling pattern: an opening win followed by a collapse. Last season, that meant eight straight losses. The difference this time might be the defensive improvement shown in the second half against Thornridge. Holding an opponent scoreless after the break is a significant step for a program that has struggled to close games. Friday's trip to Bremen, a team that has won only once in two years, is the kind of game Joliet Central must win to break the cycle. If they stumble again, the psychological toll could be devastating. Yorkville vs. Joliet West is another intriguing matchup. The Foxes' experience and the emergence of Joel Castillo as a deep threat make them a tough out. Joliet West's historical difficulty against SPC crossover opponents is a concern, but their defense has the potential to keep games close. The question is whether the offense can produce enough to support that effort. A loss here would put the Tigers behind the eight-ball early in a tough schedule. Lincoln-Way East's performance against Brother Rice sent a clear message: even with heavy graduation losses, the Griffins are not rebuilding. They are reloading. Evan LeFevour's steady hand at quarterback and Aidan Cavanaugh's physical running give them a balanced attack. But Kankakee is no pushover. The Kays' willingness to travel to Edwardsville and win shows they are fearless. Phillip Turner can exploit any defensive weakness, and this game could be a shootout. The pick favors East, but Kankakee has the firepower to pull the upset. Lockport's philosophy of seeking tough competition is admirable, but it carries risks. A loss to Glenbard West in Week 1 is not a disaster, but facing Naperville Central, a team that went 2-7 last season, is a must-win if the Porters want to build momentum. Naperville Central's struggles in Week 1 suggest they are still searching for an identity. Lockport's young quarterback Griffin Russell showed flashes, and the receiving corps is deep. If the Porters can establish the run and protect the ball, they should prevail. Perhaps the most surprising story is Plainfield Central's offensive explosion. Scoring 59 points in a game is remarkable for a team that managed only 108 points all of last season. The Wildcats have clearly found something on offense, but whether that translates to sustained success remains to be seen. Metea Valley, which has struggled for years, is a good opportunity to prove the Week 1 performance was not a fluke. Morris and Coal City both imposed the mercy rule in Week 1, setting up a clash of high-powered offenses. Morris's quarterback Marion Persich was electric in his debut, and Coal City's Logan Natyshok is a workhorse. This game could be a track meet, and the winner will gain early confidence as a contender in their respective conferences. On the small-school side, Wilmington's run defense is a weapon that could carry them deep into the postseason. Morrison, starting its season a week late, faces an uphill battle against a team that has already played a game. The disparity in preparation time could be decisive. Overall, Week 2 will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Teams that can build on Week 1 successes or correct early mistakes will position themselves for playoff runs. Those that fall into old habits or fail to adjust will face an uphill climb. The nonconference period is about finding answers, and this weekend provides plenty of opportunities for both.