Joel Boenitz

While it was only the quarterfinal round of the IHSA football playoffs, the defense played a big part in helping Batavia, Geneva and St. Francis find themselves one step closer to winning the state title.

St. Charles North's full-court defense picked up 21 steals, with Sydney Johnson having seven and Bronwyn How taking five, to stifle Prairie Ridge's offense in a 54-16 victory at the Burlington Central Tournament.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview the semifinal round of the IHSA football playoffs in the western suburbs

Girls basketball season is almost here. Here are previews of teams from around the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

For three straight seasons, Benet has found itself just one set away from getting its hands on the Class 4A championship trophy. But for the third straight season, the quest ended just short. Marist rallied from down a set to beat Benet 19-25, 25-16, 25-19.

Timothy Christian used a balanced attack around Abby VanderWal, Bella Potempa and Ella Rickert to secure a straight-set victory over El Paso to secure third place in Class 2A, tying for the program's best finish at state.

Benet put up 14 total blocks, with Wisconsin-bound Lynney Tarnow dropping four of them, to take down Huntley in straight sets to advance to its third consecutive Class 4A title match.

Timothy Christian had its 38-match winning streak snapped with a 25-21, 25-16 loss to Bloomington Central Catholic in the Class 2A semifinals on Friday in Normal.

After having six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown, as well as a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown in the Round 2 victory over Burlington Central, Geneva wide receiver Talyn Taylor has been named the Friday Night Drive Team of the Week MVP.

Here's a look at the three quarterfinal matchups for Kane County Chronicle teams.

Six players from the Kane County area were named to the IFHSCA 2024 All-State team, with Geneva and St. Francis having two players nominated, while Batavia, Burlington Central and St. Charles North each having one.

Join hosts Josh Welge and Joel Boenitz as they preview the quarterfinal round of the IHSA football playoffs in the western suburbs

After rolling out new offensive threats for the postseason in each of the last two seasons, Batavia QB Michael Vander-luitgaren is the newest weapon. Plus, notes on Geneva and St. Francis' wins, as well as St. Charles North's season coming to an end.

Led by dominant net play from Brooklynne Brass and Lynney Tarnow, Benet secured a 25-17, 25-15 victory over New Trier to advance to state for the third straight season.

Mount Carmel put up 48 consecutive points, led by a five-touchdown night from Jack Elliott and 321 yards on the ground, to defeat St. Charles North 48-15 and advance to the Class 7A quarterfinals.