Kaneland football coach Mike Thorgesen has said that his team last year had boys, but this team has men. Jake Buckley is a man among boys. A chiseled 6-foot-4 and 265-pound senior, Buckley is the anchor of Kaneland’s line on both sides of the ball.

In the 25th annual “Battle of the Big Butts” Lineman Challenge, host West Aurora walked away with top team honors among 24 teams after winning three team events for the second consecutive season.

St. Francis is motivated to take the next step in the playoffs, after its season ended in the semifinals the last three years. With a talented receiving corps led by Michigan State recruit Zach Washington, the Spartans have the pieces in place for another deep run.