2023 IHSA football schedule release: Kane County’s top games to watch, week-by-week

The IHSA recently unveiled the 2023 regular-season football schedule. Here are top games to watch, week by week, in the Kane County Chronicle coverage area.

Week 1

Downers Grove North at St. Francis

7:30 p.m., Aug. 25

The nonconference game will feature one of Kane County’s best quarterbacks in Ball State commit Alessio Milivojevic versus the Downers Grove North Trojans, who made it to the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs in 2022. This season, the Spartans will join the Chicago Catholic League.

Week 2

Lincoln Way East at Batavia

7 p.m., Sept. 1

In last year’s tilt, Batavia found itself unable to dig out of a big first-half hole against the eventual Class 8A state runner-up. The Griffins scored 31 points and their defense shut down a usually consistent Bulldogs offensive attack. That’ll be a bulletin-board reminder for Batavia.

Week 3

Morris at Kaneland

7 p.m., Sept. 8

The Knights kick off Interstate Eight/Kishwaukee Conference play against Morris. Kaneland lost last year’s meeting in Morris by eight points. This game should be a momentum boost for the victorious team.

Week 4

Batavia at St. Charles North

7 p.m., Sept. 15

Both programs need little reminding how the game for the DuKane Conference outright title went last year. Drew Surges’ miraculous touchdown run and double-overtime performance for St. Charles North was one for the memory banks. While this marquee conference matchup comes much earlier than years past, it still will hold plenty of weight in the title chase.

Week 5

Geneva at Glenbard North

7 p.m., Sept. 22

The Vikings won a tight game last year. This figures to be a key matchup for both teams. Geneva will have Batavia and Wheaton North looming in consecutive weeks. Glenbard North hosts Lake Park the following week before closing with road games against St. Charles North and Batavia sandwiched around a home slate against Wheaton North.

Week 6

Batavia at Geneva

7 p.m., Sept. 29

One of the oldest rivalries in Illinois high school football, this game always is circled on the calendar. Under coach Dennis Piron, Batavia has never lost to Geneva and has won every game since 2010. Geneva had a potential upset brewing in the first half last year before a three-touchdown performance by the Bulldogs’ Drew Gerke.

Week 7

Geneva at Wheaton North

7 p.m., Oct. 6

Geneva fell to the Falcons in a rainy affair last year. Both teams traditionally field defenses that make it tough to run the ball. The Vikings feature one of the best wide receiver prospects in the state in Talyn Taylor. This should be a good one.

Week 8

St. Charles East at Geneva

7 p.m., Oct. 13

The Saints struggled last year, but a win in this game could muddy whatever the DuKane Conference race looks like down the stretch.

Week 9

St. Francis at Nazareth Academy

7:30 p.m., Oct. 20

We’ll have to wait and see how the season progresses, but these two teams have won a lot of football games in the past few seasons. The deciding game for the conference title? Maybe.