Week 1 HS Football Recap: IHSA Football Is Officially Underway
Written by Adam Tichler on August 31, 2025
NORMAL, Ill. – Friday Night Lights is back in Illinois as the IHSA high school football season kicked off on Friday.
Normal University started the year off right where they left off, putting up 71 points as they traveled to Peoria to kick off their season. The Pioneers defeated Manuel 71-26 to start their year 1-0. Next week, UHigh will host Bloomington High School in their first home game of the season.
Bloomington Central Catholic was on the road as well to start their year as they traveled to Paxton to play Paxton-Buckley-Loda. The Saints won their season opener 21-14 to start 1-0 on the new year. Bloomington Central Catholic is home next week as they host Illinois Valley Central.
Normal Community started its season at home, hosting Peoria Richwoods. The Ironmen rolled to a 40-6 victory. Normal Community does not have to travel far for week two, as they will face Normal West next week.
Normal West also traveled to Peoria to kick off its season against Peoria Notre Dame. The Wildcats were successful in the first game, winning with a score of 34-14. Normal West hosts Normal Community in week two to see who will start the year 2-0.
Bloomington High School hosted Danville in its first game of the season. The Purple Raiders came out of the locker room hot, starting the year 1-0, winning by a final score of 40-7. Next week, Bloomington will travel to Normal and play the UHigh Pioneers.
Stay tuned for more updates throughout the season right here on WZND.