Illinois high school football teams officially start practice Wednesday for the 2026 season, with area games starting on Friday, Aug. 21. Here are five Sauk Valley area storylines to watch this season. The area’s biggest regular-season game the last few years takes place in Week 3 this season, with Dixon hosting Byron on Friday, Sept. 4. Instead of five wins, three wins looks to be the new normal to qualify, with as few as two wins also a possibility. West Carroll is another area team that looks to prove it is among the top I8FA teams in its third year of 8-man football.