Illini West's Jim Unruh Resigns after 25 Years as Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
Illinois High School Football Huddle

Football practice across the state begins August 10th, but legendary coach Jim Unruh will not be on the Illini West sideline.

Unruh resigned last week after an incredible career that saw him win six state titles between Illini West and Carthage High Schools.  His overall record in 25-years as head coach at the school was 256-45.

Unruh goes out on a high, with his team having won last year's 3A title, plus he won 40 of his last 41 games.

2011 Illinois High School Football Schedules Released

by Jeff Fisher
Illinois High School Football Huddle

30 days and counting until the official start of football in Illinois.

Practice begins Wednesday, August 10th with the first games being played two weeks later starting on August 26th.

To get you ready for the season, below I'm posting links to the week-by-week schedule posted by the Illinois High School Association.

Once again, Illinois is playing a nine-game regular season schedule with the postseason starting the weekend of October 28th.

Highlighting this year's schedule are 46-games against out-of-state opponents.  This year, various Illinois teams will play 21 games against Missouri opponents; 14 against Indiana; 3 against Wisconsin; 2 against Kentucky; and 1 each against Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee and Washington DC.

East St. Louis, Illinois' all-time wins leader, has the one of the most diverse interstate schedules with a trip to Georgia to face North Gwinnett and then a home game against Gardner-Edgerton from Kansas.

Click here to check-out the weekly schedules

Maine South will be looking for its fourth straight state championship in the fall.  Wheaton Warrenville South and Montini will each be going for the three-peat.

Below are the defending champs in all eight classifications:

8A- Maine South
7A- Wheaton Warrenville South
6A- Rockford Boylan
5A- Montinti
4A- Alleman
3A- Illini West
2A- Newman Central Catholic
1A- Lena-Winslow

Libertyville HS Football Coach Trying to Get a "W" Against Cancer

by Jeff Fisher
Illinois High School Football Huddle

The Lake Forester is reporting today that Libertyville head football coach Randy Kuceyeski is heading into his final season on the sidelines with more than his usual set of goals.

The publication is reporting that Kuceyeski, who is entering his 18th season with the Wildcats, has been diagnosed with cancer.  Kuceyeski tells the newspaper that he plans to stay on the sidelines for his final season while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Here's hoping that Coach K gets a big W in his fight against one of the toughest opponents of all!

Click here to read the full story.