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All the stories in one place: Peoria's ultimate guide to 2024 high school football

adam duvall, peoria journal star
·4 min read

The 2024 high school football season has arrived in Illinois. Games kick off Friday, Aug. 30 across the Peoria area.

The Journal Star's preseason coverage of the high school season includes complete schedules, lists of the top players at multiple positions, new coaches and so much more.

Here's a compilation of our coverage for 2024:

Which teams are the best?

We will be predicting and previewing the Peoria teams in the Big 12 Conference, along with all eight teams the Mid-Illini Conference. We're also ranking each team and picking the programs with the best shot at a state title.

Best players around Peoria

Journal Star reporter Adam Duvall selected the top players in the Peoria area with our inaugural Dandy Dozen. He also broke down the top players in five positional categories: Linemen, defenders, receivers, running backs and quarterbacks. Here are links to each of the lists, for subscribers only.

Practice makes perfect

The first day of high school football practice in Illinois was Monday, Aug. 12. Adam Duvall took a spin around central Illinois to talk to players and coaches at Notre Dame, East Peoria and Illinois Valley Central. Here are questions ahead of the 2024 season, our coverage of the first day, and a look at Washington's ongoing Mom's Night tradition.

Who's playing in Peoria?

We have every game for you, plus a few highlights we spotlighted for you. Week 1 is Aug. 30, with playoff pairings set on Oct. 26 — and the first postseason games in the first weekend of November. When it comes to filling your Friday night calendar, we have you covered.

New coaches and offseason news

There are at least six new coaches taking over across the Peoria area, including four in the Big 12 and Mid-Illini conferences. Plus, a look at other news and notes from the football offseason.

College football recruit Mack Sutter

Dunlap Eagles quarterback, linebacker and receiver Mack Sutter is entering his junior year with a plethora of Division I football scholarships to choose from.
Dunlap Eagles quarterback, linebacker and receiver Mack Sutter is entering his junior year with a plethora of Division I football scholarships to choose from.

Dunlap junior Mack Sutter was a story all his own this offseason, attracting offers from 33 NCAA Division-I programs since the spring. Here is a look at each story about the intriguing Class of 2026 tight end:

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois high school football: Peoria's ultimate fan guide