There was a common theme in huddles and during drills around town for the local prep football teams as they kicked off their first practices of the season on Monday.

For the Daily Journal’s four All-Area teams that held their first practice – the tackle football teams at Bradley-Bourbonnais , Bishop McNamara and Kankakee , and the Boilermakers’ girls flag team – all four head coaches used the word “exciting” to describe the first official day of the 2025 season.

“This is my 26th year of coaching high school football, and I’m just as excited now as I was 26 years ago,” Boilers tackle football coach Mike Kohl said. “It’s a fun time for the kids in our program and a fun time for this area.”

Whether it’s locally, in the Southwest Valley Conference or Class 7A, the Boilermakers have as

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