2026 High School Football Schedules Redefine Local Rivalries
The 2026 high school football season for New Trier, Loyola Academy and Highland Park will begin a week earlier than in previous years, a shift driven by the Illinois High School Association’s decision to expand playoff brackets.
That change compresses the regular season, pushing every kickoff forward and reshaping the weekly rhythm for coaches, players and fans across the North Shore.
New Divisions and Realigned Rivalries
The Central Suburban League, once split into two six‑team divisions, is now organized into three four‑team groups, altering the landscape of rivalries and playoff seeding.
In the new alignment, New Trier finds itself in the CSL South alongside Maine South, Evanston and Glenbrook South, while Highland Park joins the CSL Central with Deerfield, Glenbrook North and Niles West.
Cross‑State Journeys and Stadium Showdowns
Loyola Academy will test its mettle against out‑of‑state competition, opening the season with a trip to Indianapolis, and later meeting Evanston at Northwestern University’s newly renovated Ryan Field in Week 9.
The full slate of games includes matchups against Naperville North, Waubonsie Valley, Vernon Hills, Maine West and a host of other traditional foes, promising a packed schedule that will keep the region’s football conversations buzzing throughout the fall.