We know which teams will play at the 2008 WDWS/News-Gazette Shootout at the Hall presented by State Farm. In Friday morning's News-Gazette, we'll unveil the matchups.

The third annual event is Dec. 13 at the Assembly Hall, the first game starting at 10:30 a.m. and the last game at 9 p.m.

He hasn't played a down of football this season. But nobody questions Craig Drummond's ability. Or his college potential.
The Chicago Morgan Park defensive end, a News-Gazette All-Stater in 2007, is the latest prep standout to join Ron Zook's 2009 recruiting class.

News you can't leave work without:

Former Tuscola star John Wienke might not be the last from his family to play quarterback at a Big Ten school.

Little brother Jud last week completed his sophomore season for Waterloo West High. The 6-foot-4, 222-pounder threw for 1,296 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in six games.

MADISON, Wis. – Each day, he walks by the reminder. The year screams at him: 1927.

That's the last time Illinois won a football national championship, a fact that the newcomer learned quickly.

Two minutes with: Illinois football recruit Darryl Lee

Charlie Balagna's senior year was going as planned. Farmington had reached the five-win mark to qualify the Farmers for the playoffs by Week 7. Balagna was the sparkplug behind the Farmers' successful season, rushing for 763 yards on 81 attempts and leading the team with 81 tackles and three interceptions.

But sometimes bad breaks happen in football.

News you can't leave work without: There was some early fretting among some of the fans. Was Illinois struggling to put together a top recruiting class for 2009?
Rivals.com national recruiting expert Jeremy Crabtree has the answer: no.
“They’re one of the top classes in the Big Ten,” Crabtree said. “We’ve got them around the top 15 (nationally) and they are still in a position to sign an elite class."

Each weekday, Jeremy Werner writers a recruiting blog for HQ. For Friday, he talked to Illinois football recruit Jake Feldmeyer.