A new division, earlier start and fresh matchups highlight local 2026 football schedules
JUMP TO SCHEDULE: New Trier | Loyola Academy | Highland Park
Football is right at the corner — even more so than in the past.
With the IHSA expanding the playoff brackets (16 more teams per class), the postseason begins sooner and thus, so does the regular season.
That means, high school football is incoming. Stay tuned to TheRecordNorthShore.org for full season previews. But for now, here are your 2026 schedules for New Trier and Loyola Academy, both Class 8A programs.
Note that you may come across some differences from previous years. For instance, the Central Suburban League is now three, four-team divisions — instead of two, six-team ones. New Trier is grouped with Maine South, Evanston and Glenbrook South in the CSL South, and new division CSL Central features Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenbrook North and Niles West.
While a familiar Loyola foe, Marist is now a league opponent as it has transitioned into the Chicago Catholic League Blue, joining powerhouses Loyola Academy, Brother Rice and Mount Carmel.
Local teams also have a couple exciting round trips, as the Ramblers will travel to Indianapolis in Week 2, and the Trevians will go just up the road in Week 9 to take on Evanston at Northwestern University’s new Ryan Field.
NEW TRIER 2026 SCHEDULE (2025: 5-5; IHSA Class 8A playoff first round)
Opponent (2025 record) Day, Date Home/Away Last year’s result Naperville North (6-4)^ 7 p.m. Fri., Aug. 21 Home Win: 20-14 Waubonsie Valley (2-7) 7 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28 Away Win: 24-14 Vernon Hills (5-5)^ 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 4 Home N/A Maine South (10-2)*^ 7 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 10 Home Loss: 35-7 Niles West (2-7) 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 18 Away N/A Deerfield (1-8) 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25 Home Win: 44-7 Maine West (3-6) 6:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 2 Away N/A Glenbrook South (8-3)*^ 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 9 Home Loss: 45-0 Evanston (3-6)*^ 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 16 Away (Ryan Field) Win: 35-6
^ 2025 playoff qualifier
LOYOLA ACADEMY 2026 SCHEDULE (2025: 4-5; IHSA Class 8A playoff first round)
Opponent (2025 record) Time, Day, Date Home/Away Last year’s result Warren (9-2)^ 7:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 21 Away N/A Cathedral (Indianapolis) (7-4)^ 7 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28 Away N/A St. Rita (9-5)^ 7 p.m. Sat., Sept. 4 Home N/A Brother Rice (13-1)*^ 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 11 Home Loss: 28-6 Benet Academy (3-6) 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 19 Away N/A Marist (4-5)^ 7:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25 Away N/A St. Ignatius (2-7)* 1:30 p.m. Sat, Oct. 3 Home Win: 28-7 IC Catholic (8-4) 7:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 9 Away N/A Mount Carmel (11-3)*^ 6:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 16 Home Loss: 35-24
^ 2025 playoff qualifier
HIGHLAND PARK* 2026 SCHEDULE (2025: 7-3; Central Suburban North champs, Class 6A postseason first round)
Opponent (2025 record) Time, Day, Date Home/Away Last year’s result Leyden (4-5) 6:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 21 Away Win: 21-6 St. Charles East (1-8) 6:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 28 Home N/A Glenbrook North (2-7)* 6:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 4 Home N/A Maine East (0-9) 7:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 10 Away Win: 49-0 Evanston (3-6)^ 7:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 18 Home N/A Glenbrook South (8-3)^ 7 p.m. Fri., Sept. 25 Away N/A Deerfield (1-8)* 7 p.m. Fri., Oct. 2 Away Win: 28-21 Niles North (3-6) 6:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 9 Home Win: 38-13 Niles West (2-7)* 6:30 p.m. Fri., Oct. 16 Home Win: 28-0
^ 2025 playoff qualifier
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