PEORIA-area Teams Gear Up for Big Season with First Official Day of Football Practice
The 2026 high school football season kicked off with the first official day of practice, and Peoria-area teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting season. With big expectations and new challenges on the horizon, coaches and players are hitting the ground running to prepare for the competition ahead.
Farmington head coach Toby Vallas emphasized the importance of Day One, stating, "Day One is all about getting dialed in. It's the first time you have all your guys together with you, after a summer of jobs and vacations and baseball. It's building toward success." The team's young lineup, including just five seniors, is looking to make a statement this season.
Despite their youth, Farmington's senior offensive linemen and receiver, as well as their middle linebacker and defensive lineman, are expected to lead the team to success. The team wasted no time getting started, beginning with weightlifting at 7 a.m. and then moving on to practice.
Meanwhile, in Metamora, head coach Nick Delinski navigated the team through storms that rolled in during practice. He explained, "We moved our practice to 7 p.m. to accommodate the schedules of some coaches from outside the area who were coming in to help us out." Delinski's team is looking to live up to their high expectations, with the coach emphasizing the importance of getting better every day.
Dee-Mack, which lost a rainy IHSA Class 1A playoff game last winter, was also out on the field at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, working in the rain. Head coach Cody Myers noted, "We started this season just like we ended last season, in the rain. It was a perfect opportunity thinking about how we ended in the second round." The team's increased roster of 58 players is a testament to their growing popularity.
Notre Dame High School, on the other hand, is leaning on a small but elite roster, including Dallas Harder, Noah Tockes, and Thomas Baker. With just 30 players on the roster, down from 43 last season, the Irish are quality over quantity this season. Head coach Pat Armstrong emphasized the importance of conditioning, stating, "We need to win the first quarter." The team's unique tradition of beginning and ending each season in chapel is also a key part of their culture.
The season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Peoria-area teams, with high expectations and new challenges on the horizon. As the teams continue to prepare for the competition ahead, one thing is clear: only time will tell which teams will emerge victorious.
Source: Yahoo Sports