Who will win the matchup between Hinsdale Central and Downers Grove North?

The Illinois high school football season features a highly anticipated West Suburban Conference matchup between the Hinsdale Central Red Devils and the Downers Grove North Trojans on Friday, September 12, 2025.¹ This game promises to be an exciting one, with both teams coming in with a perfect 2-0 record. The Hinsdale Central Red Devils are coming off dominant wins over West Aurora and Naperville Central, showcasing a high-powered offense and a strong defense. On the other hand, the Downers Grove North Trojans are also undefeated after a thrilling 11-8 victory over Morgan Park and a dominant 55-14 win over Downers Grove South.² This makes the game a crucial one for both teams, as they seek to continue their winning streaks and establish themselves as a top contender for the West Suburban Silver Conference title.

Here’s what you need to know:
What: High School Football
Who: Hinsdale Central vs Downers Grove North
When: Friday, Sep. 12, 2025
Local time: 7 PM
Location: Illinois

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The history between these two West Suburban Conference rivals is one of the oldest in the state, with the “Old Oaken Bucket” trophy awarded to the winner of the annual game since 1935.³ Their last encounter on October 25, 2024, saw Downers Grove North defeat Hinsdale Central in a hard-fought game.⁴ This suggests that the game will be a tightly contested battle, with both teams fighting for every yard. With home-field advantage on their side, the Downers Grove North Trojans will be hoping to repeat their previous performance and secure a victory. The outcome of this game will be determined by which team can execute their game plan and capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes.

Two-Team Records, History

The Hinsdale Central Red Devils and the Downers Grove North Trojans have one of the oldest and most significant rivalries in Illinois high school football. The two teams are long-time members of the West Suburban Conference, and their annual game is a key conference matchup. The rivalry dates back to the 1930s, with the “Old Oaken Bucket” trophy becoming a symbol of the hard-fought rivalry.⁵ In their most recent contest on October 25, 2024, Downers Grove North defeated Hinsdale Central in a hard-fought battle.⁶ This win for Downers Grove North came after Hinsdale Central had dominated the rivalry in the past.

Heading into the 2025 season, the two teams are on a similar path. Hinsdale Central is currently undefeated at 2-0, with a decisive 56-7 win over West Aurora and a 28-14 victory over Naperville Central.⁷ The Red Devils have shown their strength early in the season and will be looking to continue their winning ways. Downers Grove North is also undefeated at 2-0, with impressive wins over Morgan Park and Downers Grove South.⁸ This game is a crucial early-season test for both teams. A win would give either team a significant advantage in their quest for a strong season and a possible conference championship.

Team Recent Results List, Score

Both the Hinsdale Central Red Devils and the Downers Grove North Trojans have been in action early in the 2025 season.⁹ Here is a look at their recent results:

Hinsdale Central Recent Results:

Downers Grove North Recent Results:

Hinsdale Central Team Upcoming Games Schedule

Following their game against Downers Grove North, the Hinsdale Central Red Devils have a challenging schedule ahead. They will need to maintain their focus and intensity to secure more victories and a good standing in the playoffs. Here is a look at their upcoming games:

Downers Grove North Team Upcoming Games Schedule

The Downers Grove North Trojans are hoping to continue their winning streak against Hinsdale Central and build momentum for the rest of their season. Their upcoming schedule is packed with tough conference and non-conference opponents, and they will need to be at their best to compete. Here is their upcoming schedule: