The Illinois high school football season features a highly anticipated matchup between the Neuqua Valley Wildcats and the Lincoln-Way East Griffins on Friday, September 12, 2025.¹ This game promises to be an exciting one, with both teams coming in with something to prove. The Neuqua Valley Wildcats are coming off a tough loss to Minooka, bringing their record to 1-1.² The Wildcats, with a win over Waubonsie Valley, will be looking to get back on track against a formidable opponent. On the other hand, the Lincoln-Way East Griffins are a dominant force, with a 2-0 record after impressive shutout victories over Maine South and Kankakee.³ This makes the game a crucial one for Neuqua Valley as they look to pull off an upset against a consistently top-ranked team.

Here’s what you need to know:
What: High School Football
Who: Neuqua Valley vs Lincoln
When: Friday, Sep. 12, 2025
Local time: 7 PM
Location: Illinois

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The history between these two teams has been one of high-stakes, competitive matchups. Their last encounter in October 2024 saw Lincoln-Way East defeat Neuqua Valley with a score of 48-14.⁴ While the score was one-sided, the history of these two programs suggests a hard-fought battle. With home-field advantage on their side, the Lincoln-Way East Griffins will be looking to continue their dominant run. However, the Neuqua Valley Wildcats are a tough opponent, and they will be eager to prove themselves on the road. 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 Neuqua Valley Wildcats and the Lincoln-Way East Griffins have a competitive history in Illinois high school football, with Lincoln-Way East holding the recent advantage. A notable recent game was on October 4, 2024, which saw Lincoln-Way East come away with a decisive 48-14 victory over Neuqua Valley.⁵ The Griffins have also had success against Neuqua Valley in the playoffs, as they defeated them 17-14 in the 2023 playoffs.

Heading into the 2025 season, the two teams are on different trajectories. Neuqua Valley is currently 1-1, having won their season opener against Waubonsie Valley but losing a close game to Minooka.⁶ The Wildcats will be looking to get back on track against a tough opponent. Lincoln-Way East is currently undefeated at 2-0, with impressive shutout wins over Maine South and Kankakee.⁷ The Griffins are a consistently top-ranked team in Illinois, with a history of deep playoff runs and state championships. 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 playoff berth.

Team Recent Results List, Score

Both the Neuqua Valley Wildcats and the Lincoln-Way East Griffins have been in action early in the 2025 season. Here is a look at their recent results:

Neuqua Valley Recent Results:

Lincoln-Way East Recent Results:

Neuqua Valley Team Upcoming Games Schedule

Following their game against Lincoln-Way East, the Neuqua Valley Wildcats 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:

Lincoln-Way East Team Upcoming Games Schedule

The Lincoln-Way East Griffins are hoping to continue their winning streak against Neuqua Valley 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:

For a look at a past matchup between these two teams, check out this video of the Neuqua Valley vs. Lincoln Way East football game. This video provides highlights from a previous game between these two schools.