NEW LENOX, Ill. — After reaching the state semifinals last fall, Lincoln-Way Central football enters 2025 with confidence and high expectations.
Head coach David Woodburn said last year’s playoff run serves as a building block. “We made a nice run in the playoffs, got to the semifinals, and had a chance to go to the state championship,” Woodburn said. “This year, the expectation is to make another run in November and put the best product on the field.”
Woodburn credited the team’s success to the combined effort of players, coaches, and community support. He emphasized that the Knights’ culture starts in January with weight training, team-building, and mental toughness. “We challenge these guys physically and mentally, and they buy into what we’re doing,” Woodburn said.
Assistant coach Mitch Nowicki added that the focus is on steady improvement. “If we keep building and keep believing, we’ll play a year with a lot of confidence,” Nowicki said.
With a strong senior class leading the way, the Knights aim to return to the postseason and compete with the best in Illinois.