The Kankakee Valley Kougars are set to commence their postseason campaign on Friday night, facing Gary West Side in a Class 4A state tournament matchup.
According to the schedule, the game is slated for October 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Gary West Side High School. This marks the Kougars’ first-round appearance in the 2025 Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) Football State Tournament, which is presented by the Indianapolis Colts.
Kankakee Valley approaches this contest with a record of 1–8, seeking to recover from a challenging regular season. The team has relied significantly on their ground game, spearheaded by running back Kamari Loggins, who averages over 88 rushing yards per game. On defense, linebacker Aizayah Sanders has been pivotal with more than six tackles per outing, while Dante Heard has contributed notably on the line with a team-high average of one sack per game.
Gary West Side enters the match with an overall record of 3–4 and presents a balanced offensive strategy. Quarterback Marcell Dixon leads this effort with an average of 156 passing yards per game, supported by receiver Edward Maldonado, who adds nearly 47 receiving yards per contest.
The winner of this matchup will advance to the second round of the Class 4A state tournament scheduled for October 31.
