Week 4 of the Illinois high school football season includes an important duel in the Mid-Illini Conference between Morton and Washington.
The Panthers have a 27-game Mid-Illini Conference win streak on the line.
East Peoria running back R.J. Jackson, who this season became the program’s all-time leading rusher and touchdown scorer, is leading the Raiders through a road showdown at Metamora against a Redbirds defense considered one of the best in the area.
There is a full slate of games from teams in the Peoria area.
Here is the Journal Star preps experience for Week 4, your one-stop shop as we look around the Peoria-area football landscape in the fourth week of the 2026 high school season:
Watch IHSA football games on NFHS Network all season
Two more varsity programs shut down
Clinton High School is facing Ridgeview/Lexington on Friday night in what will be a program farewell for the 2026 season.
The school opted to cancel the remainder of its season, though it will allow its players to compete in one final game on Friday night.
The Clinton High School Maroons are 0-3 on the season and have lost 17 games in a row. The team’s head coach, Coach Bass, shared the decision this week on X.
Hoopston also essentially called off the rest of its season this week. It is forfeiting the Week 4 game against Bismarck-Henning, but will play Week 5 against Momence, which will serve as Hoopston’s senior night. The program will then shut down for the remainder of the season.
Clinton coach Bass made the announcement in a letter to the team’s families. He wrote:
“Dear Maroon families. I first want to thank you for your support and speaking your voice (tonight) at our parent meeting. You know these are not easy decisions. This is the plan moving forward.
“We will play varsity this Friday night against Ridgeview. We will then cancel the rest of our varsity schedule and go to a (junior varsity) schedule. (Athletic director Matt) Mr. Koeppel will begin calling schools (tomorrow) morning to find schools that will allow our seniors to play in the JV games. More information to come.
“All parties in the decision feel for our seniors and are going to do their best to make sure you keep playing football.”
Both Clinton and Hoopston are battling low participation numbers and injuries.
How it impacts Peoria area teams
Eureka High School was on Clinton’s schedule for Week 5.
El Paso-Gridley was scheduled to host Clinton on Week 9.
Both teams will try to find replacement games.
Here’s where to find the Week 4 schedule
The Week 4 schedule for Peoria area teams can be found by tapping here.
Here are the live scores for Week 4
Check out the live-updated scores for Week 4 right here.
IHSA football picks and predictions for Week 4
Who’s gonna win? Check outAdam Duvall‘s picks for Week 4, all in one place by tapping right here.
Who are the best of the best? State rankings
Check out the Illinois state rankings heading into Week 4 action by tapping here.
Peoria-area football power rankings
Tap right here to see how the Peoria-area teams stack up.
Looking back: Takeaways from Week 3
The Journal Star’s Adam Duvall delivers his four takeaways from Week 3 of the 2026 prep football season in the Peoria area. Just tap here to see them.
Ceremonies on Sept. 11
Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Washington High School honored active and retired military members and first responders in a pre-game ceremony Friday, which it dubbed Honor Our Heroes.
Friday night, we will Honor Our Heroes pre-game. All active or retired military or first responders are invited to participate. We will announce for you to come to the south end zone approximately 6:50pm. The Honor Our Heroes ceremony will take place about 7:05pm. pic.twitter.com/QmVG4FpvIS
— WCHS #308 Athletics (@wchs_308sports) September 10, 2026
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois high school football recap: Peoria-area highlights from IHSA Week 4
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