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EVANSTON, IL. — As members of the Evanston Township High School football team poured into Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena, adjacent to the new Ryan Field, they were not quite sure what to expect.
Jordan Holmes, a rising junior defensive back, figured they might be getting a tour of the brand-new $862 million facility that is set to open when the Wildcats host Penn State on Friday, Oct. 2.
However, to his surprise and that of many of his teammates, they were there to announce a home football game for Evanston High against its biggest rival, New Trier High, in a press conference on Tuesday, May 26.
The game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, just two weeks after Northwestern opens the stadium.
REQUIRED READING: Northwestern built something college football hasn't tried — and aims to intimidate
"We just found out now," Holmes told USA TODAY Sports. "We knew there was a meeting today, but we were confused. We thought we were just going to tour around and see the campus. But then we found out this year we're going to be playing at Northwestern's new field. It's kind of new and amazing.
While the players for Wildkits were caught off guard by the "surprise announcement," New Trier's players were made aware of the ceremony one week prior, according to football coach Brian Doll. Doll was informed by New Trier athletics director Augie Fontanetta a month prior, and kept it a secret from his players.
"I think everyone was shocked," New Trier quarterback and 2027 Purdue commit Jackie Ryder said. "Coach Doll kept a really good secret, and when we found out, it was like, 'Whoa. This is amazing.' It's the third game that will ever be played there."
Ryder added that a few players screamed at the top of their lungs when they found out, while one player was rolling around in celebration in the locker room.
Along with the football matchup between the rivals, it was also announced that the boys and girls basketball teams will play a doubleheader at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Feb. 5, 2027, with the stadium subsizing the game.
Evanston — which will serve as the home team — will not play rent for either event.
"Today’s announcement about these major rent-free events is just the first example of honoring those commitments to reinvest in Evanston and the broader community," Pat Ryan Jr. said.
Ryan — the CEO of Ryan Sports Development and part of the famous Ryan family from Northwestern that is funding the brand-new stadium — laid out as part of his plan for the new Northwestern football stadium was the inclusion of the Evanston community.
That especially included Evanston High School. While Northwestern is going to play six to seven home games a season, Ryan wanted the new stadium — the largest financial project in college football history — to have use for the community.
"Everyone understood that you cannot build an $875 million stadium and use it on seven football Saturdays," Ryan said at the press conference. "That would be a waste, it would be a tragedy."
While New Trier High is just over five miles from the stadium, Evanston High School is located just two miles from the new Ryan Field. Being in the same city, Northwestern, Evanston High and Ryan are all hopeful that the Wildkits will play at least one home game at Ryan Field a season.
"It means a lot," Holmes said. "It's something not every kid can do in their life. So, us having a chance to come here and play against our rival, this game is going to mean a lot."
The series between Evanston and New Trier began in 1913. Evanston holds a slim 57-54-6 lead in the all-time series. The teams have split the last four matchups, with the Trevians picking up wins in 2025 and 2022, and the Wildkits winning in 2024 and 2023.
“In 143 days, Evanston will be competing with New Trier in Illinois’ greatest rivalry in college football’s greatest arena,” Chris Livatino, the Evanston Township High School athletic director, said.
"As Chris mentioned, it's a storied rivalry," Fontanetta added. "It started in 1913. We are hoping to carve into the win column this fall, to get to almost .500 (against Evanston)."
Evanston football coach Miles Oseo and Ryan both told USA TODAY Sports they are hopeful the 2026 game marks the beginning of a partnership in which Evanston High plays at least one home game at Ryan Field each season.
The opportunity to play at a college stadium is something Oseo understands won't be available to many players who are done with football after high school.
"I had the experience of playing at Soldier Field and what an experience that was when I played there," Oseo said. "Putting that now at the high school level just brings out some real excitement and community. It's something I am fired up about."
Holmes agreed with his coach.
"I love football. I am ready to play them right now," Holmes said jokingly.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High school rivals to play at Northwestern's new Ryan Field
Continue reading...
Jordan Holmes, a rising junior defensive back, figured they might be getting a tour of the brand-new $862 million facility that is set to open when the Wildcats host Penn State on Friday, Oct. 2.
However, to his surprise and that of many of his teammates, they were there to announce a home football game for Evanston High against its biggest rival, New Trier High, in a press conference on Tuesday, May 26.
The game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, just two weeks after Northwestern opens the stadium.
REQUIRED READING: Northwestern built something college football hasn't tried — and aims to intimidate
"We just found out now," Holmes told USA TODAY Sports. "We knew there was a meeting today, but we were confused. We thought we were just going to tour around and see the campus. But then we found out this year we're going to be playing at Northwestern's new field. It's kind of new and amazing.
While the players for Wildkits were caught off guard by the "surprise announcement," New Trier's players were made aware of the ceremony one week prior, according to football coach Brian Doll. Doll was informed by New Trier athletics director Augie Fontanetta a month prior, and kept it a secret from his players.
"I think everyone was shocked," New Trier quarterback and 2027 Purdue commit Jackie Ryder said. "Coach Doll kept a really good secret, and when we found out, it was like, 'Whoa. This is amazing.' It's the third game that will ever be played there."
Ryder added that a few players screamed at the top of their lungs when they found out, while one player was rolling around in celebration in the locker room.
Why are Evanston-New Trier playing at Ryan Field
Along with the football matchup between the rivals, it was also announced that the boys and girls basketball teams will play a doubleheader at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Feb. 5, 2027, with the stadium subsizing the game.
Evanston — which will serve as the home team — will not play rent for either event.
"Today’s announcement about these major rent-free events is just the first example of honoring those commitments to reinvest in Evanston and the broader community," Pat Ryan Jr. said.
Ryan — the CEO of Ryan Sports Development and part of the famous Ryan family from Northwestern that is funding the brand-new stadium — laid out as part of his plan for the new Northwestern football stadium was the inclusion of the Evanston community.
That especially included Evanston High School. While Northwestern is going to play six to seven home games a season, Ryan wanted the new stadium — the largest financial project in college football history — to have use for the community.
"Everyone understood that you cannot build an $875 million stadium and use it on seven football Saturdays," Ryan said at the press conference. "That would be a waste, it would be a tragedy."
While New Trier High is just over five miles from the stadium, Evanston High School is located just two miles from the new Ryan Field. Being in the same city, Northwestern, Evanston High and Ryan are all hopeful that the Wildkits will play at least one home game at Ryan Field a season.
"It means a lot," Holmes said. "It's something not every kid can do in their life. So, us having a chance to come here and play against our rival, this game is going to mean a lot."
The series between Evanston and New Trier began in 1913. Evanston holds a slim 57-54-6 lead in the all-time series. The teams have split the last four matchups, with the Trevians picking up wins in 2025 and 2022, and the Wildkits winning in 2024 and 2023.
“In 143 days, Evanston will be competing with New Trier in Illinois’ greatest rivalry in college football’s greatest arena,” Chris Livatino, the Evanston Township High School athletic director, said.
"As Chris mentioned, it's a storied rivalry," Fontanetta added. "It started in 1913. We are hoping to carve into the win column this fall, to get to almost .500 (against Evanston)."
Evanston football coach Miles Oseo and Ryan both told USA TODAY Sports they are hopeful the 2026 game marks the beginning of a partnership in which Evanston High plays at least one home game at Ryan Field each season.
The opportunity to play at a college stadium is something Oseo understands won't be available to many players who are done with football after high school.
"I had the experience of playing at Soldier Field and what an experience that was when I played there," Oseo said. "Putting that now at the high school level just brings out some real excitement and community. It's something I am fired up about."
Holmes agreed with his coach.
"I love football. I am ready to play them right now," Holmes said jokingly.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High school rivals to play at Northwestern's new Ryan Field
Continue reading...
