Football players were already in pads Tuesday when Hinsdale Central officially opened its fall sports season under a new rallying cry: "Bring Our Fire."
Head coach Brian Griffin's squad began practice Aug. 5, and the school's weekly e-blast to families the following day confirmed registration is open for all nine fall programs. Eight more sports follow Monday, Aug. 10: boys and girls cross country, girls flag football, boys and girls golf, boys soccer, girls swim and dive, girls tennis and girls volleyball.
The Red Devils enter 2026 with momentum. After three consecutive losing football seasons snapped a three-decade streak, Central bounced back in 2025, reaching No. 21 in the state rankings and all but clinching a playoff return by Week 9, according to Shaw Local's Friday Night Drive. An expanded IHSA playoff field — 384 teams, up from 256 — takes effect this fall, giving more programs a postseason path.
"The goal is to earn a spot back in the IHSA state series and if we can get there, we feel like we can compete with anybody," Griffin said in Shaw Local's Aug. 27, 2025 season preview, before the Red Devils went on to post their strongest season in years.
Principal William C. Walsh's Aug. 6 message to families introduced the 2026-27 "Bring Our Fire" theme and reminded parents that registration and physicals must be completed before the first practice.
What families need to know
All student-athletes must complete registration through the Hinsdale Central Athletic website and have a current physical on file with the Athletic Office before the first day of tryouts. Athletes who haven't met both requirements won't be allowed to participate. Incoming freshmen can use the physical completed for enrollment to satisfy the requirement for their first year.
Questions go to Athletic Office contact Wanda Swik at 630-570-8241 or [email protected].
What's ahead
Two marquee dates anchor the early calendar. The Activity & Athletic Fair is set for Friday, Aug. 14, during PE class. Then on Friday, Aug. 21, the Red Devils host their season-opening football game, preceded by a pep rally.
Homecoming Week runs Sept. 14–19, with the Homecoming Game on Friday, Sept. 18 and the dance Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. School doors open Wednesday, Aug. 12, with freshmen and new-student orientation from 8–11:45 a.m. and all students reporting noon to 2:30 p.m.
