CHICAGO, IL — The lights at CPS Eckersall Stadium will shine brightly this afternoon for a compelling non-conference showdown as the Richards Warriors travel to face the Julian Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 4:15 PM on Thursday, September 4, 2025. This early-season matchup presents a classic contrast: the battle-tested Warriors, fresh off a decisive opening victory, against the Jaguars, a team eager to write its first chapter of the new campaign.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Richards vs Julian
When: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
Where: CPS Eckersall Stadium
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

For fans unable to attend, digital tickets are available for purchase exclusively on GoFan. This game is one of the many highly anticipated Illinois High School Football events this season, marking a key test for both programs.

A Tale of Two Starts

The Richards Warriors (1-0) stormed into the 2025 season with a statement win, shutting out their opponent 12-0. That victory immediately established a defensive identity for the Warriors, a trait they will aim to carry into today’s contest. The zero on the scoreboard is a testament to a ferocious, swarming defense that seemed to live in the opponent’s backfield.

Conversely, the Julian Jaguars (0-0) enter this game as a complete unknown. Today marks their season opener, their first chance to unveil a new offensive scheme, defensive assignments, and team chemistry. The Jaguars have the advantage of home field and the explosive energy that comes with a debut, but they face the tall task of shaking off any early rust against a Warriors team already operating at regular-season speed.

Richards’ Week 1 Dominance: By The Numbers

The Warriors’ Week 1 performance was a masterclass in balanced, physical football. The stats paint a clear picture of a team that controlled the game on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Offensively, Richards ground out 184 total yards, with a heavy emphasis on a powerful rushing attack that averaged 136 yards per game. The ground game was spearheaded by the dynamic #0 Ryan Pack-Boykin, who exploded for 73 rushing yards. Pack-Boykin wasn’t just a force on the ground; he also accounted for all 12 of the Warriors’ points, finding the end zone and proving to be the team’s primary offensive weapon early this season.

When Richards took to the air, quarterback #5 Amari Grayson efficiently managed the game, throwing for 48 yards. His favorite target was #4 Marquise Hicks, who hauled in 21 receiving yards. While the passing numbers are modest, they indicate an offense that can keep a defense honest, setting up the potent run game.

However, the real story of Week 1 was the Richards defense. They were nothing short of dominant, flying to the ball and making plays at every level. The unit collectively averaged a staggering 47 tackles per game, led by the defensive anchor, #52 Juelz Baker. Baker was an unstoppable force, recording 6 tackles and an impressive 2 sacks. As a team, the Warriors racked up 4 total sacks, constantly pressuring the quarterback and stifling any offensive momentum their opponent tried to build. Baker’s impact was also felt in the trenches on offense, where he logged 3 pancake blocks, highlighting his two-way prowess.

The Julian Jaguars: A Mystery Waiting to Be Solved

The pre-game report for Julian is a clean slate. With no previous game data for the 2025 season, the Jaguars’ strengths, weaknesses, and key playmakers remain a mystery. This unknown factor makes them a dangerous opponent. Head Coach David Williams undoubtedly spent the offseason crafting a game plan specifically for this Richards matchup.

The Jaguars will look to establish their own identity quickly. The key for Julian will be to withstand the initial surge from the Warriors’ aggressive defense. If their offensive line can provide time for their quarterback and create running lanes, they can hope to control the clock and keep the Richards offense, led by Pack-Boykin, on the sidelines.

Defensively, the Jaguars must find an answer for the multifaceted threat of Ryan Pack-Boykin. Containing him will be priority number one. Julian’s linebackers and secondary will also need to be prepared for play-action passes, as Richards has shown it is more than willing to take a shot downfield if a defense overcommits to the run.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Juelz Baker (Richards OL/DL) vs. Julian’s Interior Line: Baker is the engine of the Warriors on both sides of the ball. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield and open holes for Pack-Boykin will be the most critical individual matchup on the field. How Julian schemes to block him on defense and contain him on offense could decide the game.

2. Ryan Pack-Boykin (Richards RB) vs. Julian’s Front Seven: The Warriors will want to establish the run early and often. All eyes will be on Pack-Boykin as he looks to replicate his Week 1 success. Julian’s linebackers must be disciplined in their gaps and sure in their tackles to prevent him from breaking off big gains.

3. First Game Jitters vs. Game Experience: This is the intangible matchup. Richards has already worked out the kinks and felt the thrill of victory. Julian will be experiencing its first live action. Which team controls the emotion? If Richards jumps out to an early lead, they could capitalize on any Jaguar frustration. If Julian can make a few big plays early, they could ride a wave of home-field emotion to an upset.

What This Game Means

For the Richards Warriors, this is a chance to build serious momentum. Starting a season 2-0 with another shutout victory would send a powerful message to the rest of their schedule and solidify their status as a defensive powerhouse. It’s an opportunity to refine their offensive playbook and build even more confidence before diving deeper into their conference slate.

For the Julian Jaguars, this is their first test. It’s a opportunity to make a statement against a quality opponent and set a positive tone for the entire year. A competitive showing, or even an upset win, would provide an immense boost of confidence and prove that the Jaguars are a team to be taken seriously this season.

How to Follow the Action

This Richards vs Julian clash promises to be a hard-hitting, emotional game between two Chicago programs hungry for success. Fans can purchase digital tickets for the Richards @ Julian game at GoFan.

For live updates, score tracking, and comprehensive coverage of this game and all the thrilling action across the state, be sure to visit HS Football Insider, your home for everything Illinois High School Football.

Will the Richards Warriors’ defense continue its dominant ways and lead the team to a 2-0 record? Or will the Julian Jaguars unveil a potent new look and defend their home turf in a stunning season-opening victory? The answers will come under the Thursday night lights at Eckersall Stadium.