Naperville High School was established in 1863 and began competing in interscholastic football in 1910. Naperville’s overall record is 530 -267 - 17, it has a long and storied history of excellence on the gridiron. The "Redskins" as they were known in 1910 then competed as an independent for 23 years. Naperville High School joined the Little Seven Conference in 1933 and won 13 conference championships. The most notable athlete from that time period was Red Grange from Wheaton High School. There most frequent opponent throughout the years has been Wheaton High School, which they have played over 50 times.

    The "Redskins" then joined the Upstate Eight Conference in 1963 and won the conference 4 times.

    The city of Naperville began a population explosion in the early 80’s and an additional high school was created, Naperville North. Because of the new school, Naperville HS has now become Naperville Central. Naperville is now the 3^rd largest city in Illinois with a population of 135,000. It has also become a hotbed for Illinois football.

    In 1974 Naperville Central joined the prestigious DuPage Valley Conference. The DVC is arguably considered the best football conference in the state of Illinois. The DVC has produced 9 state champions since 1990. The "Redhawks" have won 12 conference championships since the conference’s inception in 1974. Central has currently won 7 conference championships since 1994.

    In 1995 the "Redhawks" and Wheaton Warrenville South High School, both from the DVC, played each other for the state championship in class 6A, the largest class. The only time this has ever occurred in state football history.

    In 1994 Naperville Central changed their mascot to the "Redhawks". Central is continuing to compete on a national level, playing Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio in 1996 and Bishop Amat HS from California in 1997. Central has been ranked nationally in 1994 (16^th), 1995 (7^th), 1997 (3^rd), 1999 (5^th), 2000 (5^th), and 2001 (18^th) according to the USA Today.

    During the last 10 years the "Redhawks" have reached the quarterfinals 8 times. Also during the last 6 years they have reached the semifinals 3 times, and was the state runner-up in 1995 and 2001. In 1999 Naperville Central went undefeated in 14 games and captured the Illinois class 6A state championship.

    25 players have received Division I scholarships since 1986, as well as 16 All-State players. Tim Lavery and Ryan Clifford were chosen as the "Chicago Player of the Year". In 1999 Ryan Clifford was chosen as the "Illinois Player of the Year".

    Central would like to continue their tradition of a strong football program that reflects the attitudes of the school.