Category Archives: High School Sports

Normal Community Ironmen runners-up in IHSA Class 4A Championship

Normal Community Ironmen runners-up in IHSA Class 4A Championship

By Jake Fogal CHAMPAIGN – After the best season for the program since 2015, Normal Community boys basketball came up just short of hoisting the IHSA Class 4A State championship Saturday night in Champaign, falling to Homewood-Flossmoor 60-48. Three Vikings scored in double figures, as Bryce Heard poured in 21 points. Jayden Tyler had 15,…MORE

Ironmen push past Palatine; advance to IHSA State Title Game

Ironmen push past Palatine; advance to IHSA State Title Game

By Jake Fogal CHAMPAIGN – Normal Community took the court at the State Farm Center in Champaign for the first time Friday under long time head coach Dave Witzig, but the Ironmen are no stranger to this type of success. Community picked up the victory over Palatine in the IHSA Class 4A State Semifinals, 58-38…MORE

Prairie Central honoring late students with court design ahead of 2023 season

Prairie Central honoring late students with court design ahead of 2023 season

By Jake Fogal FAIRBURY – The high school boys basketball season gets underway tonight for many school’s in Central Illinois, including the team up at Prairie Central High School. Prairie Central one season ago went 31-3, and hoisted the regional championship trophy before falling in sectional play to Pontiac. This season the Hawk’s play for…MORE

#1 Normal Community dominates Argo in Round One of IHSA playoffs

#1 Normal Community dominates Argo in Round One of IHSA playoffs

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Despite a cold front and a soaked playing field from several days of rain, the Ironmen at Normal Community cruised to a first round victory over Argo 43-0. The shutout marks the fourth consecutive game where Community has held a team to zero points, as the Ironmen offense piled on…MORE

Bloomington falls flat to Decatur MacArthur in final week of regular season

Bloomington falls flat to Decatur MacArthur in final week of regular season

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – A field goal was the first score of the game put on the board early in the first quarter by the Purple Raiders, but what came to follow left fans packing up and heading for the exits early as Decatur MacArthur put a beating on Bloomington 54-10. Bloomington challenged the…MORE

Panthers preserve undefeated season beating Heyworth 40-19 in Week 7

Panthers preserve undefeated season beating Heyworth 40-19 in Week 7

By Jake Fogal LEROY – Seven weeks, seven wins. That’s the definition of LeRoy’s 2023 football season thus far as the Panthers continued their winning ways in Week 7, beating up on fellow Heart of Illinois Small Conference foe Heyworth, 40-19. “A testament to these kids and how hard they have worked with and for…MORE

Olympia falls short of upset over state ranked Maroa-Forsyth in Week 6

Olympia falls short of upset over state ranked Maroa-Forsyth in Week 6

By Jake Fogal STANFORD – A 40-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter Friday night from Olympia Spartan’s senior Nic Olsen gave life to a Stanford crowd as the Spartans sat two points behind a Class 2A #1 Maroa-Forsyth team with 11 minutes to play. The two point conversion attempt that followed came up…MORE

Central Catholic runs away with Week 5 win over Tolono Unity

Central Catholic runs away with Week 5 win over Tolono Unity

By Jake Fogal BLOOMINGTON – The Central Catholic Saints relied on their field general in Week 5 to defeat a conference rival, but not in the way you may think. Senior quarterback for the Saints Colin Hayes beat the Rockets with his legs instead of his arm, finding the end zone for six rushing touchdowns…MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…