By Jake Fogal NORMAL – It has been 8 years since U-High last took the field for a playoff game, but the third season under Head Coach Brody Walworth has propelled the Pioneers back to the promised land after a Week 8 victory over fellow Central State Eight Conference foe Lincoln 49-28. Coach Walworth spoke…… MORE
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
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
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
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The Ironmen have not only survived the gauntlet through four weeks of the regular season, but instead have proven that they belong at the top after defeating Peoria High in Week 4 63-42. The Ironmen are up to 4-0 on the season and have also added wins over Sacred Heart…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The expectations have been met through three weeks of play as the Normal Community Ironmen have charged through three opponents with relative ease this season. Week 3 featured Community picking up not only a regular season win, but also a trophy that signifies a victory over a cross-town rival. The…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Flags littered the field at Wildcats Stadium Friday night as Normal West had it’s first home game of the season, renewing it’s rivalry with Bloomington. Unsportsmanlike penalties were a theme for both sidelines, as the two team’s were eager to gain an edge in this intercity clash, though the Wildcats…… MORE
By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Expectations were lofty heading into the 2023 season for the Normal Community Ironmen football team, and a week one matchup challenging one of the best programs in Illinois would be the first test. The Ironmen jumped on the back of their skill position players, as running backs Tommy Davis and…… MORE
The WJBC High School Football Extravaganza sponsored by CEFCU is back for another season!… MORE
It’s highlighted by six home games, a trip to the Gulf Coast Showcase in Fort Myers, Florida, and road games at Saint Louis and Kentucky.… MORE
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.” …
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…
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…
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…