Diving try at West Aurora
Oswego High School’s Connor McCance, left, dives for a loose ball with West Aurora’s Kevin Balfour Friday.
J.J. McCarthy: Adversity will help
By Bobby Narang Nazareth Academy High School junior football quarterback J.J. McCarthy enters the offseason full of motivation. By his own admission, McCarthy, a University of Michigan recruit, encountered his first experience of adversity, following a 37-13 loss to Mount Carmel in the Class 7A State championship game at Northern
Broc Rutter leads Cardinals to semifinals
By Craig Lynch Quarterback Broc Rutter has started all four years for North Central College. The graduate of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville has led the Cardinals’ run through the Division III playoffs this season to Saturday’s semifinal game at 11 a.m. at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.. Rutter
Underdog Illini in first bowl game since 2014
By Woodrow Carroll For a football team that finished 6-6 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten , the University of Illinois fared pretty well when the bowl assignments were passed out Sunday. The Fighting Illini, who were accorded little chance of winning the six games needed to make it
Large triangular wresting meet at Aurora Christian High School Dec. 11
There will be a big high school triangular wresting meet Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Aurora Christian High School, 2255 Sullivan Road in Aurora. Teams will include Washington, Class 2A State champions; Dakota, Class 1A power; and Aurora Christian, Class 1A runner-up. • 5 p.m., Dakota vs. Washington; • 6 p.m.,
High school football proposal falters, new Beebe receives salute
A collection of important notes and debatable thoughts as we make our shift from Fall sports to Winter sports: • It was unfortunate, however, not entirely surprising that the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) did not advance to the membership for a vote on the suggested change in high school
Aurora Fire Department’s 17th annual Turkey Bowl flag football game
Aurora Fire Department Lieutenant Kevin Nickels, center, carries the ball for the second-shift team during the Department’s 17th annual Turkey Bowl flag football game.
Northwestern diminishes Illinois football season, NIU closes 5-7
By Woodrow Carroll The Northwestern Wildcats, eased the pain of a 3-9 season. Cast in the role of a decided underdog, Northwestern, 3-9 and 1-8 in the Big Ten Conference, defeated host Illinois, 29-10, in Champaign Saturday. The conquest of the Illini not only gave the Wildcats their lone conference
Defensive gem stops Nazareth Academy High School in championship game
By Bobby Narang Nazareth Academy High School junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy was ready to begin his training for next season. After having one of his worst games in a Nazareth uniform in his 28-game career, McCarthy was focused on improving himself for his final season. McCarthy, a five-star University of
Anthony, Mayhew, in D-III playoff
By Craig Lynch Saturday was just another day at the office for Wheaton College quarterback, Luke Anthony. The sophomore who played for Wheaton North High School completed 18 of 25 passes for 265 yards and five touchdowns. Wheaton College defeated Central College (Ia.), 49-13, in the second round of NCAA
North Central College in wild ride
It was a game that surpassed all the records, benchmarks, and superlative descriptions of a college football game, postseason or otherwise, and the torrid pace set by the offenses of both teams left most spectators figuring the outcome would come down to the last team to possess the ball. And
Benet Academy State champions in three sports: Girls cross country, girls volleyball, boys soccer
Teams at Benet Academy in Lisle won an impressive three State championships recently in Fall sports.
High school football clash: Nazareth and Mt. Carmel
By Bobby Narang Several Nazareth Academy players had one last request following the conclusion of Saturday’s 42-14 victory over Rolling Meadows in a Class 7A State semifinal football playoff game. Many players, while walking over to meet coach Tim Racki near the far goal post, started chanting “One more!” in
Harbison rushing bright spot for NIU Huskies football team
By Woodrow Carroll First-year Northern Illinois University head football coach Thomas Hammock’s season did not go as planned. A Northern Illinois University product, Hammock saw the defending MAC champion Huskies falter badly at times, especially, when so much was expected. Last week’s 45-17 loss at home to Eastern Michigan ended
East Aurora High School to honor four in Hall of Fame
The East Aurora Sports Boosters and East Aurora High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee recently announced the 2020 Hall of Fame Class: Chuck Mennecke, Class of 1973; Andy Toma, Class of 1985; Lou Hernandez, Class of 1993; and April Nelson, Class of 1993. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony
Boys high school holiday basketball tournaments
At Fenton, November 29-30: Montini, Wheaton Warrenville South, Fenton, West Chicago, Timothy Christian, Fremd, Francis Park, Rolling Meadows. At Lisle, Nov. 26, 27, 29: Lisle, Westmont, Yorkville Christian, Evergreen Park. At Naperville North/Oswego, November 25-27, 29: Oswego, Naperville North, West Aurora, Downers Grove S., Hinsdale C., Neuqua Valley, Oswego E.,
North Central, Wheaton, continue; high school basketball starts
Football gives way to basketball in both colleges and high schools, and yet there is an overlap. North Central College and Wheaton College continue in the NCAA Division III footvall playoffs, and Aurora University ends its successful season, the latter in its first postseason game since 2008. Aurora was sidetracked
Sports joy: High school, D-III
By Carter Crane Sports fans of major league franchises and nationally-known Division I college teams become wrapped up in their fan situation seriously. The joys of high school sports and Division III college teams often are overlooked. Communities embrace their teams in low-key ways. Playoffs perk up the fans’ attention.