By Woodrow Carroll We like the long shot, the dark horse, the surprise winner that few gave a chance of coming through with victory. The team or individual few gave little chance of victory sticks in our memory. Beating long odds stays in our memory. Of late, however, the favorite
Yorkville High School quarterback Luke Davies, 9, passes for a first down Friday on the team’s first drive against visiting Minooka in the Southwest Prairie West game.
Oswego High School’s Tyler Kirk, 23, passes the ball towards the visiting Plainfield Central side last week in Oswego’s 3-0 victory on its senior night.
High school sports this Spring have had a checkered experience with cancellations, COVID-19 ever-present, and limited schedules. Nonetheless, the approach of gratitude, and glass half-full are appropriate as a positive learning experience. There have been competition, valuable practice, and rewards. • Congratulations to teams and individuals for success in the
East Aurora High School wide receiver, Sterling Williams, 5, seeks open space against Fenton defenders in Saturday’s Upstate Eight Conference game.
By Woodrow Carroll It’s fun to argue with the pollsters and nearly all fans do it. Yet, those who put Gonzaga University and Baylor University in, or near, the top spot in the collegiate basketball rankings for most, or all, of the season, should have had smiles on their faces
By Bobby Narang Aurora Christian High School recent graduate Ethan Hampton is making a name for himself in college football. And he’s yet to officially throw a pass. Hampton made a difficult decision to enroll early at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in January rather than finish his senior season at
The high school football season is halfway through its full season with three games remaining. Most teams have been forced to find ways to improvise, and have been hampered by the six-game schedule instead of the usual 10 games plus playoffs. Batavia High School’s Bulldogs must settle for playing six
Wide receiver Lucas Fisher is under a pass on his way to a touchdown for a touchdown in front of a host West Aurora defender Friday.
Aurora Central Catholic’s Ty Hopp, on the ground, Tommy Fowler, and Jack Westrom, 72, tackle St. Edward ball carrier, Joe Sacco, 23, Friday.
Aurora University senior quarterback, Gavin Zimbelman, 10, eludes a visiting Concordia University Chicago defender Saturday.
By Woodrow Carroll We love the underdog. The sports public long has been fascinated by an athlete or team overcoming odds, even if the perception is far from reality. At the start of the 2021 NCAA men’s Division I basketball tournament, we were introduced to a host of surprise teams.
By John Schutt NASCAR Cup Series, Food City Dirt Race, Bristol Motor Speedway Dirt, Bristol Tenn., Monday, March 29. The half-mile mile asphalt track nick-named the Colosseum of NASCAR racing, was converted to a dirt track. More than 2,000 truck-loads of special dirt was brought in to lay a perfect
Sports treats: • Major League Baseball opening day, Thursday, April 1. Will it be a full season of games following last season’s delayed start and abbreviated season? It would be great. Hope springs eternal: Can both Chicago teams be successful this season? Injuries may be factors. • Minor League baseball
Oswego High School’s Anthony Cikauskas brings pressure to Plainfield South quarterback Izaiah Huertz, 5, in Friday’s first game of the six-week season.
Aurora University fastpitch softball pitcher Hannah Tomasko offers a challenge to a batter in a March 14 home game.
East Aurora High School’s Nathaniel Mojica, 11, looks for an opening against Elgin defenders in Friday’s season-opener for both teams.
Evan Brown of Oswego High School sees a clear field on his way to a 30-yard touchdown run, the team’s third TD of the evening against visiting Plainfield South High School.
The knowledgeable sports fan understands that games are played on the field, in the courts, and not in the computerized world, or, within any rating system. It takes flesh, on occasion blood, physical prowess, and mental strength to achieve success. Each day is different and each game may have changing
