Football
He wasn’t trying to kill the baseball. Just a steady stroke, smooth through the strike zone, solid on the way out – like he’d done thousands of times. Scott Taylor hit a home run in his previous at-bat against Kaneland in the IHSA Class 3A Rochelle Sectional semifinals. Here came another. If he could just … hit … the ball … square.
Maciej Kozlowski has made a name for himself on the football field in a relatively short period of time.
Barry Creviston is confident he will coach football somewhere this fall, but it will not be at Johnsburg.
For the last two football seasons, Prairie Ridge’s Collin Corcoran and Crystal Lake South’s Brad Walovitch have known one another as rivals.
Colt Nero had made two official visits before heading to Mankato, Minn., on the weekend of Jan. 13, and he had more scheduled.
McHENRY – Tim Beagle, a part of McHenry’s football program at its zenith, has resigned after six seasons as Warriors head coach.
Marengo’s Allison Rogutich was inspired by the IHSA Girls Track and Field State Meet in May.
High school sports website MaxPreps knew about Prairie Ridge offensive tackle Shane Evans last year, so it was not about to forget about him after the Wolves won the IHSA Class 6A state football championship.
Tyler Olker was persistent in chasing his dream of playing NCAA Division I football.
The bygone year saw a lot of “firsts” in McHenry County athletics. There were first state champions for schools around the area, record-setting performances, and some athletes who proved they were not only the best in the area, but best in the entire state.
When Anne Santucci stepped down as Crystal Lake South’s girls soccer coach in 2008, she hoped to have a chance to return.
The Fox Valley Conference football pipeline to Des Moines, Iowa, still is pumping.
Chris Schremp recalled a conversation with his wife, Sheri, not long after he took Prairie Ridge’s head football coaching position 10 years ago.
Chris Streveler admits his competitive nature borders on fanatical.
Prairie Ridge senior Steve Bashor not only has a great football name, but toughness to go with it.
RICHMOND – Fans and community members rallied around the Richmond-Burton Rockets football team, providing a welcome sure to take the sting out of a tough loss in the IHSA Class 4A state championship game.
CHAMPAIGN – The Wolves players raised their helmets together as a crowd of friends and classmates cheered, no one wanting to leave despite the drizzling rain that had started to fall.
CHAMPAIGN – Montini quarterback John Rhode and wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp haven’t had the longest relationship, but it’s as solid as it can be in its productivity.
CHAMPAIGN – The bigger the challenge at stopping a top-flight running back, the better Prairie Ridge’s defense played in the postseason.
CHAMPAIGN – Amidst the din of screaming Prairie Ridge fans in Memorial Stadium’s south end zone, Prairie Ridge linebacker Brad Simms, gold medal draped around his neck, searched for words.
No. 5 Peoria Richwoods vs.
This football season has been a long road. The weeks have gone by faster than I ever thought possible. Everyone always tells you that it goes fast, but you never really understand that until you are at the end of the season, relishing what time remains.
CHAMPAIGN – Prairie Ridge junior safety Sean Folliard was quick to pay his elders their proper respect after last week’s IHSA Class 6A semifinal victory at Batavia.
What makes this Prairie Ridge football team so good, anyway?
CHAMPAIGN – Richmond-Burton could have packed it in after the first quarter, when it looked like it was going to get ugly.
CHAMPAIGN – All Richmond-Burton needed was a little more time.
CHAMPAIGN – Dakota needed a rally and Jake Apple made sure the Indians got it Friday.
Key play: Richmond-Burton was trailing, 14-0, and Rochester looked headed for a third touchdown when R-B forced a fumble and defensive tackle Jake Pauly recovered it at the R-B 5-yard line with 4:03 remaining. The play stopped the bleeding for R-B, and its offense mounted a sustained drive from there, keeping the ball through the end of the quarter.
CHAMPAIGN – Richmond-Burton’s offense, and fullback Jack Dechow in particular, left their mark on the IHSA Class 4A football state championship game Friday at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium.
RICHMOND – Sometimes, it is inevitable.
The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association announced its honorable mention All-State selections and its Academic All-State teams this week.
Note to readers: Prairie Ridge cornerback John Borst is writing the third in a series of stories by Wolves players for the Northwest Herald about Prairie Ridge as it prepares for the IHSA Class 6A state championship game in Champaign.
Note to readers: Richmond-Burton guard and defensive tackle John Flood is writing the third in a series of stories by Rockets players for the Northwest Herald about R-B as it prepares for the IHSA Class 4A state championship game in Champaign.
Behind every successful man, the saying goes, there is a good woman.
CRYSTAL LAKE – Prairie Ridge’s offensive adjustments through the football season are fairly minimal.
Pat Elder said the best assistant coaching hire he ever made, or ever will make, occurred in 1999 when he became Sherrard’s head football coach.
Fortunately, for everyone involved, the school week was short and teachers were understanding.
Note to readers: This is another in a series of stories by Richmond-Burton players for the Northwest Herald about R-B as it prepares for the IHSA Class 4A state championship game Friday in Champaign.
Note to readers: Prairie Ridge tight end/punter Nick Margiotta is writing the second in a series of stories by Wolves players for the Northwest Herald about Prairie Ridge as it prepares for the IHSA Class 6A state championship game in Champaign.
Note to readers: Richmond-Burton center Nick Smith is writing the first in a series of stories by Rockets players for the Northwest Herald about R-B as it prepares for the IHSA Class 4A state championship game Friday in Champaign.
Note to readers: Prairie Ridge quarterback Nick Nissen is writing the first in a series of stories by Wolves players for the Northwest Herald about Prairie Ridge as it prepares for the IHSA Class 6A state championship game Saturday in Champaign.
A week ago, Pat Valentine was urging his son to help his football team reach the state championship game, just like he did 33 years ago.
STILLMAN VALLEY – It became a showcase of its collective power, talent and determination. Richmond-Burton’s strong offensive line left its mark as the Rockets earned their first trip to the state championship game in 19 years with a 40-28 win against Stillman Valley in a IHSA Class 4A state semifinal Saturday.
Prairie Ridge football coach Chris Schremp undoubtedly felt the pressure leading into Saturday’s IHSA Class 6A playoff semifinal game at Batavia.
BATAVIA – A little frustration can fuel a running back a long way.
BATAVIA – Prairie Ridge safety Sean Folliard could see he was not going to beat the pass from Batavia quarterback Noel Gaspari to tight end Evan Zeddies, so he did the next-best thing.
STILLMAN VALLEY – The Rockets’ student section finally could exhale as it poured onto the field.
STILLMAN VALLEY – Stillman Valley may have started the football season with tempered expectations after some key players graduated, but the Cardinals have ended up right where they are used to being, albeit in a different class.
Northwest Herald sports editor Eric Olson and Kane County Chronicle sports editor Jay Schwab will be on the call during today’s Game of the Week webcast of the Prairie Ridge vs. Batavia game at 1 p.m. Here is a chat they had before the game:
