Football | Libertyville downs Richards for second year in row
Libertyville 48, Richards 15 Libertyville beat Richards in Week 2 for the second straight season, this time 48-15, to drop the Bulldogs to 1-1. Jaiden Henry scored on a 20-yard reception and Myles Mitchell tallied on a 2-yard TD run for Richards. The Bulldogs travel to Eisnehower this week for both teams’ South Suburban Red…
Football | Nazareth’s Logan Malachuk completes nine passes — six of them for TDs — in romp
Nazareth 42, Kenwood 15 Nazareth senior quarterback Logan Malachuk threw for 275 yards and six touchdown passes as the Roadrunners (2-0) trounced Kenwood, 42-15, in a non-conference matchup in LaGrange Park. Malachuk, who has been under center the past two seasons as nazareth won back-to-back state championships, did that damage despite completing only nine passes…
Football | Flutman and Boersma connect for four scores as Chicago Christian tops Elmwood Park
Caden Boersma returned a punt for a touchdown and caught four scoring passes from Christian Flutman as Chicago Christian defeated Elmwood Park, 49-16, on Sept. 6 in Palos Heights. Kenny Jager had a rushing TD for the Knights (2-0), who were up 49-0 at halftime. Chicago Christian plays at Wheaton Academy this week.
Football | Jake Ritter shines and Marist is great late in win over Brother Rice
It’s a new era at Marist under first-year head coach Mike Fitzgerald and his staff. But the more things change, the more they stay the same; at least when it comes to the recent history of the program’s annual neighborhood matchup with Brother Rice. RedHawks running back John McAuliffe’s second touchdown of the night proved…
Northern Illinois likely wrecks Notre Dame’s season
The Northern Illinois football team pulled off the biggest win in school history and the biggest stunner of the 2024 college football season thus far with a 16-14 win over 5th-ranked Notre Dame on Sept. 7 in South Bend. Three former area players are on the Huskies’ roster. Former Shepard star Roy Williams, a 6-foot-6,…
National Football Players Father’s Association honors Hall of Famer Steve McMichael
The Chicago Bears honored former defensive tackle and newly inducted Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael during the team’s home opener on Sept. 8 at Soldier Field. Three days earlier, McMichael he was honored by the National Football Players Fathers Association. The new vice president of that group is Orland Park Fire Chief Michael…
Girls Volleyball | St. Laurence strong on and off the court
The St. Laurence girls volleyball players are competitive on and off the court. On the court, the Vikings made it to Class 3A Supersectional play the past two seasons before ending those campaigns with losses to Joliet Catholic in 2022 and St. Ignatius in 2023. They are off to a big start this year, with…
Red Stars honor Olympians, then fall to Orlando
The Chicago Red Stars honored their four Olympians before the team’s Sept. 8 match with Orlando, but when went out and dropped a 1-0 decision to the first-place Pride in an NWSL game in front of an announced crowd of 7,291 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Olympic gold medalists Mallory Swanson and Alyssa Naeher, who…
Playoffs in doubt for Fire after loss to D.C.
Even playing in its former digs at SeatGeek Stadium couldn’t help the Chicago Fire. The Fire, playing for their MLS playoff life, took another step backward in a 2-1 loss to D.C. United in front of an announced crowd of 16,426 on Sept. 7 in Bridgeview. The Fire’s regular home is Soldier Field, but the…
Football | Lyons top Wheaton Warrenville South in Jon Beutjer’s return to alma mater
Back when he was breaking state and national passing records at Wheaton Warrenville South, Jon Beutjer proudly wore orange and black. Beutjer, the prolific passer who led the Tigers to the 1998 Class 6A title, was back in Wheaton last week; however, this time he was wearing royal blue and gold as the head coach…
Football | Sandburg’s Shelton throws 4 TDs in rout of Oak Forest
Whenever his team needs a lift or a teammate needs a pat on the back, Anthony Shelton is there to provide it. Shelton, Sandburg’s senior quarterback, can also throw touchdown passes. On Sept. 6 in Orland Park, Shelton threw four of them as the Eagles defeated Oak Forest, 43-12. Shelton was 15-of-16 passing for 283…
Stagg runs over Oak Lawn behind Olaf Kozub’s 351 yards and 4 TDs
After running wild in Stagg’s season-opening victory, Olaf Kozub bested that effort in Week 2 to help the Chargers to a second straight win. Kozub, a junior running back, totaled 351 yards from scrimmage, including 19 carries for 285 yards rushing (15 yards per carry) and scoring runs of 1, 29 and 65 yards in…
Football | Argo blanks Bloom for second straight shutout
Two games. Two wins. Zero points allowed. Life is good for Argo and head coach Phillip Rossberg. “A 2-0 start is nice,” Rossberg said. “We’ll take that.” On Sept. 6 in Summit, the Argonauts welcomed Bloom in a non-conference matchup. Anchored by the efforts of running back Steven Holmes and a strong defensive showing, Argo…
Football | Richards scores late to edge Crete-Monee
Richards senior Austin Synoga was short on words to describe the final 30-ish seconds of the Bulldogs’ season-opener against Crete-Monee. “It was unreal,” said Synoga, who played the hero in a 27-26 victory over the Warriors on Aug. 30 in Crete. “When I got the pick I didn’t even celebrate. I didn’t know what to…
Football | St. Rita rides big second half to win over Sandburg
Roughly 11 months ago, St. Rita running back Nick Herman got his first varsity start when he filled in for injured starter DJ Stewart in a pivotal Chicago Catholic League crossover against St. Laurence. Herman ran for 155 yards and a touchdown, helping the Mustangs to their only win — and clinching a spot in…
Girls Volleyball | Marist’s Berg, Berry earn all-tourney honors at Mizuno Crimson Classic
Marist, which was ranked 22nd in the nation by maxpreps.com, lost to Lincoln-Way East, 25-20, 25-17, in the semifinals of the Mizuno Crimson Classic at Plainfield North. The RedHawks recovered to beat Oak Park-River Forest in the third-place match. Sandburg finished 12th in the 32-team tournament, while Riverside-Brookfield was 14th and Nazareth 20th. Marist’s Taylor…
Gilrs Volleyball | McAuley tops St. Laurence again for Metea Valley-Oswego East title
Mother McAuley and St. Laurence had to travel to Aurora to face each other for the first time this season. For the second consecutive season, the two area powers met in the Metea Valley/Oswego East Tournament championship, and for the second consecutive season, the Mighty Macs won, this time 25-21, 25-19, to repeat as tourney…
Girls Volleyball | Shepard and Chicago Christian split Heights battles
Who won the Battle of Palos Heights in girls volleyball this season? No one. Shepard traveled to Chicago Christian on Aug. 27 and the Astros pulled off a 25-22, 25-23 thriller. The two neighboring rivals squared off again on Aug. 31 in the quarterfinals of the Gold Bracket at the 13th Chicago Christian Knight Invite,…
Red Stars face Orlando in first home game since Olympic break
Pro soccer is returning to SeatGeek Stadium with two games over the weekend after a hiatus due to the Olympics. The Chicago Fire will make their second of three appearances in Bridgeview this season when they host DC United at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 in an MLS battle. The following day, the Chicago Red…
Reavis’ Chavez, Richards’ O’Shea are Mega stars at Conkey Woods
Santiago Chavez of Reavis won the boys division of the South Suburban Conference Mega Meet in boys cross country on Aug. 29 at Conkey Woods in Palos Heights. Chavez won with a time of 15:55.6 in the 3-mile race. James O’Shea of Richards was runner-up with a time of 15:583. Also in the top 10…
Windy City Ram Classic | Marist blanks T.F. North, will face Lemont in semifinals
And then there was one. The 32-team 2024 Boys Windy City Ram Classic soccer tournament was chock-full of area teams, but only Marist survived the first three rounds to make it to the semifinals. The RedHawks had an easy win in the first round with a forfeit over Mansueto on Aug. 28. In the round…
Football | Chicago Christian beats Herscher, wins opener for eight straight season
The Chicago Christian defense forced eight turnovers and the offense exploded as the Knights began their season with a victory for the eighth consecutive campaign. Niko Griggs posted 8 ½ tackles, Brock Sperling had three tackles-for-loss, Christian Flutman snagged two interceptions and Caden Boersma also had a pick for Chicago Christian. Flutman also threw for…
Football | Olaf Kozub romps for 224 yards and 2 TDs as Stagg tops Joliet Central
So far, so good for Stagg, which began new coach Jacob O’Connor’s tenure with a win over Joliet Central on opening night of the 2024 season. Displaying a versatile offense that saw six players score rushing touchdowns, the Chargers beat the Steelmen 49-20 in a non-conference matchup Aug. 30 in Palos Hills. Stagg junior running…
Sandburg grad Tommy Windt looks back at baseball career
After more than 20 years of playing baseball, Tommy Windt has hung up the spikes. Windt, an Orland Park resident and Sandburg graduate, started playing T-ball at age 2 and went on to play youth league and travel baseball before taking the field in high school for the Eagles, then in college at South Suburban…
Football | Joliet West tops Shepard on opening night for second straight season
While Shepard suffered 36-15 loss to Joliet West commence the 2024 season, Astros coach John Rone found at least one encouraging aspect of his team’s performance. “I don’t think the final score shows how well our defense played,” Rone said. “They caused turnovers and got sacks. We also had a goal-line stand. “The defense just…
Summit Officer Earns National Honor, New Police Officer Joins Force
Summit Police Officer Armando Dominguez received a standing ovation at the Summit Village Board meeting after being named National School Resource Officer of the Year, an honor presented at the National School Safety Conference. The award recognizes school resource officers who have made specific and significant contributions to their local communities or school districts. “Getting…
Worth to honor victims of 9/11 tragedy
Worth public officials will mark a couple of events honoring veterans and will remember the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned that the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 will take part in the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Veteran Wall on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Monee. “Members of the post will…
Missing woman’s body found, service set for Saturday
A missing 85-year-old woman who had been missing since September 1 was found Wednesday afternoon deceased. Chicago police said Wednesday Francisca Renteria’s body was found after a massive search through the Garfield Ridge area. Sources said her body was found by Cook County Sheriff’s Police near an industrial building at 51st Street and Meade Avenue.…
Annual Rhine VFW Post picnic called a success
The annual post picnic at Rhine VFW Post in Garfield Ridge took place on September 1. Post Commander Charlie Johnson says it’s a big hit every year. “We have 125-150 people come every year. It’s our annual picnic for our members, their families, and our auxiliary. “We are one of the best VFWs in the…
Step Back in Time: 31st annual River Rendezvous returns to Willow Springs
The 31st annual A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous will be returning once again this year to Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs for a weekend filled with historic facts, recreation and fun. Taking place at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road, the event focuses on the…
Football | Steven Holmes runs for 4 TDs as Argo defeats De La Salle
Last season, Argo made the state playoffs in consecutive campaigns for the first time in program history On opening night in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, they Argonauts took their first step toward securing a third straight postseason berth, defeating De La Salle 45-0 in a non-conference matchup at Parente Field. Argo senior running back Steven Holmes…
Football | Late TD pass lifts Nazareth over Kankakee on opening night
A balanced ground game and the play of Logan Malachuk led Nazareth to a comeback victory over a familiar foe on opening night of the 2024 season. Malachuk threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns, including a redemptive game-winning score with 3:46 to play, and the Roadrunners topped Kankakee, 37-30, in a non-conference matchup in…
Orland Park man charged for shooting tow truck, taking victim at gunpoint
A 26-year-old Orland man was arrested last week after he fired shots at a tow truck driver and took another person hostage at the auto repair shop where he worked, Chicago Ridge police said. Mahyoub Dawabsha was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 20, by Chicago Ridge officers who responded to a call of shots…
Popular Bluegrass and Brews will return to Countryside next year
There will be a fourth Bluegrass and Brews in Countryside next year after this year’s third edition drew a big crowd to Countryside Park. “Absolutely,” Mayor Sean McDermott said when asked if there will be another concert in 2025. “I thought it was wonderful,” he said of the August 24 event. “I think it gets…
Larry Rice Way unveiled at Hodgkins Fest
A crowd gathered during the annual Hodgkins Fest for the unveiling of Larry Rice Way on August 24. Longtime Hodgkins Trustee Larry Rice passed away at the end of July, and Lyons Street in the village now bears his name in his honor. “More than 100 people were there just for the street naming,” said…
Orland puts annexation on hold; appoints interim clerk
Annexations of three areas of Orland Park will likely become a reality, but there will be some time for residents to soak things in and to ask questions. The village board voted on Aug. 19 to postpone annexing the 1455-14567 S. 82nd Avenue area, the Silver Lake Drive property and the Silver Lake Dells area.…
Worth Park District rejects Homerding Park bids
The Worth Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted during their Aug. 15 meeting to unanimously reject the bids received for the Homerding Park Improvements Project. “As a board, we felt this was the best direction at this time,” said Mike McElroy, president of the park board. “We could have moved forward with the project,…
