Senior Christian Flutman accounted for three touchdowns in Chicago Christian’s 53-16 playoff win against Illini West on Nov. 2. Photo by Mike Clark

Football roundup: Christian Flutman helps Chicago Christian advance

Christian Flutman rarely comes off the field for Chicago Christian and he wouldn’t have it any other way. The senior starts at quarterback and defensive back and also is the holder for kicks — duties that kept him plenty busy on Nov. 2 when the Knights rolled by visiting Illini West 53-16 in a Class…

football-stock

IHSA football playoff scoreboard

With records and seedings in parentheses Note: Classes 8A and 7A are seeded 1-32. All other classes are seeded as two 1-16 brackets. First round Class 8A Glenbard East 49, Curie 0 Stevenson 31, Sandburg 14 Marist 42, Glenbrook South 14 Lyons 38, Joliet West 0 Class 7A Fenwick 12, Brother Rice 7 Quincy 49,…

Red Star Mallory Swanson (9) moves the ball against Kansas City on Nov 3 at SeatGeek Stadium. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area sports roundup: Red Stars fall to eighth seed, will face Orlando

The Chicago Red Stars are heading into the NWSL playoffs with a three-game losing streak and will face the regular season’s best team. The eighth-seeded Red Stars visit top-seeded Orlando at 7 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. The Red Stars had a 1-1 draw at Orland on March 29 and lost 1-0 in Bridgeview on…

Mother McAuley girls volleyball coach Jen DeJarld has helped keep the Mighty Macs' regional championship alive at 44 straight. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Postseason roundup: McAuley wins 44th straight volleyball regional

The streak is up to 44. Mother McAuley won another regional championship in girls volleyball on Oct. 31 and that brings its total up to 44 straight regional or district championships after a 25-12, 25-14 victory over Stagg to win the Class 4A Stagg Regional in Palos Hills. Excluding the 2020 COVID-19 season, the Mighty…

mount carmel logo

Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel cruise in Class 7A opener

Before a Class 7A opener in Machesney Park on Nov. 1, Mount Carmel and Harlem had never played each other. The Huskies are likely fine with not seeing the Caravan again anytime soon, as the Caravan rolled to a 56-14 victory. Playing only in the first half, Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott completed 11 of…

Logo-Richards

Two-way star Myles Mitchell helps Richards advance

With Richards trailing late against visiting Dunlap in a Class 6A opener on Nov. 1, Bulldogs coach Tony Sheehan knew what time it was. Myles Mitchell time. “I’m not going to lie,” Sheehan said. “I went up to him in the fourth quarter and told him that we were going to put it all on…

Logo-Shepard

Shepard’s bounceback season ends in Class 6A opener

A rough start led to a season-ending loss for Shepard on Nov. 1. In the first three minutes of a Class 6A playoff opener against downstate Washington, the Astros fell behind 14-0 en route to a 52-21 road loss. Shepard went three-and-out on its first possession. Washington blocked the ensuing punt and scored on a…

FB Argo Argonauts Helmet

Unbeaten Quincy ends Argo’s season in Class 7A opener

Argo coach Phillip Rossberg knew it wouldn’t be easy going on the road to play unbeaten Quincy in a Class 7A opener on Nov. 2. Quincy quarterback Bradyn Little passed for six touchdowns as the 10-0 Blue Devils defeated the Argonauts 49-7. “They’re as advertised,” Rossberg said. “Their quarterback passed 10,000 yards for his career,…

Defensive tackle Josh Loera (left) and running back John McAuliffe played key roles in Marist’s playoff win against Glenbrook South on Nov. 1. Photo by Mike Walsh

Marist pulls away in second half to win Class 8A playoff opener

Missing the IHSA playoffs last year for only the second time in 14 seasons was a bitter pill for Marist. “We had a letdown last year by not making the playoffs,” RedHawks linebacker Kevin Tomkins said. “We knew that we needed to pick it up this season. “When we worked out in the offseason, we…

football-stock

Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 11

1. MARIST (9-1) Last week: 8A, Beat Glenbrook South 42-14 This week: vs. Loyola Comment: After shaky start, RedHawks defense was excellent against the Titans. 2. LYONS (10-0) Last week: 8A, Beat Joliet West 38-0 This week: vs. Downers Grove South Comment: Lions’ offense has been strong all season averaging 35.4 points per game. 3.…

Eduardo Seija scored his first career touchdown in Curie's 30-0 shutout of Urban Prep-Bronzeville on Oct. 24. Photo by Mike Clark

Eduardo Seija, Curie earn first playoff berth since 2019

Eduardo Seija and his Curie teammates had plenty to celebrate on Oct. 24. Seija, a senior two-way starter at fullback and linebacker, scored the first touchdown of his career as the Condors shut out Urban Prep-Bronzeville 30-0 at Rockne Stadium to complete one of the state’s biggest turnarounds. A year after going 0-9, Curie is…

The new Stars logo, starting in 2025.

Area sports roundup: Stars to get the ‘Red’ out; SXU falls again

Starting in 2025, the Chicago Red Stars will tweak their brand. The team will be known as the Chicago Stars Football Club and will have a new logo. They are getting the “Red” out. “As the stewards of this club, Laura Ricketts, the ownership group and the leadership team believe it is time to evolve…

Marist’s Helena Klooster hits a shot against Sandburg’s Estela Loureiro on Oct. 26 at the IHSA state tournament in Rolling Meadows. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Postseason roundup: Marist’s Helena Klooster finishes fifth at state

Two of the best girls tennis players in Orland Park have taken each other on several times over the years during various tournaments. But they never had a match like this one. Marist’s Helena Klooster and Sandburg’s Estela Loureiro – both sophomores — met in the IHSA Class 2A state tournament consolation quarterfinals on Oct.…

football-stock

Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 10

1. MARIST (8-1) Last week: Beat Notre Dame 34-0 This week: vs. Glenbrook South, Class 8A Comment: Jacob Ritter threw for three touchdowns and scored on a run for the RedHawks. 2. LYONS (9-0) Last week: Beat Proviso East 50-6 This week: vs. Joliet West, Class 8A Comment: This is the Lions’ first 9-0 team…

Logo-Shepard

Shepard rolls past Eisenhower, looks ahead to playoffs

Shepard coach John Rone knows what his seniors have been through. That makes where they are – heading to the IHSA Class 6A playoffs – that much sweeter. The Astros finished 7-2 in the regular season and second in the South Suburban Red behind Richards at 5-1 after beating Eisenhower 31-6 on the road on…

Logo-Richards

Richards routs Reavis, clinches South Suburban Red title

Whether the conference was called the SICA North, the SICA Orange or the South Suburban Red, the most dominant team has usually been Richards. The Bulldogs reaffirmed that on Oct. 25, cruising past Reavis 76-0 in Oak Lawn. Richards (8-1, 6-0) won the 35th conference championship in program history. According to coach Tony Sheehan, the…

Logo-Chicago Christian

Kenny Jager powers Chicago Christian past Aurora Christian

When Chicago Christian needs a play, chances are the ball will go to Kenny Jager. In a 28-21 road victory over Chicagoland Christian Conference rival Aurora Christian on Oct. 25, Jager carried 27 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns. “Kenny could potentially be the conference’s player of the year,” first-year Chicago Christian coach CJ…

FB Argo Argonauts Helmet

Argo beats Evergreen Park, punches ticket to playoffs

Win and you’re in. The scenario couldn’t have been clearer for Argo in the final game of the regular season Oct. 25 against South Suburban Red rival Evergreen Park in Summit. The Argonauts needed to beat the Mustangs to clinch their third consecutive state playoff berth and sixth in program history. Mission accomplished. Javoris Cotton…

mount carmel logo

Mount Carmel drops regular-season finale to Loyola

For all its years of excellence, one team has recently proven to be the bane of Mount Carmel’s existence: Loyola. In a Week 9 CCL/ESCC Blue matchup on Oct. 25 on the South Side, the Ramblers continued their mastery over the Caravan, winning 31-7. It was Loyola’s fourth win over Mount Carmel in the last…

Richards running back Myles MItchell breaks into the open field during a 68-12 win over Oak Lawn on Sept. 20. Photo by Vince Olejniczak

Area football teams learn postseason paths

One of the facts of life in Class 6A football has been that the road to the IHSA title runs through East St. Louis. Few know that better than Richards, whose season was ended by the Flyers in the 2019 quarterfinals, the 2021 second round and the 2022 first round. There were no playoffs in…

Nazareth's Gray Musker hits a bunker shot during the second round of the IHSA Class 2A state tournament at Weibring Golf Course in Normal on Oct. 19. Photo by Tim Cronin

Postseason roundup: Nazareth boys golf finishes seventh in Class 2A

NORMAL – Nazareth was in a position to win a trophy after the first round of the IHSA Class 2A boys golf championship at Illinois State’s Weibring Golf Course. Then golf happened. The Roadrunners’ team total jumped 17 strokes higher in Saturday’s near-windless second round, and that was enough for them to tumble from second…

football-stock

Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 9

1. MARIST (7-1) Last week: Beat Marmion 42-0 This week: vs. Notre Dame Comment: After missing out on state playoffs last season, RedHawks appear ready for a deep run. 2. LYONS  (8-0) Last week: Beat York 24-7 This week: vs. Proviso East Comment: Snapped six-game losing streak to Dukes and earned first outright conference title…

The Chicago Bears  named Saja Alnajjar, head coach of Stagg High School as the Chicago Bears Girls' Flag Football Coach of the Week. (Supplied photo)

Stagg flag football coach wins Bears honors

The Chicago Bears have officially named Saja Alnajjar, head coach of Stagg High School in Palos Hills, as the Chicago Bears Girls’ Flag Football Coach of the Week for Week 7. This award recognizes excellence in leadership and team commitment, highlighting efforts to support young athletes and expand girls’ flag football throughout Illinois. As part…

Jonathan Castro ran for three touchdowns as Kennedy beat Hansberry 47-12 in Week 8. Photo by Mike Clark

Football notebook: Kennedy finishes unbeaten in conference

Kennedy went into its Week 8 game against Hansberry minus some of its usual leaders on defense. But despite missing four starters on that side of the ball for various reasons, the Crusaders wrapped up a perfect conference season with a 47-12 win over Hansberry at Stagg Stadium. “A lot of guys had to step…

Gabriel Taylor Jr. had 83 total yards on five touches and scored a touchdown in Curie’s 24-12 win against Lake View in Week 8. Photo by Mike Clark

Gabriel Taylor Jr., Curie move closer to state playoff berth

Gabriel Taylor Jr. played Pop Warner football growing up in New Jersey, but his focus shifted when he moved to Chicago before his freshman year. Taylor was part of the Curie boys basketball program, consistently one of the best in the Public League and the state. Football wasn’t on his radar until another basketball player…

An inflatable Santa waved to the crowd from the back of a flatbed truck. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Orland Park Christmas parade lights up the season

“Even in the cold, this parade warms your heart,” said Cathy Garner, an Orland Park resident who joined her twin daughters in Sunday’s Christmas Parade. With temperatures hovering at 25 degrees but feeling like 15 due to the wind chill, residents bundled up in blankets, winter coats, and hats for the beloved tradition. The parade…

survey art

Poll shows city residents oppose tax hikes, criticize spending on migrants

An online survey of 801 general election voters conducted by Change Research from Nov. 18-21 revealed a snapshot of Chicagoans’ opinions on budget negotiations, property taxes, and city spending. The poll, which had a modeled margin of error of 3.7%, explored topics ranging from politician favorability to spending priorities and Chicago’s sanctuary city policies. The…

3

Grandma’s legacy: Patsy’s gaming and golf brings fun and community to Palos Heights

Jim Ostry grew up in Evanston, across the street from Northwestern University. He spent his summers of his youth working as a caddy at Westmoreland Country Club. “That was when I started golfing and fell in love with the game,” said Ostry, of Lakeview. Ostry turned his passion for golf into a career with a…

Historian Kevin Wood, portrayed Abraham Lincoln during a program at the Palos Park Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 23 called, Lincoln and Thanksgiving.

Historian Kevin Wood brings Lincoln to life in Thanksgiving program

Standing over 6 feet tall and wearing a wide-brimmed stovetop  hat, Kevin Wood cuts a striking figure as Abraham Lincoln. The historian from Adrian, Michigan, began portraying the 16th U.S. president—who served from 1861 until his assassination in 1865—due to their uncanny physical similarities. Wood and Lincoln even share the same height. As Lincoln once…

Sawyer Schweikert, 1, of Palos Park, enjoys a bowl of mac and cheese at Mad Chicken during the grand opening event on Thursday, Nov. 21. (Photo by Kelly White)

Mac and cheese, please! Mad Chicken brings comfort food flavors to Palos Park

Melted cheese dripped off the fork as Sawyer Schweikert took another bite of her favorite meal: mac and cheese.  She’s nearly two years old and already has found her go-to dish at Mad Chicken, a new comfort food spot at 13037 LaGrange Road in Palos Park. Mad Chicken hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony…

Courtesy of Palos Heights

Palos Heights council makes waves, approves $1.8M pool upgrade plan

Fifteen years after a citizens’ group fundraised to save the city’s aging pool from closure, the facility is undergoing a $1.8 million transformation. The upgrades, partially funded by a $600,000 grant, include decking repairs, concrete replacements, and a new pool house. “This pool is 50 years old,” Alderman Jeffrey Key said. “We’re essentially getting a…

regional palos heights logo

Contested races mark Palos Heights’ April election

Palos Heights voters are set to cast their ballots on April 1, 2025, in an election featuring key races for mayor, city treasurer, and City Council seats.  Mayor Incumbent Mayor Robert Straz, who has served in various capacities in Palos Heights for more than 40 years, is seeking another term. Straz’s campaign highlights his tenure…

YSV Candles and Gifts, a full-service store, also offers gift baskets, said owner Mildred Rivera. (Photos by Robin Sluzas)

In the holiday spirit, YSV Candles and Gifts nurtures creativity, connection in Garfield Ridge

Mildred Rivera, owner of YSV Candles and Gifts, is more than a businesswoman. She’s a candlemaker and community advocate whose Garfield Ridge store is a hub for artisan wares and creative workshops.  Located at 6623 W. Archer Ave., YSV Candles and Gifts offers handmade candles, natural cosmetics, and unique artisan creations from 20 local makers.…

Palos Lion Herb Schumann checks out the Christmas trees at a previous tree sale. (File photo)

Area Lions clubs ready to sing ‘O Christmas Tree’

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time for local Lions Clubs to hold their annual sale of Christmas trees to raise money for the wonderful causes they support during the year. The Palos Lions will get the tree sales rolling early this year because Thanksgiving falls so late, Nov. 28. The club…

Keith Pekau, shown in 2022 with area hockey star Kendall
Coyne Schofield, is running for his third term as mayor of
Orland Park. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Pekau, Dodge to duke it out in Orland Park

At one time, Keith Pekau and Jim Dodge were on friendly terms. Pekau said he even supported Dodge for Illinois treasurer in the 2018 election.  But things went sour during their time on the village board with Pekau being the mayor and Dodge a senior trustee and the two frequently locked horns until Dodge declined…

Kathy O’Sullivan, of Oak Lawn, holds her No. 22 ticket that was drawn in the Park Lawn
Queen of Hearts Raffle on Nov. 13 while At the Office bar owner Tim Newsome holds
the 2 of Hearts that he unveiled under that number. (Photo by Dermot Connolly)

Park Lawn Queen of Hearts picks a winner – finally

After two years with no winner and a jackpot exceeding $2 million, Park Lawn’s longest-running Queen of Hearts raffle will conclude with a draw-down that was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at At the Office sports bar, 4901 Cal-Sag Road, Crestwood.  An exceptionally large crowd turned out for the Nov. 13 drawing, where…

 Hickory Hills Police walking in for Veterans Day presentation. (Photo by Nuha Abdessalam)

Hickory Hills honors veterans with annual ceremony at Veterans Park

As the sun set on Veterans Park Thursday evening, residents, city officials, and veterans gathered to honor the strength, dedication, and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The annual Hickory Hills ceremony, held in celebration of Veterans Day week, paid tribute to veterans and the values they fought to protect.…