K.J. Morris kick-starts Brother Rice in romp past St. Patrick
As beginnings go, it’s tough to top the one that K.J. Morris provided his Brother Rice teammates. On the opening kickoff of the Crusaders’ 48-0 CCL/ESCC crossover victory over St. Patrick at Triton College in Week 5, Morris sprinted 95 yards for a touchdown. For an encore, Morris returned a punt 45 yards for a…
North Dakota State commit Myles Mitchell, Richards race past Argo
Fans at Friday night’s South Suburban Red matchup between Richards and Argo hoping to see running back Myles Mitchell at his best were not disappointed. Mitchell powered the Bulldogs to an impressive 41-0 victory in Summit, carrying 29 times for 191 yards and five touchdowns. The North Dakota State commit found the end zone on…
Vanderbilt commit Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel cruise by Benet
Through the first five games of the season, Mount Carmel has piled up 215 points for an average of 43 points per game. One of the primary reasons why the Caravan have been so successful thus far is the play of senior quarterback Jack Elliott. In guiding Mount Carmel to a 48-13 Week 5 CCL/ESCC…
Cornell commit John McAuliffe, Marist get past IC Catholic
Scoring points hasn’t been a problem this season for Marist. That trend continued in Week 5 as the Redhawks traveled to Elmhurst and defeated IC Catholic 34-26 in a CCL/ESCC crossover. Through the first five games of the season, Marist, which improved to 4-1 overall, tallied 148 points, good enough for an average of 29.6…
‘Pinky’ power: Jonathan Castro leads Kennedy past Carver
When Jonathan Castro first went out for football at Kennedy, no one knew who he was. So his new teammates gave him a nickname. “Honestly, I just love the color pink,” the Crusaders senior said. “So I came in sophomore year and no one really knew my name. They saw I had a pink mouthguard, pink…
Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 6
1. MOUNT CARMEL (4-1) Last week: Beat Benet 48-13 This week: at Brother Rice Comment: QB Jack Elliott continues to excel with four total TDs vs. Redwings. 2. MARIST (4-1) Last week: Beat IC Catholic 34-26 This week: vs. Providence Comment: John McAuliffe rushes for 211 yards and four TDs in impressive road win. 3.…
Led by Justin Buckner and James Kingsbury, St. Rita defense stingy again vs. Notre Dame
If St. Rita is to achieve its goals this season of winning the CCL/ESCC Green and making a deep run into the state playoffs, its defense will need to play well. In a Week 5 42-0 CCL/ESCC crossover victory over visiting Notre Dame, the Mustangs did just that, limiting the Dons to just 53 yards…
Cam Tryon, Noah Vaughn and Anthony Loughran each score 2 TDs as Shepard tops Evergreen Park for fourth straight win
Whether playing on offense or defense, Shepard senior Cam Tryon’s objective is to make game-changing plays. Tryon made the most of his opportunities and did exactly that in the Astros’ battle against Evergreen Park in Week 5, parlaying three touches into two touchdowns in a 40-0 win over the host Mustangs in South Suburban Red…
Twin Bond Never Dies: Darius Townsel Plays Every Down for His Slain Brother
Darius Townsel, a junior at Curie High School, grew up playing football in the backyard with his twin brother, Demetrius Jr. Those carefree days, filled with laughter and competition, remain some of Darius’s fondest memories. “I remember this one time, he made me cry,” Darius said with a grin after the Condors’ 52-8 win against…
Joliet Catholic forces tie on final play of regulation, beats Marist in 2 OT
There were a lot of bowed heads in Marist’s post-game huddle after its Week 4 loss to Joliet Catholic. A few of them were shaking, trying to comprehend a stunning reversal of fortune. A few of them, unbowed, were looking skyward — perhaps for the answer to how the RedHawks could surrender a 10-point fourth-quarter…
Sandburg scores early, ‘D’ hangs tough to top Lincoln-Way West for third straight victory
Sandburg junior running back Luke Basiorka took the handoff off the right side and saw a lot of green in front of him. He burst through the hole and past a confused defensive back, and 89 yards later he was in the end zone celebrating with his teammates as the Eagles stretched their lead over…
Nazareth bounces back from first loss of season with shutout of IC Catholic
Nazareth has gotten off to slow starts each of the past two seasons, but in both years went on to win IHSA Class 5A state championships. Roadrunners coach Tim Racki challenged his Roadrunners to start the year strong by winning games earlier in the year. “Making history for being one of the worst teams in…
College Football | Saint Xavier triumphs after traumatic week
The Saint Xavier football team capped off a horrific week with a huge victory. Mason Santiago, a Cougars sophomore linebacker, was one of two men who died Sept. 15 in an early-morning crash on Interstate 80 in Tinley Park. Dealing with the grief of the loss of Santiago, a New Lenox resident and Providence graduate,…
St. Laurence makes history with title at Spartan Classic
Maeve McNamara was so excited. She couldn’t wait to shout it out to the world. “We made history!” she yelled. The St. Laurence senior opposite hitters and her teammates were pumped up after winning the Spartan Classic on Sept. 21 by beating Lincoln-Way West 25-23, 25-14 in Oak Lawn. The Vikings have won regional and…
A whole new ballgame | Area well-represented in inaugural girls flag football season
The inaugural Illinois High School Association girls flag football season is in full swing and is providing a new avenue for female athletes across the state. With flag football becoming an Olympic sport in 2028, there is speculation its popularity will soar over the next several years. Girls flag football has drawn enough interest from…
Richards runs for 478 yards in win over rival Oak Lawn
Both the present and the future of Richards’ offensive backfield were on full display in Week 4 as neighborhood rival Oak Lawn came across town. The Bulldogs ran for 478 yards and five touchdowns in a 68-12 victory over the Spartans in a South Suburban Red matchup Sept. 20 at Gary Korhonen Field. Senior Myles…
Collin Bagley’s boot lifts St. Laurence over Carmel
St. Laurence senior kicker Collin Bagley doesn’t lack confidence, according to Vikings coach Adam Nissen. Nor should he, if he continues performing as he did in St. Laurence’s 17-14 win over Carmel in Week 4. Bagley drilled a game-winning 29-yard field goal for the Vikings (4-0, 1-0) with 31 seconds to play in the CCL/ESCC…
Lyons overcomes Hilltoppers for first win in series since 2016
Lyons came into its annual matchup with Glenbard West winless in the conference rivals’ past six meetings. On a warm fall Saturday afternoon in Western Springs, the Lions ended that streak, employing a stingy defense and an opportunistic offense to beat the Hilltoppers, 24-7, in a West Suburban Silver game on Sept. 21. Lyons had…
Mount Carmel QB Jack Elliot runs for 198 yards, 4 TDs in win over St. Ignatius
Watching Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott play, two noticeable aspects of his game are his arm and his heart. Elliot, a senior from Orland Park, can throw the ball with the best of them; he’s also tough, durable and not afraid to accept a punishing hit from an opposing defender. In a 45-24 CCL/ESCC Blue…
Loyola sends Brother Rice to third straight loss
If Brother Rice head coach Casey Quedenfeld was looking for something positive to derive from the Crusaders’ Week 4 loss to Loyola, it would be the play of quarterback C.J. Gray. Gray, who is in his first year as the starting signal-caller, threw two touchdown passes and added another on a 76-yard run in the…
Nick Herman, Justin Buckner combine for 4 TDs as St. Rita tops St. Francis
Get off to a good start and achieve a good result. That’s what St. Rita head coach Martin Hopkins wanted from the Mustangs in their CCL/ESCC Green opener against St. Francis. His wish was granted as St. Rita delivered a 31-13 victory on Sept. 20 in Wheaton. The Mustangs had a 17-0 advantage at halftime…
Shepard knocks Argo from unbeaten ranks
Shepard coach John Rone was effusive with his praise of Anthony Loughran after the senior’s play on both sides of the ball helped the Astros upend previously unbeaten Argo in Week 4. Loughran, who plays running back and safety, ran for two touchdowns and intercepted a pass as Shepard (3-1, 1-0 South Suburban Red) beat…
Football | Evergreen Park gallops past Oak Lawn in conference opener
Within the first five-plus minutes of the Week 3 battle between Oak Lawn and Evergreen Park, 27 points had been scored. The host Mustangs sustained their offensive momentum throughout the contest en route to a 49-31 victory over the Spartans in the South Suburban Red opener for both teams. Leading the way for the Mustangs…
Football | Mount Carmel’s Jack Elliott and Cooper Lehman set records in defeat of Nazareth
A rare matchup between back-to-back state champions saw two of the state’s top quarterbacks combine for 11 touchdown passes and ended as an historic night for a program familiar with making history. The quarterback duel and the game both went to Mount Carmel, which rode the arm of senior signal-caller Jack Elliot to a 56-33…
Sandburg girls volleyball players bond via Smurfs and zombie brides
Sandburg junior middle hitter Ayah Kashkeesh and her volleyball teammates did not have a normal Thursday night on Sept. 12. Rather than playing a match in the school’s main gym, the Eagles had the night away from volleyball and held a fashion show and raffle. The players were not, however, modeling the hottest designs by…
Oak Lawn salon owner vows to rebuild after car totals business
By Dermot Connolly The Scissor Hands hair salon, a longstanding business in Oak Lawn, sustained heavy damage Saturday night when a car careened out of control through the storefront at 10822 S. Cicero Ave., destroying the interior of the salon. Jayne Molony, the owner, said the salon had closed at 4 p.m., about three hours…
New Palos Heights fire chief passionate about firefighting, new community
By Isabella Schreck Even after more than 30 years in fire protection, Michael Daly said he was still excited to come to work. “I’m very lucky to have a career that I enjoy,” said Daly, who became fire chief for the Palos Heights Fire Protection District in March. “I still like to work. I enjoy…
From ‘disgraceful’ to hopeful
Crews get busy at Archer Park By Tim Hadac A situation that looked sour is starting to look sweet, thanks to a quick response by new leadership at the Chicago Park District. Two weeks ago, no fewer than 17 complaints about conditions at Archer Park, 4901 S. Kilbourn, were made by the Archer Heights Civic…
Car crashes into Oak Lawn hair salon
A burning car crashed into an Oak Lawn hair salon Saturday night and caused extensive damage to the business and the building. No injuries were reported. Firefighters received a call about 6:45 p.m. that a Nissan Altima with an engine on fire had crashed into Scissor Hands, 10822 S. Cicero Ave. The car reportedly was…
Woman, child injured on Friendship Fest ride
A 40-year-old woman and a 6-year-old child suffered minor injuries Saturday night when a ride malfunctioned at Palos Hills Friendship Fest and they fell out of the ride onto the ground. Police said they were notified of the accident at about 8:30 p.m. The ride was not identified. Police said the victims were…
Palos Hills celebrates Friendship Fest 2022
By Kelly White The city of Palos Hills is bringing the community together this weekend with its annual Friendship Festival. “We always look forward to this great family weekend event,” Jerry Bennett, Palos Hills Mayor, said. “It’s one of the last free festivals around and it has been a tradition for the last 41 years…
Worth considers buffer zone for tobacco stores
By Joe Boyle The Worth Village Board is considering creating a buffer zone in an effort to restrict where tobacco stores can be located near schools. While restrictions placed on tobacco stores do not have to be implemented until October, Mayor Mary Werner and the trustees discussed the issue in earnest at the Worth Board Meeting on Tuesday night. Deputy Police…
Palos Hills Friendship Fest begins Thursday at Moraine Valley
By Bob Bong Palos Hills will kick off its annual Friendship Festival at 6 p.m. Thursday on the campus of Moraine Valley Community College. The annual summer festival has been around for 38 years and will run through Sunday, July 10. This event will include a car show, carnival, kids’ entertainment, face painting, pony rides,…
Special ed youths, Grace Point seniors putt for friendship
From staff reports While golfers were teeing up last week for the U.S. Open, one 88-year-old woman with dementia shared her love of the game with a group of special education students on the putting green at an Oak Lawn memory care community. Ruth Lang, a resident at Grace Point Place, an Anthem Memory Care…
Comings & Goings: Duke’s opens new drive-in Mokena
By Bob Bong Duke’s Drive-In Mokena held its grand opening last month and a huge crowd of fans showed up to greet Bill Humphrey upon the return. Upwards of 100 cars packed the parking lot on June 17 behind the restaurant at 19990 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena and the adjoining parking lot of Belle…
Memorial Saturday for EPCHS coaching legend John George
From staff reports The family and friends of John George, a longtime former teacher and coach at Evergreen Park Community High School, are planning a memorial to remember him on Saturday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 9358 S. Homan Ave. in Evergreen Park. Refreshments will be served after…
