SPORTS HEADLINES

  • A FIRST EVER—Coal City soccer captains (from left) Dane Noffsinger, Luke Munsterman, Julian Micetich, Carter Nicholson and coach Steve McCleary hold the 3rd place state trophy for 1A soccer. It was a history-making day Friday when the Coalers defeated Chicago Academy 6-1 to win the soccer trophy.

    Photo by Alyshia Nicholson

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    COALER JULIAN MICETICH leaps to head the ball during Thursday’s game state semifinal game against Mendota.
    Photo by Amy Walker

    Coal City soccer caps historic season with a state trophy
    11/11/2025 - 3:06pm

  • WILDCATS WORK TOGETHER! THE D-LINE (from left) Declan Moran, Logan Van Duyne, Zach Ohlund and Jack Cutter work together to stop West Hancock in their tracks allowing no extra yardage.
    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Fast attack ‘Cats to square off against undefeated Seneca
    11/04/2025 - 1:34pm
  • Coalers-Dixon to 'duke' it out again
    11/04/2025 - 1:06pm
  • Playoffs tickets for Friday can be bought in advance
    11/04/2025 - 1:04pm
  • Buy playoff tickets in advance
    10/28/2025 - 4:11pm
  • Wilmington, R-C at Herscher, Coal City to compete at Seneca
    10/14/2025 - 2:22pm

  • WILDCAT JACK CUTTER gets ready to hike the ball during Friday’s game against Peotone. Cutter missed the first two games of the season due to injury but was back at center on Friday to help the Wildcats to a 41-13 victory.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Wildcats to hit the road to face Herscher
    09/16/2025 - 1:50pm
  • Miners win three vs. Manteno
    09/11/2025 - 8:22am
  • Coal City Miners take on Chanooka Braves
    08/26/2025 - 4:19pm
  • Helicopter to drop 2,600 weiners for an attempt at world record
    07/15/2025 - 3:47pm

  • ‘CATS CELEBRATE their sectional championship win over Bishop McNamara.
    Photos by Eric Fisher

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    A FIRED UP Lucas Rink celebrates after getting a strikeout to win the Sectional Championship over Bishop McNamara.

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    PLAY STOPPER—Wilmington third baseman Cooper Holman dives for a hard hit ball in the bottom of the seventh inning of the sectional championship game. Holman got up and threw the runner out at first to end a late threat by Bishop McNamara during a 5-4 victory.

    Eureka shutout the ‘Cats in Super Sectional
    06/03/2025 - 3:33pm

  • Coal City High School held its Signing Day for seniors going on to play collegiate athletics. A dozen seniors have announced their intent to continue their playing careers in college. Those students are: [from left, seated]: Gabe McHugh will play baseball at Kankakee Community College, Dylan Young will join the Augustana College football team and Aiden [AJ] Wills will play baseball for Aquinas College. In row two: Chloe Pluger will play soccer at Eureka College, Sydney Hughes will participate in cheerleading at St. Ambrose University, Kaycee Graff will play softball at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Emma Rodriguez will join the St. Francis University volleyball team, Abby Viano will play volleyball at Joliet Junior College, Madi Petersen will play softball at Wartburg College, Corinna Barlkey is joining the Augustana College soccer team, D’Arcy Ness will play softball at Joliet Junior College, and Juliana Covington will join the softball team at the College of DuPage.

    Coalers sign on to play for new teams
    04/22/2025 - 3:28pm

  • STATE CHAMPIONS! Coal City won the Class 1A state dual team wrestling title Saturday, March 1, defeating Vandalia 32-25 at Grossinger Auto Arena in Bloomington, capping off a 33-7 season. Team members include (kneeling, from left) Jake Munsterman, Jason Piatak, Dom Grassity, Owen Petersen, Culan Lindemuth, Cooper Morris, Luke Munsterman, Brody Widlowski, Bobby Rodriguez, Aidan Kenney, Jaela Vasquez and Addison Harvey. Standing are coaches Joe Widlowski, Zach Berman, Joe Breneman and Jim Looper plus wrestlers Evan Greggain, Mason Garner, Trace Wilson, Landin Benson, John Keigher, Alec Waliczek, Cade Poyner, Noah Houston, Brody D'Orazio, Brock Finch, Alex Carlson and coaches Nick O'Bert, Bob McGuinn and head coach Mark Masters.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

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    COAL CITY COACHES Mark Masters (right) and Jim Looper point out a near pin during the state championship match on Saturday.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Coalers reign over the state
    03/05/2025 - 11:27am

  • FOURTH IN STATE—Coaler Aidan Kenney went 3-2 during the IHSA state individual finals to earn fourth place at 144 pounds.
    Photo by Kelly Van Duyne

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    COAL CITY SENIOR John Keigher opened the state tournament with back to back wins at 215 pounds. He finished in fifth place.

    Seven state medals for the Coalers
    02/25/2025 - 3:54pm
  • Eight still in hunt for state medals
    02/22/2025 - 12:14pm

Wilmington Region

11/18/2025 - 3:52pm
Wilmington Park District planning biggest Christkindl Market yet
Wilmington is kicking off the holiday season in a big way on Saturday, Nov. 29, with a bigger than ever Christkindl Market, classic Christmas movies, ice carving demonstration, holiday parade and the North Island lighted Christmas walk. It’s hopeful...
Mudpuppies search may lead to vanished mussel
Mayor: Hotel would fill serious need
Planning Comission to hold hearing on four-story hotel
Route 66 photographer to make local worldwide premiere
Event to tell how to shield kids from predators

Coal City Region

STATE SCHOLARS—The Illinois Student Assistance Commission [ISAC] announced that 22 seniors from Coal City High School are among the top academic performing students in the state and have been selected for recognition as Illinois State Scholars. Recognized members of the Class of 2026 are [from left, row one]: Nicolas Votta, Olivia Sage, Kenzie Lovell, Olivia Weatherbee, Maria Campagna and Evelyn Wills. Row two: Nathan Foster, Jacob Cimino, Kamryn Hansen, Layla Miller, Jordan Olson, Sam Vota and Camryn Planeta. Row three: Liam Seeley, Dane Noffsinger, Lance Perino, Colin Schimandle, Julian Micetich, Cade Poyner, Austin Harding, Carter Gill and Aidan Kenney.

Coal City School District photo

11/18/2025 - 3:54pm
CCHS proud to have 22 State Scholars
Few in Illinois can say they are an Illinois State Scholar. But Coal City has 22 of them, ranking them among to top 10 percent of high school students in the state. For 67 years, the ISAC has recognized seniors for this academic achievement. The...
Grundy County Health issues warning on listeria in pasta meals
Coalers to get first-ever shot at state trophy
Coalers-Dixon to 'duke' it out again
Playoffs tickets for Friday can be bought in advance
Coal City will let grocery tax expire

Braidwood Region

11/18/2025 - 3:41pm
Braidwood eyes fourth TIF to facilitate proposed data center
The Braidwood city council took action last week to establish a fourth TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district where a proposed data center may be built. When a TIF district is created, the current property value is “frozen” at the baseline for a...
Smiles, Support and Stories: The heart of the RCHS English Department
“Skinny Kid” from Braidwood muses on his life in books
Mastodon station has a target date for completion
Box City of Hope spends a night at RCHS
Two additional warehouses coming to logistic center

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