Free Press Advocate

Record holders to face off during Coalers vs. Cats

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2024 - 4:04pm

Dark green, white and gold. Purple and white. Babe's Tap vs Hayden's Crossing, Landin Benson vs Kyle Farrell.
The latter both recently became their respective school's all-time leading rusher and Friday is the final time the two will square off on the gridiron.
Wilmington has won 19 straight games and is averaging 45.3 points per game while allowing only 10.2.
Coal City has won five straight and is also averaging 45.3 ppg while allowing 9.3.

WHS to host Coal City for Volley for a cure

Published by admin on Tue, 10/01/2024 - 4:27pm

The WHS Lady Cat Volleyball Team will host the Coal City Coalers for the annual Volley for a Cure game on Thursday, Oct. 10, with doors opening at 4 p.m. to raise funds for Megan's Mission Foundation.
The event will be held at 209 Wildcat Ct, Wilmington. Games will begin at 5 p.m. for the freshmen teams, 6 p.m. for the JV team. Honoree presentation will begin at approximately 6:45 p.m., with a guest appearance from Kent and Deb Bugg, and a special video tribute to Megan Bugg.

Wildcat football program ranked 38th all-time in Illinois

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2024 - 3:17pm

The Wilmington High School football program is being recognized by the IHSA today as having the 38th best in the state.

The IHSA has been featuring a new team daily since the start of the season as they count down the top 50 teams overall. Here is 38 and what they have to say about Wilmington. Congratulations coaches!

‘Cats have momentum going into Lisle

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 4:21pm

Wildcat confidence is running high after winning two in a row. But that doesn’t mean they can’t let their guard down when they travel to Lisle on Friday.
The Lions lost 42-7 to Harvard in Week 1 and 40-0 to a good Seneca team in Week 2.
While scoring only one touchdown in two games while giving up 82 points gives insight into Lisle’s struggles, Friday is a conference game and it’s on a turf field in front of Lions fans who would love to see an upset.

‘Cats run over Sandwich

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 4:19pm

Was that the same Sandwich football team that scored a respectable 32 points in the season opener?
Even though they lost 52-32 to Manteno in Week 1, that wasn’t the case Friday when they squared off against Wilmington. The Wildcat defense didn’t give up a first down until late in the third quarter and by then the fast clock was already ticking.
What does that say about the defending 2A state champions?

CC golfers win over Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 09/03/2024 - 3:18pm

The Coal City boys golf team won the varsity and junior varsity rounds against Wilmington last week at Highpoint Golf Course in Essex.
The Coalers scored a 179 to the hosting Wildcat’s 201.
Jerry Carlson was medalist of the match with a low 41 while Culan Lindemuth carded a 44, Jaxon Duke a 46 and Frankie Ponio a 48. Turning in a 52 was Trevor Perino and 53 for Griffin Winke.

WHS baseball team brings home state trophy

Published by admin on Tue, 06/04/2024 - 2:53pm

WHS baseball players were bumped in their quest to become Class 2A state champions on Friday, but they still impressed with a third place state finish in Peoria.
The Wildcats shutout Sterling Newman Catholic 4-0 on Saturday to erase a 19-year absence of bringing home a state trophy, finishing the season with a 28-2 record including a 25-game win streak and new school records in pitching.
This is the fourth state trophy in baseball for WHS. Wildcats won two state championships in 2003 and 2005; and a third in 2004.

Wildcats to play for sectional title

Published by admin on Thu, 05/23/2024 - 1:45pm

Wilmington junior Kyle Farrell pitched an outstanding game Wednesday, striking out 14 batters and going all seven innings in the Beecher Sectional semifinal to defeat Chicago Christian 5-3.

The Wildcats grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first but a hit, walks and an error in the third allowed Christian to take a 3-2 lead. 

Farrell got back to business though, holding the Knights scoreless the rest of the way while limiting them to just three hits. against the 14 Ks. Almost 75% of the 110 pitches Farrell threw on Wednesday was a strike.

WMS 8th grade track finishes 2nd in state

Published by admin on Tue, 05/21/2024 - 3:50pm

The WMS track and field team took eight individuals to the state championships at the Eastside Centre stadium in East Peoria on May 17th-18th.
These athletes included Hunter Kaitschuck for the 8th grade boys High Jump, Shot Put and Hurdles. Madisen Van Duyne for 8th grade girls Hurdles, Aubree Jandura in 8th grade girls Long Jump and the 4X200 relay with 7th grader Payton Govero, 8th grader McKenna Van Tilburg, 7th grader Kelsie Roeder and alternates 7th grader Lilly Govero and 8th grader Amara Bown. To say they did great is truly an understatement.

Clark stuns Momence with five goals for first win of the season

Published by admin on Tue, 04/09/2024 - 4:23pm

While the Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball team made it to the national championship behind a certain Clark who finished her senior season setting several NCAA records, the Wilmington soccer team has its own Clark, as in Alaina Clark, who put on a scoring frenzie on Friday when the Lady Cats got their first win of the season.
The WHS junior ran circles circles around Momence defenders during a 9-0 shutout that included five goals and three assists for Clark.
Her hustle so far as put her two goals shy of 50 career scoring shots with many more opportunities to come.