Ty Reynolds - Shaw Local News Network correspondent

Byron scored touchdowns on three of its first offensive five plays, and added tochdowns on interception and punt returns on its way to a 63-0 win over Rock Falls on Thursday night at Hinders Field.

Despite losing some key veterans on both sides of the ball, the Newman Comets believe their younger players will step up to help the returning starters to keep their playoff streak going.

After losing in the Illinois 8-Man Football Association state championship game last season, the Milledgeville Missiles are motivated to get another crack at the state title this fall.

After a return to the playoffs last season, Eastland-Pearl City wants to make the postseason a habit again. It’s going to take a blend of veteran leadership and new faces to do so.

After tying the school record with a 10-2 season and third-ever trip to the state quarterfinals, the Dixon Dukes will lean on their experience in the trenches to build on that this fall.

With lots of young players gaining valuable experience last season, the Forreston Cardinals look to return to their high standards this fall.

After snapping a 6-year playoff drought with back-to-back playoff berths, the Oregon Hawks are hoping to take the next step this fall in the postseason.

Setting the tone as the leadoff hitter and shut-down closer for a fourth-place state finisher has earned Newman junior Garret Matznick the title of 2025 Sauk Valley Media Baseball Player of the Year.

As an encore to a stellar junior season when he scored more points than any Dixon player, Darius Harrington obliterated his own scoring record on his way to taking over the top spot on the Dukes’ all-time scoring list. He is the 2024-25 SVM Player of the Year.

Newmn scored three runs in the top of the first, then tacked on three more in the fifth to back pitchers Drake Cole and Garret Matznick in a 6-2 victory over Johnsburg in the Class 2A Mendota Sectional final Saturday afternoon.

Belvidere North sophomore Ava Morris tossed a two-hit shutout and added two hits and an RBI in a 4-0 win over Sterling in the Class 3A Dixon Regional final Friday at Reynolds Field.

Sterling scored three runs in the seventh inning to tie the game, then added another run in the ninth to rally for a 4-3 win over host Freeport in their Class 3A regional semifinal game Wednesday.

Byron scored in all but one inning, and Andrew Talbert allowed just four baserunners in a one-hitter in a 10-0, five-inning win over Oregon in Saturday's Class 2A Stillman Valley Regional championship.

Sterling scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to come back and beat Dixon 3-2 on Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Field in Page Park.

Alec Novotney struck out seven in a no-hitter and got plenty of run support from his offense as Marquette defeated Newman 13-0 in five innings Friday in the season finale for both teams.