Catch up on the week’s top DeKalb County news and sports in minutes for the week of Aug. 24-30. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Zach Murray scored in the 67th minute to lead DeKalb past Sycamore in the Barb Cup, Sycamore tennis had four champs in its tournament and more in the roundup.

After Davon Grant and Travis Moore came up with big defensive plays in the third quarter to give DeKalb the lead, Sycamore came back and ate up the final 8:13 off the clock to secure a 22-21 victory

The Sycamore and DeKalb football teams opened their 2025 seasons with the annual FNBO Challenge Friday night in Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University.

DeKalb and Sycamore their games at the Barb Cup, G-K girls cross country won at home with the top three finishers and more in the roundup.

The host team DeKalb met St. Edward Thursday in the Barb Cup boys soccer tournament at DeKalb High School.

Join hosts JT Pedelty, Eddie Carifio and Sam Ramirez as they preview Week 1 in Illinois high school football in DeKalb and La Salle counties, as well as the Sauk Valley, for the Friday Night Drive podcast

Bella Culotta didn't enter the match for Sycamore on Wednesday against DeKalb until the Spartans were down six in the third set. But she got four quick kills and sparked Sycamore to the girls volleyball victory.

DeKalb and Sycamore meet in a rivalry showdown and Genoa-Kingston hosts Oregon It's part of a big opening weekend of high school football, and we look at each game in the Daily Chronicle area.

Sycamore enters Friday's season opener against DeKalb on a three-game winning streak against their rivals, including a comeback thriller last year.

From a high-impact freshman to the reigning player of the year, we take a look at five boys soccer players that can have a big impact on their teams this year.

We take a look at each Daily Chronicle area boys soccer team, their top players, expectations for 2025 and more.

Gavin Sevidie took second for Sycamore at the Mark Rolfing Cup, Kaneland volleyball topped Genoa-Kingston, Indian Creek roared past Stillman Valley and more in Monday's roundup.

Kayden Johnson had three touchdowns while Elora Slater and Kaylee Tenard had two interceptions each in DeKalb's 42-0 win over Belvidere, the first IHSA flag football game in school history.

The DeKalb girls flag football team played the inaugural game for the program Monday afternoon against Belvidere at DeKalb High School.

Several area golf teams including DeKalb, Sycamore, Kaneland and Sterling, competed Monday in the Mark Rolfing Cup at Kishwaukee Valley Country Club in DeKalb.

From the front lines to the back of the defense, we look at five players who can have big volleyball seasons this year.

We take a look at each area volleyball team, what they expect for the year and who the top players, new and returning, are for each team.

Check out how teams in the Southwest Valley Conference are expected to fare this season.

We take a look at each boys cross country team in the area, their top athletes and aspirations for the year.

Retruning state placers, young runner looking to make the leap and more highlight our five boys cross country runners to watch this year.

We take a look at each girls cross country team, their top runners, expectations for the 2025 season and more.

From a pair of experienced seniors looking for a strong finish to a freshman expected to surge onto the scene, we look at five girls cross country runners that should have big years.

Morris and DeKalb took the field against each other to help prepare for next week's season opener

The DeKalb girls flag football team plays its inaugural game Monday against Belvidere, marking a historic moment in a sport expanding to 220 programs this season and fueled by a roster full of passionate players, including Angela Gary and Kaylee Tenard.

The DeKalb High School flag football team held their first practice Wednesday as they get ready to open their first season.

The offseason has been about the BBA for the DeKalb football team - bounce-back ability. Players and coach Derek Schneeman said they like what they've seen so far as they look to turnaround a 1-8 season.

We break down each area boys golf team, their top players and goals for the season.

With the boys golf season underway, we take a look at five are golfers poised for strong seasons.

We take a look at each girls golf team, their top players and expectations for the 2025 season.

With the girls golf season just having started, we take a look at five local golfers that are poised for big seasons.

As DeKalb County gears up for the 2025 volleyball season, emerging talent shines amid significant graduations. With all seven teams winning at least 10 games last year, the stakes rise for both seasoned players and ambitious newcomers in this competitive landscape.

As the whistle blows to kick off a promising 2025 soccer season in DeKalb County, perennial contenders Sycamore and Kaneland aim seek postseason glory, DeKalb and Genoa-Kingston seek redemption and Hinckley-Big Rock and Indian Creek look to build on last year's successes.

The DeKalb High School football team held their first fall practice Monday as the get ready for the upcoming season.

While the Land of Lincoln has its share of Bulldogs, Eagles, Tigers and other standard nicknames, we also have some more unusual prep mascots. Here are the stories behind some of the most interesting ones

As the DeKalb volleyball team enters its second set of summer workouts under coach Keith Foster, the focus has been on becoming a more aggressive, more confident team. With the season set to start in a month, the Barbs are optimistic for what they can accomplish this year.

DeKalb senior Owen Sisson, a 6-1.5, 270-pound lineman bound for Minnesota State, faces a daunting season ahead, balancing dual roles while tackling formidable competition. With aspirations to revive the Barbs' playoff hopes, his tenacity and explosiveness become key.

Longtime club coach Dan Carl, former Sycamore coach Dave Lichamer first two inductees into DeKalb County Soccer Hall of Fame.

J.T. Pedelty, Eddie Carifio and Sam Ramirez react to the IHSA football schedule getting released in the latest Friday Night Drive podcast, and break down games in DeKalb and La Salle counties, along with the Sauk Valley region

The 2025 football season will again start with a key rivalry game as DeKalb and Sycamore meet in Week 1. We break down each week's top game after the IHSA released schedules on Friday morning.

The DeKalb High School football team held a summer practice Wednesday, at the school as they prepare for the 2025 season.

As the DeKalb boys soccer team gears up for the upcoming season, coach Patrick Hamilton highlights the impact of midfielder Zach Murray, whose vision and leadership are pivotal during a summer of renewed determination.

The DeKalb and Sycamore boys soccer teams played Monday in a summer soccer friendly at DeKalb High School.

Check out some photos from the past year of Davon Grant, 2025 Daily Chronicle Boys Athlete of the Year.

After a fourth straight 20-win season and graduation of the winningest class in school history, DeKalb is officially in rebuild mode. The Barbs have spent the summer breaking in a new group of underclassmen.

The Illinois Coaches Association held their 48th annual Senior Baseball All Star Game on Monday, June 30, 2025 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru.

Davon Grant, the Daily Chronicle's two-time Boys Athlete of the Year, faces a pivotal fork in his journey, opting for early graduation to join the Illinois football team and potentially ending his time on the Barbs' basketball team.

The DeKalb boys basketball team took on Streamwood Friday in the DeKalb Live summer boys basketball tournament at the high school.

Big boppers dominated the softball season, with school record falling and big numbers going up. We look at all the best offensive and pitching talent on the Daily Chronicle All-Area Softball Team.

DeKalb's Brodie Farrell and Kaneland's Kanon Baxley shined both at the plate and on the mound and Sycamore's Davis Collie had a monster year the plate. They are just a handful of players named to the Daily Chronicle 2025 All-Area Baseball Team.