Area high school runners compete in the McHenry County Cross Country Meet on Saturday, August 30, 2025. at Emricson park in Woodstock.

Miss out on any of the high school football action in McHenry County? Listen to the audio versions of our stories from Week 1 of the 2025 season here

Trailing 14-10 in the fourth quarter, McHenry sophomore Joey Spelman scored a game-winning, 4-yard touchdown in a 17-14 Fox Valley Conference win over Dundee-Crown.

Burlington Central volleyball defeated Cary-Grove in three sets, Burlington Central's Tyler Samaan led the Rockets boys golf team to an FVC dual win over the Trojans, plus more in Thursday's Northwest Herald roundup.

Crystal Lake South faces McHenry in a Fox Valley Conference volleyball match on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at the Freshman Campus of McHenry High School in McHenry.

IU-Indianapolis recruit Bobbi Wire led all players with 10 kills, while setter Nora Wiggs sent out 13 assists as Crystal Lake South picked up its second win in two days, cruising for a two-set victory over McHenry.

The 2025 high school football season starts Friday for Northwest Herald teams. Here is a look at Week 1 games, including Prairie Ridge at Cary-Grove in a matchup of the past two Fox Valley Conference champions.

Crystal Lake Central boys golf beat Jacobs in a low-scoring match, Prairie Ridge, Dundee-Crown and Burlington Central volleyball opened FVC play with wins, and more in Tuesday's Northwest Herald roundup.

Check out our team-by-team boys soccer preview with top returners, key newcomers and info on each local team for the 2025 season in the Northwest Herald area.

Check out our team-by-team girls volleyball preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team for the 2025 season in the Northwest Herald area.

McHenry girls tennis finished 4-1 at the Jacobs Invite with Grace Betts (No. 1 singles) and Lizzie Mueller (No. 2) each going 5-0.

The girls tennis season got underway this week. Check out our team-by-team preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team from the Northwest Herald area.

Check out our team-by-team girls swimming preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team for the 2025 season.

Crystal Lake Central co-op girls golf won the Huntley Invite title by 15 shots, Jacobs' boys took first over Hampshire at the Crystal Lake South Invite, plus more in Thursday's Northwest Herald roundup.

Chase Garden led Jacobs boys golf past McHenry in FVC action, while Maggie Hanson had the top score for Marengo's girls in a win against Genoa-Kingston. And more in Tuesday's Northwest Herald roundup.

A look at the Fox Valley Conference for the 2025 season, including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, five can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

The boys golf season is already underway. Check out our team-by-team preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team from the Northwest Herald area.

The girls golf season is already underway. Check out our team-by-team preview with top returners, newcomers and info on each local team from the Northwest Herald area.

High school football practice officially starts Monday, and the opening night for the season for local teams is Aug. 29. Here are Joe Aguilar's five storylines to watch this season in McHenry County.

Girls wrestling was officially sanctioned four years ago by the IHSA, and the sport has continued to explode since then.

Can anybody take down Huntley in the FVC? How far can Richmond-Burton extend its KRC winning streak? Here are five girls volleyball storylines to watch in McHenry County in 2025.

McHenry players work out during football practice on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at McCracken Field, in McHenry as they prepare for the upcoming season.

First-year McHenry football coach Colt Nero has surrounded himself with veteran coaches, including two who will be his offensive and defensive coordinators. Like Nero, they happen to be graduates of Fox Valley Conference rival Crystal Lake South.

Youth flag football players learn skills during the Chicago Bears Mini Monsters Flag Football Camp on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at McCracken Field in McHenry.

Over 200 high schools in Illinois are expected to have girls flag football teams this year as the sport's popularity continues to rise. "There’s no shortage of opportunities."

Runners of all ages and fitness levels are invited to lace up their running shoes and attend the second annual McHenry Runathon one-hour challenge on Thursday, Aug. 7 from 8 to 9 p.m. at McCracken Field in McHenry.

McHenry's Brandon Shannon, the top pitcher in McHenry County this past season, thought he might be selected in MLB draft this week. But when teams couldn't match his asking price, he stuck to his original plan of attending the University of Louisville.

Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area baseball team.

McHenry's Brian Rockweiler is the 2025 Northwest Herald Baseball Coach of the Year after leading the Warriors to a record-breaking season that ended with a runner-up finish in the Class 4A state tournament.

Senior pitcher Brandon Shannon and McHenry enjoyed a historic season. Shannon set school records for career wins and single-season strikeouts and led the Warriors to a second-place finish at state. Shannon is the 2025 Northwest Herald Baseball Player of the Year.

Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area Softball Team.

Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area Boys Tennis Team.

Here is the 2025 All-Fox Valley Conference baseball team, as selected by coaches.

Here is the 2025 All-Fox Valley Conference softball team, as selected by coaches.

McHenry tried to figure out a way to scratch and claw out some offense in the Class 4A state championship game on Saturday night, but Libertyville starter Josh Holst wasn't having it, tossing a two-hitter in a 4-1 Wildcats' victory.

It was Brandon Shannon’s show and his baseball. And the Louisville commit wasn’t letting go of the ball, not with McHenry going for more school history. He pitched six-plus innings as McHenry beat Brother Rice 4-1 in a state semifinal Friday night in Joliet.

The McHenry baseball team's record-setting season continues Friday when the Warriors face Brother Rice in a Class 4A state semifinal at Slammers Stadium in Joliet. Ace Brandon Shannon is expected to throw for the Warriors.

Here is the 2025 All-Fox Valley Conference girls lacrosse team, as selected by coaches.

Zach Readdy has been in and out of the McHenry lineup this season. Monday night, he almost took a pitch out of a minor league ballpark. Readdy had a pair of two-out, two-run hits, and McHenry rallied to beat South Elgin 8-6 in the Class 4A Kane County Cougars Supersectional.

McHenry vs.South Elgin in the IHSA Class 4A Kane County Cougars Supersectional baseball on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva.

Woodstock North brothers Mason and Austin Nicolai placed 18th at the IHSA Bass Fishing State Finals, which concluded Saturday at Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville. 

McHenry defeats Barrington in the IHSA Class 4A McHenry Sectional Championship baseball game on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at McHenry High School.

Landon Clements finished a home run shy of the cycle Saturday as McHenry rallied to beat Barrington 7-3 in the Class 4A McHenry Sectional final, giving the Warriors back-to-back sectional titles for the first time.

As Kaden Wasniewski gets closer to a potential return to the mound for McHenry, the Warriors at least got their sophomore baseball star back on the infield Wednesday. His efforts, including a two-run double, helped McHenry beat Huntley 5-1 in a Class 4A sectional semifinal.

Here is the 2025 All-Fox Valley Conference boys lacrosse team, as selected by coaches.

Hampshire and Burlington Central baseball each won regional titles, Dundee-Crown's upset bid of Barrington fell just short, and Prairie Ridge's Tim Jones and Cole Palese finished sixth at the IHSA Class 1A Boys Tennis State Meet.

Zach Readdy tripled in Jeffry Schwab with the tie-breaking run with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, then got the final out in relief of Brandon Shannon as McHenry turned away upset-minded Jacobs 2-1 to win the Class 4A McHenry Regional title.

Hampshire softball won its second regional title in three seasons, Cary-Grove battled top-seeded Antioch but fell short in a 6-3 loss, and Huntley boys lacrosse almost upset No. 1 Barrington, falling 18-17, in a sectional title match.

Crystal Lake Central, the defending Class 3A state champion, upset Lakes in their playoff opener. Jacobs, Huntley and Dundee-Crown also earned wins to reach regional finals, and more in Thursday's Northwest Herald roundup.

Burlington Central's Chase Powrozek threw a no-hitter to lead the Rockets to an 8-0 win over Rochelle in a Class 3A regional semifinal, Hampshire and McHenry baseball threw combined no-hitters, plus more postseason scores in Wednesday's Northwest Herald roundup.