In an atmosphere reminiscent of the postseason, Dixon scratched out a 25-22, 23-25, 25-17 win over a scrappy Newman squad in their nonconference rivalry match Thursday.

Dixon hosts Stillman Valley, Sterling hosts Alleman, Rock Falls heads to Winnebago and Newman faces Mercer County on Saturday in this week's Sauk Valley football slate. Here are previews for all 14 games.

In a battle for the cure, Newman and Dixon's volleyball squads face off at the net Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The teams wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Local High School teams gather at Hoover Park in Sterling for the Rock River Run, held on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Rockridge won in the trenches in a 26-6 win over Newman in a state-ranked battle in the Three Rivers Rock. Cullen Schwigen had a rushing score just before halftime and threw two long TDs to help the Rockets pull away in the second half

Newman never trailed after getting ahead early in the first set of a 25-20, 25-13 win over visiting Mercer County in a Three Rivers Conference crossover match Wednesday in Sterling.

Newman, Erie-Prophetstown, Mendota and Orion compete Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, in a girls golf meet at Emerald Hill.

Newman welcomes Mercer County for a volleyball match-up Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Newman wins in straight sets.

Maurice De La Cruz had Sterling's best rushing game in almost three years, Dixon was dominant again, Newman's Matthew Blackert led the Comets to 4-0 and more in this week's Sauk Valley football notes for Week 4.

Matthew Blackert, 'the Harmon Bullet,' ran for over 170 yards and three touchdowns in No. 3 Newman's 40-14 win at Orion on Friday night.

Sterling’s Briar Ivey, a Newman Central Catholic High School graduate, received an out-of-state scholarship to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Newman bounced back from an opening-set loss to defeat Kewanee 21-25, 25-19, 25-17 in a Three Rivers West match Tuesday night in Sterling.

Sterling quarterback Brady Berlin and receiver Jack Saathoff added to their highlight reels Friday against Moline. Newman's Asher Ernst is enjoying his new role and Dixon bounced back against Rock Falls in this week's Sauk Valley football notes.

Newman volleyball takes on Kewanee Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. Newman won in three sets.

Newman bested E-P Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Roscoe Eades Field in Sterling by a score of 49-14.

Newman's Asher Ernst had two interceptions and Rylan Alvarado had two rushing scores as the two Morrison transfers made big plays in the No. 3 Comets' 49-14 win over Erie-Prophetstown on Saturday.

Teams from Amboy, Dixon, La Salle-Peru, Mendota, Fieldcrest, Morris, Princeton, Hall, and Newman all competed during the Gary Coates Invitational cross country meet on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 at Zearing Park in Princeton.

Newman High School held their homecoming parade Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. The Comets will take on Erie-Prophetstown in football Saturday afternoon.

After falling behind early in the opening set, Newman roared back to win and then carried that momentum to a big lead in the second set in a 25-23, 25-13 win over Oregon on Thursday.

Sterling opens Western Big 6 Conference play against Moline, Dixon hosts Rock Falls, Newman hosts E-P on Saturday and more, including picks and what to watch for in this week's Sauk Valley football previews.

Newman volleyball hosts Oregon Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Newman won in straight sets.

Newman Central Catholic announced its Hall of Fame Class for 2025, with an induction ceremony to be held on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Hall of Fame inductees will also be announced at the 1 p.m. Newman football game on Saturday, Oct. 4th.

Sterling girls golf took second at the Geneseo invite, Lucas Porter earned medalist for Rock Falls, Dixon volleyball improved to 7-1 and more in Monday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Despite the loss, Dixon running back Landon Knigge got plenty of props from Bryon after rushing for 204 yards. Newman got to 2-0, Sterling rolled at home, Rock Falls showed fight and more in this week's Sauk Valley football notes.

Oregon’s Daniel Gonzalez placed eighth individually, while Anya Anaya paced the Oregon girls runners at the 30-team Oregon Cross Country Open on Saturday.

Mendota took an early lead, but Newman responded and went on to win 35-18 on Friday in Mendota.

Dixon's massive game at No. 1 Byron highlights the 15 matchups in the Sauk Valley area in Week 2. Newman heads to Mendota, Sterling has a nonconference home game, Rock Falls hosts North Boone and more this Friday.

Princeton coach Andy Puck was happy to catch Newman early in the volleyball season. He knows they have a young team that will only improve by the next time they meet. The Tigresses caught the Comets this time, scoring a 25-19, 25-14 win Tuesday at Prouty Gym

Newman's Evan Bushman made key throws in a big win over Princeton, Dixon rolled at Rockford, Milledgeville stepped up in a big win over Amboy and more in this week's Sauk Valley football notes.

Newman scored twice in the fourth quarter to snap a tie and defeat Princeton 28-14 in the teams' season opener on Friday night at Roscoe Eades Stadium in Sterling.

Newman Central Catholic H.S hosts Princeton H.S. in a non-conference football game at Sterling H.S, on Friday, August 29, 2025.

Overcoming earlier injuries, George Jungerman has answered the bell as a versatile athlete for Newman football. 'I’ll play anything for my team to help out.'

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

Here is a look at the Week 1 football matchups in the Sauk Valley area.

The wait is over. The many, many questions that teams have for the 2025 season are about to begin getting answered. Steve Soucie takes a look at the games to watch in the first week of the IHSA football season.

Newman rallied from a 23-20 deficit to take the opening set 25-23 and finished off the Storm with a 25-15 win and the second set to defeat their former Three Rivers Conference rival.

Monmouth-Roseville (Mississippi) and Newman (Rock) are the defending division champions in the Three Rivers. Here's a look how this year's divisions stack up and who are the teams to beat.

The 2025 girls volleyball season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Sauk Valley coverage area.

History tends to repeat itself in regards to the IHSA Football Playoffs, but the new enrollment numbers could lead to a bracket that looks a lot different in the next postseason chase. Here is Steve Soucie's 2025 IHSA football preseason playoff projection.

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.

The Newman Comets take the practice field Tuesday, August 12, 2025, ahead of the 2025 season.

Who steps up next for Dixon? Will Morrison transfer Rylan Alvarado lead Newman's backfield? Can Sterling revitalize its run game? What is next for Rock Falls under its new coach? Here are six questions in the Sauk Valley area this season as practice kicks off.

Here is a look at the top softball players from the Sauk Valley area for the 2025 season.

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 IHSA just released its statewide football schedule for the 2025 season. Here is a game to watch each week in the Sauk Valley coverage area.

Here is a look at the top baseball players from the Sauk Valley area for the 2025 season.

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.

More than 40 of the state's top senior baseball players participated in the Illinois Coaches Association All-Star Games on Monday at Schweickert Stadium in Peru.

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

Here is a look back at the top boys basketball players in the Sauk Valley area for the 2024-25 season.