Providence Catholic won only four games last year, losing in the regular season finale to keep the Celtics out of the postseason. A year later, they're playing in the state championship game.

Join hosts Steve Soucie, Russ Hodges and Josh Welge as they preview the Illinois high school football state championship games

A rare regular season rematch in the state title game has emerged here as St. Francis will challenge Providence once again after the Spartans beat the Celtics in Week 5. Steve Soucie previews Saturday's Class 5A title game.

Brady Pettigrew netted 20 points, and TJ WIllimas added 18 as Bolingbrook won in downstate Decatur to open the boys basketball season. Plus more scores from around the area in Tuesday's Herald-News Sports roundup.

Having faced off in the regular season, St. Rita and Brother Rice are set to battle in a rematch for the IHSA 7A state championship. Providence and St. Francis, who played each other in the regular season, are also set for a rematch in the 5A state championship.

Seneca defeats Serena in boys basketball and more in the Herald-News Roundup.

Here are five boys wrestlers to keep an eye on this season in the Herald-News area.

Joliet Central girls basketball got its first win of the season and more in the JHN Prep Roundup.

Providence Catholic led Minooka by 19 at halftime and ultimately won by eight in the WJOL Tournament title game.

Providence muscled up and used a dominant varied offense to secure its place in the school's 15th state championship game with a 31-21 win over Oak Forest in a Class 5A semifinal Saturday.

Providence and Oak Forest competed in a 5A varsity football semifinal game at Providence Catholic High School on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Molly Finn scored 25 points and netted her 1,000th career points as Lincoln-Way West improved to 2-0. Plus more girls basketball scores in Thursday's Herald News Sports Rounup.

Here is a look at the boys basketball teams in the Herald-News area for the 2025-26 season

Providence beats Tinley Park in girls basketball and more in the Herald-News Wednesday roundup

The Class 5A bracket certainly has some unexpected teams still alive in the draw. Steve Soucie breaks down the semifinals of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

Seneca and Reed-Custer improved to 2-0 plus more scores from around the area in Tuesday's Herald News Sports Roundup.

Nine CCL/ESCC schools, including defending champions Mount Carmel, Nazareth and Montini will be competing in the IHSA state football semifinals this weekend. Below are all of the semifinal matchups featuring CCL/ESCC teams.

Mount Carmel dominated Lincoln-Way East, Nazareth rallied to stun Lake Zurich and Fenwick controlled Burlington Central to set up a 6A semifinal between the Roadrunners and Friars. Montini won its 22nd straight game and Providence knocked off top seed Washington.

Providence, Reed-Custer and Seneca were among girls basketball teams to win their season openers, and more in Monday's Herald-News roundup.

Mia Ceballos, a Plainfield Central senior, earned all-state honors Saturday at the IHSA State Finals, plus more in the Herald-News Saturday Roundup.

Providence topped Prairie Ridge 25-21, 20-25, 25-19 in the Class 3A state tournament third-place match Saturday at Illinois State's CEFCU Arena, matching the Celtics' best finish in program history. The Wolves bring home their second state trophy in as many years.

Providence and Washington competed in a 5A varsity football playoff game at Providence on Saturday, Nov. 15.

After going 3-31 last season, Nazareth is heading to the state championship after beating Providence 25-16, 25-17 in the state semifinals Friday afternoon.

Nazareth Academy defeated Providence Catholic in two sets, 25-16, 25-17, in the IHSA Class 3A State semifinals on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025.

There are plenty of players to keep an eye on around the area this girls basketball season, but these five caught our attention most of all.

Class 5A was probably the most wide open field to try to analyze in the state playoffs, and with the ousting of one of the favorites, Prairie Ridge, that wide open feel remains. Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

A pair of big transfers, replacing key pieces and more things to keep an eye on this girls basketball season in the Herald-News area. Here are five storylines to watch.

The Herald-News area was well represented on the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association's All-State teams.

Mount Carmel and Lincoln-Way East are set to square off in the Class 8A state quarterfinals. Defending champions Nazareth and Montini are still in the hunt after two rounds. Here are all of the quarterfinal matchups featuring CCL/ESCC programs.

After falling in the supersectional the last two seasons, Providence's volleyball team beat Washington 25-21, 25-18 and advanced to state for the first time since 1995.

Lincoln-Way East, Morris, Coal City, Lincoln-Way East, Dwight and Wilmigton all scored more than 40 points in second-round wins

The Plainfield North boys cross country team won the Class 3A state championship, Plainfield South was sixth and Morris boys were seventh in Class 2A. That and more in the Herald-News roundup.

Despite a few dazzling plays from Cedric Terrell III to pull the Kays to within a field goal, Providence did enough down the stretch to earn a road win at Kankakee in the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs Saturday.

Providence Catholic defeated Kankakee 35-25 in the IHSA Class 5A second round playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.

Providence senior and Lafayette recruit Bryce Tencza has spearheaded the charge for a Celtic rushing attack that has the team rolling into the second round of the IHSA playoffs. A 3rd degree black belt in taekwondo, Tencza was named a CCL/ESCC Orange Lineman of the Year.

A balanced offensive attack, spearheaded by senior Abbey Knight, led Providence to a 25-15, 25-18 win over Lemont in the title match of the Class 3A Kankakee Sectional

Providence Catholic defeated Lemont in two sets, 25-15, 25-18, to claim the IHSA Class 3A Kankakee Sectional championship title on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

A clear favorite in the Class 5A draw still hasn't emerged. Will Round 2 provide some clarity on that topic? Steve Soucie breaks down the second round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

Providence and Lemont both won at the Class 3A Kankakee Sectional and will play each other in Thursday's title match. That and more in Tuesday's Herald-News Roundup

Providence, Lockport and Wilmington were among first-round football playoff winners, Coal City won its first boys soccer sectional title and more in Saturday's Herald-News Roundup

Providence hosted Springfield for a varsity football game on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Lemont wins regional championship in volleyball and more in the Herald-News Thursday roundup.

The Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference has revealed its All-Conference honorees and award winners for the 2025 varsity football season. Click the link below to read this year's award winners.

Gardner-South Wilmington and Dwight move onto volleyball regional final, plus Lemont bows out in soccer sectional in Wednesday's Herald News Sports roundup.

Both teams in last year's title game are in different classifications now leaving a wide open chase for this year's state title. Steve Soucie breaks down the opening round of the 2025 IHSA Class 5A Playoffs.

Lincoln-Way West's boys soccer team, seeded 12th, blanked top seed Stagg 1-0 in the Class 3A Joliet West Sectional and more in Tuesday's Herald-News Roundup

Montini made history with a win over St. Laurence, Joliet Catholic stunned Providence to make the playoffs and St. Patrick defeated St. Viator in a matchup of former NFL players turned head coaches. Marian Catholic, Brother Rice and Carmel each added wins in Week 9.

Reed-Custer's season came to an end and more in the Herald-News Monday roundup.

There are over a dozen CCL/ESCC teams participating in the IHSA football playoffs this season. Among the playoff qualifiers are defending state champions Mount Carmel, Loyola, Nazareth and Montini. Here are all of the first-round matchups for CCL/ESCC teams.

The Morris boys cross country team finished in first place at their regional, Plainfield North boys and girls runners won regional titles and more in the Herald-News Saturday roundup.