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.

Sterling players hit the field Monday, August 11, 2025, for the first day of football practice.

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

Sterling graduate Mason Hubbard is set to compete at the 2025 Optimist International Junior Golf Championships at Trump National Doral in Miami this Sunday. 'This is another great spot to see where my game sits amongst players all over the world.'

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.

He answers to the nickname “Squirrel.” Wyatt Cassens, all of 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds as a junior, perhaps does not strike the most intimidating pose in football pads. Sterling coach Jon Schlemmer, though, said one would be wise to not underestimate his senior defensive end.

Oswego East, Sterling and Glenbard South football teams held a joint practice on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Oswego.

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

Dixon's Aaron Conderman and Dean Geiger finished 1-2 in their hometown race at the 25th annual Reagan Run 5K on Saturday. Melissa Winchester was the top female finisher.

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

The Illinois Coaches Association released its All-State softball teams in each class, with Dixon’s Bailey Tegeler and Sterling’s Mya Lira recognized in Class 3A. Newman's Gianna Vance and Lucy Oetting were also among the area selections.

Sprinters Levi Milder and Brady Anderson and two relay wins led Morrison to the Class 1A state title, while Sterling earned medals in three relays in the 2A meet.

After losing 11 straight games to close the regular season, Dixon got back in the win column when it mattered most. The Dukes beat Sterling 10-2 on Saturday to win the Class 3A Freeport Regional title.

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 takes on Belvidere North in the Class 3A Regional softball final at Dixon. The Warriors fell 4-0.

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.

Sterling got back on track as Marley Sechrest's bat helped produce seven runs in a 13-2 win over Rochelle on Tuesday. The Golden Warriors advanced to face Belvidere North in Friday's Class 3A Dixon Regional final at 4:30 p.m.

Sterling meets Rochelle in the Class 3A Regional softball semifinal Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Sterling won 13-2.

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.

Dixon hosts Sterling Friday, May 23, 2025. Sterling won 3-2 by scoring three in the top of the seventh.

Here is a look at some of the top athletes and relays to watch from the Sauk Valley area competing in 1A and 2A at this weekend's state track and field meet.

Four different players scored goals Wednesday as Dixon defeated Sterling 5-0 on Senior Night at A.C. Bowers Field.

Area teams compete Wednesday, May 14, 2025, for a chance to go to state at the girls Class 2A track Sectionals at Sterling High School

Madisyn Busse's three-run home run in the top of the fourth inning proved to be the difference in Geneseo's 3-2 win over Sterling in Tuesday's Western Big 6 showdown in Sterling.

Sterling had nine top 3 finishes to place third as a team at the Western Big 6 Conference meet on Thursday in Galesburg.

Sterling batted around before recording an out in the second inning Thursday on its way to a 13-0, five-inning Western Big 6 win over Rock Island Alleman.

Sterling hosts Alleman in softball Thursday, May 8, 2025. Sterling took the win 13-0.

Sterling set two varsity boys relay records and nearly set a third at Friday's Night Relays. Sterling's Finley Ryan and Presley Winters also tied for first in the pole vault as both teams took second.

Local teams compete Friday, May, 2, 2025, at Sterling's Night Relays.

Lily Martinez and Sterling hope for a quick bounce back after falling 10-0 to Western Big 6 Conference leader Rock Island on Tuesday.

This comeback was a decade-and-a-half in the making. Trailing by three going into the bottom of the sixth inning, Sterling rallied with five runs to snap a 16-year drought against Moline, winning 5-4 in a Western Big 6 game Wednesday at Gartner Park.

Despite the swirling wind blowing toward home plate, Sterling and Rockridge combined for three home runs as the Rockets won the slugfest 9-4 on Wednesday.

Sterling beat Moline in baseball 5-4 Wednesday, April, 16, 2025.

Sterling senior Madison Austin is the SVM Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The Illinois State signee helped lead the Golden Warriors to a school-record 30 wins, their first Western Big 6 crown and first sectional title since 2007.

Madison Austin is the GBPOY for '24-25. The senior led the Warriors to the Supersectional this past season.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday, Lily Martinez ended an epic plate appearance with a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Bree Taylor as Sterling defeated Rock Island 5-4.

Taking advantage of aggressive at-bats and defensive miscues, Sterling rolled to a 15-0, four-inning win over Sauk Valley rival Dixon on Tuesday afternoon.

Dixon heads to Sterling for a softball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Sterling took the win 15-0 in 4 innings.

Sterling downed Erie-Prophetstown 2-0 on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

The Newman Comets used a four-run rally in the top of the sixth, then shut down the Sterling Golden Warriors’ potential game-winning rally in the bottom of the seventh to pull out a 6-5 win over their intracity rivals on Tuesday at Gartner Park.

Sterling junior Lily Cantu had a three-run home run and was part of a seventh-inning rally as the Golden Warriors opened the season with a 9-8 walk-off win over Newman.

Newman heads to Sterling for a early season softball matchup Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Sterling took the walk off win 9-8.

Newman takes on Sterling in baseball Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Newman edged Sterling 6-5.

Paschal: Eastland will represent the Sauk Valley in the state tournament this weekend in Champaign. Clearly talented with a top-notch coach calling the shots, the team definitely has a chance to bring back the hardware.

Sterling's record-setting season to remember came to an end in the Elite Eight on Monday after falling just short in overtime against No. 1 Washington. 'I’m just proud of the fight in our kids.'

Sterling and Washington met on the court in Rochelle for the girls basketball Class 3A Supersectional Monday, March 3, 2025. The game went into OT with Washington winning 58-54.

Behind 31 points from Lincoln Williams and 21 more from Kenaz Jackson Jr., the Kays made it back-to-back regional titles with an 85-50 win over Sterling in Friday's Class 3A Morris Reigonal championship.

Behind 31 points from Lincoln Williams and 21 more from Kenaz Jackson Jr., the Kays made it back-to-back regional titles with an 85-50 win over Sterling in Friday's Class 3A Morris Reigonal championship.

Kankakee claimed an 85-50 victory over Sterling in the IHSA Class 3A Morris Regional championship on Friday, Feb. 28.

Local rivals Dixon and Sterling play for the Class 3A Rockford Boylan Sectional title Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. Sterling won the defensive battle 39-30.