Alex Kantecki

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."

Marengo defensive end Brady Kentgen enters his fourth varsity season with big goals for his senior season. Marengo will rely on a physical defense as it tries to build on last year's 5-5 record.

Richmond-Burton's Hunter Carley grew up playing 8-man football in Michigan. Now, the Rockets junior is one of the top running backs in the Kishwaukee River Conference. "He's never satisfied."

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.

Johnsburg's Carter Block broke out in a big way a year ago. The quarterback led all Kishwaukee River Conference players in passing yards and spent the offseason getting bigger and smarter for his last season as the Skyhawks look to build on a 6-4 record.

Casey Hintz realized a life-long dream when the Seattle Mariners selected him in the 16th round of last week's MLB draft. Hintz, who grew up in Crystal Lake and Lakewood, signed his first professional contract over the weekend. "It finally came true."

Cary-Grove graduate Quinn Priester started the Milwaukee Brewers’ second-half opener Friday night and struck out 10, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the first inning, and completed six scoreless innings in a 2-0 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Huntley's Izzy Whitehouse and Crystal Lake South's Logan Georgy fell in love with beach volleyball when they joined Team One Volleyball in Aurora. The juniors recently announced their verbal commitments to play beach at NCAA Division-I schools.

The McHenry County Youth Sports Association’s Summer International Championships returns Friday to Crystal Lake and surrounding communities. The one-of-a-kind youth baseball tournament is entering its 32nd year.

After 20 years at Jacobs, Jon Betts is returning to his alma mater as McHenry's girls tennis coach. Betts, a 2001 McHenry graduate, will still coach Jacobs' boys in the spring. "I love the community."

The McHenry County Youth Sports Association’s Summer International Championships is set to return next weekend for the 32nd year of the highly-popular tournament. Here's what to know about this year's upcoming MCYSA baseball tournament.

Keira Bogott wrapped up a stellar athletic career at Woodstock this spring, earning Kishwaukee River Conference Girls Soccer Field Player of the Year and qualifying for the Class 2A state track and field meet. Bogott is the 2025 Northwest Herald Female Athlete of the Year.

Scott Busam helped lead Prairie Ridge to a historic season. The Wolves won their first Fox Valley Conference championship since 2016 and advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals for the first time. Busam is the 2025 Northwest Herald Softball Coach of the Year.

Meet the 2025 Northwest Herald All-Area Softball Team.

Prairie Ridge junior right-handed pitcher Reese Mosolino found another gear in the postseason, tossing five shutouts in seven games and leading the Wolves to their best season ever. Mosolino is the 2025 Northwest Herald Softball Player of the Year.