Rock Falls tied North Boone late before falling 21-14. Oregon beat Rockford Lutheran, Forreston won, Eastland-Pearl City beat Morrison 22-0, results in 8-man and more in Friday's Sauk Valley football roundup

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.

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.

Here are five girls volleyball players to watch in the Sauk Valley coverage area as the season gets started this week.

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

Eastland-Pearl City hosted Oregon in a Week 0 practice game in Lanark on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. The Catz host Fulton in their 2025 season opener on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, while the Hawks travel to Genoa-Kingston.

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

After a return to the playoffs last season, Eastland-Pearl City wants to make the postseason a habit again. It’s going to take a blend of veteran leadership and new faces to do so.

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.

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.

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

The Illinois College & Career Pathway Endorsement Program allows students to earn a formal endorsement on their high school diploma or transcript by completing a series of structured requirements designed to prepare them for life after high school in their chosen career path.

Eastland fell to River Ridge/Scales Mound 5-4 at the 1A Lena-Winslow Sectional on Wednesday, May 28. 2025.

The Eastland basketball team's season came to an end Saturday as they lost to Chicago Hope Academy in the Class 1A state championship game at the University of Illinois in Champaign.

Eastland defeats Peoria Christian in the Class 1A state boys basketball semifinal Thursday, March 13, 2025, to advance to the finals on Saturday. The Cougars will face Chicago Hope for the title.

Eastland has shown it does not mind how low the score may be or what pace the game is played at. Winning is all that matters. Defense looks to be a key factor again in Thursday's Class 1A state semifinal matchup with Peoria Christian.

Eastland never trailed Aurora Christian during Monday’s Class 1A DeKalb Supersectional at the Convocation Center on the campus of Northern Illinois University.

The sold out gym at Pecatonica was loud from start to finish in the 36-31 win by Eastland

Eastland meets Aurora Christian Monday, March 10, 2025, in the Class 1A basketball Supersectional held at the NIU Convocation Center. Eastland took the win and will play for the state title this weekend in Champaign.

Eastland slowed the game down against No. 1 Pecatonica and held on for a big 36-31 road win to earn its first sectional title since 2013. 'Our game plan was necessary to win.'

Eastland went on the road and defeated top seeded Pecatonica on their home floor to take the Sectional Friday, March 7, 2025. Photos. by Erin Henze - Shaw Local News Network

Eastland and Dakota face off in the boys basketball Class 1A Sectional semifinal Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Pecatonica High School. Eastland won 55-39.

Eastland beats Newman 55-44 to take the West Carroll 1A Regional title Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Photos by Erin Henze - Shaw Local News Network

A hot start and some smothering defense led to a regional title for Eastland on Friday night. The Cougars hit their first four shots, and Newman never recovered after several early turnovers in a 55-44 loss in the Class 1A West Carroll Regional final.

Rock Falls, Dixon and Sterling are all top four seeds as postseason boys basketball kicks off this week. As the boys basketball postseason tips off this week, here are storylines to watch.

Newman and Eastland face off in the 1A regional semifinal at Forreston Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. Newman took the win and will play for the title on Thursday against River Ridge.

Newman Central Catholic fended off a rally attempt in the second half by Eastland and eventually ran away for a 56-30 victory.

Newman hosts Eastland at girls basketball Tuesday Jan. 7, 2025. Newman won 56-30.

Eastland downed Forreston 60-45, hitting nine three-pointers in a Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 game Forreston High School.

Sterling and Eastland start the action Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, during the 46th annual Dixon Girls KSB Holiday Basketball Tournament. Sterling won 61-21.

In a battle of the two teams ranked atop the early season Class 1A Associated Press rankings, No. 2 Pecatonica dominated early and often to beat No. 1 Eastland 67-36 for the Eastland Holiday Tournament title Thursday night.

Eastland faces off against Pecatonica for the title in the Eastland Shootout basketball tournament Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. Pecatonica won 67-36. Photos by Erin Henze - Shaw Local News Network

Eastland outscored Fulton late in the fourth quarter to notch a 42-34 win over the Steamers on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at the Cougars' home gym in Lanark.

Newman and Eastland clash Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 on the court at Eastland High School. Eastland took the game 55-42.

Here are five of the top Sauk Valley area players to watch this season, including Dixon's Darius Harrington, Rock Falls' Kuitim Heald, Eastland's Parker Krogman, Sterling's Kaedon Phillips and Oregon's Kade Girton.

Here is a look at all 16 girls basketball teams in the Sauk Valley coverage area for the 2024-25 season.

Dixon senior QB Cullen Shaner and Newman senior linebacker/running back Daniel Kelly were both named All-State by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association on Wednesday. A number of Sauk Valley 8-man players and honorable mentions were also recognized.

Eastland-Pearl City held Rockridge scoreless in the second half, but a 22-point deficit was too much to overcome in the Class 2A playoffs on Saturday.

The Rockridge Rockets ended Eastland-Pearl City's football season 22-8 on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

Eastland-Pearl City faces Rockridge in Round 1 of the 2024 Class 2A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive editor Drake Lansman will have live updates, scores and news from the game

Fulton beat Polo to win a regional volleyball title in Class 1A and Eastland fell short against top-seeded Galena in Thursday's Sauk Valley roundup.

Dixon and Newman are set for home playoff matchups, Eastland-Pearl City plays at Rockridge in a battle of 7-2 teams and four area 8-man teams open the first round in this week's Sauk Valley football slate.

Sterling's Emily Schwingle placed fifth at the Western Big 6 Conference Meet to earn first-team all-conference, Dixon was second at the Big Northern Meet, and Forreston's Aspen McGlynn was runner-up at the NUIC Meet in Wednesday's Sauk Valley Roundup.

Dixon can stay undefeated with a win over Rockford Lutheran, Sterling hits the road to Wisconsin, E-PC can continue their best start since 2018, Newman hosts Rockridge and 4-0 West Carroll hosts 4-0 Milledgeville in this week's Sauk Valley slate.

Sterling's Drew Nettleton set the single-game passing touchdowns record and Kaedon Phillips was recognized by the Bears, Eastland-Pearl City moves into the NUIC picture and Newman's offense is on a roll in this week's Sauk Valley notes.

Eastland-Pearl City senior quarterback Adam Awender had four touchdowns and 186 rushing on just seven carries in a 36-16 win over Forreston on Friday night

Eastland-Pearl City improved its record to 3-1 with a 36-16 win over Forreston on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 in NUIC Conference action at Pearl City. With the loss, Forreston fell to 1-3 on the season.

Forreston faces Eastland-Pearl City in Week 4 of the 2024 IHSA football season. Friday Night Drive editor Drake Lansman will have live updates, scores and news from the game