Sterling QB Brady Berlin threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns, but Moline running back Marc Cary's 45-yard TD run with a second left before halftime was a backbreaker for Sterling in a 36-20 loss to the Maroons.

Sterling football hosts Moline Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at Roscoe Eades Field. Moline won 36-20.

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.

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.

Sterling started strong and made plenty of plays defensively in a 47-0 win over Chicago Urban Prep in Friday's home opener

The Lions of Urban Prep traveled to Sterling to take on the Warriors at Prescott Memorial Field at Roscoe Eades Stadium, September 5, 2025.

Sterling hosts Rochelle for a boys soccer match Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.

After falling behind early in the second half, Rochelle scored four goals in the final 28 minutes to defeat Sterling 4-1 in their nonconference game Thursday night at Roscoe Eades Stadium.

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.

Twelve teams hit the fields on Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Oregon-Stillman Varsity Soccer Tourney held at Stillman Valley and Oregon Park West.

Catch up on the week’s top Sauk Valley news for Aug. 24-30 in minutes. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Sterling fell at Metamora, Oregon's Cooper Johnson had 192 yards rushing and three TDs in a win, Draven Zier had five touchdowns and more in Friday's Sauk Valley football roundup.

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.

A look at the Western Big 6 Conference for the 2025 season, including team-by-team preview capsules, players to watch, can't miss games and Steve Soucie's predicted order of finish.

In a postseason-like atmosphere, Dixon pulled away for a victory in three sets at Sterling to open the season on Tuesday.

Sterling hosts Dixon in Volleyball on August 26, 2025 at Musgrove Fieldhouse.

Several area golf teams including DeKalb, Sycamore, Kaneland and Sterling, competed Monday in the Mark Rolfing Cup at Kishwaukee Valley Country Club in DeKalb.

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

Coming off a record-setting junior year, Sterling kicker and multi-sport athlete Ryan Gebhardt looks to be a reliable player once again for the Golden Warriors this season. He also balances kicking with the fall soccer season.

Sterling goes on the road to Metamora on Aug. 29, 2025, to start the 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.

Sterling players hit the field Monday, Aug. 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.