Hillsboro High Sports | The Journal-News

HHS Welcomes Panthers For Homecoming

The football Toppers face the same uphill battle to reach the playoffs as they did last season when they were also 2-3 after five games. To be playoff eligible, they need to win three of the next … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/28/23

Litchfield's Harrison Thomas (#52) and Carson Saathoff (#11) try to clear out Hillsboro's Elliott Lentz (#54) and the other Topper defenders to give A.J. Sypherd some running room on Friday, Sept. 22. Sypherd had Litchfield's only touchdown, but that and a Cooper Martin field goal were enough as the Panthers scored a 9-7 win on homecoming.

Panthers Win Battle Over Toppers

Anyone who went to the Hillsboro/Litchfield South Central Conference football game held on the Purple Panthers’ home field Friday night, Sept. 22, expecting to see offensive plays up and down the … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/25/23

Soccer Toppers Beat Pana, Riverton/Tri-City

The Hillsboro boys soccer team improved to 11-3-2 on the season with a pair of wins over Pana and Riverton to end the week. On Thursday, Sept. 21, the Toppers beat Pana 4-0 to improve to 5-1 in the … more

9/25/23

HHS, LHS Cheerleaders Dance Together

The teams they were cheering for may have been on opposite sides of the field, but cheerleaders from Hillsboro High School and Litchfield High School joined together for a special dance before the … more

9/25/23

Senior Melissa Bell picked up a straight set win over Taylorville's Lydia Hopkins, 6-2, 6-2, during the Toppers' home match on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Bad Luck, Close Matches The Story For Hillsboro

So far this season, winning has been less of a problem for the Hillsboro High School girls tennis team than actually getting the opportunity to play. In between picking up their fourth victory of the … more

9/25/23

After 90 minutes of soccer that personified the intensity of the Hillsboro/Lincolnwood soccer rivalry, the two teams came together for a photo with the Herschelman family at the inaugural Grace Cup in Hillsboro on Monday, Sept. 18. Named after the late Grace Herschelman, who passed away from infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy in May 2021, the game raises awareness of INAD and helps continue Grace’s legacy. The game ended in a 0-0 tie, meaning that the traveling trophy will spend the next year with the Herschelman family.

CENTER AND GUARD • Grace Wins

A few hours before the Grace Cup on Monday, Lincolnwood boys basketball coach Matt Millburg texted me, “Enjoy your evening! Grace wins!” I don’t think either of us thought that … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/21/23

Litchfield senior Tug Schwab shot a 2-over-par 38 on Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Hillsboro Country Club to help the Panthers to a pair of close wins over Hillsboro and Carlinville.

Panthers Hold Off Cavies, Toppers

It was senior night for the Hillsboro High School golf program as the Toppers took a moment before their match on Sept. 19, to honor it’s three soon-to-be graduates. Austin Loskot, Carson … more

9/21/23

Soccer Toppers Take Down Dogs

After playing in an absolute epic match Monday during the inaugural Grace Cup, no one would blame the Hillsboro High School boys soccer team for being mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. … more

9/21/23

In front, from the left, are Tim Hopper, Mason Currie, Chanse Liebscher, Landon Bandy, Isaiah Hopley, Brennan Harston, Tony White, Izac Zerrusen, Nico Clark, Mitchell Cunningham, Abraham Putnam, Beto Quiroz, Noah Andrews and Quinn Hunt. In the back are James Hertel, Randy Leetham, Coach Jason Burke, Kaiden Brown, Dawson Guinn, Jozzie Pineda, Nykolas Pineda, Rhys Riggs, Blake Cullison, Hunter Payne, Mitchell Lowe, Lennon Guinn, Logan Murray, Jaxon Wittenmeyer, Brady Stritzel, Antonio Valentin, Brodie Clinard, Clayton Rufus, William Yeske, Aiden Meyers and Mark Mattson, Ed Kirby, Bill Clinard, Sharon Schoen, Earl Meier, Greg Schoen, Zian Ellis and Assistant Coach Matt Lentz.

Hillsboro Lions Club Donates $1,000 To Soccer Field

Players and coaches for the Hillsboro High School boys soccer team accepted a $1,000 donation from the Hillsboro Lions Club on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 12, at the Hillsboro Sports Complex. With the … more

9/21/23

Vandals Hand Hiltoppers First Loss In SCC Prequel

The Vandalia boys golf team handed Hillsboro their first loss of the season on Monday, Sept. 18, but the Toppers did manage to earn a share of medalist honors for the match. Shooting a 163, the … more

9/21/23

It's Hillsboro, It's Litchfield, It's Week Five For Football

Questions abound before the Hillsboro at Litchfield varsity football game tomorrow, Sept. 22; known answers aren’t as obvious. The weatherman Wednesday afternoon said rain was probable … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/21/23

Zander Wells, one of Hillsboro’s dynamic duo Friday night, compiled 238 rushing yards on 10 carries against Gillespie. One of his backfield partners, Dylan Lessman, gained 234 yards on 10 carries as the Toppers scored 62 points, 45 more than the Miners in the win on Sept. 15.

Dynamic Duo Major Problem For Miners

Defensive coordinators on all levels of football know its imperative to have two cornerbacks who can “set the edge,” keep the opposing players from breaking down … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/18/23

CENTER AND GUARD • The Grace Cup Returns

Soccer was always Grace and I’s thing. Her Uncle Daniel got her first soccer ball for her just a few days after she was born. She used to dribble around the ottoman in our living room, with … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 9/18/23

In front, from the left, are Emoree Shepard, Hanna Hughes, Reagan Lentz, Kennady Clayton, Maycie Fuller, Leah Satterlee and Amya Greenwood. In the back are Tyler Beard, Tatum Christian, Addison Lowe, Kearstynn Davis, Ellie Miller, Sophia Blankenship and Coach Emily Zimmerman.

Lady Hiltoppers Third At Vandalia Tourney

After losing a three-set heartbreaker at home to Carlinville on Thursday, the Hillsboro High School volleyball team was looking to rebound with a strong performance at the Vandalia Tournament on … more

9/18/23

Soccer Toppers Get Big Win At North Mac

After a hard fought tilt against the Greenville Comets on Tuesday that took just about all of the allotted 80 minutes to decide, the Hillsboro High School boys soccer team traveled to North Mac … more

9/18/23

Weiss Medals As Toppers Down Panthers, Trojans

The Hillsboro boys golf team improved to 8-0 on the season with a victory over North Mac and Auburn in Girard on Friday, Sept. 15. Playing on the short, but unique layout of Oak Hills Country … more

9/18/23

Panthers Shoot Season Best At Home Meet

The Litchfield girls golf team picked up their second win of the year on Tuesday, Sept. 12, as they finished second on their home course in a match with Glenwood and Pana. The Panthers shot a … more

9/18/23

Toppers Take Top Four Spots Against Pana

The Hillsboro boys golf team took the top four spots individually on Monday, Sept. 11, as the Toppers defeated Pana 175-228 at the Hillsboro Country Club. Tycen Thacker finished with a 5-over-par 41 … more

9/14/23

Lady Hiltoppers Score Victory Over Marquette

After a busy weekend at the Montgomery County Invitational Grace Tournament, the Hillsboro volleyball team was back at home on Monday, Sept. 11. Following their first loss of the season, the Toppers … more

9/14/23

Topper Fans Should Come Early

A word of advice to Topper football fans heading to Sawyer Field tomorrow night – Come early. The parking situation is the same as three weeks ago because of construction. Those with handicap … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 9/14/23