The Journal-News

It's been a banner year so far for the Litchfield High School volleyball team and the Panthers took time on Thursday, Oct. 13, to honor three senior players who have been a key part of that success. From the left are Carlee Harmon, with parents Amber and Craig Harmon; Emma Walch, with parents Dawn and Curt Walch; and Blair Johnson, with parents Jennifer Chappell and Corey Johnson.

It was a night of celebration, a debut of fashion and an unexpected nail biter that resulted in two South Central Conference teams, Litchfield and Greenville, looking to add to their league record on … more

10/17/22

Martavious Jones had two receptions for 48 yards and scored Litchfield's third touchdown of the night on Friday, Oct. 14, when the Purple Panthers traveled to Vandalia. Litchfield jumped out to a strong start with two early scores, but Vandalia piled on 30 points in the second quarter to halt the Panthers' progress en route to a 57-18 victory.

Second Quarter Sinks Litchfield Upset Bid

Vandalia would break open a 13-12 contest by outscoring Litchfield 44-6 to cruise to a 57-18 South Central Conference victory Friday, Oct. 14, in Vandalia. After giving up 35 points in the second … more

10/17/22

Litchfield Tops Oilers, But Falls To Highland

The final two games of the season were a bit of a roller coaster for the Litchfield High School boys soccer team. On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Panthers closed out their regular season with a … more

10/17/22

Hillsboro's Addison Lowe (#14) tries to sneak past the block of Litchfield's Carlee Harmon (#11) during the rivals' game on Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Hillsboro. Harmon and company defeated the Toppers for the second time this season, this time earning a South Central Conference victory in the process.

Panthers Score SCC Win On Hillsboro's Home Turf

The Litchfield and Hillsboro volleyball teams met for the third time this season on Tuesday, Oct. 11, with each team having won once earlier in the year. The Panthers won the first game … more

10/13/22

Eleven of the 12 members of the Litchfield High School cross country team finished in the top 10 in their respective age groups at the East Alton-Wood River Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 8. In front, from the left, are Darby Braasch, Delanie Ulrich, Myka Fenton, Emma Diveley, Alex Gasperson and Joelle Hughes. In the back are Assistant Coach Vincent Fanelli, Peyton Baugher, Lucien Quarton, Mitchell Floyd, Kenny Traylor, Sam Horn, Head Coach Jeremy Palmer and Camden Quarton.

Panthers A Near Perfect 10 At EAWR

Eleven of the 12 Litchfield runners finished in the top 10 in their age groups at the East Alton-Wood River Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 8, with Panthers also occupying the top overall spot in the … more

10/13/22

In Coach Dan Newkirk’s eighth and final season at the helm of the Litchfield boys golf team, the Purple Panthers finished eighth in the team standings on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the IHSA Class 1A Boys Golf State Tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington.

Eighth In State

Saturday, Oct. 8 was the end of one chapter for the Litchfield golf program and the start of another. And it's difficult to say which is more exciting, the accomplishments of this season or the … more

10/11/22

Second Quarter Dooms Purple Panthers

After dropping their first three games, the Carlinville Cavaliers have rattled off four straight wins, including the showdown Friday night, Oct. 7, in Litchfield. After a scoreless first … more

10/11/22

With some help from her grandfather Tony Marten and Litchfield Assistant Golf Coach Justin Ripley, Litchfield senior Laura Boston finished off her prep career on Saturday, Oct. 8, with a 47th place finish at the IHSA Class 1A Girls State Golf Tournament at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur.

Laura Boston Concludes Golf Career 47th At State

One of the most successful female golfers in the history of Litchfield High School closed out her prep golf career in Decatur on Saturday, Oct. 8, as senior Laura Boston finished in 47th at this … more

10/11/22

Quarton Paces Panthers At Carlinville Invite

Litchfield junior Camden Quarton picked up another win and helped the Purple Panthers to a third place finish at the Carlinville Invitational on Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Loveless Park in … more

10/11/22

Panthers, Toppers Improve At Loveless Park

The Litchfield and Hillsboro girls cross country teams were at Loveless Park in Carlinville on Tuesday, Oct. 4, for this year’s Carlinville Invitational. The meet was dominated by Class 2A … more

10/11/22

Volleyball Panthers Cruise By Cavaliers

Coach Kari Dragoo’s Litchfield Lady Panthers boosted their conference record to 4-1 with a 25-3, 25-21 straight set home win over the Carlinville Cavaliers on Oct. 6. The Panthers are 6-1 on … more

10/11/22

Litchfield's Tug Schwab chips out of the bunker on the par-3 16th hole at the Effingham Country Club on Monday, Oct. 3, during the Class 1A Effingham St. Anthony Sectional. Schwab parred the hole and went on to tie for second overall, helping his team qualify for state for the first time since 1990.

State Wait Is Over For Panthers

Good things come to those who wait and after 32 years, Litchfield High School is bringing a boys golf team back to the IHSA State Golf Tournament. The Panthers punched their ticket to the IHSA … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 10/6/22

Boston Earns Shot At State

Litchfield seniors Laura Boston and Hailey Rentz competed against some of the best Class 1A players in the southern half of the state on Monday, Oct. 3, at the IHSA Salem Sectional at the Salem … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 10/6/22

Panthers Overpower Wildcats

A young and inexperienced varsity lineup couldn’t contain the power and maturity of the Litchfield Lady Panthers as they defeated Mt. Olive 25-4, 25-15 in a non-conference match-up on the home … more

10/6/22

With four firsts and no finish worse than third, the Litchfield girls cross country team finished first at the Southwestern Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 1. From the left are Coach Jeremy Palmer, Alex Gasperson, Joelle Hughes, Myka Fenton, Delanie Ulrich, Emma Diveley, Darby Braasch and Caitlyn Travis.

Panthers Pass The Test At Southwestern

In cross country, the challenge is to better yourself as much as it is to better the competition. On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Litchfield Panthers had plenty of success in both aspects. From … more

10/3/22

Litchfield's Lauren Monke watches her drive on the par-4 18th hole at Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River on Thursday, Sept. 29, during the IHSA Class 1A Roxana Regional. Monke narrowly missed a shot at sectionals, shooting a 102 to finish two strokes behind the 10th and final individual qualifier.

Boston, Rentz Bound For Sectionals

Laura Boston and Hailey Rentz came about as close as you can get to qualifying for the state tournament without actually getting there at last year’s Class 1A Waterloo Gibault Sectional. Now … more

10/3/22

Teamwork Leads To 3rd SCC Win For Litchfield

After dropping a conference match to Pana on Sept. 22, followed by a loss to Lincolnwood in the Dig for the Cure match on Sept. 26, the Litchfield Lady Panthers took care of business at Vandalia on … more

10/3/22

Litchfield wide receiver Easton Grammer looks for a way around Pana defender Carter Beyers after catching a pass in the second quarter of the Purple Panthers' 42-8 loss to Pana.

Quick Start Helps Pana Roll Past Litchfield

The Pana Panthers would create a 36-0 lead in the first half and cruise to a 42-8 South Central Conference victory over the guest Litchfield Purple Panthers on Friday, Sept. 30. The win moved Pana to … more

10/3/22

Regular Season Winds Down For Soccer Teams

The Lincolnwood soccer team improved to 11-4-2 on the season with a pair of decisive victories over South Central Conference competition on Sept. 29 and 30. The Lancers traveled to Vandalia on … more

10/3/22

Magic Continues As Panthers Take Runner Up At Regional

After coming excruciatingly close to qualifying for the sectional as a team last year, the Litchfield boys golf team accomplished that task on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the Class 1A regional at Timber … more

9/29/22