The Journal-News

Golf Teams Kick Off 2022-23 Sports Season

The first high school athletic events of the 2022-23 season will begin this week as the four of the eight golf teams start their seasons. The Hillsboro boys and Lincolnwood boys and girls both … more

8/8/22

Sponsorships Available For 2022 Grace Tourney

Preparations are underway for the 2022 Montgomery County Grace Invitational volleyball tournament, which will be hosted by Nokomis this year on Sept. 9-10. The 16-team tournament features all four … more

7/21/22

Despite going up against schools double and triple their size, or larger, the Nokomis High School baseball team made it all the way to the IHSA State Baseball Tournament in 1977, the final year of the one class system in baseball. In front, from the left, are Mark Wiseman, Ron Frazier, Charles Friesland, Richard Jachino, Phil Blazich, Jim Jachino, Steve Gonet and bat boy Kurt Davis. In the back row are Assistant Coach Mike Guidish, Roy Marquess, Greg O'Malley, Bud Foster, Mike Clavin, Curt Hagemeier, Barry Epley, Scott Keele and Head Coach Bob Davis.

Redskins Celebrate State 45 Years Later

In 2012, Sports Illustrated writer Chris Ballard came out with his latest book, One Shot At Forever, a story about the eclectic 1971 Macon High School baseball team and their improbable run to the … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 7/14/22

After it took him seven months to build the first iteration of Stan’s Field at his house, Nokomis High School senior-to-be Matthew Ulrici needed just two months to turn a grass lot near his grandmother’s house into his next field of dreams. With a little less wet weather, Ulrici hopes to have a few tournaments at the new and improved Stan’s Field, named after his late grandfather Stan Toberman and located at 220 East Locust Street in Fillmore.

Ulrici’s New Field An Old Favorite

“That kid.” It’s a moniker that has a tendency to follow around high school students. There’s “that kid” who played the lead in the school play. There’s … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 7/14/22

Twenty-three players from schools stretching from New Berlin to Altamont played in the sixth edition of the Grace Cup All-Star soccer game on Saturday, June 11, at Terry Todt Field in Raymond. In front, from the left, are Ethan Lentz, Connor Stalets, Melissa Rufus, Josh Klenke, Dima Powell, Grace Conner, Charlotte Herschelman, Reece Butcher, Levi Weir, Caleb Stevens, Spencer Hoehl and referee Brock Eddings. In the back row are Coach Travis Matthews, Coach Matt Lentz, Josh Bauman, Joe Mattson, Coach Dave Mattson, Matt Page, Lukas Moore, Devin Speiser, Cameron Crow, Brayton Strawkas, Austin Dohleman, Noah Klimpel, Bryce Suckow, Duncan Scheidenhelm, Adam Anderson, Carson Franks and Kyle and Mary Herschelman. Not pictured are assistant referees C.J. Matthews and Kenny Lauderdale and ball boys Cody Matthews, Connor Billington and Lucas Stewart.

Sixth Grace Cup Was Worth The Wait, Challenges

Almost everything about the Grace Cup was a challenge this year. But at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, two teams took the field and played for the love of the game of soccer and in support of a little … more

by Kyle Herschelman | 6/13/22

Several times this season, the Nokomis High School softball seniors Emma Hill, Karlie Wanger, Baylee Cesaretti and Aubrie Jaros wore their late classmate, Ayden O'Malley's name on their back. On Monday, May 23, they carried O'Malley's legacy in their hearts as they played their final game of their high school careers in a 6-3 loss to Carrollton in the regional championship game at Bunker Hill.

Hawks Hold Off Redskins In Title Game

A four-run fifth inning was the difference maker in Bunker Hill on Monday, May 23, as the Carrollton Hawks defeated the Nokomis Lady Redskins 6-3 in the championship game of the Class 2A … more

Kyle Herschelman | 5/26/22

Redskins Take Down Aces In Two-Day Win

It took two days, but in the end, the wait was worth it for the Nokomis High School softball team as they defeated Mulberry Grove 5-2 in the Bunker Hill Regional semifinal on May 19. The game … more

5/23/22

Hawks Down 'Skins In Regional Semifinal

Nokomis’ bid for a 17th regional championship in baseball ran into a road block on Thursday, May 19, as the Redskins fell to Carrollton 11-1 in the semifinals of the Hardin Calhoun … more

5/23/22

Redskins Improve To 14-12 With Wins

The Nokomis High School baseball team picked up a pair of wins to end the week and nearly had a third as they defeated Taylorville and Riverton and lost 4-3 to PORTA. The first of the wins came on … more

5/16/22

Nokomis' Gracelynn Dewerff puts the tag down on a Tri-City runner during the Lady Redskins' MSM Conference tilt against the Tornadoes on May 11. Nokomis hung tough with the conference champions, but fell 3-1 on their home field.

Nokomis Stays Busy At Season's End

After a rain-plagued season, the Nokomis Lady Redskins were able to get four games in between May 11 and May 14 to end the regular season. Unfortunately, three of those games were against competition … more

5/16/22

Two Up, Two Down For Lady Redskins

The Nokomis High School softball team picked up a pair of two-run wins to start the week as they improved their record to 13-13 on the season. On Monday, May 9, the Redskins hosted Edinburg in an … more

5/12/22

McGivney Streak Alive At Skins Expense

After starting the season with three losses in their first four games, Father McGivney had won 23 straight going into the final week of the regular season. On Monday, May 9, Nokomis found out why the … more

5/12/22

Nokomis Scores Two Wins In Between Rain

Nokomis was one of the few teams to squeeze in a baseball game between rain showers on Wednesday through Friday as the Redskins managed to get games in against Meridian on May 4 and North Mac on May … more

5/9/22

Bullets Bounce Back To Beat Lady Redskins

The Nokomis High School softball team managed to squeeze in an impromptu game against Williamsville on Wednesday, May 4, before rain washed out the rest of the week. The Lady Redskins held an … more

5/9/22

Wanger Walks It Off Against Auburn

After 10 innings, the Nokomis Lady Redskins were literally able to walk off with a victory on Monday, May 2, against Auburn. The two teams were tied at five after seven and tied at six after nine, … more

5/5/22

Toppers Slip Past 'Skins In County Title Redux

For the second time this season, Hillsboro defeated the Nokomis Redskins in a baseball game; the first time was at Raymond during the county tournament by a 5-3 score. This time the teams met in … more

by Ron Deabenderfer | 5/2/22

Redskins Roll In MSM Finale

After a handful of challenging games, the Nokomis High School baseball team was in need of a game where the pressure might not be so great. They got that game on Wednesday, April 27. The Redskins … more

5/2/22

Lady Redskins Knock Off Tigers, Aces

The Nokomis High School softball team picked up a pair of wins over Greenfield-Northwestern and Mulberry Grove on April 27 and 28, as they edged their way closer to the .500 mark for the … more

5/2/22

Lincolnwood’s Gabe Armentrout goes airborne after colliding with Nokomis first baseman Cooper Bertolino late in game one of the MSM Conference doubleheader in Raymond on Tuesday, April 26. Armentrout was safe on the play, which scored one of Lincolnwood’s two runs in the seventh. The game would go to the eighth, where Elijah Aumann hit a solo home run for what turned out to be the game winner in Nokomis’ 5-4 victory.

Redskins/Lancers Split MSM Doubleheader

Tuesday’s doubleheader in Raymond between the Lincolnwood and Nokomis baseball teams had everything one could want: stellar pitching performances, late rallies, defensive gems and timely hits, … more

4/28/22

Four-Run Fourth Spoils Gonet’s Gem In Taylorville

There were more hits than runs scored in the tilt between Nokomis and Taylorville, but not by a whole lot. The host Tornadoes managed to score four runs on just three hits as they defeated the Lady … more

4/28/22