Category Archives: Local Sports

Normal Community remains unbeaten; tops Peoria High in Week 4 shootout

Normal Community remains unbeaten; tops Peoria High in Week 4 shootout

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The Ironmen have not only survived the gauntlet through four weeks of the regular season, but instead have proven that they belong at the top after defeating Peoria High in Week 4 63-42. The Ironmen are up to 4-0 on the season and have also added wins over Sacred Heart…MORE

Ironmen shutout Wildcats in 29th edition of the Chili Bowl

Ironmen shutout Wildcats in 29th edition of the Chili Bowl

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – The expectations have been met through three weeks of play as the Normal Community Ironmen have charged through three opponents with relative ease this season. Week 3 featured Community picking up not only a regular season win, but also a trophy that signifies a victory over a cross-town rival. The…MORE

Normal West capitalizes on mistakes; beat Bloomington in intercity showdown

Normal West capitalizes on mistakes; beat Bloomington in intercity showdown

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Flags littered the field at Wildcats Stadium Friday night as Normal West had it’s first home game of the season, renewing it’s rivalry with Bloomington. Unsportsmanlike penalties were a theme for both sidelines, as the two team’s were eager to gain an edge in this intercity clash, though the Wildcats…MORE

Normal Community steamrolls Sacred Heart-Griffin in opening week of regular season

Normal Community steamrolls Sacred Heart-Griffin in opening week of regular season

By Jake Fogal NORMAL – Expectations were lofty heading into the 2023 season for the Normal Community Ironmen football team, and a week one matchup challenging one of the best programs in Illinois would be the first test. The Ironmen jumped on the back of their skill position players, as running backs Tommy Davis and…MORE

ISU football picked 7th in MVFC preseason poll

ISU football picked 7th in MVFC preseason poll

The Illinois State University football team was picked seventh in the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll voted on by league coaches, media, and sports information directors. MORE

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…