Coal City Courant

Lady Coalers hope experience will lead them

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 6:59pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The Coal City girls basketball team is still deciding who will play what roles during the 2019-2020 season but they have an experienced senior class that is capable of putting on a show.
“I think we have numerous kids who are going to need to step up and contribute,” said CCHS coach Brad Schmitt. “We don’t have a main scorer this time but we do have girls who are capable of scoring each night. I think we handle roles and carry that out each night. We will always have a chance to succeed.”

Coalers glad they are facing the Spartans at home

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 6:57pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The undefeated Coalers barely broke a sweat during round two of the Class 4A football playoffs, beating Kewanee 25-0. But that may change come Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host Wheaton St. Francis.
The Coalers (11-0) will need a balanced attack and a solid defense against the fourth seeded Spartans, who are upended Genoa-Kingston, 21-12

Few surprises as playoffs down to Elite Eight

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 6:56pm

by shawn long
staff writer
It’s down to the Elite Eight as the Illinois football playoffs enter the quarter-final round this week.
Class 3A
The Wildcats (10-1) knocked off Eureka (7-3), 28-7 to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2015.
Wilmington will duke it out with Byron (2) who advance after a 42-14 win over Durand (7) in round two. On the other side of the bracket, Princeton (1) and Paxton-Buckley Loda (9-2) will face each other. Princeton shutout Spring Valley Hall (9), 16-0 and PBL upended Farmington, 27-7.

Coal City, Wilmington, Reed-Custer to start season in Comet Classic

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 6:52pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Lady Comet Classic is coming up in a week and Reed-Custer, Coal City and Wilmington will girls basketball teams will all be ready for it.
The Lady Comets went 4-0 during the tournament last season to win the tournament so they will be trying to repeat as champions this season. Coal City girls were runners-up, going 3-1 while Wilmington finished fourth with a 2-2 record.
Reed-Custer, Coal City and Wilmington will join five other teams that will be split into two playing pools.

Coalers look to brew Boilers, get to quarterfinals

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 6:35pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The top seeded Coalers barely broke a sweat during the first round of the Class 4A playoffs, shutting out Chicago (Phoenix), 49-0.
Coal City’s starters were in for only the first half, racking up 173 yards of total offense as the defense caused enough damage to get the win. The Coalers (10-0) will need that defense when Kewanee comes to town at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Kauzlaric back on U of W wrestling team

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 6:31pm

WHITEWATER, WI-- Riley Kauzlaric, a native of Coal City, and graduate of Coal City High School, will compete for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team during the 2019-20 season, which begins Thursday.
Kauzlaric, a senior at UW-Whitewater, competed in the NCAA Championships last year, qualifying at 197 pounds. He finished third in his first national appearance to reach the All-America podium.

Five Illinois Central Eight kickers get selected for All-Conference team

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 6:31pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The state championship trophy for boys soccer has been given out, officially ending the soccer season for the Illinois Central Eight conference. And within the ICE, there were five players selected for All-Conference in the first year of the new conference.
Coal City (8-11-3 record) had three players named All-Conference including senior Colin Meece, junior Bobby Milne and sophomore Alex Baudino. Meece earned All-Sectional honors as well.

Best wants to soar with the Heartland Hawks

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 6:30pm

by shawn long
staff writer
Coal City pitcher Connor Best recently committed to Heartland Community College in Normal, IL where blue and white reign.
Best began playing baseball with his classmates when he was in little league and his love for the game has grown stronger ever since.
“It was me, Jack (Bunton) and Payton (Hutchings) all on the same team and we just dominated everyone. My dad pushed me to be better when I was younger but now, it has been more of my mom on my butt so it’s really nice to have parents who care.”

First week of playoffs weaned out weak teams, a lot of upsets

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 6:29pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The first round of the playoffs featured a lot of undefeated teams that took care of business and the departure of all but three of the 19 teams from Chicago Public Schools league.
3A
Wilmington (9-1) moved on in the playoffs, getting by Lisle for the second time this season. Now, the ‘Cats will host Eureka (7-3) on Saturday at 1 p.m. If the Wildcats in they will likely have to travel to Byron (9-1) in the quarterfinal round. But first Byron must beat Durand (7) and the ‘Cats beat Eureka.

Miner superlights fall in double OT during Super Bowl

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 6:29pm

by shawn long
staff writer
The superlight Miners gave it everything they had during the Super Bowl in Wilmington against Peotone on Saturday but lost 30-24 in double overtime.
Peotone started the scoring off but the Miners fought all the way back to grab the lead at the start of the third quarter as Kaden Brown caught the kickoff at midfield and raced 50-yards for the touchdown.
In overtime, the Miners had the ball to begin and on the first play from scrimmage, Maddox Meents found his way into the end zone, scoring on a 10-yard race to the edge.