Bryant
Bryant, IL · Education
Total Pro Sports
Journal Star
Playoff predictions: First round picks for Peoria-area high school football teams
It's the first round of the Illinois high school football season, and our predictions are in for the 2026 Illinois High School Association games around the Peoria area. These picks are for Peoria-area teams that held places in the 2026 Journal Star Prep Football Rankings . All games are Friday unless noted. Last week, the picks in this space went 12-2 (.857) and are 116-38 (.753) on the year. This year's records are in parentheses. 2026 IHSA playoff first round Peoria-area predictions Class 6A LaGrange Park Nazareth (5-5) at Dunlap (8-1), 1:30 p.m. Saturday NAZARETH 28, DUNLAP 27: These teams have never met in the playoffs. Six-time state champ Nazareth played one team with a losing record in 2026. Dunlap had a bye last week following a 16-point over Pekin in the regular-season finale. Running back Jayden Schmick rushed for three first-half touchdowns, finishing with four scores and 110 yards. Harvey Thornton (7-3) at Pekin (6-3), 7 p.m. PEKIN 35 , HARVEY THORNTON 27: Thornton last beat Pekin in the playoffs, 35-19, in the 2019 Class 7A first round. Pekin, which had a bye last week, looks to end a two-game skid, scoring a combined 34 points in those games.
ivleader.com
mortonponyexpress.com
Students say hardest sport is football
Students at Morton East High School say that the hardest fall sport is football. According to ChatGPT there are 13 injuries for every 1,000 Football competition exposures, this could point to Football being the toughest sport but injuries aren’t the defining measurement for difficulty in sports, things like endurance, physical output, or even the speed needed for sports like Track can be a factor for what sport is the toughest.
WCIA
25newsnow.com
Peoria Public Schools hosts showcase of Seven Mindset program
PEORIA (25News Now) - Peoria Public Schools hosted a showcase of its Seven Mindset social-emotional learning program, giving visitors a look at how the multi-year program works inside the classroom. Visitors observed students at Peoria High School, Whittier Primary School and Mark Bills Middle School. The showcase ended at Mark...
newschannel20.com
Decatur Public Schools discusses reworking schools as part of Roadmap 2030
DECATUR, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) - Students in Decatur could soon be moving to different schools under Roadmap 2030. That is the District’s long-term plan to improve education and how it uses its buildings. At a news conference Tuesday, leaders discussed combining schools, changing grade levels, and reworking magnet programs. Some...
nowdecatur.com
Decatur Public Schools Releases Three Draft Scenarios for Roadmap 2030 Potential Facilities Realignment
October 27, 2026 – Decatur Public Schools District 61 has released three preliminary scenarios outlining potential changes to its school buildings and grade-level configurations as part of its Roadmap 2030 Master Facilities Realignment. The scenarios, developed with help from architectural firm Wold Architects and Engineers, are intended to serve...
wmbdradio.com
Peoria Public Schools reports highest graduation rate in a decade, academic gains
PEORIA, Ill. – More students are graduating from Peoria Public Schools, while academic performance and attendance are also showing improvement, according to the newly released 2026 Illinois Report Card. The district announced Friday that its graduation rate has reached 83%, the highest in at least a decade. That’s an...
Journal Star
IHSA football live streams: Where to watch Peoria-area teams' first-round games
Illinois high school football kicks off its opening-round playoff games on Friday, Oct. 30. If you're not able to make it out to one of the many games across the Peoria area, there's always an opportunity to watch via live streaming. Here's how to watch some select games. Some links may require download of an app or signing up for a paid subscription. Not all schools provide live streams. The Journal Star will present its weekend high school football experience with live coverage and updates of Peoria-area games on Friday night, a live score list, feature story from a selected game and takeaways from the night and more. We'll have pictures and highlights videos, too. Just tap pjstar.com . 2026 Illinois high school football playoff streaming schedule: First round Peoria-area first round streaming schedule Friday's games 5A: (13) Lemont (6-4) at (4) Morton (8-1), 7 p.m. | Tap here to watch 5A: (12) Washington (4-6) at (5) Troy Triad (8-1), 7 p.m. | Tap here to watch 4A: (12) Metamora (7-3) at (5) Breese Central (8-1), 7 p.m. | Tap here to watch 3A: (9) Manteno (7-3) at (8) Peru St. Bede (7-2), 7:15 p.m. | Tap here to watch
metroeaststar.com
wglt.org
ISU president says there's still 'work to do' to regain trust among employees amid labor unrest
The president of Illinois State University said administrators "have work to do" to restore trust and respect among some university employees after contentious union negotiations and other ongoing contract talks. Aondover Tarhule also discussed ISU’s enrollment and efforts to improve its graduation rate during an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas....
nowdecatur.com
WATCH: DPS61 Series – The Principals
Check out the newest DPS61 video series “The Principals”, spotlighting the leaders who make Decatur Public Schools District 61 thrive. Get to know the principals behind our DPS61 schools as they share their vision, highlight student and staff achievements, and showcase the people and programs making a difference in their school communities.
WCIA
Decatur Public Schools entering new phase of district architecture revamp
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Decatur Public Schools is entering the next phase of a facilities revamp that aims to maximize space amidst declining enrollment and a budget deficit. For the last year, DPS has been implementing the Roadmap 2030 initiative. The district hired the architect firm Wold Architects and Engineers to help develop scenarios to […]
25newsnow.com
25 Sports High School Wednesday- October 28, 2026- Peoria Notre Dame wins 1-0 Sectional soccer battle. Dunlap suffers 3-2 heartbreaking loss
PEORIA (25News Now) - Peoria Notre Dame got a 2nd half goal from Cal Brykit in a 1-0 win over Sycamore. The Irish advance to play Marmion who stunned Dunlap rally from 2 goals down to win 3-2 in Overtime. Tremont, Dee-Mack, Illini Bluffs, Heyworth and Brimfield were all volleyball...
dewittdailynews.com
Decreasing Enrollment Leading to Long-Term Planning for Heyworth Schools
Decreasing enrollment for a rural McLean County school district is prompting leadership to evaluate its long-term forecasts. Heyworth Schools are seeing enrollment drop at almost every level, and Superintendent Dr. Lisa Taylor says they are starting to evaluate what that means for the district, particularly as it relates to staffing.
edglentoday.com
WCIA
Middle school football players from Central IL played one last game at Gies Memorial Stadium
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Getting a chance to play under the bright lights at Gies Memorial Stadium was a dream come true for dozens of middle school football players. Athletes from Champaign, Urbana, Danville and Decatur were competing for the championship prize in the Central Illinois Youth Football League. The league has been around for […]