Schuckman: Rock-solid foundation for success helps Hynek and son experience magical run

Peoria Christian coach Cory Hynek, a Quincy High School graduate, will lead the Chargers into Saturday's Class 1A super-sectional against Johnsburg while seeking the program's third final four appearance in his 17 seasons as head coach. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — All Cory Hynek could do was laugh. In the days leading up to Wednesday’s Class 1A Chillicothe Sectional championship against defending state champion Quincy Notre Dame, the Peoria Christian boys soccer coach was approached by teachers within the school asking why the players had rocks on their desks. “I knew our guys…

Read More

‘Soul-crushing goal’ enables Chargers to upend Raiders, end defense of QND’s state title

Quincy Notre Dame midfielder Rylan Fischer, right, goes flying after battling for possession with Peoria Christian's Myles Zimmerman during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The response was swift, sudden and significant. “That was a bit of a soul-crushing goal,” Quincy Notre Dame’s Mason Monteyne said. Title-dashing, too. In the 14th minute of Wednesday night’s Class 1A Chillicothe IVC Sectional championship, senior forward Leo Cann gave the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team a 2-1 lead over…

Read More

Photo gallery: QND, Peoria Christian clash in Class 1A boys soccer sectional championship

Peoria Christian's Caden Schmidgall, left, keeps the ball inbounds while being pressured by Quincy Notre Dame's Mason Monteyne during Wednesday night's Class 1A sectional championship in Chillicothe, Mo. | Matt Schuckman photo

CHILLICOTHE, Ill. — The reign is over. The Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team, the defending Class 1A state champion, was eliminated from the postseason Wednesday night, losing 5-2 to Peoria Christian in the championship game of the Class 1A Chillicothe Sectional. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman was at IVC High School and put…

Read More

Photo gallery: Central advances to sectional title game for first time in program history

The Central boys basketball players celebrate their 51-39 victory over Peoria Christian in the Class 1A Bushnell-Prairie City Sectional semifinals on Wednesday night in Bushnell, Ill. | Photo courtesy Mike Pritchard

BUSHNELL, Ill. — The Camp Point Central boys basketball team will play for the first sectional championship game in program history Friday night, advancing to the Class 1A Bushnell-Prairie City Sectional title game by beating Peoria Christian 51-39. Photographer Mike Pritchard shared these images for a photo gallery of the game:

Read More