Bingo Magic Sports

10/26/2026

HAWKS DOMINATE IN ADVANCING IN CLASS 3A

By Erich Murphy
Bingo Magic Sports

PALOS HEIGHTS — Prairie Central had no problems in marching to a 44-20 victory over host Chicago Christian in a Class 3A opening-round battle Friday, Oct. 23.

Prairie Central was able slap the Knights by finding the end zone on offense, defense and special teams.

Wyatt Ault commenced the scoring parade with a 6-yard run with 2:22 to go in the first quarter.

It didn’t take long for the Hawks to score again. Kilgus scored the first of his three tallies when he returned a punt 46 yards to the house. AJ Basham ran in the conversion to make 14-0 after one quarter of play.

Chicago Christian was able to slow down the PC running attack a bit. The Knights scored early in the second quarter to cut the margin to 14-6, and then stopped the Hawks to get the ball back.

But Kinser Benjamin showed how well the Prairie Central defense has played by picking off Chicago Christian quarterback Emmett Van Dellen and returning it 31 yards for the score. Benjamin added the two-point conversion to make it 22-6.

Kole Steidinger reached pay dirt on a 4-yard carry as time ran out on the first half. Benjamin added another two-point conversion for a 30-6 halftime advantage.

Kilgus threw one pass in the game but it went for a touchdown. Kilgus connected with Kyler Meiss for a 45-yard pass and catch. Kilgus ran in the two-pointer and PC’s lead grew to 38-6 in the third period.

An 86-yard dash by Kilgus with 6:35 to go in the game gave the Hawks a 44-6 lead. Two scores for the Knights in the final 4 1/2 minutes provided the final difference.

Kilgus rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and was 1-for-1 passing for 45 yards and a TD. Benjamin rushed for 42 yards while Steidinger had 38 yards and a TD. The Hawks rushed for 232 yards and finished with 277 total yards to Chicago Christian’s 261. The Knights (5-5) only rushed for 3 yards.

The win moves the Hawks to 5-5 on the season and sends Prairie Central, the 18th seed, to the first round and a meeting with second-ranked and No. 2 seed Byron. The Tigers (9-0) are also the defending state champions in 3A. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.

10/26/2026

INDIANS MARCH PAST DYETT INTO FIRST ROUND

By Erich Murphy
Bingo Magic Sports

CHICAGO — A fast start was key for Pontiac in gaining an edge against a Chicago (Dyett) team that figured to be an athletic challenge in the opening round of the Class 3A football playoffs. That start took place as the Indians scored two touchdowns in the game’s first three-and-a-half minutes en route to a 44-26 victory over the host Eagles at Lane Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Pontiac received to start the game and marched to the first score. Amazin King capped the drive with a 10-yard run just 1:57 into the game. King ran in the two-point conversion and PTHS led 8-0 with 10:03 to go in the opening lap.

A special team’s break gave Pontiac the ball right back. Another short march was capped when Ben Melchers ran in for an 8-yard touchdown and the Tribe led 14-0 with 8:46 remaining in the first quarter.

It didn’t take long for Dyett respond as the Eagles returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards to get on the board. Dyett got the ball back after a Pontiac miscue and scored on a 65-yard pass play to draw within two, at 14-12.

Despite the two-point difference when the first quarter ended, the PTHS offense was like a freight train — simply rolling along through the Dyett defense.

Amazin King raced 36 yards and Jayden Reed added the two-point conversion as the Indians pushed their lead to 22-12 with 10:09 to go in the first half.

Pontiac’s defense was creating problems for the Eagles all game, especially up front as Jamar Ramey and Logan Mackinson were instrumental in getting to Dyett quarterback Elijah James/Washington.

It was the defense that gave the Tribe some points soon after King’s second TD. A Dyett fumble was stopped up by linebacker Ben Melchers, who rumbled 28 yards for a score. Corban Dyck ran in the two-point conversion and the PTHS lead grew to 30-12.

Reed, who was having a tremendous day toting the pigskin, found the end zone for the first time in the contest with 3:47 left in the first half. His 17-yard score was good for six, but the conversion failed.

No problem, the defense once again provided points when a bad snap led to James/Washington scrambling out of the back of the end zone. This game Pontiac a 38-12 halftime advantage.

Pontiac pushed its lead by another touchdown when Reed races 12 yards for a score with 6:25 to go in the third quarter. This made it 44-12.

Helping Pontiac secure the victory was the invisible white flag the Dyett coaching staff started waving. Not waiting until the difference was 40 points, Dyett asked to allow for the running clock.

Dyett scored twice in the fourth quarter against Pontiac’s reserves for the final difference.

This was quite a dominating performance by the Indians as they racked up 409 yards of offense, including 393 on the ground. Jayden Reed collected 220 yards and two TDs on 15 carries. Amazin King rushed for 78 yards and caught a pass for 16 yards. He scored two touchdowns. He was also sidelined for a while for a leg injury. He did return to action. Corban Dyck was 1 of 4 passing for 16 yards. He also threw an interception. He also ran for 31 yards on two keepers.

Also toting the rock for the Indians were Jack Voigts (3-16), Ben Melchers (3-14), Evinn Tracy (1-29), Cesar Gutierrez (1-5) and Braden Opperman (2-0).

Jamar Ramey led the defense with three solo stops and two sacks. Noah Davis recorded an interception while Melchers and Wyatt Williams recovered fumbles. Logan Mackinson and Aiden Prendergast were each in on five tackles.

Pontiac (4-6) will head back to Lane Stadium in Chicago next Saturday to face the UCCS/Woodlawn Warriors (7-2). Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.

10/26/2026

Congratulations to the Pontiac FFA Chapter for being named a National Finalist in the National Chapter Award, Model of Excellence!

10/26/2026

10/25/2026

Congratulations to Prairie Central’s cross country team. Led by Holden Gerdes, the PC harriers placed second in the 12-team regional at Kankakee Community College.

Gerdes was the overall medalist with his time of 15 minutes, 17 seconds. Placing fifth overall was Ben Joseph with a new personal-best mark of 16:12. Third for the Hawks was Kasen Casson with another personal-best time of 17 minutes. He was 18th overall. Finishing close behind Casson were Colter Kerber at 17:19 and Ethan Carrion at 17:36 to complete the scoring. Koltyn Fehr ran 18:45 and Todd Gonzalez had a personal-best time of 19:53.

Prairie Central will compete next weekend at the sectional meet at Kankakee Community College.

10/24/2026

By the way, Pontiac wins 44-26. The Indians will head back to Chicago next weekend to take on Chicago (Woodlawn). Time and place to be announced.

10/24/2026

Casson Media and Bingo Magic Sports made it to Lane Stadium, located two miles west of Wrigley Field. This is a video of Lane Stadium and Kerry Wood Field. Pontiac and Dyett play at noon at Lane. The baseball game features Northwestern and Vanderbilt.

10/24/2026

Monmouth-Roseville saw its season end as host Chicago Hope stumped the Titans 35-14 in a Class 3A playoff game.

10/24/2026

First the good news, Prairie Central rolls through Chicago Christian 44-20 (it wasn’t that close).

The bad news? Prairie Central will hit the road next weekend to face second-seed and unbeaten Byron.

Congratulations and best luck Hawks!

10/24/2026

Congratulations to Dwight. The Trojans advance with a 21-8 victory over Bureau Valley. Dwight advances to the first round and will play at Kewanee Wethersfield next week.