• Pekin Eastern High School
• IHSAA
• Volleyball

Write a comment

By Nathaniel Smith, Editor

In a fantastic showcase of talent, practice, determination and an exuberant amount of effort, the Eastern varsity volleyball team commanded the duration of not one, but two games on Saturday. The first being against Salem in the Semifinals, and the second against Crawford County in the Sectional Championship game.

In both October 19 games, Salem and Crawford County fought tooth and nail to try to secure a sectional win. But it just did not end up being enough, and Eastern finished out both games at a 3-0 overall score. Winning every single set they played, the lack of losses showed just how bad they wanted to take the trophy home. Between the two games, Crawford County had given them their most trouble; especially in the 3rd and final set. The Wolfpack clawed their way back just short of a turnaround. Finishing out the set at 25-21, they handed the victory to the Musketeers.

Having just been crowned the Sectional Champions, Eastern has just a few more days of rest and practice before the first round of the State Championship Tournament on October 26.

The Musketeers are scheduled to oppose Barr-Reeve in Mitchell at 1 p.m. The winner will then go on to play the victor of the Winchester Community vs. Parke Heritage game on November 2. The time and location is still to be announced.

Come support your Eastern Musketeers as they strive for a State Championship!

Photos by Nathaniel Smith.

• Salem High School
• Sports
• IHSAA

Write a comment

The Salem High School Cross Country team competed at their sectional event this past weekend at Bedford North Lawrence.

Placing 15th overall, junior Rafe Wells (middle) had a time of 17:08. He, along with sophomore Aaron Dougherty (left) and freshman Abby Stephenson (right) will go on to compete in the IHSAA Regional event this weekend in Evansville. Come show your support!

• West Washington High School
• Wrestling
• Sports

Write a comment

The West Washington K-5 Wrestling Club will begin their first practices on October 28 for K-2 students and October 29 for 3-5 students, with regular practices beginning the following week on November 5. This first free session will be a combination of a parent meeting as well as a 1 hour long practice, and it will begin at 5:15 p.m.

Practices will be held in the wrestling room in the new West Washington athletic building (Bowsman Complex) located at 8028 W Batts Rd, Campbellsburg. Grades K-2 wrestlers will meet from 5:15-6:15 p.m on Tuesdays, while grades 3-5 will meet from 5:15-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

Participation cost is $25 per child per month. Parents can also opt to pay per practice ($5), or they can choose to pay $100 upfront to cover the November-February season. However, parents and students should not be discouraged by the cost. Sponsorship options are available and can be discussed at the parent meeting where more information will be shared.

Meets currently scheduled

11/24/24 - League Jamboree @ Madison

12/5/24 - Girls League Championship @ Shelbyville High School

12/15/24 - League Dual Championship @ Indian Creek High School

1/12/25 - League Individual JV and Varsity Championships @ Jennings County High School

Friendship matches are to be added as they are scheduled. These will occur throughout the week.

Coaches

Dennis Tankersley - (812) 620-2523 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bill Johnston

Mason Jones

West Washington High School Wrestlers

Please fill out the following information and bring it to turn in at the first meeting:

Wrestler's Name:

Age:

Shirt Size:

Weight (Approximate):

Grade:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Contact Phone Number:

• Salem High School
• West Washington High School
• Football
• Sports

Write a comment

By Josh Lewis, Writer

The Lions clinched the county championship on Friday night thanks to a convincing win over the Senators. Salem had a bit of a slow start, but a big second quarter helped propel Salem over West Washington 34-7.

Salem Head Coach Brian Glesing said it was good to win the county after having a three way tie last year. “It’s good. It’s always good to beat your county rivals. And we did in good convincing fashion both games. I’m excited about how we handled business. It was a good win on senior night and these guys deserve it.”

Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter. Salem converted an early fourth down on an Adam Mull throw to Lenny Nguyen close to midfield, but the drive stalled in the red zone after a bad snap made it 4th and 27 at the 35 yard line. After a Senator punt, a Seth Ponsford punt return score was called back on a penalty.

The Lions offense broke the stalemate early in the second quarter thanks to some big runs from Logan Dent setting up a Mull to Ponsford 13 yard pitch and catch. Noah Deaton raced around the end for the two point try and Salem led 8-0 with 10:18 to go in the half.

Turnovers allowed the Lions to start pulling away in the second quarter. After a long run Mull ripped the ball free from a Senator ball carrier and returned it to the 38 yard line. A four yard run from Dent and a two point conversion run from Mull pushed the lead out 16-0 with 6:30 to play.

It took just one play for the Lions to get the ball back on another fumble at the 41 yard line. Dent got his second score of the night on a 17 yard run to push the lead out 22-0 with just over two minutes to go in the half. 

Salem took over with just under a minute in the half and tried to go quick and get another score but Hayden Morrow ripped down an interception at the 11 yard line to end the half. 

Glesing said the turnovers really changed the game after the slow start. “They pose some problems with their option game. They ran some power tosses too. We adjusted to those, but the turnovers were the big story. We got the turnovers and capitalized on that and got out to a comfortable lead. When you do that you don’t have to panic and can do some other things.”

The Lions got back on the board early in the second quarter when Mull found Deaton open down the seam for a 28 yard score to make it 28-0. The Senators though finally got some offense going. They were pinned deep but put together a drive with some gashing runs. Gavin Hunt raced up the middle to get out close to midfield. A few plays later Hudson Cress found room outside and raced for a 33 yard score. After the PAT the Lions still led 28-7 with 5:46 left in the third.

West Washington looked like they were about to put more points on the board, getting down to the five yard line but were stopped on fourth down and the Lions took over. Salem put the finishing touches on the game a few minutes later when Dent found the endzone again from one yard out to make it 34-7 and lock up the county title.

It was also senior night for the Lions. Glesing said all the seniors played well and he was happy for them. “I’m thankful for all the seniors and they all played well. Noah Lee got to start at linebacker. Braxton Backus got in and made some plays as well. The offensive line played well too. We were able to run our power game and control the line of scrimmage.”

Salem has won three games in a row. Glesing said his team is playing pretty well right now. “We wanted to play our best football in October and I think we are. We would like some games back, but hopefully we will be at full strength health wise or close to it. We have just been battling injuries like everybody does. Hopefully we will be at full strength for Clarksville next week.”

Up next is sectional play. The Lions will host Clarksville in the opening round and West Washington will travel to South Decatur.

Noah Daulton and CJ Ward bring down Colton Brown.

Logan Dent gets brought down by Colton Brown.

Jamesdon Collier finds some running room against the Salem defense.