Nashville, WF, Carterville have talent back
A-J, Pinckneyville keep rebuilding; Lions, Murphy set for Ohio battle
Last season didn't end the way that head coach Stephen Kozuszek had envisioned.

The Nashville Hornets were sitting at 5-2 after a Week 7 win over Pinckneyville.

But the squad hit a bad stretch where they dropped their final two regular season contests and then lost a tough decision on the road in the 2A playoffs, 42-39, to Flora to close the campaign at 5-5.

The best news is that there is always an abundance of talented athletes roaming the halls t NCHS and most play all of the sports.

The Hornets return a bunch of starters, including 6-4, 185 junior quarterback Cole Stiegman.
Flora, JC hope to continue to shine
Wolves, Indians have had splendid runs; Fairfield looks strong again; SVW stays on track

08/17/2026
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - As the Flora Wolves head into the 2026 football season, they have a lot to be proud about from last season's 10-2 finish.

Coach Brian Tackitt and his club accomplished a first for the program.

With a victory over Nashville in the 2A first round, the Wolves won their first ever playoff game.

After beating the Hornets, 42-39, they took down Pana, 17-14, before losing to Maroa-Forsyth 48-17 to finish the season.

Several key players return for the Wolves as they want to continue their current playoff run of making the postseason for the seventh time in the last 12-seasons.

Richland County has three-peat in sight
C-W, MC are threats; Paris, Newton, Robinson, Marshall look improved, L'ville must rebuild

08/19/2026
BY JACK BULLOCK
CARBONDALE - There are graduation losses at every program, every year but the ones who hit the trail from last season will sting for a while for Richland County and head coach Luke Carmody.

There are 12 important faces missing from last season's 9-1 campaign that ended with a first round shocking loss at home to Jacksonville in the 4A playoffs at home.

ASV 3A/4A “Player of the Year” quarterback Gavyn Cothern put up some "mind-boggling" stats in his two seasons as a starter.

Cothern rushed 316 times for 3,205-yards and 41 touchdowns in two seasons while completing 141-of-218 attempts for 2,679-yards and 30-touchdowns in the same time frame.