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PRESS RELEASE: VALE SCHOOL DISTRICT The Vale High School Track and Field team expects victory. Case in point: The Viking track and field team will send over 20 athletes – including a host of district champions – to the 2025 OSAA 3A Track and Field State Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene on May 29 […]

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COMMUNITY NOTES

PRESS RELEASE: VALE SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Vale High School Track and Field team expects victory.

Case in point: The Viking track and field team will send over 20 athletes – including a host of district champions – to the 2025 OSAA 3A Track and Field State Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene on May 29 and 30.

The Viking tracksters will make the journey to Eugene after a virtuoso performance at the district meet in Milton-Freewater last week.

“We did well (at district). We expected to do exactly what we did and we knew what our potential was,” said Paul Bentz, Vale High School Track coach.

The Vale girls track team – for the second year in a row – clinched the team title at the district meet while the boys team finished second. Burns claimed top honors in boys team standings at district.

Bentz said the performance of his team was impressive, especially because of the unique attributes of track competition.

“It is a very mentally tough sport. Especially district because you have to do it that day (of district) or it doesn’t matter,” he said.

The Vikings will send 10 girls and 11 boys to the state meet.

On the girls’ side, juniors Peyton Bates, Karlee Crane, Elli Jacobs, Claire Johnson, Addie Saunders and Kesley Stepleton qualified for the state meet. Seniors Brynlee Hartley and Bella Johnson along with sophomore Kaylynn Brandon and freshman Anna Jacobs also qualified for state competition. Hartley won top honors at district in the pole vault event and will compete in that event at state. Johnson clinched the district title in the 300 hurdles and 100 hurdles events.

Bates claimed the district title in the javelin event and will compete in that category at state. Brandon will be part of the Lady Viks’ 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams and will compete in triple jump at state. Brandon claimed the district crown in the triple jump event.

Crane will compete in high jump event. Anna Jacobs will compete as part of Vale’s 4×400 relay team at state while Elli Jacobs will participate in the 4×400, 4×100 relay team events and run in the 400- and 200-meter races.

Claire Johnson will go to Eugene to race as part of the 4×100 relay team and compete in the 100- and 200-meter races. Bentz said Claire Johnson broke her own school record and the district record at Milton-Freewater in the 100-meter race. Johnson captured district titles in the 100- and 200-meter races.

Saunders is set to participate in the 3,000 and 1,500 races while Stepleton will journey to Eugene as an alternate. Saunders was the district champion in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter races.

For the boys, junior Trent Braese will travel to the west side of Oregon as an alternate while senior Skyler Cade will compete as part of the Vikings 4×400 relay team. Rye Cummings, sophomore, will also go to Eugene as an alternate.

Senior Jake DeVos will compete as a member of the 4×100 relay team, run in the 100-meter dash and do the shot put at state. DeVos claimed the district title in the shot put and 100-meter race events. Sophomore Duncan Fritz will run in the 3,000- and 800-meter races at state. Senior Brady Jacobs will compete at state as part of the Vikings 4×400 relay team while freshman Bannock Lamb will participate in the 4×400 and the 4×100 meter relay races. Junior Brody McElroy will travel to state as an alternate in the 4×400 relay team while sophomore Collin Mulvany will run with the Vale 4×400 and 4×100 relay teams.

Senior Kase Schaffeld is set to throw the shot put at state, run in the 100-meter race and compete as part of the 4×100 relay team and compete in the discus event. Schaffeld claimed the district title in the discus event.

Freshman Brandon Stewart will compete in the pole vault event at state.

Bentz said a winning attitude honed in the crucible of tough competition paid big dividends for his team this year.

“We traveled and went to some pretty big meets to get some exposure. That’s probably the biggest difference. We went out to get some extreme competition,” he said.

He said his track athletes arrive for the sport in the spring already primed for success.

“They come in and know how to win,” said Bentz.

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High School Sports

The Times

The OHSAA postseason is moving quick, and it’s our final Times Reporter Athlete of the Week polls for the spring sports season. Cast your vote for the top postseason performances from Tuscarawas County area student-athletes during the week of May 26-31 action in the Times-Reporter Athletes of the Week poll. High school sports fans can […]

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The Times


The OHSAA postseason is moving quick, and it’s our final Times Reporter Athlete of the Week polls for the spring sports season.

Cast your vote for the top postseason performances from Tuscarawas County area student-athletes during the week of May 26-31 action in the Times-Reporter Athletes of the Week poll.

High school sports fans can vote to select their choice this week to pick their top performance. The polls run until noon Thursday. 

Winners will be announced on The Times-Reporter website. You can see the full list of spring winners so far below this week’s polls.

Times-Reporter Spring Athletes of the Week

Mar. 31-Apr. 5: Austin McCreery, Indian Valley baseball, and Miley Reifenschneider, Strasburg softball

Apr. 7-12: Bo Black, Newcomerstown baseball and Kara Lint, Dover softball

Apr. 14-19: Parker Bowe, Malvern track and Jillian Welch, Indian Valley track

Apr. 21-26: Caden Dugan, Strasburg baseball and Elah Davis, Claymont track

Apr. 28-May 3: Ethan Fair, Claymont baseball and Cameron Kuder, Samantha Kuder, Avilyn Hoover and Molly Seevers, Newcomerstown track

May 5-10: Matt Shreiner, Dover baseball and Ellie Mason, New Philadelphia softball

May 12-17: Nolan McMorrow, Claymont baseball and Kara Lint, Dover softball

May 19-24: Marcus McNichols, Tusky Valley track and Delaney Erickson, Tusky Valley softball

Here are this week’s nominees:

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High School Sports

2025 Montana Football HOF

BILLINGS — In the serene landscapes of Kalispell, young Lex Hilliard turned a bright green football field into his stomping grounds. Literally. In his sophomore year at Flathead High School, the powerful running back started shattering records with electrifying runs totaling almost 1,400 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns that season. He’d close high school with […]

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2025 Montana Football HOF

BILLINGS — In the serene landscapes of Kalispell, young Lex Hilliard turned a bright green football field into his stomping grounds. Literally.

In his sophomore year at Flathead High School, the powerful running back started shattering records with electrifying runs totaling almost 1,400 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns that season.

He’d close high school with over 4,400 all-purpose yards and 44 touchdowns, records standing the test of time.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

2025 Montana Football HOF: UM’s Lex Hilliard running wild from Flathead to NFL

Then No. 38 delivered an instant impact for the Montana Grizzlies. He’d bust onto the scene running for nearly 600 yards. A year later, almost 1,000 while earning first-team All-Big Sky honors, and eventually in his Griz career a Walter Payton Award finalist. Comb through UM’s record books and you’ll find Hilliard’s name almost 40 times.

He’d leave as one of Montana’s toughest running backs. How about this recollection from former teammate Chase Reynolds?

“There was a point during a game where he had busted his thumb or something and he had a pin in it. During the game, the pin had stuck out through his thumb,” Reynolds said. “I remember them, with pliers, trying to get the pin out. I remember going, ‘Man this guy, he’s tough.’ I don’t care what you do in the weight room or on the field, he’s trying to get this pin pulled out of his thumb so he can go back in there and play.”

In 2008 a dream come true; Hilliard was taken in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins where he’d join former Griz kicker Dan Carpenter. A year later, Hilliard appeared in all 16 games. In fact, he and Carpenter accounted for every point the Dolphins scored in a 27-20 loss to Houston.

Lex spent 2012 with the Patriots and Jets, finishing his NFL career playing in 62 games, including 13 starts, and totaling 163 rushing yards, 233 receiving yards and four touchdowns. After fracturing his shoulder blade, he called it a career.

Lex Hilliard’s drive and toughness remain etched in hearts from Kalispell to the NFL, and now to the Montana Football Hall of Fame.

The hall of fame induction ceremony is June 28 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center at 5 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person or $800 for a table of eight. Visit www.mtfootballhof.com for information.

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High School Sports

Sunday's high school scores and highlights

ROUNDUP SOFTBALL Claire Puglielli tied the game with a double in the seventh then won it two innings with a sacrifice fly to give No. 11 Reading (19-2) a 4-3 win over No. 22 Doherty in a Div. 2 first-round contest. Ava Kiley scored all four runs for the Rockets. Kiley Hogan threw a no-hitter, […]

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Sunday's high school scores and highlights

ROUNDUP

SOFTBALL

Claire Puglielli tied the game with a double in the seventh then won it two innings with a sacrifice fly to give No. 11 Reading (19-2) a 4-3 win over No. 22 Doherty in a Div. 2 first-round contest. Ava Kiley scored all four runs for the Rockets.

Kiley Hogan threw a no-hitter, striking out 13 as No. 6 Tyngsboro (17-4) defeated No. 27 Rockland 12-0 in a Div. 4 first-round contest. Kristin Deschenes went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer to propel the offense.

Alivia Baldwin hit a three-run homer and Mia Rousseau pitched five shutout innings as No. 12 Andover (16-5) defeated Wellesley 3-1 in a Div. 1 opener. … Bella Silva drove in Mylee Ramer with the game-winning run in the last of the seventh to give No. 5 Bishop Feehan (17-5) a 5-4 win over No. 28 Peabody.

GIRLS LACROSSE

Kat Conover and Cat Colvin each scored four goals, while Ella Palmer and Sydney Trout chipped in with hat tricks to lead No. 7 Pentucket (16-5) to a 21-8 win over No. 26 Stoneham in a Div. 4 second-round contest. … Avery Laundry netted five goals and teammate Chloe Puzzo added four as No. 11 Swampscott (14-4) rolled to an 18-5 win over Hull. … Emily Regan and Aine Norton registered hat tricks as top-seeded Cohasset (18-2) defeated No. 33 Hoosac Valley, 20-3.

Cate Noone scored her 200th career goal as No. 5 Foxboro (14-5) defeated No. 28 Watertown 19-8 in a Div. 3 opener. … Jenna Braga and Abby Bradley had four goals apiece, while Cece Levrault and Jayleigh Howarth added hat tricks as No. 8 Apponequet (17-3) coasted to a 17-5 win over No. 25 Tewksbury.

BASEBALL

Cole Arruda went the distance as two-time defending Div. 4 state champion Seekonk (13-8) opened with a 5-2 win over No. 7 Upper Cape in an opening-round contest. … Ryan Amerault homered and drove in five runs as No. 4 St. John Paul (19-2) rolled to a 34-0 win over No. 29 Lunenburg.

Cam Hasenfus struck out seven and allowed three hits in six innings as No. 4 King Philip (18-4) blanked No. 36 Medford 9-0 in a Div. 1 first-round contest. Aiden Astorino and Drew Herlin each drove in a pair of runs for the Warriors.

Matty Taylor allowed two hits and struck out nine as No. 7 Sandwich (16-5) blanked No. 26 Dover-Sherborn 8-0 in a Div. 3 first-round game. James Lehane had two hits and an RBI for the Blue Knights. … Landon Cardoza allowed five hits in six innings as No. 5 Bishop Stang (14-5) blanked No. 28 Belchertown, 8-0. … Lucas Tremblay doubled in the tying and winning runs in the seventh as No. 16 Apponequet (11-10) defeated No. 17 Taconic, 5-4. … Jack Zimmerman struck out 13 and Michael DeMaino went 3-for-4 as top-seeded St. Mary’s (20-3) edged No. 33 Martha’s Vineyard, 3-2.

Ty Southall fanned six in six innings as No. 16 Georgetown (11-10) defeated No. 17 Lenox 3-1 in a Div. 5 first-round contest.

Jackson Buckland’s game-winning single in the eighth gave No. 17 Billerica (11-10)  a 4-3 win over 16th-seeded Hingham. Nolan Dawson went the distance for the Indians.

Ben Barrasso fired a 1.2 inning scoreless save while Phil Lombardi went 3-for-4 as No. 27 Tewksbury (12-12) upset sixth-seeded Auburn (17-3), 8-5, in the Division 3 Round of 32.

Anthony DiFranco and Joey Barletta each collected two hits for the Redmen who advance to the Round of 16

CLASS NOTES

Bedford athletic director Keith Mangan announced the hiring of Ru Sweeney as the school’s new girls soccer coach, while Scott Wilson takes over as the boys hoop coach. Sweeney previously served as head coach at Acton-Boxboro, while Wilson was an assistant at North Andover.

SCORES

BASEBALL

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Andover 7, Bridgewater-Raynham 5

Bishop Feehan 2, Boston Latin 0

Franklin 4, Durfee 1

King Philip 9, Medford 0

Leominster 2, Weymouth 0 (9 inn.)

St. John’s Prep 6, Newton South 0

Wachusett 3, Attleboro 2

Wellesley 12, North Quincy 5

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Catholic Memorial at Xaverian, 4

Lincoln-Sudbury at St. John’s (S), 4

Natick at Pope Francis, 4

Waltham at BC High, 4

Winchester at Taunton, 4

North Andover at Lawrence, 4:30

Shrewsbury at Chelmsford, 4:30

Springfield Central at Braintree, 5

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Billerica 4, Hingham 3 (8 inn.)

Bristol-Plymouth 5, Duxbury 1

Hopkinton 1, Whitman-Hanson 0

Mansfield 7, Marblehead 3

Woburn 3, Algonquin 1

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Bay Path at Plymouth North, 4

Longmeadow at Somerset Berkley, 4

Minnechaug at Walpole, 4

Masconomet at North Attleboro, 4

Melrose at Milton, 4

Oliver Ames vs. Dartmouth, 4 (NB)

Plymouth South at Westwood, 4

West Springfield at Reading, 4:15

Shepherd Hill at Canton, 4:30

Grafton at Middleboro, 6:30

Westfield at Milford, 7

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Apponequet 5, Taconic 4

Bishop Stang 8, Belchertown 0

Foxboro 3, Pentucket 2 (8 inn.)

Gloucester 1, North Middlesex 0

North Reading 8, Medfield 0

St. Mary’s 3, Martha’s Vineyard 2

Sandwich 8, Dover-Sherborn 0

Tewksbury 8, Auburn 5

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Fairhaven at Falmouth, 4

Greater New Bedford at Wakefield, 4

Holliston at Hanover, 4

Latin Academy at Dighton-Rehoboth, 4

Medway at Arlington Catholic, 4

Newburyport at Shawsheen, 4:30

Oakmont at Norwell, 4:30

Tantasqua at Weston, 6

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Clinton 9, Mashpee 0

Millbury 10, West Bridgewater 1

Northbridge 9, Rockland 3

St. John Paul 34, Lunenburg 0

Seekonk 5, Upper Cape 2

Stoneham 3, Abington 1

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Amesbury at Lynnfield, 2:30

Minuteman at Pittsfield, 3:30

Oxford at Uxbridge, 3:30

AMSA at Dennis-Yarmouth, 4

Cohasset at Case, 4

Monomoy at Monument Mountain, 4

Hampshire at East Bridgewater, 4:15

Blue Hills at Hamilton-Wenham, 4:30

Manchester-Essex vs. Salem, 4:30 (Salem State)

Old Colony at Frontier Regional, 5

DIVISION 5 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Bartlett 6, Sutton 5

Charlestown 6, Millis 3

English 16, Mt. Greylock 2

Georgetown 3, Lenox 1

Hopedale 13, Hull 4

Mt. Everett 10, Rockport 0

Ware 10, Easthampton 1

DIVISION 5 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Ayer Shirley at Greenfield, 3:30

Boston International at Westport, 3:45

Franklin Tech at Bromfield, 4

Maynard at Westfield Tech, 4

McCann at Athol, 4

Monson at Hopkins, 4

Mystic Valley at Carver, 4

Pathfinder at Drury, 5

West Boylston at Pioneer Valley, 6

BOYS LACROSSE

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

BC High 16, Attleboro 4

Concord-Carlisle 17, Boston Latin 4

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Acton-Boxboro 16, Belmont 4

Andover 16, Chelmsford 5

St. John’s Prep 19, Medford 1

Winchester 15, Shrewsbury 2

Wellesley 9, Wachusett 8

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Bishop Feehan 20, Barnstable 6

Catholic Memorial 14, Lexington 6

Central Catholic 9, St. John’s (Shrewsbury) 8 (ot)

Lincoln-Sudbury 19, Framingham 2

Needham 9, Arlington 5

Westford 18, Haverhill 4

Xaverian 18, Chelmsford 3

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Waltham at Franklin, 3:30

Newton North at Natick, 6

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Central Catholic at BC High, 6:30

Xaverian at Bishop Feehan, 7

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Catholic Memorial at Concord-Carlisle, 5

Wellesley at St. John’s Prep, 5

Winchester at Westford Academy, 7

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Natick/Newton North at Lincoln-Sudbury, 7

Needham at Andover, 7

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – TBA

Franklin/Waltham at Acton-Boxboro

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Reading 17, Marblehead 2

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Algonquin 9, Methuen 4

King Philip 9, Canton 6

Minnechaug 8, North Attleboro 7

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Duxbury 13, Milford 2

Walpole 16, Melrose 4

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Hingham 17, Plymouth North 7

Marshfield 17, Masconomet 4

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Silver Lake at Agawam, 4

Westborough at Sharon, 4

Bridgewater-Raynham at Mansfield, 5

Milton at Longmeadow, 5

West Springfield at Plymouth South, 5

Grafton at North Andover, 6

Tantasqua at Billerica, 6

Hopkinton at Westwood, 6:30

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Burlington 17, Foxboro 8

Dover-Sherborn 11, Bishop Stang 6

East Longmeadow 18, Northampton 2

Nashoba 15, Amherst-Pelham 1

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Arlington Catholic 14, Archbishop Williams 2

Scituate 18, Tewksbury 1

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Falmouth 18, St. John Paul 5

Hanover 12, Bedford 9

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Essex Tech at Dracut, 4

Monty Tech at Nauset, 4

North Middlesex at Holliston, 4

St. Mary’s at Medfield, 5

Groton-Dunstable at Newburyport, 5

Apponequet at Shawsheen, 6

Ashland at Wakefield, 6

Old Rochester at Pembroke, 6

DIVISION 4 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Friday

Hull 14, Granby 5

DIVISION 4 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Saturday

Old Colony 5, Stoneham 4

DIVISION 4 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Sunday

Dennis-Yarmouth 13, McCann 3

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Sandwich 13, Rockland 3

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Lynnfield 21, Bourne 9

Pentucket 17, South Shore 6

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Manchester-Essex 17, East Bridgewater 4

Oakmont 15, Bellingham 8

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Cohasset 17, Hull 0

North Reading 11, Medway 4

Winthrop 10, Tyngsboro 5

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Lenox at Nantucket, 1

Monomoy at Littleton, 4

Hoosac Valley at Nipmuc, 4:30

Fairhaven at Swampscott, 5

Dennis-Yarmouth at Norwell, 5

South Hadley at Ipswich, 5

AMSA at Abington, 6

Old Colony at Weston, 6

GIRLS LACROSSE

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

North Andover 15, Barnstable 4

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Andover 18, New Bedford 7

Belmont 12, Braintree 6

Bishop Feehan 11, Peabody 9

King Philip 17, Brookline 6

Westford Academy 13, Winchester 6

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Central Catholic 20, Natick 3

Chelmsford 20, Waltham 9

Lexington 18, Bridgewater-Raynham 10

Lincoln-Sudbury 22, Newton South 5

Needham 11, Acton-Boxboro 10

Newton North 16, Boston Latin 4

Shrewsbury 9, Beverly 8

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Wellesley 18, Attleboro 6

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Weymouth at Franklin, 2

Arlington at Concord-Carlisle, 5

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Billerica 12, Nashoba 7

Burlington 15, Marshfield 14

Duxbury 16, Shepherd Hill 3

Methuen 17, Hopkinton 9

Northampton 8, Westborough 7

Scituate 10, Algonquin 8

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

East Longmeadow 20, Norwood 2

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Hingham 19, Malden Catholic 3

Longmeadow 15, Mansfield 3

Melrose 16, Whitman-Hanson 3

Notre Dame (Hingham) 19, Westfield 4

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Tantasqua at Westwood, 4:30

Dartmouth at West Springfield, 5

Marblehead at Grafton, 6

Masconomet at Reading, 6

North Attleboro at Walpole, 7

DIVISION 3 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Thursday

Groton-Dunstable 12, Martha’s Vineyard 1

Shawsheen 12, St. Bernard’s 9

Watertown 15, Greater Lowell 1

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Dover-Sherborn 15, St. John Paul II 6

Nauset 17, Archbishop Williams 15

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Friday

North Middlesex 12, Bishop Stang 7

Old Rochester 11, Wakefield 6

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Cape Cod Academy 16, Medway 3

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Apponequet 17, Tewksbury 5

Ashland 14, Pembroke 7

Falmouth 16, Holliston 5

Foxboro 19, Watertown 8

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Wilmington at Bedford, 3:15

Dighton-Rehoboth at Ursuline, 4

St. Mary’s at Bishop Fenwick, 4

Chicopee at Wayland, 5

Essex Tech at Hanover, 6

Groton-Dunstable at Medfield, 7

Shawsheen at Newburyport, 7

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Ipswich 18, Old Colony 0

Sandwich 18, Dennis-Yarmouth 2

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Fairhaven 13, Lunenburg 8

Lynnfield 15, Oakmont 5

North Reading 16, Monomoy 7

Tyngsboro 21, Mashpee 9

Weston 16, Hopedale 5

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Manchester-Essex 17, Mt. Greylock 2

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Cohasset 20, South Hadley 3

Nipmuc 19, South Hadley 3

Pentucket 21, Stoneham 8

Swampscott 18, Hull 5

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Wahconah at Nantucket, 4

Seekonk at Norwell, 6:15

Bromfield at Littleton, 6:30

Rockland vs. Hamilton-Wenham, 7 (Gordon)

BOYS RUGBY

DIVISION 1 SEMIFINAL – Wednesday

Belmont at Xaverian, 6

DIVISION 1 SEMIFINAL – Thursday

Weymouth at BC High, 6

DIVISION 2 SEMIFINAL – Friday

Algonquin at Hanover, 5

DIVISION 2 SEMIFINAL – TBA

Chelmsford at Brookline

GIRLS RUGBY

DIVISION 1 SEMIFINAL – Tuesday

Brookline at Belmont, 6

DIVISION 1 SEMIFINAL – Wednesday

Weymouth at Lincoln-Sudbury, 5

SOFTBALL

DIVISION 1 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Thursday

Belmont 5, Diman 4

DIVISION 1 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Friday

Medford 13, Everett 0

DIVISION 1 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Sunday

Framingham 9, Revere 1

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Central Catholic 15, Lexington 0

Chelmsford 14, Shrewsbury 2

Marshfield 3, New Bedford 0

St. Paul 10, Concord-Carlisle 3

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Needham 6, Whittier 3

Newton North 9, North Andover 3

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Andover 3, Wellesley 1

Attleboro 12, Newton South 2

Bishop Feehan 5, Peabody 4

Bridgewater-Raynham 13, Acton-Boxboro 3

Franklin 22, Springfield Central 2

Wachusett 10, Medford 1

Weymouth 6, Beverly 2

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Framingham at King Philip, 3:45

Haverhill at Lincoln-Sudbury, 4:30

Belmont at Taunton, 6

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Marblehead 3, Leominster 0

Wakefield 10, North Attleboro 5

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Walpole 4, Mansfield 0

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Reading 4, Doherty 3 (9 inn.)

Tewksbury 12, Notre Dame (Hingham) 7

Westfield 12, Woburn 0

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Agawam at Plymouth South, 4

Milton at Silver Lake, 4

Oliver Ames at Bedford, 4

Whitman-Hanson at Westwood, 4

Norwood at Stoughton, 4:30

Somerset Berkley at East Longmeadow, 4:30

Duxbury at Milford, 5

Shepherd Hill at Hopkinton, 5

Hingham at Middleboro, 6:30

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Tuesday

Bristol-Plymouth at Malden Catholic, 4

DIVISION 3 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Sunday

Auburn 9, Pope Francis 2

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Archbishop Williams 7, Taconic 2

Monty Tech 8, Notre Dame (W) 6

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Medway 5, Cardinal Spellman 4

Seekonk 16, Danvers 2

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Bishop Fenwick 22, Hanover 14

Gloucester 5, Medfield 3

Norton 6, Blackstone Valley 0

Pentucket 4, Greater Lawrence 1

St. Mary’s 10, Dedham 0

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Wilmington at Nipmuc, 3:30

Essex Tech at Dighton-Rehoboth, 4

Fontbonne at Tantasqua, 4

Pope Francis at Tri-County, 4

Triton at Greater New Bedford, 4

Worcester Tech at Apponequet, 4

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Tuesday

Hudson at Foxboro, 4

DIVISION 4 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Thursday

Amesbury 8, Minuteman 0

Rockland 12, Cristo Rey Boston 0

West Bridgewater 6, Old Colony 5

DIVISION 4 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Friday

Blue Hills 4, Southwick 1

Sutton 16, Randolph 2

Upper Cape 11, St. Bernard’s 6

DIVISION 4 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Sunday

Manchester-Essex 5, Foxboro Regional Charter 0

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Lynnfield 5, Oxford 4

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

AMSA 16, Blue Hills 1

Douglas 10, Lunenburg 5

Tyngsboro 12, Rockland 0 (5 inn.)

Uxbridge 13, West Bridgewater 1

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Monomoy at Pittsfield, 3:30

Amesbury at Case, 4

Ayer Shirley at Frontier Regional, 4

Bellingham at Clinton, 4

Cohasset at Gardner, 4

Manchester-Essex at Abington, 4

Sutton at East Bridgewater, 4

Monument Mountain at Millbury, 4:30

Upper Cape at Hampshire, 4:30

Northbridge at South Hadley, 5

Littleton at Wahconah, 6:30

DIVISION 5 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Thursday

Mohawk Trail 23, Boston Collegiate Charter 1

DIVISION 5 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Friday

Academy of Notre Dame 19, Norfolk Aggie 4

Bartlett 24, Kennedy Academy 0

Lee 5, Muniz 0

Pathfinder 22, Neighborhood House 0

Springfield International 11, Excel 1

Sturgis East 5, Mystic Valley 2

Westport 23, English 0

DIVISION 5 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Saturday

Rising Tide 6, Bromfield 3 (8 inn.)

Whitinsville Christian 25, TechBoston 7

DIVISION 5 PRELIMINARY ROUND – Sunday

Pioneer Valley Regional 24, Madison Park 4

DIVISION 5 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Tahanto 9, Granby 0

DIVISION 5 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Millis 11, Mt. Greylock 9

Wareham 19, Ware 8

DIVISION 5 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Georgetown 12, Springfield International 3

Hopedale 8, Academy of Notre Dame 3

Hopkins 13, Pathfinder 3

Lenox 3, Lee 2

Maynard 16, Mohawk Trial 1

West Boylston 12, Bartlett 0

DIVISION 5 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Westport at Hoosac Valley, 3:30

David Prouty at McCann, 4

Drury at Monson, 4

Pioneer Valley at Narragansett, 4

Sturgis East at Greenfield, 4

Whitinsville Christian at Franklin Tech, 5

Rising Tide at Turners Falls, 5:30

BOYS TENNIS

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Belmont at St. John’s Prep, 3:30

Newton South vs. Brookline, 4 (Waldstein)

Shrewsbury vs. Needham, 4:15 (Newman)

Westford Academy at Newton North, 4:30

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

St. John’s (Shrewsbury) at Concord-Carlisle, 4

Wellesley at Lexington, 4

Winchester at BC High, 4:30

Andover at Acton-Boxboro, 6

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Longmeadow 3, Canton 2

Marblehead 3, Algonquin 2

Westborough 5, Reading 0

Westwood 4, Oliver Ames 1

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Burlington 4, Northampton 1

Hopkinton 5, Whitman-Hanson 0

Mansfield 3, Masconomet 2

North Attleboro 4, Somerset Berkley 1

North Quincy 4, Plymouth South 1

Scituate 4, Melrose 1

Sharon 5, Malden Catholic 0

Wayland 5, Milford 0

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Duxbury 5, Billerica 0

Hingham 5, Somerville 0

Walpole 3, Grafton 2

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Sunday

Duxbury 5, Marblehead 0

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Longmeadow at Hopkinton, 3:30

Plymouth North at Dartmouth, 3:30

North Attleboro at Scituate, 4

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Burlington at Hingham, 3:45

Westwood at Wayland, 4

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Mansfield at Westborough, 4

Walpole at North Quincy, 4:30

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – TBA

Plymouth North/Dartmouth at Sharon

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Medway at Cape Cod Academy, 2:30

Groton-Dunstable at Martha’s Vineyard, 3

Latin Academy vs. Apponequet, 4 (SB)

Old Rochester at Bedford, 4

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Wakefield vs. Medfield, 2 (Medway Middle)

North Reading at Weston, 3

Falmouth at Holliston, 4

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Dover-Sherborn vs. Newburyport, 4 (Pentucket)

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Nantucket at Lynnfield, 1:30

Hamilton-Wenham at Sutton, 4

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Bromfield vs. Manchester-Essex, 3:30 (Gloucester)

Sandwich vs. Fairhaven, 3:45 (Hastings)

Bourne vs. Monomoy, 4 (Brooks)

Falmouth Academy vs. Cohasset, 4 (Milliken)

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – TBA

Lenox at Sturgis West

Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion at Mystic Valley

GIRLS TENNIS

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Acton-Boxboro 5, Wachusett 0

Bishop Feehan 5, Bridgewater-Raynham 0

Concord-Carlisle 4, Algonquin 1

Lexington 5, Methuen 0

Lincoln-Sudbury 5, Plymouth North 0

Natick 5, Shrewsbury 0

Needham 5, Central Catholic 0

Winchester 5, King Philip 0

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Franklin 3, Hopkinton 2

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Andover 3, Brookline 2

Arlington 3, Waltham 2

Boston Latin 5, Beverly 0

Newton North 4, Belmont 1

Newton South 5, Cambridge 0

Wellesley 5, Malden 0

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Westford Academy 5, Framingham 0

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Franklin at Wellesley, 4

Needham vs. Winchester, 4:15 (Spy Pond)

Natick at Newton South, 4:30

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Newton North vs. Boston Latin, 3 (Carter)

Bishop Feehan at Lincoln-Sudbury, 4

Concord-Carlisle at Lexington, 4

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Arlington vs. Westford Academy, 4:15 (Robinson)

Andover at Acton-Boxboro, 4:30

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Tuesday

Canton 3, Ludlow 2

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Oliver Ames 3, Holliston 2

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Duxbury 5, Burlington 0

Marblehead 3, Masconomet 2

Milton 5, West Springfield 0

Sharon 3, Bishop Stang 2

Ursuline 3, Scituate 2

Wayland 5, Melrose 0

Westborough 4, Minnechaug 1

Westwood 4, Dartmouth 1

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Amherst-Pelham 5, Westfield 0

Bedford 4, East Longmeadow 1

Hingham 5, Stoughton 0

Longmeadow 5, Somerset Berkley 0

Plymouth South at North Attleboro, 3:45

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Notre Dame (Hingham) 5, Reading 0

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Duxbury at North Attleboro, 3

Oliver Ames at Westborough, 3:30

Marblehead at Wayland, 4

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Bedford at Longmeadow, 3:30

Ursuline at Hingham, 4

Westwood at Milton, 4

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Canton at Notre Dame (Hingham), 4

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – TBA

Sharon at Amherst-Pelham

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Belchertown 4, Whitinsville Christian 1

Danvers 4, North Reading 1

Hanover 4, Dedham 1

Medfield 4, Foxboro 1

Medway 4, Watertown 1

Wilmington 5, Pembroke 0

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Bishop Fenwick 3, Norwell 2

St. John Paul II 5, Academy Notre Dame (T) 0

Swampscott 5, Nauset 0

Weston 5, Cape Cod Academy 0

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Apponequet 5, Tewksbury 0

Dover-Sherborn 5, Wareham 0

Latin Academy 5, Falmouth 0

Newburyport 5, Sandwich 0

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Martha’s Vineyard 4, Seekonk 1

DIVISION 3 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Old Rochester 4, Auburn 1

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – Sunday

St. John Paul 3, Medway 2

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Medfield at Wilmington, 4

Swampscott at Dover-Sherborn, 4

Bishop Fenwick at Belchertown, 5

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Latin Academy at Martha’s Vineyard, 3

Weston at Hanover, 4

DIVISION 3 SECOND ROUND – TBA

Apponequet at Newburyport

Danvers at Old Rochester

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Tuesday

Bourne 4, Mt. Greylock 1

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Amesbury 3, Mashpee 2

Cohasset 5, Hampden Charter 0

Lenox 3, Frontier 2

Lynnfield 5, Uxbridge 0

Millis 5, Lee 0

Monomoy 5, Tyngsboro 0

Quaboag 4, Quabbin 1

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

AMSA 5, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion 0

Bromfield 3, Blackston-Millville 0

Hamilton-Wenham 5, Rising Tide 0

Ipswich 5, Hopedale 0

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Palmer 3, Sturgis East 2

Sutton 5, Case 0

DIVISION 4 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Manchester-Essex 4, Rockport 1

Nantucket 4, Randolph 1

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – Friday

Lynnfield 5, Bourne 0

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Lenox vs. Cohasset, 4 (Milliken)

Manchester-Essex vs. Amesbury, 4 (Gloucester)

Millis vs. Hamilton-Wenham, 4 (Pingree)

Sutton at Ipswich, 4

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Quaboag at Bromfield, 4

DIVISION 4 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Palmer vs. Monomoy, 3:30 (Brooks)

AMSA vs. Nantucket, 4 (Backus)

VOLLEYBALL

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Weymouth 3, Wellesley 1

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Lowell 3, Boston Latin 0

Milford 3, Chelmsford 1

Newton South 3, St John’s Prep 2

St. John’s (Shrewsbury) 3, Springfield Central 2

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Acton-Boxboro 3, Brockton 0

Braintree 3, Arlington 1

Brookline 3, Greater New Bedford 0

Lexington 3, Medford 0

New Bedford 3, BC High 1

Newton North 3, Revere 0

Winchester 3, Methuen 2

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Barnstable 3, Cambridge 1

Needham 3, Woburn 1

Taunton 3, Nipmuc 1

DIVISION 1 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Natick 3, Andover 0

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Barnstable at St. John’s (S), 6

Acton-Boxboro at Braintree, 6:30

DIVISION 1 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

New Bedford at Newton North, 4:30

Weymouth at Lexington, 5:30

Lowell at Needham, 5

Winchester at Natick, 5:30

Newton South at Brookline, 6

Taunton at Milford, 6

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Wednesday

Pioneer Valley Christian 3, Millis 0

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Thursday

Greater Lowell 3, Somerville 1

Medfield 3, O’Bryant 1

Southwick 3, South 1

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Friday

Bellingham 3, Doherty 1

Fitchburg 3, HS Science/Technology 2

Lynn Classical 3, Norton 2

Wayland 3, Assabet Valley 0

West Springfield 3, Billerica 0

Minnechaug at East Longmeadow, 6

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Saturday

Chicopee Comp. 3, Frontier Regional 0

Longmeadow 3, Randolph 0

Westfield 3, Granby 0

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Sunday

Agawam 3, Springfield International 0

DIVISION 2 FIRST ROUND – Monday

Milton at Latin Academy, 4

University Park at Marlborough, 4:30

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Monday

Medfield at Longmeadow, 5

Greater Lowell at Wayland, 6

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Tuesday

Pioneer Valley Christian at Westfield, 4

Fitchburg at Chicopee Comp., 5:30

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – Wednesday

Lynn Classical at West Springfield, 5

DIVISION 2 SECOND ROUND – TBA

Bellingham at Agawam

Milton/Latin Academy at East Longmeadow

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High School Sports

Athletes compete at 2025 IHSA Boys Track and Field Championship

We’re at Eastern Illinois University for the IHSA 3A Boys Track & Field State Championships, where dozens of schools from across Illinois, including Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Benet Academy, and Naperville North, compete for state glory. This highlight is sponsored by BMO. Naperville Central’s Zoelen Terry wins the long jump Let’s start at the […]

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Athletes compete at 2025 IHSA Boys Track and Field Championship

We’re at Eastern Illinois University for the IHSA 3A Boys Track & Field State Championships, where dozens of schools from across Illinois, including Naperville Central, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, Benet Academy, and Naperville North, compete for state glory. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.

Naperville Central’s Zoelen Terry wins the long jump

Let’s start at the sand pit. Neuqua Valley’s Daniel Robinson, coming off a sectional title, leaps 6.90 meters. That lands him in 8th place in the state.

But stealing the spotlight — Naperville Central junior Zoelen Terry. After a third-place finish at sectionals, Terry soars to the top at state with a jump of 7.07 meters, claiming the IHSA long jump title!

In the high jump, Waubonsie Valley’s Ishmaiah Elliot clears 1.88 meters — tying for 14th with Yorkville’s Taelor Clements. The champion in this event is Machi Nelson from Proviso West, who clears 2.05 meters to take home first place.

Naperville area schools perform well on the track at the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Championship

On the track, Naperville Central’s Lukas Probst gets the 4×800 started in the second pack. But it’s Downers Grove North — Will Surratt, John Courtney, Grant Schroder, and Philip Cupial — taking first place with a state-record time of 7:36.40, beating Sandburg’s 2016 mark. Central’s squad of Patrick Clune, Derek Williamson, and Manny Najera finishes strong in third place.

In the 4×1, Cooper McGinnis gets things started for Neuqua Valley. But it’s Homewood-Flossmoor’s team — Joaquin Jordan, Charles Dees, Myles Elliss, and Zion Morrison — crossing first with a blazing time of 41.00 seconds.

Running in the 3200-meter run are Benet’s Finn Richards and Neuqua’s Jesse Gudauskas. About midway through the event, it’s Ben Crane of New Trier High School keeping pace while leading the runners through this race. While Richards is still keeping pace from behind. In the last stretch of the 2-mile, it’s senior Ben Crane, coming down the final stretch to bring home the win with a time of 8:57.13. Neuqua’s Jesse Gudauskas takes 22nd.

The hurdles are up for the 110. Neuqua’s Cooper McGinnis is in the mix, but it’s a Belleville battle at the top. Jalyn Cole of Belleville West wins in 13.82 seconds, edging Daylin Donaldson of Belleville East by just .09. McGinnis takes fourth with a strong 13.98.

Neuqua’s Daniel Robinson returns for the 100-meter dash. But it’s William Landwer of New Trier taking the crown in 10.24 seconds. Zion Morrison of Homewood-Flossmoor and Clayton Lakatos of Edwardsville round out the top three.

Naperville North’s Edward Mumford runs a solid race in the 300 hurdles, staying in the mix throughout. Amari Williams of Wheaton Warrenville South finishes with a personal best of 36.94 to win it. Mumford earns All-State honors in seventh.

Patrick Clune and the Neuqua Valley 4×400 relay team secure top-three finishes

In the mile, Naperville Central’s Patrick Clune keeps pace early. Fremd’s Rory Gaan leads at the halfway mark, but it’s Tommy Nitz of Huntley who powers down the final stretch to win in 4:16.24. Clune grabs third place with a time of 4:18.04.

The final race of the day — the 4×400. David Garza leads off for Neuqua Valley, and the Wildcats keep it tight throughout. But it’s Evanston’s team — Deshawn Preister, Amani Christian, Anthony Honore, and Dallas Amos — finishing with a school-best 3:17.73. Neuqua Valley’s team of Garza, Rajan Anthony, Edward Mason, and Averi Smith placed third with a school record of 3:18.84.

At the end of an exciting championship, it’s New Trier High School claiming the state title. Naperville Central finishes in 8th, with Neuqua Valley close behind in 12th.

For more prep sports highlights, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page!

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High School Sports

WATCH

Penn State carries a commitment from top-ranked 2027 running back and composite five-star recruit Kemon Spell of McKeesport (Pa.) High School. He returned to Happy Valley on Sunday for an Elite Showcase camp, working under the direction of new Nittany Lions position coach Stan Drayton. “It’s a great hire,” Spell told Lions247 of Drayton earlier […]

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WATCH

Penn State carries a commitment from top-ranked 2027 running back and composite five-star recruit Kemon Spell of McKeesport (Pa.) High School. He returned to Happy Valley on Sunday for an Elite Showcase camp, working under the direction of new Nittany Lions position coach Stan Drayton.

“It’s a great hire,” Spell told Lions247 of Drayton earlier this year. “I can’t wait to meet him and build my connection and work with him.”

View video highlights of Spell’s camp work above.

Considered his class’ No. 14 overall talent and No. 1 RB in 247Sports rankings, Spell rushed for nearly 1,700 yards and 24 touchdowns last season as a sophomore. Here’s the evaluation from 247Sports scouting director Andrew Ivins, who compared him to recent All-American Michigan star Blake Corum.

A mix between a tank and a jackrabbit, which is an extremely difficult combination to tackle. A naturally low-to-the-ground runner with true workhorse capabilities as he constantly bounces off defenders or cuts around them to find extra yardage. Spent much of sophomore campaign deployed as a fullback in a Wing-T offense. Ran absolutely wild in Pennsylvania’s WPIAL Class 4A playoffs with 280-yard and 274-yard rushing performances. Not a true burner, but can hit the gas when a crease opens up. Frequently thrashes forward at the first sign of contact and almost always seems to be falling forward. Tested reasonably well as a ninth grader at the National Combine in San Antonio and has impressed as a pass catcher on the offseason camp circuit. Fits the bill of a hard-nosed football player given the physicality he also flashes on defense while doubling as a cornerback. Must avoid setbacks, but projects as a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that can move the chains while facing stacked boxes.

Spell has spent the last 10 months committed to Penn State. That pact has sustained for more than three months since Drayton replaced current Notre Dame assistant Ja’Juan Seider as leader of that PSU position group.

Spell reinforced his Nittany Lions commitment in late March following a trip to team facilities that featured a detailed discussion with Drayton and head coach James Franklin.

“My talk with Coach Franklin was awesome,” Spell told Lions247. “He sat down with me and my parents and talked about the love that he has for me and my family and how I will be treated — just like his kids. My relationship with Coach Drayton has gotten stronger and stronger. The more we talk, the more we go over things, I see something special in his eyes and I want him coaching me.”

Drayton most recently served as head coach at Temple but spent decades coaching running backs to elite success across college football. He won national titles with Florida and Texas, and produced an impressive list of individual standouts.

Eventual NFL stars Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State), Bijan Robinson (Texas) and Brian Westbrook (Villanova) are among his most notable former pupils. Elliott and Robinson became top-10 draft selections, while Westbrook is a College Football Hall of Fame and Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame inductee. 

Prior to the hiring of Drayton, Spell dealt with some uncertainty regarding his spot in Penn State’s 2027 class.

“(Seider leaving) made me doubt my commitment, but when I talked to Coach Terry (Smith), Coach Franklin, (assistant running backs coach) Charles (Walker) and (recruiting coordinator) Chris Mahon, they told me they had me they had my back and showed me love,” he said in February.

Walker remains the Nittany Lions’ assistant running backs coach and helped work Spell through drills Sunday. 

Spell aims to follow the footsteps of fellow in-state running backs recruit who’ve enjoyed success in State College under Franklin. It’s a collection that includes Saquon Barkley, Journey Brown, Miles Sanders and Nick Singleton.

“It’s Running Back U,” Spell told 247Sports in April. “… I am going to put up the numbers and get a national championship. It is going to get me to the league as long as I produce, put the numbers up, have great attitude, have the film and have character.”

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High School Sports

Elite Athletes Share Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports.

Haylen Ayers celebrates during a high school basketball game before beginning her record-breaking softball career at Tennessee.Photo courtesy of The Jackson Sun Elite Mindset, Built Across Every Season When it comes to reaching the top levels of fastpitch softball, talent is just one part of the equation. Versatility, mental toughness, and athletic balance often separate […]

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Elite Athletes Share Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports.

Karlyn Pickens celebrates during a high school basketball game before beginning her record-breaking softball career at Tennessee.Photo courtesy of The Jackson Sun
Haylen Ayers celebrates during a high school basketball game before beginning her record-breaking softball career at Tennessee.
Photo courtesy of The Jackson Sun

Elite Mindset, Built Across Every Season

When it comes to reaching the top levels of fastpitch softball, talent is just one part of the equation. Versatility, mental toughness, and athletic balance often separate the great from the elite. That’s why more and more athletes—and college coaches—are placing high value on being a multi-sport athlete.

Extra Inning Softball highlights how multi-sport participation sharpens physical tools, prevents burnout, and gives players a competitive edge. We also hear from Haylen Ayers, the Class of 2027 Extra Elite 100 #1 Outfielder, on how balancing multiple sports has helped mold her into a standout performer.

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