Defense had top billing this night
Downers Grove South went toe to toe with Glenbard North for four quarters but fell short in a defensive battle, losing to the Panthers 7-3 on Nov. 14 in a Class 8A quarterfinal contest in Carol Stream.

What all the work leads to
The Downers Grove North girls swimming and diving team has a chance to make it to the top 10 at the state meet this weekend if only everyone can get healthy.

Montini still on a roll
Brandon Pechloff threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns as Montini came back to defeat host Sycamore 31-17 in a Class 5A quarterfinal Nov. 14.

Montini heads to the quarterfinals
After the Montini football team beat Marian Central 42-21 in Nov. 7's Class 5A second-round playoff game in Lombard, the Broncos became the last team standing in the Suburban Christian Conference.

North girls earn top 10 finish
The Downers Grove North girls cross-country team returned Nov. 7 from the Class 3A state in Peoria as 2009's eighth-best team in Illinois.

Downers South ends Raiders' season
With 1 minute, 37 seconds left to go in the Class 8A Round 2 playoff game in Bolingbrook, Downers Grove South's Chandler Whitmer snuck into the end zone behind his right guard for what would be the game-winning score in the Mustangs 22-19 victory over the Raiders.

'D' Bulls top LeBron
Would you believe the Bulls won for a second straight game because of their -- ahem -- defense? Believe it.

This time, the win goes to the Broncos
Sure, the Montini and St. Francis football teams are conference opponents, but there has been something a little more between these two in the past two years.

Redwings take challenge in stride
LOCKPORT -- Benet, the top-seed in the Lockport Sectional was stretched by Downers Grove North in Tuesday's sectional semifinals, but the Redwings survived to play another day.

Downers North girls team heads to state
The Downers Grove North girls cross-country team has a trip planned to Peoria this weekend, and for good reason.

Downers North finishes third in conference
The Downers Grove North girls swimming team started the postseason Oct. 31 at the West Suburban Silver meet held at Proviso West in Hillside.

Participants also learn at school fundraiser
SS Peter and Paul, in conjunction with Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, hosted its third annual volleyball fundraiser Tuesday at the Naperville school. The event pitted the two eighth-grade teams of each gender, sandwiched around an enlightening wheelchair basketball demonstration.

Narrow miss for Waubonsie in loss to DGS
Downers Grove South found a way to grind out 10 needed points in the second half and stood breathless as it saw a 40-yard field goal by Waubonsie Valley with 28 seconds remaining sail wide left. That allowed the Mustangs to squeak out a 22-21 win in a Class 8A first-round playoff game at Benedictine University.

South ready to tackle postseason
Downers Grove South's 34-12 victory over West Suburban Gold opponent Morton on Oct. 23 was only a prelude to yet another postseason berth.

North learns to finish what it started
The first part of the Downers Grove North girls volleyball season was characterized by the Trojans' habit of building leads early in matches against powerful teams and then squandering those leads down the stretch.

Downers Grove area teams thrive at regionals
Junior Benjamin Silver of Downers Grove North was the first to finish at Oct. 24's Lyons Township Regional held at the school.

Area teams make state football playoffs
The IHSA announced the state football playoff pairings and seeds Saturday night. The following area teams made the cut: 

Marmion 'D' earns an 'A' vs. Montini
Marmion beat Montini Catholic for the first time since 1998 with an 18-7 victory cemented the Cadets' status as a legitimate playoff contender and as one of the best defensive units in the area.

Area teams provide plenty of fireworks
It appeared for the longest time that the Downers Grove South boys soccer team was going to pull off a real stunner in the opening round of the Class 3A postseason.

Trojans find out full extent of Glenbard West talent
For Downers Grove North coach John Wander and his Trojans, it must have felt like it was David versus Goliath as they prepared for undefeated Glenbard West on Oct. 16.

North, South athletes head to state
Downers Grove South's Jenny Hois once again proved that she's a cut above and worthy of being seeded among the top four at this weekend's girls tennis state meet.