It wasn’t a good day for area football teams in the first round of the IHSA playoffs Saturday. Mercer County gave up 33 unanswered points before a late comeback fell short as they lost to Sterling Newman at George Pratt Memorial Field 33-24. Rockridge had the ball and the lead with 3:29 remaining but couldn’t hold on falling to Tri-Valley 47-42. Iroquois West ended United’s season 35-26. Bishop Mac stopped Knoxville 42-14.
Mercer County and Sherrard’s girls cross country teams advanced to state. The Golden Eagles finished third at the Class 1A Oregon Sectional and the Tigers came in sixth. Mercer County’s Eden Mueller finished 6th overall.