Your morning look at sports

Pontiac High School plans to mark the 25th anniversary of its state championship football team this fall.

 

The players, coaches, managers, and cheerleaders of that squad, along with several other dignitaries, will be honored during the Threshermen’s Reunion Celebration in Pontiac, Aug. 31-Sept. 2. They will be honored during the football home opener against Tolono Unity at halftime while a social will be held that Saturday. Then on Sunday, they will ride on a float in the Threshermen’s Parade. Returning players will get a souvenir from PTHS.

 

The school will also be making available highlight DVDs from that season, including the semifinal and championship games. For more information, contact PTHS Athletic Director Gary Brunner at (815) 844-6113 or [email protected] or coach Mick Peterson at 815-822-1724 or [email protected].

 

Pontiac baseball struggled in an 11-1 loss to St. Joseph Ogden. A four-run third inning helped the host Spartans take command.

 

Pontiac’s softball team suffered its second loss of the season. St. Joseph-Ogden pushed across the deciding run in the seventh inning for a 3-2 win over the Indians, who drop to 9-2.

 

Dwight crushed Watseka, 13-2, in softball. Macey Rodosky earned the win and helped her own cause with a homerun.

 

The St. Louis Cardinals missed a chance to complete a perfect road trip. Their five-game winning streak was snapped in an 8-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs are in Colorado on Friday night, while the Cardinals host the Cincinnati Reds.

 

The White Sox open a homestand against the Houston Astros after taking Thursday off.

 

The Chicago Bears will open next season with back-to-back prime time games, starting the 2018 campaign at Green Bay on Sunday, Sept. 9, then hosting Seattle on Monday, Sept. 17. The Bears will play on Thanksgiving in Detroit.

 

The Big 10 basketball’s first 20-game schedule has been revealed for next season. The Illini will play home and away series with Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin. U of I will also have home games against Michigan, Michigan State and Rutgers and road contests at Iowa, Maryland and Purdue.