Free Press Advocate

Comeback Cats upend Blue Devils

Published by admin on Sat, 09/16/2017 - 10:31am

WILMINGTON SENIOR Jake Hill celebrates after sacking Peotone quarterback Trevor Schwiesow late in the fourth quarter to force the Blue Devils to punt, giving the Wildcats a final drive to burn up the clock and win 27-21. Wilmington trailed through three quarters before scoring 21 unanswered points in the final frame to spoiled Peotone's undefeated season. The Wildcats finished with 430 yards of offense, 225 rushing and 205 passing, to improve their record to 3-1. Wilmington will host Seneca Friday.

Battle of the I-8 powerhouses

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 6:39pm

    On Friday, Wilmington will face likely their toughest conference opponent yet, and it will also be the Wildcats’ first road game, as they travel to undefeated Peotone.
    The Wildcats will have their work cut out for them, as Peotone is bigger than ever in key positions, and will also be sporting a whole new look to their offense.
    “We have a big one [Friday] with Peotone,” said Wilmington coach Jeff Reents. “I think going into the season everybody knew that they’d be a really good team, because they have 18 out of the 22 spots back.”

Lady ‘Cats win two in the I-8

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 6:37pm

    The Wilmington varsity volleyball team went up against a bigger, more powerful school Monday, dropped a two-game match to Lincoln Way East.
    The Lady Wildcats were led by Carley Wilkerson, Abby Holmes and Taylor Van Duyne, as they each finished with two kills.
    The varsity team wound up losing their two games by scores of 25-14, 25-6.

Wildcat soccer team continues to improve

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 6:31pm

    Wilmington’s boys soccer team hasn’t had the season they truly want.
    The Wildcats are without a win, but they are still young, and have plenty of positives.
    “These are the growing pains we are experiencing right now, but we try to make a few team goals that we try to work on and find success at,” said Wilmington soccer coach David Blackburn. “I think a lot of it is we have the deer in a headlights look when we are going against opponents a little bit bigger than us. They blow right past us, not because of skill, but because they have a few years on us.”

Wildcats pick up I-8 wins over Sandwich, Reed-Custer

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 6:28pm

    The Wilmington varsity golf team suffered two losses on Monday, as they hosted Peotone and Beecher in a triangular meet at High Point.
    The Wildcats (4-10 overall) finished with a 194 on the night, while Peotone took the top spot with a 178. Beecher came in second, shooting a 184.
    On the night, Ryan Woodall and Tyler Long earned the low scores, both shooting 43’s. Garrett Roth and Nolan Smith shot 52 and 54, respectively.
Coal City 183,
Wilmington 204

Wildcats looking to regroup

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 6:29pm

    It’s been a long time  since Wilmington’s football team has had to regroup.
    In fact you’d have to go back almost four years to Oct. 18, 2013, to find the Wildcat’s last regular season loss. It was to Plano, 43-22, at home.
    The ‘Cats regrouped better than most by winning 29-games straight.
    After coming off a tough loss to Manteno, the Wildcats will be gearing up Friday for their first I-8 Small Conference contest against Westmont.

Lady Wildcats claim sixth at Joliet Central tourney

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 6:23pm

    The Wilmington varsity volleyball team traveled to Joliet Central this past weekend to compete in the Joliet Central Tournament, where they earned sixth place.
    The Lady Wildcats wound up going 3-2 on the weekend, picking up wins over Bloom, Bishop McNamara and Homewood-Flossmoor. The two losses came against Chicago Christian and Lincoln-Way West.
    Wilmington defeated Bloom in three games, winning the first and third, 25-9, 15-2, while dropping the second, 25-20.

Wildcat golfers can’t tame the Dragons

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 6:22pm

    The Wilmington varsity golf team traveled to Grant Park on Thursday, where they suffered a loss to the Dragons by 22 strokes.
    The Wildcats finished with a team score of 204, while Grant Park led the way with 182.
    Ryan Woodall was the low score of 46, while Nolan Smith followed with a 50.
    Tyler Long and Garrett Roth rounded out the top scores with 51 and 57, respectively.
    Wilmington (2-7) traveled to Sandwich on Tuesday for more conference action.
Peotone 179,
Manteno 195,
Wilmington 199

Wildcats surprised by Manteno

Published by admin on Sat, 09/02/2017 - 11:43am

WILMINGTON RUNNINGBACK Conner Dempsay (7) looks for a gap in the Manteno line as he runs up the middle for the varsity Wildcats Friday night at home. Dempsay had a four touchdown night, running for 143 total yards in 29 attempts to keep the 'Cats in the game. But in the end it was the visiting Panthers who pulled off the surprise, edging the Wildcats 28-27 to end Wilmington's 29-game streak for regular season victories. The 'Cats will host Westmont next, Sept. 8. Photo by Tom Neises

‘Cats to host Manteno Friday

Published by admin on Tue, 08/29/2017 - 8:23pm

    The big question is what kind of team will show up Friday when Wilmington hosts Manteno. The Panthers took a beating from Peotone last Friday, losing  41-13.
    Manteno, which has been an I-8 powerhouse the past five years, didn’t look like their usual selves in the season opener, and that could bode well for the Wildcats.
    “Manteno is very much like us, they are replacing a lot of kids from a very good team last year,” Wilmington coach Jeff Reents said. “They went through some growing pains last week, and I think they are a much better team than they showed.”