The Record News and Sports

With a dramatic win, New Trier football gets to continue one of the best seasons in program history. We talk what it took to get here and how they can make a major statement on Friday. Loyola is running like a machine into the quarterfinals and gets a familiar foe next. Wait, could New Trier-Loyola meet in the final four? Plus, New Trier cross country's big moments at the cross-county finals, including a trophy 60 years in the making. Oh, and you won't believe the girls champ's time!

On its biggest stage in years, New Trier football showed out, claiming a rare playoff win and setting up a big next round. We talk about what makes this team special and how they matchup with south-suburban Homewood-Flossmoor. Loyola had little trouble with Minooka, but things get difficult quick. Highland Park bowed out after a fine season. And it's another celebration pod as as talk about the state-champion Trevians field hockey team and hear from their coach.

Highland Park football's defense stood tall in its first playoff test, and the Giants are marching on in the 6A bracket. We look at their big season. Speaking of big seasons, New Trier tennis did it again! That's 4 state titles in a row — a first for Trevians tennis. We hear from singles standout Julia Ludwig. And we turn our focus to more playoff football, as New Trier and Loyola come off byes. What will it take for them to make playoff noise?

An extraordinary Week 9 saw local rivals play at Northwestern's Ryan Field in an incredible spectacle. And across town, Loyola hosted its rival, Mount Carmel. We dig into New Trier's win and Loyola's loss to wrap up the regular season. That sets the stage for playoff chatter, and we look at the paths of the Trevians, Ramblers and Giants. We, however, begin the podcast by addressing the ugly reports coming out of the Ryan Field game, alleging racist and homophobic language and behavior from New Trier fans.

We revisit a incredibly fun Week 8, in which New Trier finally got Glenbrook South, Loyola mounted a serious comeback to remain unbeaten and Highland Park hung on for its fifth win. Trevs QB Jackie Ryder tells us about the highlight-filled victory over the Titans. Then we pivot to a HUGE Week 9, when New Trier and Evanston take things to Ryan Field and a crowd of maybe 25,000!! Plus, Loyola gets rival Mount Carmel in hopes of an undefeated season, and Highland Park looks for its second straight league crown.

Three teams and three victories means a Victory Pod! And all three wins came in dominant fashion, with the biggest coming from Highland Park coming against cross-district rival Deerfield. We talk about the Giants bouceback before focusing on big matchups for New Trier and Loyola in Week 8. Plus, local golfers are off to state, we do some playoff soccer talk and more.

The touchdowns were plentiful in Week 6. That was good news for New Trier (5-1) and Loyola (6-0) — not so much for Highland Park (3-3). Two-thirds of the way through the season, we talk the surprising Trevians offense (can they put average 45 all season?) and the talented Melo Maldonado (Is he the Catholic League Blue's player of the year?) Plus, we preview a big Highland Park showdown with Deerfield, look at playoff golf and more

Highland Park and Evanston haven't met on a football field in quiet some time — and they made it worth the wait on Friday. The Giants, though, struck last and we talk about the significance of the huge win, plus hear from coach Anthony Kopp. We also recap New Trier and Loyola taking care of business in their road games in Week 5, and what we want to see from them down the stretch. All that plus golf, flag football and soccer talk as well.

A battle of state powers lived up to the hype in Wilmette Friday night and we gleefully relive it! Discussing the incredible fourth-quarter back and forth, the Ramblers' heroic effort; and if Loyola is the Class 8A favorite! But let's not sleep on New Trier, which gave potent Maine South a run for its money. We say the Trevs are legit, will it lead to playoff successes? Plus, Highland Park gets even at 2-2 and a flag football checkin.

We did it! The first victory pod of the season! All three of our locals picked up victories (convincingly) in Week 3. Loyola looks legit and then some after a throttling of St. Rita, New Trier (3-0) continued its two-way dominance, and Highland Park got a much-needed and resounding win to start conference play. We break it all down plus look ahead to *huge* Week 4 matchups for New Trier and Loyola.

If local running backs had their way in Week 1, it was quarterbacks who were in the spotlight in Week 2. New Trier's Jackie Ryder threw for three scores in his team's shutout win, and Loyola's Matthew Lee did the same to help the Ramblers win going away in Indy. Who is off to a better start and will it continue? Highland Park, though, ran into another challenge, and we talk about if and when they can turn it around. And wait a minute! We move off the field and into the gym for a look at local volleyball, and you have...

The optimism proved accurate for New Trier and Loyola Academy football, as both teams won their openers in dominant fashion. It was a big week for local running backs as New Trier's Throy Nightingale Jr. debuted in style; Loyola's two backs put up numbers; and Highland Park's John Boman went off in a tough-luck loss. We talk road tests for the Trevians and Ramblers in Week 2, and a Highland Park home opener. Plus, we begin talking the other fall sports (soccer, volleyball, etc.)

You weren't going to go into football season unprepared, were you? We won't allow it. We give you the goods on our locals — Loyola Academy, New Trier and Highland Park — with season kickoff on Friday night. Listen for full team breakdowns, including schedule insight, top players to watch, Week 1 reviews and season predictions. Let's go!

New conference foes, a whole new division, a trip to Indy and a Big Ten stadium — we look at all the fun and quirks inside the 2026 football schedules of New Trier, Loyola and Highland Park. All that plus an earlier start to the season this year makes for a lot of excitement in this summer episode.

That's a wrap! Another high school sports season in the book, and we get all nostalgic about the past nine months. How does this year compare to others? Was it quietly among the best? And what are some of the top teams, moments and championships? We cover it all and relive a decorated high school sports year that ended with a major championship.

It's a: Championship Pod! Times 2! New Trier girls soccer and Loyola girls lacrosse capped dominant seasons by hoisting state titles. We break down a dramatic state finals for the Trevians and hear from senior Quinn Brahm, and also a far-less-dramatic but equally impressive finish for the Ramblers, who were near untouchable in 2026. Then, we recap a busy and fun spring and take stock of our local baseball, softball and volleyball programs.

New Trier tennis was apparently sick of playing second fiddle to four-time reigning champ Hinsdale Central and snatched the state title away thanks to a clutch doubles finale. And there is plenty more to cover, including New Trier soccer powering through the bracket, NT baseball keeping its season alive, big-time Trevians relays, power-packed postseason lacrosse battles and more. We get it all in for one of our biggest shows of the year.

A tough postseason road got New Trier in the regional finale, but what a season it was for the 18-win Trevians. We talk about all the accolades. Plus, girls track stars compete at state, while the plenty of boys are on their way. And when we talk a *huge* week in local sports, with soccer, volleyball, baseball, lacrosse and more peaking. What are our teams' chances?

The postseason is well underway and our first major trophies have landed, with New Trier boys and girls water polo winning sectionals and local girls track/field athletes punching state tickets. We discuss the playoff paths for the rest, including suddenly hot New Trier baseball. Can they pull off a big run? We look at softball, soccer and volleyball brackets, too, and talk boys track chances.

Highland Park and Deerfield took their rivalry outside for a first-of-its-kind volleyball match. We talk about the special night and hear from Giants coach Jenna Hotwagner. Plus, we hit all the spring favorites — baseball, softball, track/field, water polo — to check in on our teams as the playoffs fast approach.

Trevians girls soccer lost a toughie in tournament play. Are they still the best? (Hint: Yes they are). We talk their busy week and look at their postseason road. We also catch up on New Trier baseball, which may be turning a corner, and Highland Park baseball, which keeps on winning. We check in on softball squads, too. Plus, track and field postseason competition is coming; how are New Trier girls looking and do the boys have a shot at a repeat?

New Trier volleyball was on quite a run before suffering a setback over the weekend. Star Oliver Potterfield suffered a likely season-ending knee injury and we talk if the Trevians can rebound. On the diamond, NT softball keeps circling the bases during its hot streak, while NT baseball can't seem to put it together. Plus, Loyola took care of rival New Trier in resounding fashion in a lacrosse doubleheader

New Trier soccer is showing what it takes to be No. 1. We talk the Trevians statement win over Loyola and if they can live up to the hype of being the state's top-ranked team. We also talk New Trier baseball's tough patch, as well as if and how they can get out of it. Plus, QB Jackie Ryder commits to Purdue and we hear from him; and former Trevs hooper Jake Fiegen lands with a big-name program.

It's springtime, but we're breaking down big football news. Coach John Holecek is back at the helm of the Ramblers — what? why? how? We answer some of those questions and speculate on others, including what is a high school football GM and is Loyola starting a trend. In more gridiron news, New Trier quarterback Jackie Ryder announces his BIG (Ten) commitment. We also break down The Record's reporting on the athletics divide between Loyola and Evanston, recently deepened by a coach's remarks.

Local baseball is underway and our teams (Loyola, New Trier, Highland Park) have found early-season successes. We talk what that means for the season. Do they have what it takes? We do the same exercise for our softball locals, as Loyola and New Trier should be factors all year. We end with some boys hoops chatter. Sure, the season is over, but a pair of ex New Trier hoopers have made big college decisions.

New Trier girls hockey got it done for the second straight season, winning back-to-back state crowns for the first time since the early 2000s. We talk about their late-season and early-game surges, and hear from coach Ben Piskor. Then it's out with the cold and in with the spring season. We discuss early baseball, softball and soccer results, and give our thoughts on who's got the goods to make a run this spring.

For the second time in three years, Loyola girls hoops advanced to the 4A title game, but unlike two years ago, the Ramblers fell short this time. We talk the how and why of the state-title game and also hear from coach Jeremy Shoenecker. New Trier Green hockey also came up short in the state title game, and we give that a look while also reviewing the upcoming girls hockey finals and our favorite moments of the winter season.

The Loyola Academy juggernaut powers on, winning sectional and supersectional girls hoops titles over the past week. We break down their championship chances and ask: Are the Ramblers amid a dynasty? Plenty more playoff hoops, from record breakers (NSCD) to season enders (New Trier). Plus, local swimmers and divers came home with several state medals, and we preview the hockey state championship on Friday.

Lots going on and we eclipse the hour mark for the first time in a while as we talk postseason winter sports. Leading off, Loyola girls are off to the state's final eight thanks to a sectional win. Who can stop them? The boys are just getting started, and will Loyola and New Trier survive a tough Friday night? Plus, Ramblers wrestlers put on a show at the state championships. Is Kai Calcutt a Loyola legend? And we don't forget hockey or North Shore Country Day hoops in this one.

New Trier star Christopher Kirkpatrick made a surprising — and successful — return to the court against Evanston on Friday. We talk through the big night and what it means for the Trevians and the sectional. Plus, girls playoff hoops are underway and look through the brackets. A number of local wrestlers and gymnasts punched their state tickets — who and how.

Girls hoops playoffs begin next week, boys in two weeks, so which of our teams are most ready? We talk through it, including Loyola boys big win over St. Pat's. We also look to the mats, where plenty of Loyola, New Trier and Highland Park grapplers are headed to the sectional round and a chance at state. Plus, we got postseason gymnastics and hockey talk and hear from New Trier girls bball coach Stephanie Kuzmanic about a special night last week.

New Trier boys basketball has found a groove, ripping off six straight as the postseason nears. We talk about what's working and how they can keep it up, while also hearing from junior Matthew Logue. Meanwhile, Loyola wrestling nabbed the team regional title while winning a handful of individual brackets. We also talk Loyola boys and girls hoops, state cheerleading and dance competitions, and more.

After some difficult losses, both New Trier and Loyola collected big victories — the Trevians winning four straight and the Ramblers collecting the Jesuit Cup over St. Ignatius. We discuss how they did and if all is well. Plus, Loyola girls continue to lay waste to the competition, and a pair of Regina Dominican seniors join an exclusive club. We also chat wrestling and gymnastics as the postseason nears.

Loyola gets its heart broken by an Evanston buzzer beater. We talk what it means and what's next for the Ramblers. New Trier boys get back on track against Kenwood, but can they keep it up with a big weekend? Loyola girls? They keeping rolling. We also hear from Charlie Tilson, the New Trier product and former MLB player who is back with other former pros with a youth baseball program.

Following a hot start, both New Trier and Loyola boys hoops have hit rough patches — and for different reasons. The Trevians are adjusting without their star and primary ball-handler, while the Ramblers offense appears stuck in the mud. We discuss if and how they right their ships. Plus, the perfectly righted ship that is Loyola girls hoops, as well as Giants basketball, boys swimming, gymnastics and more.

Our local hoops teams had a busy holiday season and we dribble you through it. New Trier earned a trophy at Pontiac without star Christopher Kirkpatrick. We talk how they did it and what we know about Kirkpatrick. Loyola boys went down to Florida and won three times and are back with a big week. Ramblers girls won their host Christmas tournament and keep keeping on, while Highland Park boys and girls continue to find their way.

Nice wins from Loyola (over Kenwood) and New Trier (over Deerfield) keep both teams humming right along into the winter break. We talk their holiday-tourney potential. Loyola girls took its first loss of the year, and we discuss the Ramblers tough slate. Plus, New Trier gymnastics has a new look this year. Who is in the lineup and what are the expectations? Plus, we save football talk until the fourth quarter after a big decision by the IHSA to expand the playoff field.

Since its tough loss to rival Loyola, New Trier boys hoops has taken care of its business with big wins against Mount Carmel, Maine South and Lane Tech. We talk about the Trevs rebound. The Ramblers stood alongside top-ranked DePaul, but could not keep pace. Why? Plus, girls hoops, where Loyola keep winning, New Trier is a work in progress, and Highland Park is still the CSL North team to beat. We also talk wrestling, gymnastics and more winter sports.

Loyola boys and girls hoops took it to New Trier in the teams' annual Thanksgiving doubleheader. We talk what that means right now and the rest of the way. We also ask if the Ramblers and the Trevians are Top 10 boys teams this season. What about top 5? Also can Loyola girls, despite losing a program great, compete for a state title again?

A young New Trier swim/dive team made a splash at the state finals, racing to fourth place with a mostly underclassmen lineup. We talk who came through and what does it mean for the Trevians future. Loyola and HP left a mark too. Then, we pivot to the winter season and basketball: who's up, who's down and who's got the goods? And since football is still going on, we spend some time on our favorite moments of the quarterfinals and the best semifinal matchups this weekend.