•September 23, 2026•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan Redskins welcomed a new conference opponent, the Fisher Bunnies, last Friday night. Fisher had previously been part of the Heart of Illinois Conference for a long time before making the jump to the Lincoln Prairie Conference this season. “This was a big switch for them, but they thought our schools lined up more appropriately with them to give them competitive balance,” stated Sullivan Athletic Director Cole Huber. Regarding the addition to Fisher, Huber continued, “Since we lost Cerro Gordo-Bement to 8-man football, we needed another school to make us a 10-team, closed football conference so we don’t have to play any non-conference games”

•September 9, 2026•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan Redskins have been on the road for the past two weeks, first traveling to Arcola and then heading to Nokomis for a Redskin Battle. After Arcola was easily dispensed, Sullivan encountered a bit of a roadblock courtesy of the Redskins of Nokomis.

Arcola

The opening quarter looked like it was going to be a hard fought battle between the Redskins and the Purple Riders. After a tough defensive stand that forced Arcola to punt their first possession, Sullivan began to move steadily down the field, effectively using both passing and running to their advantage. Unfortunately, a forced fumble with around four minutes left in the first quarter led Arcola to returning the loose ball 51 yards for the first touchdown of the game. That score would remain 0-7 for the remainder of the quarter.

•August 26, 2026•

by E. Scott England

Football was definitely in the air, though it did have a strange feeling to it. Chalk it up to the fact that it was a Saturday night game instead of under traditional Friday night lights. We have nothing but a shortage of referees to thank for the twenty-four hour shift. Or maybe the different feeling was Victory Field. It seemed not quite as lush thanks to a restriction on watering grass. The barely visible numbers looked like they were painted a month ago. And a track — well, the deep groove where the track once stood — under construction being prepared for a new surface to be poured all provided a sort of odd feeling, like maybe we showed up to football season too early.

That is until smoke began to pour from the inflatable tunnel. The giant video board flashing with hype. And the 2026 Redskins storming the field proudly carrying the Sullivan and American flags. Packed bleachers, horns and sirens blaring from the tailgating section on the north end, and an energized student section in the south endzone let everyone know that the new season is under way.

•August 12, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Young swimmers from Sullivan and surrounding communities who are interested in competitive swimming will have an opportunity to join the Sullivan Blue Dolphins during team tryouts on Thursday, Aug. 27.

Tryouts begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Sullivan Civic Center in Sullivan and are open to children ages 5 through 18. While the team is based in Sullivan, athletes from any community who are able to attend practices in Sullivan are welcome to try out.

On July 20, Sullivan High School graduate Aeralyn Thrasher signed her letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Southeastern Illinois College. Thrasher plans to study nursing with the goal of working in labor and delivery. Her favorite quote is, “I never lose. Either I win or learn.” One of her favorite memories from her time at Sullivan High School was senior night, when she and a teammate received customized shirts with their nicknames, “Toots” and “Sher Bear.”

Pictured (L-R): Jerica Thrasher, Aeralyn Thrasher and Jake Thrasher.