Key conference matchups were all over the place in volleyball and soccer with a handful of teams winning in both. Richwoods flag football will play for a regional title too.

El Paso-Gridley's offseason work has come to fruition as the Titans football team is experiencing one of their best starts in program history.

Heyworth, Dunlap, Normal Community and Peoria High moved up in the power rankings of area football teams heading into Week 7.

Normal U-High girls golf survived a close finish to clinch a state berth on Monday while Dunlap's Sydney Hunt and Pekin's Leah Brown also qualified for the biggest tournament of the year.

Normal U-High's Natalie Ocheltree and Normal West's Chase Sennett won CSM Fall Athletes of the Week, get to know them and about their big performances here.

Four area golf teams and 24 individuals qualified for state, Limestone and Illini Bluffs volleyball continued win streaks and a pair of Peoria soccer teams picked up big wins.

Canton and Limestone athletes made waves to take precedence in Monday's news and notes from around the area.

Limestone volleyball had a memorable day staying unbeaten, Fieldcrest won its first football game and a busy day of soccer and cross country was had.

Eureka lost its entire starting lineup from last season, but a strong new group has helped the Hornets reload.

Normal Community and Normal West won close games but many others clinched playoff berths or eligibility in running-clock wins in Week 6.

Notable achievements and honors from area coaches and athletes are featured in Friday's whiparound of news and notes from around Central Illinois.

Dunlap soccer picked up another resume-building win and Metamora, PND and Roanoke-Benson won rivalry matches in volleyball.

Six CSM staff members make their picks for the top games this week, including Normal Community vs. Bloomington and Farmington vs. Macomb.

Peoria High's Kayden Turner is a blossoming hoops star who also became the first Lions golfer to advance to sectionals in 10 years.

10 area golf teams and well over a dozen individuals punched their tickets to sectionals, plus a handful of teams won in volleyball and soccer.

13 area teams were either ranked or received votes in the latest AP statewide rankings, with Heyworth entering the fold among several other risers.

Dunlap used a pair of late goals and a full team effort in a shutout victory against Washington, a matchup of state powers.

Vote for this week's CSM Fall Athletes of the Week nominees, which include top performers from football, volleyball, boys soccer, golf, cross country and girls swimming

Nine girls golf teams and more than a dozen individuals punched their ticket to sectionals. A big night of conference matchups also saw Dunlap soccer and Eureka volleyball grab important victories.

Washington and El Paso-Gridley lead the top area football teams heading into Week 6, with many strong contenders chasing close behind.