Starting Lineup: Torry Gym debuts a new look, young Manual football star stands out and your next midweek listen

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By now, each area high school fall sports team has gotten into the groove of the season. 

Here are several news items, notes and things to watch as the ball is now fully rolling in the fall 2025 Central Illinois high school sports season:

A new story for Torry

Washington’s Torry Gym played host to its first contest since renovations were done over the summer. Among the upgrades are a new floor design, new bleachers, HVAC system, paint, LED lighting and even an American flag that can retract from the ceiling. Read more on the renovation project here.

Manual’s Brooks the next big thing

It’s not often that freshman football players make an impact on varsity, much less in Week 1 of the season. But Manual’s D’Anthony “DJ” Brooks, who clocks in at 6-foot-5 and 298 pounds, made an impressive debut with three tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Even bigger, he received a gameday invite from the Indiana Hoosiers on Tuesday. Keep an eye on him over the next four years.

A new midweek distraction

Our partners at WMBD have launched a new weekly podcast “CI Sports Zone”, hosted by Thomas Garverick and Christopher Huslig, where I appear as a guest to discuss the biggest games and best highlights from high school football. The show also features Thomas and Christopher breaking down college football, the NFL, fantasy football and more. Watch this week’s episode here and on the new WMBD+ app. You can follow the podcast on X at @CISportsZone.

3 events worth watching today: 

1. Peoria Christian @ Richwoods boys soccer: PCS is out to a roaring start at 5-0, with four of those victories being 7-0 final scores. How will the Chargers hold up against an always tough Richwoods team?

2. Normal U-High @ Normal West boys soccer: Normal U-High began a new era with a pair of wins, but has lost its last two games, including its Intercity opener against Normal Community. A win against 2-0 Normal West is crucial for their title hopes.

3. Zeb Gardner Memorial Scramble: Several area girls golf teams will be in action at the annual event hosted by Richwoods. Keep an eye on Natalie Ocheltree, Audrey Hitt and Normal U-High, who has won its last two tournaments. 

Magic number: 6

That’s the amount of area volleyball teams who are still undefeated through their first few games. That list includes Washington, Morton, Limestone, IVC, Bloomington Central Catholic and Midland.