Scott Leber
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Sports Director WTVO-ABC & Fox 39 Rockford, IL
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Articles by Scott Leber
EPC gets one playoff win, Wildcats now seek another at undefeated Port Byron Riverdale
LANARK, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The high school football playoffs resume this weekend. The Eastland-Pearl City Wildcatz are ready for more action. They won their opening round 2A game last week by blowing out higher-seeded Beardstown 42-14. That improved the Wildcatz record to 5-5. On Saturday, they will travel to Port Byron to take one of the State’s top teams in Class 2A, the Riverdale Rams. They’re 9-0.
Rockford Christian captures 1A Pecatonica Regional by defeating Durand
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EPC gets one playoff win, Wildcats now seek another at undefeated Port Byron Riverdale
LANARK, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The high school football playoffs resume this weekend. The Eastland-Pearl City Wildcatz are ready for more action. They won their opening round 2A game last week by blowing out higher-seeded Beardstown 42-14. That improved the Wildcatz record to 5-5. On Saturday, they will travel to Port Byron to take one of the State’s top teams in Class 2A, the Riverdale Rams. They’re 9-0.
Winnebago claims its own regional by defeating Rock Falls
WINNEBAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Winnebago's volleyball team took care of business on its home court Thursday night. The Indians won their own Class 2A regional by defeating Rock Falls 25-22, 25-20. Winnebago advances to the 2A Genoa-Kingston Sectional next week. Watch the media player for highlights. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Rockford Christian captures 1A Pecatonica Regional by defeating Durand
PECATONICA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Rockford Christian has claimed another regional championship. The Royal Lions won the 1A Pecatonica Regional Thursday evening by defeating Durand 25-21, 25-20. The win advances the Royal Lions to their own sectional tournament next week. The 1A Super-Sectional will also be held at Rockford Christian. Watch the media player for highlights of this match at Pecatonica. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Regional IHSA volleyball results for Rockford area teams from Thursday, Oct. 29 Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Several high school volleyball teams from our area advanced in IHSA postseason tournament play Thursday by claiming regional championships. Following is a look at the scores involving our area teams.
Bears make splashy trade by adding All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Titans
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears acquired All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The Bears sent their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, along with a fourth-rounder in next year’s draft, to the Titans for Simmons and a fifth-round selection in 2028.
Brewers beat the Rays to capture their first World Series championship
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The small-ball Milwaukee Brewers playing in the smallest market in the majors are World Series champions for the first time. Hey, Milwaukee: grab a brat, raise a beer and prepare for that parade.
Du-Pec Rivermen hoping to pick up in the playoffs where they left off in the regular season Original
PECATONICA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — For many of our local football teams, the IHSA playoffs began last weekend. For others the postseason party begins this weekend. The Du-Pec Rivermen fall into that latter category. They enjoyed a bye week after going 8-1 during the regular season. That was good enough for a second-place finish in the Big Northern Conference behind Byron. The Rivermen will host a 3A game this Saturday afternoon against 6-4 Sandwich.
Rockford Christian’s volleyball team advances to regional final at Pecatonica
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Rockford Christian’s volleyball team advances to regional final at Pecatonica
PECATONICA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Rockford Christian's volleyball team went to state last year. The Royal Lions are focused on winning a regional championship right now. They took another step toward that Wednesday evening by picking up a semifinal win at the 1A Pecatonica Regional. The Royal Lions defeated Hinkley-Big Rock 25-19, 25-16. RC will play for the regional championship Thursday evening against Durand. Watch the media player for highlights of this match. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc.
Winnebago downs Oregon in 2A regional volleyball match
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Winnebago downs Oregon in 2A regional volleyball match
WINNEBAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Winnebago get to play for a regional championship this Thursday night on its home court. The Indians won their semifinal match Tuesday defeating Oregon 25-8, 25-15. Winnebago will face Rock Falls for the championship. Rock Falls defeated Sandwich 15-25, 25-19, 25-18 Tuesday. For highlights of Winnebago's win, watch the media player. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Local boxer and Harlem graduate Julian Lugo is ready for his professional debut Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Rockford has had a lot of great boxers throughout its history. Julian Lugo wants to be the next great one. Lugo established himself as one of the greatest amateur boxers in Rockford’s history. The Harlem High School graduate won four straight Chicago Golden Gloves Championships. Earlier this year he was ranked as high as eighth in the country at 154 pounds as an amateur. Now he’s ready to turn pro.
A pair of Stockton Blackhawks lead the NUIC all-conference football picks
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The NUIC All-Conference football selections are out as voted on by the coaches. A pair of Stockton Blackhawks earned the top honors. Senior Morgan Haas was named the Offensive MVP, and senior Carter Blair was named the defensive MVP. Stockton won the conference championship by going 7-0 in conference play. Following is the complete list of All-Conference selections.
Sean T. Frazier says NIU ‘won’t flinch’ over the football team’s 0-7 start
DEKALB, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — We’re about to flip the calendar to November, and the Northern Illinois University football team is still without a win. The Huskies are 0-7. This past Saturday might have been the low point so far when the Huskies lost big to a then 1-6 Hawai’i team. 56-21 was the final score. In their last two games against Mountain West rivals Wyoming and Hawai’i the Huskies allowed more than 1,000 yards of offense to their opponents.
Sean T. Frazier says NIU ‘won’t flinch’ over the football team’s 0-7 start
DEKALB, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — We’re about to flip the calendar to November, and the Northern Illinois University football team is still without a win. The Huskies are 0-7. This past Saturday might have been the low point so far when the Huskies lost big to a then 1-6 Hawai’i team. 56-21 was the final score. In their last two games against Mountain West rivals Wyoming and Hawai’i the Huskies allowed more than 1,000 yards of offense to their opponents.
A pair of Stockton Blackhawks lead the NUIC All-Conference football picks Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The NUIC All-Conference football selections are out as voted on by the coaches. A pair of Stockton Blackhawks earned the top honors. Senior Morgan Haas was named the Offensive MVP, and senior Carter Blair was named the defensive MVP. Stockton won the conference championship by going 7-0 in conference play. Following is the complete list of All-Conference selections. Morgan Haas Sr Stockton
A pair of Stockton Blackhawks lead the NUIC All-Conference football picks
A pair of Stockton Blackhawks lead the NUIC All-Conference football picks ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The NUIC All-Conference football selections are out as voted on by the coaches. A pair of Stockton Blackhawks earned the top honors. Senior Morgan Haas was named the Offensive MVP, and senior Carter Blair was named the defensive MVP. Stockton won the conference championship by going 7-0 in conference play. Following is the complete list of All-Conference selections.
Round One IHSA and I8FA playoff dates and kickoff times for Rockford area teams Oct. 30, 31 Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Check out here when and where our local football teams will be playing this coming weekend in the playoffs.
Quarterback Dominic Cacciatore and Hononegah have been the perfect match for each other
ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — There are many reasons why the Hononegah Indians went 8-1 during the regular season, and why they’re sitting at home this weekend enjoying a bye in the playoffs. One big reason has been the play of quarterback Dominic Cacciatore. Cacciatore has worn a Hononegah uniform just this one season. He has made the most of it. He was more than solid the last two years quarterbacking the Boylan Titans. At Hononegah he has blossomed.
Quarterback Dominic Cacciatore and Hononegah have been the perfect match for each other
ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — There are many reasons why the Hononegah Indians went 8-1 during the regular season, and why they’re sitting at home this weekend enjoying a bye in the playoffs. One big reason has been the play of quarterback Dominic Cacciatore. Cacciatore has worn a Hononegah uniform just this one season. He has made the most of it. He was more than solid the last two years quarterbacking the Boylan Titans. At Hononegah he has blossomed.
Defending 1A state champion Lena-Winslow opens IHSA playoffs by routing Momence
LENA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — With the new IHSA expanded playoff field this season and with Lena-Winslow having dropped three regular season games, the Panthers find themselves needing to win six games this postseason to claim an eighth state championship. They got their first playoff win Saturday in the Opening Round. The Panthers took it to Momence winning 46-12. Momence went into the game with a 3-6 record. The Panthers jumped out to a 46-0 lead before the six-minute mark of the second quarter.
Defending 1A state champion Lena-Winslow opens IHSA playoffs by routing Momence
LENA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — With the new IHSA expanded playoff field this season and with Lena-Winslow having dropped three regular season games, the Panthers find themselves needing to win six games this postseason to claim an eighth state championship. They got their first playoff win Saturday in the Opening Round. The Panthers took it to Momence winning 46-12. Momence went into the game with a 3-6 record. The Panthers jumped out to a 46-0 lead before the six-minute mark of the second quarter.
Hononegah junior Peyton Hillabolt leads Indians to a fourth straight NIC-10 championship Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Hononegah’s dominance of the NIC-10 in the swimming pool continued Saturday. The Indians won the conference championship for the fourth straight year and for the sixth time in seven years at the Boylan Swim Complex. Junior swimmer Peyton Hilabolt had a lot to do with that. She won the 200-yard freestyle (2:06.55) and the 100-yard butterfly (1:02.07). She also was on Hononegah’s winning 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay teams.
Rockford area football scores from Oct. 23 and 24 Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Here are the 11-man results for Rockford area teams from the opening round of the IHSA football playoffs this weekend. 8-man regular season results from this weekend are also included. Results were compiled by the ‘Overtime’ team of Scott Leber and Tylor Sorensen. Catch ‘Overtime’ live Friday nights on FOX 39 or on the MyStateline+ app on many Smart TVs or at MyStateline.com by clicking the ‘Watch’ tab.
Belvidere North runs by Freeport in playoff rematch of NIC-10 teams
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Running the football is what the Belvidere North Blue Thunder do, and Friday night they did it extremely well in a 42-29 Opening Round victory against NIC-10 foe Freeport in the IHSA Playoffs. The Blue Thunder rushed for 470 yards. Senior running back Zavian McElroy led the way with 284 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. Quarterback Wyatt Treadway also rushed for more than 100 yards. North improves to 6-4.
Belvidere North runs by Freeport in playoff rematch of NIC-10 teams
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Running the football is what the Belvidere North Blue Thunder do, and Friday night they did it extremely well in a 42-29 Opening Round victory against NIC-10 foe Freeport in the IHSA Playoffs. The Blue Thunder rushed for 470 yards. Senior running back Zavian McElroy led the way with 284 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. Quarterback Wyatt Treadway also rushed for more than 100 yards. North improves to 6-4.
Stillman Valley scores on final play to edge Braidwood Reed-Custer in IHSA playoffs Original
STILLMAN VALLEY, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — There was some drama in the Opening Round of the IHSA Football Playoffs Friday night. Perhaps none better than in Stillman Valley. The Cardinals scored on a short touchdown run by fullback Ethan Waugh on the final play of the game lifting the Cardinals to a 32-31 win in Class 2A action. That capped off a big comeback by Stillman Valley. The Cardinals had trailed 31-19 with just over four minutes remaining in the game before scoring a pair of touchdowns.
Rockford East bows out of playoffs with loss at Central H.S. in Burlington Original
BURLINGTON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The East E-Rabs were one of the many teams in Illinois that benefited from the expanded playoff field this year getting in with a 2-7 regular season record. However, the E-Rabs got a quick exit when they lost Friday night 41-10 to Central High School of Burlington. The Rockets struck on their first snap from scrimmage on an 80-yard touchdown run, and they never looked back.
Rochelle rolls against Illinois Valley Central in opening round of the IHSA playoffs Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Rochelle Hubs answered the bell for the start of the IHSA Football Playoffs in a big way. They defeated Illinois Valley Central 51-6 Friday night. Angel Argueta ran for a pair of touchdowns and Cohen Haedt threw two touchdown passes for Rochelle. Tyler Gensler, Luke Chadwick and Hunter Blivins also had touchdown runs. Rochelle improves its record to 6-4 and advances to the next round of the 4A playoffs.
Dixon Dukes get on track with solid playoff win against Plano
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Genoa-Kingston slips by North Boone in 3A IHSA playoff action Original
GENOA, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Genoa-Kingston won a back-and-forth rematch with North Boone Friday night in the opening round of the IHSA playoffs 25-20. The Vikings had a slim 8-6 lead at halftime before the Cogs took control in the third quarter scoring a pair of touchdowns. North Boone bounce back only to see the Cogs answer with one more score to claim victory. G-K improves to 6-4 on the season and advances to the first round in Class 3A. North Boone finishes the season with a 4-6 record.
Winnebago gets first playoff win since 2013 by dominating Elmwood-Brimfield
WINNEBAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Winnebago improved during the course of the regular season as much as any team in the Rockford area. The Indians continued to elevate their game again Friday night in the opening round of the IHSA playoffs. They dominated Elmwood-Brimfield 42-12. It’s Winnebago’s first playoff win since the 2013 season when they reached the Quarterfinals. The Indians are now 6-4 this season, and they advance to the First Round of the playoffs in Class 2A.
Winnebago gets first playoff win since 2013 by dominating Elmwood-Brimfield
WINNEBAGO, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Winnebago improved during the course of the regular season as much as any team in the Rockford area. The Indians continued to elevate their game again Friday night in the opening round of the IHSA playoffs. They dominated Elmwood-Brimfield 42-12. It's Winnebago's first playoff win since the 2013 season when they reached the Quarterfinals. The Indians are now 6-4 this season, and they advance to the First Round of the playoffs in Class 2A.
Dixon Dukes get on track with solid playoff win against Plano
DIXON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Dixon Dukes didn't play like their normal selves in the final couple weeks of the regular season, but they found their groove again Friday night in the Opening Round of the IHSA Playoffs. The Dukes defeated Plano 28-13 to improve their record to 7-3 and advance in Class 4A Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
IHSA picks DeKalb High School to host the Girls State Wrestling Tournament in January
DEKALB, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Girls High School Wrestling continues to grow in Illinois. The next step in that process will happen this coming season when the IHSA makes several changes. One of those will be holding the Girls State Tournament at DeKalb High School. The home of the Barbs is now, for one year anyway, about to become the home of the IHSA Girls State Wrestling Tournament. DeKalb High School has been selected to host the event over two days at the end of next January.
IHSA picks DeKalb High School to host the Girls State Wrestling Tournament in January
DEKALB, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Girls High School Wrestling continues to grow in Illinois. The next step in that process will happen this coming season when the IHSA makes several changes. One of those will be holding the Girls State Tournament at DeKalb High School. The home of the Barbs is now, for one year anyway, about to become the home of the IHSA Girls State Wrestling Tournament. DeKalb High School has been selected to host the event over two days at the end of next January.
Local coaches discuss the pros and cons of having a playoff bye week
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The IHSA football playoffs are a whole new world this year with the massive expansion of the field. Teams with three wins and even as few as two wins are in the field. We’re also seeing teams with seven, eight and nine wins getting opening round byes. Even some six-win teams are getting byes. I asked a couple local coaches whose teams have byes how they are treating the Bye Week and what the upside is for them.
Coaching staff turns up the intensity at IceHogs practice
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQFR) — The IceHogs season is barely two weeks old, but it’s already a frustrating one. The Hogs dropped all three of their games last weekend leaving them with only one win through six games. The IceHogs are 31st out of 32 teams in the AHL in goals scored. Their power play percentage ranks 29th. In their three games last weekend the Hogs were 0-for-17 on the power play. This week the coaches have turned up the intensity at practice.
Boylan wins battle of NIC-10 co-leaders against Belvidere North
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — NIC-10 volleyball teams have one conference match remaining this season, and right now it’s the Boylan Lady Titans in the driver’s seat. Tuesday evening the Boylan defeated Belvidere North in a matchup of NIC-10 co-leaders 23-25, 24-14, 25-22. Both teams went into the match with 14-2 records, one game ahead of 13-3 Hononegah. Now it’s Boylan with a one-game lead with a 15-2 mark. For highlights, watch the media player.
Local coaches discuss the pros and cons of having a playoff bye week
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The IHSA football playoffs are a whole new world this year with the massive expansion of the field. Teams with three wins and even as few as two wins are in the field. We're also seeing teams with seven, eight and nine wins getting opening round byes. Even some six-win teams are getting byes. I asked a couple local coaches whose teams have byes how they are treating the Bye Week and what the upside is for them.
Coaching staff turns up the intensity at IceHogs practice
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQFR) — The IceHogs season is barely two weeks old, but it's already a frustrating one. The Hogs dropped all three of their games last weekend leaving them with only one win through six games. The IceHogs are 31st out of 32 teams in the AHL in goals scored. Their power play percentage ranks 29th. In their three games last weekend the Hogs were 0-for-17 on the power play. This week the coaches have turned up the intensity at practice.
Boylan wins battle of NIC-10 co-leaders against Belvidere North
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — NIC-10 volleyball teams have one conference match remaining this season, and right now it's the Boylan Lady Titans in the driver's seat. Tuesday evening the Boylan defeated Belvidere North in a matchup of NIC-10 co-leaders 23-25, 24-14, 25-22. Both teams went into the match with 14-2 records, one game ahead of 13-3 Hononegah. Now it's Boylan with a one-game lead with a 15-2 mark. For highlights, watch the media player. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Mia Besevic and the Harlem Huskies get set for IHSA State Tennis Tournament
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Some of our top high school tennis players in the area are getting set for a big weekend. The IHSA State Tournament will be held in the Chicago suburbs. The Harlem Huskies will be well represented. Two singles players and a doubles pair will compete. The doubles players are Leah Badgley and Ariana Pelc. The singles players are Kristina Gjini and Mia Besevic. That foursome helped Harlem win a sectional team championship last weekend edging Hononegah by one point.
Mia Besevic and the Harlem Huskies get set for IHSA State Tennis Tournament
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Some of our top high school tennis players in the area are getting set for a big weekend. The IHSA State Tournament will be held in the Chicago suburbs. The Harlem Huskies will be well represented. Two singles players and a doubles pair will compete. The doubles players are Leah Badgley and Ariana Pelc. The singles players are Kristina Gjini and Mia Besevic. That foursome helped Harlem win a sectional team championship last weekend edging Hononegah by one point.
Dates and times are set for ‘Opening Round’ games of the IHSA Football Playoffs Original
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Dates and kickoff times are set for our local football teams that will be participating in the IHSA playoffs this weekend in the Opening Round. Here is a look at those. ROCKFORD AREA PLAYOFF TEAMS OF INTEREST #17 Chicago Orr (5-3) at #16 Galena (5-4) Sat. 1pm #24 Morrison (2-7) at #9 Abingdon-Avon (7-2) Fri. 7pm #23 Momence (3-6) at #10 Lena-Winslow (6-3) Sat. 2pm #19 Tremont (4-5) at #14 Sterling Newman (5-4) Sat. 2pm #22 Monmouth United (3-6) at #11 Fulton (6-3) Sat.
Belvidere’s Nick Alvarez the heart of the resurgent Bucs football program
BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Belvidere Bucs are back in the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2015. They won’t their last six games to finish the regular season with a 6-3 record. The coaches and the many players on the roster have all had a hand in the program’s revival this season. There is one player though who seems to be the heartbeat of this team. He’s senior Nick Alvarez. Alvarez led the NIC-10 in rushing this season with 1,268 yards.
Belvidere’s Nick Alvarez the heart of the resurgent Bucs football program
Belvidere’s Nick Alvarez the heart of the resurgent Bucs football program BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Belvidere Bucs are back in the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2015. They won't their last six games to finish the regular season with a 6-3 record. The coaches and the many players on the roster have all had a hand in the program's revival this season. There is one player though who seems to be the heartbeat of this team. He's senior Nick Alvarez.
Belvidere’s Nick Alvarez the heart of the resurgent Bucs football program
The Belvidere Bucs are back in the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2015. They won't their last six games to finish the regular season with a 6-3 record. BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Belvidere Bucs are back in the IHSA playoffs for the first time since 2015. They won't their last six games to finish the regular season with a 6-3 record. The coaches and the many players on the roster have all had a hand in the program's revival this season.
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