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Conference Realignment
Centralia Orphans on the Move!
After being a charter member of the South Seven Conference since its founding in 1939, the Orphans will leave the league to join the Cahokia Conference beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Their departure leaves Marion and Mt. Vernon as the only remaining charter members of the South Seven. The move also drops the conference back down to five teams, just months after Highland announced in March 2025 that it would be joining. This development raises major questions about the future and stability of the South Seven moving forward.
Football is Back!
The Wait is Over: Southern Illinois Football is Back!
The long wait is finally over. After more than nine months, high school football is back with a slate of big Week 1 matchups. Many area athletes are returning to the field, including Callahan Roper (Marion), Archie Goewey (Centralia), Johnathan Brown (Du Quoin), Jace Weaver (Johnston City), Ethan McCommons (Benton), Michael Brown (Centralia), and more. Who are you most excited to see take the field this season?
Rude is still coaching?
Mike Rude is Back in Christopher.
After making six coaching stops at Wyanet (1970-72), Anna-Jonesboro (1977-81), Marion (1982-91), Johnston City (1991-2006), Vienna (2009-13, 2016-18), and Sesser-Valier (2019-24), and compiling a 260-189 career record, Coach Rude is returning to his alma mater, Christopher. He’ll have plenty of work ahead, as the Bearcats have managed just two wins over the last three seasons and have gone winless the past two years. It will be exciting to see what Rude can do with CZR—so make sure to stay tuned and catch Darren Kinnard’s interview with him on the River Radio Sports Central website at the link below.