Alyssa Matson, Kankakee Valley

K.V. third baseman Alyssa Matson makes the throw against Andrean last season. The senior three-year starter at third is also the Kougars' leadoff hitter. She will walk-on at IUPUI next school year.

Kankakee Valley's Johnny Williams one of the best

Kankakee Valley sophomore Johnny Williams tackles Wheeler quarterback Jake LaFever in the Kougars' 60-6 win.

Tyler Birky, Kankakee Valley running back

Kankakee Valley's Tyler Birky, center, powers through the Red Devils defensive line Friday.

Kougars are for real

Kankakee Valley running back Tyler Brirky, left, tries to run past Lowell’s Daniel Garza on Friday night during the Kougars first series at Lowell.

Kougars are for real

Lowell's Spenser Kersey lights up Kankakee Valley's Joel Bolen, forcing the quarterback to throw an incomplete pass Friday night at Lowell.

Wheeler at Kankakee Valley football game

Wheeler's Keith Back, front, runs with the ball Friday as Wheeler played Kankakee Valley.

Wheeler at Kankakee Valley football game

Wheeler quarterback Jake LaFever, center, is tackled Friday by Kankakee Valley's Johnny Williams as Wheeler lost to Kankakee Valley.

Wheeler at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley's Johnny Williams tackles Wheeler's Derek Hartwig on Friday as Wheeler played Kankakee Valley in high school football at Kankakee Valley.

Kankakee Valley's Williams leading the way

Kankakee Valley's Johnny Williams tackles Wheeler's Derek Hartwig with a vicious hit in Week 2, which is what the sophomore linebacker is known for.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley running back Tyler Birky screams in the end zone and celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown Friday in the first quarter against Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley's defensive lineman, Matt Berdine, grabs Rensselaer's Hunter Hickman for a sack Friday during the game at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley running back Tyler Birky screams in the end zone and celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown Friday in the first quarter of their game against Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley quarterback, Joel Bolen, runs the ball with Rennselaer's defense in pursuit Friday at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley running back Tyler Birky stares down Rensselaer's Ab Kiger as he runs right for him Friday during the game at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Rensselaer's Hunter Hickman prepares to throw the ball Friday during their game against Kankakee Valley at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Kankakee Valley running back Keegan Higgins, tries to get around Rensselaer's Ryan Lattimore during Friday's game at Kankakee Valley.

Rensselaer at Kankakee Valley football game

Rensselaer's Eli Isom tries to get away from Kankakee Valley's Tim Schoonveld before getting tackled behind the line of scrimmage during Friday's game at Kankakee Valley.

Steinbach is even better with Baker-Runyon in the dugout

Nikki Steinbach throws a pitch during the regular season. The Andrean senior pitcher is putting together a season for the ages. The Ball State-bound ace will take her 59ers to Griffith on Tuesday for the Class 3A Regional title.

Kankakee Valley's Sydney Pumnea

Kankakee Valley's Sydney Pumnea slides under the tag of Knox's Aubrey Winterrowwod in a Class 3A Kankakee Valley Sectional semifinal game on Thursday.