2026 Golden Aces Football Schedule Revealed On Morning Show

MCHS Athletic Director Kyle Buss and football coach Michael Brewer joined us on Friday’s Morning Show to reveal the 2026 football schedule and discuss the expanded playoffs and revised summer calendar.

Two schedule notes:

#1) This is the last year Mt. Carmel will play DuQuoin in the season opener. In 2027, the Golden Aces will resume their rivalry with Harrisburg in week 1.

#2) This is the last year Mt. Carmel will Effingham in week #2. The Aces are currently seeking an opponent to fill that opening.

MORNING SHOW FOOTBAL SKED REVEAL 3 20 26

Aces Tennis Shut Out By Flora

Mt. Carmel - 0, Flora - 9,

Singles:
No. 1 - Kyler Dennis, Flora def. Isaiah Courter, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-0 , -;
No. 2 - Luke Powless, Flora def. Rhett Andrews, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-1 , -;
No. 3 - Dulaney Bullard, Flora def. Will Hudson, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
No. 4 - Mikolai Strzala, Flora def. Ty Hipsher, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-4 , -;
No. 5 - Gabriel Calheiros, Flora def. Ronnie Berberich, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-3 , -;
No. 6 - Matei Iuhasz, Flora def. Grant Lane, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-2 , -;

Doubles:
No. 1 - Kyler Dennis, Flora - Luke Powless, Flora def. Isaiah Courter, Mt. Carmel - Will Hudson, Mt. Carmel, 6-0 , 6-0 , -;
No. 2 - Dulaney Bullard, Flora - Matei Iuhasz, Flora def. Rhett Andrews, Mt. Carmel - Ty Hipsher, Mt. Carmel, 6-1 , 6-0 , -;
No. 3 - Mikolai Strzala, Flora - Carson Hackney, Flora def. Grant Lane, Mt. Carmel - Ronnie Berberich, Mt. Carmel, 6-2 , 6-2 , -;

All-LIC Girls Basketball Team Released

1st Team

Lucy Moore- Casey Westfield

Addeline Sanders- Lawrenceville

Riley Hershey- Mt. Carmel

Maycee Randall- Mt Carmel

Alani Bergbower- Newton

Aliyah Flittner- Olney

Kelysse Weiler- Olney

Macy Bicknell- Paris

Kailey Young- Paris

Leah Correll- Robinson

Zoe Tuttle- Robinson

2nd Team

Marlee Heighton- Marshall

Lynn Welborn- Marshall

Tensley Dunlap- Mt. Carmel

Allie Hermann- Newton

Pailynne Camp- Paris

Honorable Mention

Julia Eckerty- Casey

Reagan Ivers- Lawrenceville

Harper Richardson- Marshall

Alivia Peach- Mt Carmel

Izzy Meinhart- Newton

Kaiya Seessengood- Olney

Paedyn Keys- Paris

Lillie McDonald- Robinson

Lady Aces Coach Matt McCarty Previews Sectional Showdown With T-Town

Lady Aces coach Matt McCarty joined us on today’s Morning Show to preview tonight’s Class 2A Sectional semi-final against T-Town. Tipoff in Olney is approximately 7:30pm on WSJD-FM 100.5 & wsjd.fm

MORNING SHOW MATT MCCARTY 2 24 26

Lady Aces coach Matt McCarty brought the Class 2A Regional trophy with him to the Morning Show today and posed for a photo for co-hosts Chandler Madden and Kevin Madden.

Flora High School’s Gage Dugan named IHSA nominee for NFHS Spirit of Sport Award

Flora High School junior Gage Dugan is the IHSA nominee for the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award. Read more about the award here, and read Gage’s story below:

From the time he was three months old, Gage Dugan has faced challenges few can imagine. Diagnosed with bone cancer throughout his lower legs as a child, Gage spent much of his earliest years in and out of hospitals, enduring treatment, remission, and then a second battle with cancer that lasted from ages four through eight. Along the way, he was also diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition that required ongoing medical care, including shots that are intended to essentially replace his immune system.

 Much of his treatment occurred at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, and he can still recall the trip home to Flora, Illinois when his mom received the phone call that he was cancer-free. The other memory that was etched on his eight-year-old brain was how important his community and sports were to his recovery. Those life lessons helped shape Gage into a young man who practices gratitude, empathy, and service in the same ways that he now practices football, basketball, and baseball at Flora High School. 

 “I was just starting to find my love for sports when I was diagnosed (with cancer) for the second time,” said Gage. “My summer baseball coach, Phil Britton, had a huge impact on me then. He had some connections with the St. Louis Cardinals and I got to meet Adam Wainwright and some other Cardinals players though him. It was a special experience and reinforced my passion for wanting to be an athlete.”

 Gage caught the attention of the state this fall when he performed an incredible act of kindness for another high school student in a similar situation. Gage’s Flora High School Wolves were slated to face Maroa-Forsyth High School in the Quarterfinal round of the IHSA Class 2A Football Playoffs in mid-November. That week, Gage’s mom saw a Facebook post about a Maroa-Forsyth student who was battling leukemia. Gage and his mom put together a care basket for the young man, Matthew Clary. The basket included simple things like the game Uno, a deck of cards, coloring books, a blanket, and socks, things that Gage remembered enjoying during his own treatments.

 “Going though treatments was a big part of my life, so it was just a situation where I could relate and thought I might be able to help a little,” said Gage. “Maybe just give him (Matthew) a little bit of advice and share some things that helped me when I was going through treatment and recovery.”

 Clary serves as the Maroa-Forsyth school mascot during games, while his older brother Michael (pictured right with Dugan after the game) was on the gridiron facing off against Dugan. Flora ultimately lost the football game, but despite the outcome, Gage collected himself post-game to go present the basket, talk, encourage, and pray with Clary and his family. As word spread of Gage's selfless act, other schools pitched in as well. Wilmington High School, who eventually faced Maroa-Forsyth in the state championship, collected over a $1,000 for the Clary family.

 “The kindness showed by Gage brought tears to our eyes,” said Matthew’s mom, Charity Sullins. “Gage sought out my oldest son Michael after the game to let him know that he was praying for Matthew. Matthew appreciated the gift basket; it was so heartfelt. It is hard to find the right words to convey our gratitude and appreciation. This act of kindness means so much to our family.”

 Gage’s mission to give back is not limited to a single day or student. He has fully embraced the concept through helping organize canned food drives, community events, and participating in service-based initiatives such as a “Paint a Game” fundraiser conducted in conjunction with a regular-season Flora football game this year. The Flora community has been there for him and their support has stayed with him.

 “When I was eight years old, I remember my mom getting the call that I was cancer free,” said Gage. “When we got home, there were all these people at the house, kind of an impromptu party to celebrate. I was overwhelmed. It was a big deal and it just showed me that the community was behind me. I took that to heart and tried to carry it with me as I got older.”

 Gage’s impact continues to grow through his leadership and example. Whether mentoring younger athletes, displaying acts of sportsmanship, or simply showing kindness to those in need, he embodies what it means to be a role model. As an older brother to two younger siblings, he is deeply motivated to “help the kids after me,” ensuring others feel the same support that carried him through his toughest days.

 “I want do everything in my power to help,” said Gage. “Going through what I went through at such a young age made me realize how many people were behind me. It gave me the mindset to put others before myself.”

 Gage Dugan’s journey is a powerful reminder that the true spirit of sport extends far beyond competition. Through resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving others, Gage has transformed personal adversity into a force for good — making him a truly deserving recipient of the NFHS Spirit of Sport Award.