Rick Armstrong

Rick Armstrong has spent most of his 43-year career in journalism covering high school and college sports throughout Chicago's west and southwest suburbs with stops in DeKalb, Joliet, Elgin and Aurora. The Northern Illinois graduate enjoys discovering and telling the stories of athletes from all levels in the communities he covers.

West Aurora's Braden Fraus (18) reacts to a sack against South Elgin in the first quarter of an Upstate Eight West game in South Elgin on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

IHSA football playoffs: Rick Armstrong’s 5 games to watch in Aurora-Elgin area and opening-round predictions

October 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

West Aurora, Oak Park-River Forest, Marmion, Yorkville and Sandwich are picks to click for the opening round of the playoffs.

East Aurora's Victor Torres, who moved from guard to center and anchors the offensive line, gets ready before practice at East Aurora in Aurora on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (Rick Armstrong / The Beacon-News)

Teammate diagnosed with leukemia inspires Victor Torres for East Aurora’s 1st home playoff game in 46 years

October 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

East Aurora's Victor Torres will take the field Friday and play for Cristian Agustin, a classmate was diagnosed with leukemia.

Senior lineman TJ Anderson, who has Division I scholarship offers from Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso, is shown with his senior poster before practice at Aurora Christian on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. (Rick Armstrong / The Beacon-News)

Aurora Christian’s TJ Anderson, with offers from Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso, takes game to next level

October 20, 2026 at 1:20 p.m.

TJ Anderson, who has Division I offers from Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso, puts it all on the line for Aurora Christian.

Batavia's Darin Ashiru (0) makes a catch against St. Charles East' during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)

Rick Armstrong’s high school football rankings and Week 9 top players for the Aurora-Elgin area

October 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

West Aurora moves up a spot after beating crosstown rival East Aurora, while Burlington Central enters rankings.

West Aurora’s Devin Farmer (11) crosses the goal line for a TD against East Aurora during an Upstate Eight West game in Aurora on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

West Aurora’s Devin Farmer, responding with ‘I got you, coaches,’ takes it on the run in win over East Aurora

October 17, 2026 at 2:13 a.m.

Devin Farmer gains 99 yards on 12 carries and scores a TD for West Aurora in a 41-0 victory over crosstown rival East Aurora

West Aurora’s Darius Stewart (0) and Devin Farmer (11) run Elgin’s Dan Beckett (7) out of bounds during an Upstate Eight West game in Aurora on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Rick Armstrong’s 5 high school football games to watch in the Aurora-Elgin area and Week 9 predictions

October 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

West Aurora, Oswego, Kaneland, Batavia and Geneva are picks to click for Week 9.

Yorkville’s Joel Castillo (6) reacts on the sideline before the opening kickoff against Oswego East during a Southwest Prairie West game in Yorkville on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Still missing his front tooth, Yorkville’s Joel Castillo recovers from a car accident ‘by the Grace of God’

October 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A car accident put Joel Castillo on the shelf, but he returns to lead Yorkville with 29 catches for 498 yards and three TDs.

West Aurora’s Brendon Salach (17) catches a TD pass against Elgin during an Upstate Eight West game in Aurora on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

West Aurora’s Brendon Salach, playing ‘pretty much every snap, every game,’ emerges on both sides of the ball

October 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Becoming a two-way standout, Brendon Salach turns in elite efforts for West Aurora heading into regular-season finale.

West Aurora’s Darius Stewart (0) and Devin Farmer (11) finish off a tackle against Bartlett during an Upstate Eight West game in Aurora on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Rick Armstrong’s high school football rankings and Week 8 top players for the Aurora-Elgin area

October 12, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

St. Charles North, South Elgin and Yorkville move up, while West Aurora enters the rankings.

Yorkville’s Quintin Rink (15) rolls out of the pocket and throws a pass on fourth down against Oswego East during a Southwest Prairie West game in Yorkville on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

With an ‘I’m going to prove it’ attitude, Yorkville’s Quintin Rink steps in at QB due to injury and sparks win

October 11, 2026 at 11:19 a.m.

Entering midway through third quarter, Quintin Rink directs Yorkville on two straight TD drives for 21-7 win over Oswego East.

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