Sept. 14

5 years ago (2002): Running back Ryan Sparrow and wide receiver Erik Phillips each completed passes on a night Normal Community blended trickery and fundamental football to roll up 372 yards total offense. The result was a stunning 31-7 football win over Champaign Centennial, the state's seventh ranked Class 6A team.

15 years ago (1992): An unearned run in the top of the sixth inning was all pitcher Marty Grant needed as the Decatur Pride beat the Bloomington Hearts, 1-0, in the second round of the ASA Men's Major Fastpitch National Tournament before an estimated 6,000 fans, the largest crowd for a softball game at O'Neil Park.

25 years ago (1957): Denny Throneburg, a left-hander picked up by the Bloomington Hearts from Casey for the Midwest Regional, earned his first win with the Hearts, 4-1, over Odessa, Texas, in the losers bracket of the Amateur Softball Association national tournament at Midland, Mich.

50 years ago (1957): Marty O'Connor, a willowy young quarterback with wrists as flexible as an old-fashioned buggy whip, turned a probable University High defeat into a glorious 19-13 victory over Monticello by pitching perfect strikes to Melton Thomas, his rangy end. Golden running by Harry Menton helped in the final decision.

Compiled by Roger Cushman From Pantagraph files