There are more than 1,000 high schools in Illinois, and while the Land of Lincoln has its share of Bulldogs, Eagles, Tigers and other standards, there are also some more unusual prep mascots.

Here, in no particular order, are a dozen of Illinois’ more interesting high school nicknames and the stories behind them.

1. Hoopeston Area Cornjerkers

Located in Hoopeston, a city of 4,915 in east-central Illinois surrounded by smaller farming communities, Hoopeston Area High School leans into its agricultural importance as the “Sweetcorn Capital of the World.” According to an IHSA article about the origins of the nickname, in the 1920s sports reporter Bob Poisall was riding the team bus, which was running late due to players being in the field harvesting, and commented they’d never get where the

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