A postseason ago, Manteno went out to Coal City and handed the host Coalers a loss in the regional championship.

This postseason, the stakes will be ramped up even higher when these two Illinois Central Eight Conference rivals meet again in Saturday’s IHSA Class 1A Coal City Sectional championship.

Coal City (21-3) punched its ticket with a 7-2 win over Herscher (16-7-2) in the first of Tuesday’s semifinals, with Manteno (18-5-2) holding on for a 1-0 win over Chicago Christian in the second.

The Coalers came into Tuesday fresh off a shootout win over Joliet Catholic that gave the program its first-ever regional title.

Senior Juilian Micetich said it’s been a long time coming for him, his 11 fellow seniors and the Coal City program, and the opportunity to play for a sectional titl

See Full Page