Coal City wins its second straight Class 1A sectional title with 1-0 win over Manteno
Clara Robinson is an educator-turned-journalist, having spent 5 years teaching in Naperville’s public schools before transitioning to reporting. She earned her Master’s in Education from Loyola University Chicago and now focuses on the intersection of education policy and community impact.
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Coal City held on just long enough in the second half to win its second straight Class 1A sectional title over sectional host Manteno, 1-0.In the 38th minute, Coal City junior Carter Hollis found a possession inside Manteno’s box and fired a perfect lefty bullet that curved slightly and just escaped Manteno goalkeeper Cayden Lacher’s reach.“I shot it, it went in. I was just amazed,” Hollis said. “It didn’t even feel real.”Hollis turned toward his bench and grabbed his head as the realization set in. “We had a great angle. Carter has such a nice kick,” Coal City coach Steven McCleary said. “Right when he let it out, I was like, ‘that’s it.’ I had no doubt that he was going to find the back of the net at some point.”And that’s all the Coalers needed to finish the night in jubilation.In the 2026 playoffs, it’s been more of the same for Coal City.For a second straight season, the Coalers defeated the Panthers to advance to the supersectional stage of the Class 1A IHSA playoff tournament. T