McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
Hunter Blake

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor

Hunter Blake is a senior at MCHS’s Upper Campus. He enjoys hanging out with friends, family, and playing baseball. Between school, work, and hanging out with friends, Hunter plays travel baseball for Lake In The Hills Thunder. This is Hunter’s third year on the Messenger’s staff.

Recognition:

“Opinion | Pro athletes deserve stronger consequences for their bad behavior” (IJEA)

2024 IHSA Sectionals (second in Sports Writing)

2024 IHSA Sectionals (fourth in Sports Writing)

NSPA Leadership Award (2024, 2025)

2023 IHSA Sectionals (fourth in Sports Writing)

“Opinion: Brock Purdy should be permanent first-string quarterback” (IJEA)

All content by Hunter Blake
St. Joseph High School plays Rockford Lutheran High School in the first half of the Class 3A semifinals at Carver Arena on March 20, 2015, in Peoria. The Illinois High School Association will allow the boys basketball finals in Peoria to proceed, but will limit spectators to 60 per school.

Opinion | IHSA needs two separate state series events

Hunter Blake, Sports editor
April 11, 2025
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Team USA's Auston Matthews (34) tries to put the puck in past Canada's Cale Makar (8) and goaltender Jordan Binnington (50) during the first period of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston.

Opinion | The 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament should replace the NHL All-Star game

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
March 21, 2025
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MCHS Boys Varsity Basketball Team had their senior night on Friday, Feb. 14 in the Upper campus main gym.

Gallery | Boys basketball senior night

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
March 10, 2025
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Dane Erbach has advised the McHenry Messenger since 2019, when the publication was still in its infancy, and encouraged his students to turn the newspaper into the award-winning publication it is today.

The man behind the staff

Hunter Blake and Eli Frommes
March 6, 2025
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New Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson, left, speaks with Chairman George McCaskey after being introduced at a news conference on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Opinion | Ben Johnson was the perfect hire for the Chicago Bears

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
February 14, 2025
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Players on the varsity boys basketball team a huddle on the sidelines during their game against Crystal Lake South on Dec 11 in the Upper Campus Main Gym.

MCHS boys basketball is off to one of its best starts in school history

Hunter Blake, Sports editor
January 30, 2025
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MCHS's Strength and Powerlifting programs hosted their annual Liftmas event earlier this week in the Upper Campus weight room to celebrate fitness before the end of the semester.

Heavy lifting

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
December 20, 2024
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Players on the Kings High School Hockey team celebrate after scoring a goal last season. Many players on the team are from MCHS.

Kings of the rink

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
December 12, 2024
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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Ravens defeated the 49ers.

Opinion | Pro athletes deserve stronger consequences for their bad behavior

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw holds the World Series trophy aloft after speaking at the ceremony at Dodger Stadium amid the celebration of the Dodgers' World Series title, in Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

MLB post-season

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
November 15, 2024
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MCHS's girls lacrosse team took on Hoffman Estates High School at the McCracken Athletic Field.

Nothing but net

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
November 6, 2024
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An NFL logo on the field before a game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 3, 2021, in Inglewood, California.

Analysis | This season’s NFL predictions

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
October 17, 2024
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Teacher's who are involved in AVID all have signs on their doors such as the one Mrs.Dunn has.

Making an impact

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
October 8, 2024
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Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Western Conference All-Stars dunks the ball against the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the third quarter during the 2024 NBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, in Indianapolis.

2024 NBA All Star game disappoints fans again

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
March 21, 2024
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Junior and senior football players try to take each other's flags during Homecoming's Powder Puff football game on Sept. 27, 2023 at McCracken Field. Powder Puff is the closest that MCHS has ever gotten to a full flag football team.

IHSA announces girls flag football for next school year

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
February 27, 2024
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The boys and girls indoor track season has begun with practices inside of Upper and Freshman Campuses of MCHS.

Indoor track season underway at MCHS

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
February 7, 2024
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Chicago Blackhawks Corey Perry stands on the ice in the first period of a preseason game against the St. Louis Blues at the United Center in Chicago on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

Chicago Blackhawks player Corey Perry fired

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
December 18, 2023
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New Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell speaks during a news conference at the team's office building in Wrigleyville on Nov. 13, 2023, in Chicago.

Chicago Cubs expected to be big buyers this offseason 

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
December 6, 2023
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Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) is hit by Washington Commanders cornerback Kendall Fuller (29) in the third quarter at FedEx Field on Oct. 5, 2023, in Landover, Maryland.

Opinion | Just when things could not get any worse for the Chicago Bears, they did

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
November 10, 2023
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The new baseball field at MCHS's Upper Campus is underway and is expected to be done before the baseball season begins.

New Upper Campus baseball field still in progress

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
November 1, 2023
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Students must fill out a drop form and have it approved by a division chair before they drop an AP class, but there aren't many honors options for upperclassmen looking for non-AP options.

Opinion | MCHS needs to offer more honors classes to upperclassmen

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
October 18, 2023
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New athletic director Chris Madson meets with administrators on the football field during the first home football game of the season on Sept. 1 at McCracken Field

Taking the field

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
October 2, 2023
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Chicago Bear and MCHS alum Robert Tonyan poses for pics on the sideline during the varsity football game against Huntley on Sept. 1 at McCracken Field.

Back to McCracken

Hunter Blake, Sports Editor
September 6, 2023
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All grade levels have to study for second semester finals, while seniors that have met the requirements have not had to take their finals.

Opinion: All grade levels should have the option for final exemptions

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
May 24, 2023
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As the school year ends, teams are scheduling summer camps and practices. These opportunities aren't just for players to hone their skills but also for coaches to a chance for the coaches to get a feel for which players they want on their team.

Break a sweat

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
May 17, 2023
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MCHS runners push themselves toward the finish line during a boys track meet on April 24 at McCracken Field.

Running up the season

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
May 11, 2023
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Auria DAgostino dribbles down the field against Harry D. Jacobs High School on Tuesday, April 19 at Upper Campus.

Kick starting the season

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
April 21, 2023
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NY Guardians wide receiver Mekale McKay dives for a pass as Tampa Bay Vipers cornerback Shelton Lewis trails during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on Feb of 2020.

Back on the field

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
April 13, 2023
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Lynda Rotundo pushes herself for one more lap at Lakes High School on March 4 for District 117 Winter Grand Prix, one of several indoor meets that the track team participates as the season warms up.

The great indoors

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
March 21, 2023
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes scrambles for a first down in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona.

Super Bowl LVII ends in thrilling victory for Kansas City Chiefs

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
March 6, 2023
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 11, 2022, in Santa Clara, California.

Opinion: Brock Purdy should be permanent first-string quarterback

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
February 22, 2023
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The JV boys basketball team meets in a time out during a game against Jacobs in the Upper Campus main gym on Friday.

Winning in JV

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
February 1, 2023
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Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring their team's third goal past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar.

Beer, fans and glory

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
December 22, 2022
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Voters cast their election on Nov. 8 in a school cafeteria in Des Moines. In McHenry County, officials judged the midterm election to be conducted freely and fairly.

Midterms in McHenry County free, fair and secure

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
December 14, 2022
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Arlington Park International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race last year.

Opinion: The Chicago Bears should move to Arlington Park

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
November 16, 2022
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Students lift in the weight room on Oct. 27 at the Upper Campus, some preparing for their winter sports. Tryouts for several sports, including basketball, begin in early November.

Welcoming winter sports

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
November 2, 2022
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Aubree Lundin lines up a putt during a varsity girls golf match against Johnsburg on August 15 at Boone Creek Golf Course in Bull Valley.

Girls golf wins Fox Valley Conference for first time since 2003

Hunter Blake, Staff Writer
October 7, 2022
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The winner of this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament was No. 1 seed Kansas, who beat No. 8 seed North Carolina 72-69.

Time of madness

Hunter Blake, Freshman Correspondant
April 13, 2022
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A baseball with MLB logo is seen at Citizens Bank Park before a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies on June 28, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Locked out

Hunter Blake, Freshman Correspondant
March 15, 2022
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Chicago Bulls guards Alex Caruso (6) and Matt Thomas (21) celebrate after a basket by Thomas in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.

Bulls seeing red during first half of the 21-22 season

Hunter Blake, Freshman Correspondant
February 15, 2022
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Though the "devious lick" trend has died down, schools all across the country — including MCHS — have given strict consequences to those students who break the rules for the sake of social media likes.

Devious

Hunter Blake, Contributing Writer
November 15, 2021
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