Peoria High School

It’s a new season but a same mission. The 2026 Peoria High School football Lions are the defending Big 12 Conference champions. Despite losing a bulk of talent from last year’s team, their mindset remains focused. You will see this team run fast. You will see them play hard. You will see them finish games. A conference championship and another trip to the playoffs is always on their minds. With back to back trips to the Elite 8 in head coach Aaron Montgomery’s first two seasons as head coach, he’s hopeful this year’s squad will continue the tradition of being the pride of the city. Read the 2026 season preview below https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/20/new-faces-same-motto-lions-hungry-to-defend-big-12-championship/

wasn’t the start to the season in any facet of the game. Three first-quarter interceptions set the tone for a 48-30 loss to inner-city rival Peoria Richwoods. There were plenty of moments for the team to implode, but all the way to the end, the Lions fought despite coming away with the loss. In these moments, you learn about a team. Even in their losing moments, the Lions held their heads up tall and walked through the post-game handshake with congratulations rather than excuses. Losing with pride is a life lesson. The Lions football team has shown they can be a competitive force, but also showed they can handle losing with pride. Read about what you missed below. https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/23/what-you-didnt-see-friday-night-lions-lose-with-pride/

Last year, sophomore Kayden Turner made school history by becoming the first Peoria High golfer to qualify for the IHSA Sectional since 2009. After a long summer of hooping, Turner made plenty of time to hit the greens and looks to become the first state qualifier in boys golf in 22 years. Turner has already began the season with an individual medalist title at Farmington last week. Now, it’s time to build for a spot golfing in October Read about our boys golf team down below! https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/24/turner-leads-golf-team-seeks-first-state-appearance-in-22-years/

On the way home, Jim Mattson said he could smell high school football in the air. Week 1 is just four days away. The Lions will host Peoria Richwoods in a Big 12 Conference opener against their inner city rival. Over the last 10 years, the Lions are 8-2 during Week 1. Will this year also be kind? Take a look at the last ten results below. https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/17/historically-week-1-has-been-kind-to-lions/

When Tuster Kipupa was a sophomore, he was nervous to try out for the announcements team. Now, a jovial senior, Tuster is a Tuesday tradition. Read about how Tuesdays with Tuster is now a PHS weekday tradition! https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/13/tuesdays-with-tuster-have-become-a-phs-weekday-tradition/

Football season is around the corner! SIX Lions were named to the Journal Star Preseason Watch list! Take a look below! https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/05/6-phs-football-lions-named-to-j-s-preseason-watch-list/

The Journal Star represented 287 athletes for the fall season. Well, 10 Lions are SOME NAMES YOU SHOULD KNOW! Take a look below! https://peoriahighnews.wordpress.com/2026/08/10/10-lions-named-to-journal-stars-names-to-know-list/

Tryouts for fall sports is underway but sports in general at Peoria High will feature some new faces. At this time, let’s welcome the new head coaches for the Lion teams for the 2026-27 year. Ryan McElmurry (Boys Basketball): Coach Buck led the Lions on an interim basis for part of last season, but will officially be the boys basketball coach. Coach will be joined by Coach Noble, his former coach at Galesburg when he hooped as well. Robert Schroeder (Boys Soccer): The former assistant coach is now the full face of soccer after Coach Heinlein’s departure. Coach Schroeder works in the school as an ESL coordinator and is a familiar face to many returning footballers. Shamar Hill (Girls Basketball): Hill is no stranger to the Peoria area. The former Lion alum coached a successful team at Richwoods last season. Hill takes over for the future Hall of Famer Meechie Edwards, who is on record saying, “that was my guy.”

The Peoria Options Program (POP) was excited to welcome back Peoria Grow to their classroom. Today, students made a peach parfait!

🎒 Start the 2026-27 school year off right! Don't miss these back-to-school physical events to help your student be ready for the 1st day!

In observance of Juneteenth, all Peoria Public Schools offices will be closed.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. We encourage our community to take time to learn, reflect, and uplift one another as we honor this important day. ❤️🖤💚

Save the Date!

STATE FINALISTS. School history could be made tomorrow. A Peoria Lion has never medaled at state in Class 3A but that could all change as two Lions have made it to Saturday. Malik Johnson is currently winning the triple jump after preliminaries while Cam Gunn is seeded fifth in high jump. Keep your eyes on those results and a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our track and field athletes.

The men are READY to compete on the blue track. Thank you to Anita Tutt, the mother of Coach Daubs for feeding our state qualifiers!

The girls track and field season officially came to a close today. Jamiya Jones wrapped up her first ever appearance at state with a 27th overall finish in the triple jump with a mark of 34-feet, 9.75 inches. She also finished 34th in the long jump with a mark of 16-feet. 3.25 inches.

The boys track team had a busy Thursday. Both Cam Gunn and Malik Johnson received a state sendoff, along with Jamiya Jones, who competes tomorrow. In addition, the team held their end of the season awards night. As the team celebrated their success, the following received individual awards: Courage Award: Mark Richmond Hustle Award: Christian Hannah & Charles Barnes Most Improved: Jayleon Williams Most Outstanding Field Event: Cam Gunn & Malik Johnson Most Outstanding Runner: Melvin Jenkins

The boys track team had their final team dinner of the year. They head to Rock Island today for Sectionals and look to qualify for state or set their final PR of the season.

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