If you ever visit
@EastPeoriaHS, stroll down T-P Hallway. Theres a giant black & white photo that hangs over the foyer. It’s the 1974 Raiders baseball squad, which finished 2nd in the state after a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Glenbrook North in the title game.
Now, 52 years later, another group has a chance to write its name in the EPCHS history books.
I’m so damn happy for
@raider_ep! HC Matt Plummer EARNED this. He’s one of the best coaches to ever man the 3rd base box in Illinois but a state trip has consistently eluded him. His top assistant, Tom Stonebock, adds another chapter to the Stonebock family’s long legacy with IHSA baseball. I’d bet money neither of them stops smiling for the rest of the week.
I’m happy for our kids. The players obviously. I’ve seen firsthand the work that
@RDuncheon,
@auggie_lohnes,
@JacksonAhrens6,
@Oakman_12,
@RMoody2026 and Breyon Maroney have put into their athletic endeavors. This is an incredible end to their HS careers.
Most importantly, I’m happy for our school. EPCHS is often looked down upon. Success doesn’t come easy for us in any sport. But these kids have taken all that in stride and risen to the challenge. That’s why I’m
#ProudtobeEP
Oh, one last thing. That photo in the foyer of the 1974 Raiders? That squad was coached by Fritz Millard. If you look at EP’s uniforms, you’ll see a patch on their left hand shoulder that says JM #2 That’s for Jeff Millard, who was a longtime coach at Morton HS before coming home to try and help us replicate the success his father had. Jeff passed away in 2023 after 8 seasons with the Raiders, but he’s still with the boys as the angel in the outfield so to speak. This doesn’t happen without him.
It’s a great day to be a Raider!
East Peoria is going to the 3A Baseball Final Four!
East Peoria 8 Geneva 1!
Plenty more tonight on 25 Sports