Tom Johnston

2 weeks ago | qconline.com | Tom Johnston

Even with the energy of a man half his age, Ben Pennington convinced himself this was the best time to finally hang up his coaching whistle. After 43 years with the program he started, Pennington called the 2025 season his last with the Bettendorf High School boys' soccer program. “I got really close to this year's junior class and I kind of wanted to go one more year, but you know that's not fair,” said Pennington. “It's just time for me to do some stuff. I’m 72 years old and it’s just time.

2 weeks ago | qctimes.com | Tom Johnston

Daniel Vasquez capped a 4-for-4 night with an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Quad Cities River Bandits a 3-2 victory over the Beloit Sky Carp Wednesday evening. The High Class-A Midwest League victory snapped QC’s six-game losing streak and kept the 34-25 Bandits just a half game behind Cedar Rapids in the Western Division race with their sixth walk-off win of the season.

2 weeks ago | qconline.com | Tom Johnston

The Quad City Steamwheelers are taking a step into the metaverse this week. The Wheelers (8-2, 7-2 Eastern Conference) will still be operating on the carpet inside Vibrant Arena when the Fishers Freight (2-8, 1-7 Eastern Conf.) come calling for Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. Indoor Football League Eastern Conference battle. But fans will be able to participate in what owner Doug Bland says is a first-of-its-kind NFT Digital Bobblehead Night promotion in connection with sponsor XUSD Blockchain.

2 weeks ago | qctimes.com | Tom Johnston

For the first time in 15 years, Rickie Fowler will be part of the John Deere Classic. Tournament officials announced on Wednesday that Fowler, one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour, has committed to play in this year’s $8.4 million event at TPC Deere Run in Silvis. “He's obviously a fan favorite guy that you know people are gravitated to and want to root for,” said JDC tournament director Andrew Lehman. “… It's been 15 years since Rickie’s been here as a sponsor exemption.

2 weeks ago | qconline.com | Tom Johnston

Callan Moss is hoping to prove that it matters where you end up in life more than where you started out. The young Quad Cities River Bandits first baseman – an undrafted free agent who signed with the Kansas City Royals last August – has shown that he not only has the skills to move up the baseball ladder, but the determination to make it to the Big Leagues. “There was no Plan B,” said Moss of knowing how he wants his future to play out.