The last time the Hinckley-Big Rock boys soccer program advanced to the championship match of the Little Ten Conference Tournament before Friday, Royals senior forward Sawyer Smith was in second grade.

“I’m not sure, but there is a pretty good chance I was here,” Smith said. “I’ve followed H-BR soccer ever since I can remember.”

Smith’s goal with 24 minutes remaining proved to be the winning tally in the No. 2-seeded Royals’ thrilling 2-1 victory over top-seeded Somonauk / Leland / Newark at Larry “Doc” Peppers Field in Hinckley in the 44th edition of the event .

For H-BR – now 16-3-2 on the season and winners in 12 straight – it was the first title triumph since 2016 and 11th overall.

The Bobcats, who fell to Indian Creek in last season’s title match, fell to 13-5-2.

The team

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