Tigers Have Unknowns In Quest For Repeat State Bid - Boy's CC Preview

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

TIPTON — The Tipton Tiger boy’s cross-country team said goodbye to four-time state qualifier Matt Pelzer and two others, but return five runners off of their 2015 state team.  Besides Pelzer, Alex Comstock and Manny Stegall each graduated.  Pelzer led Tipton at state with a 29th place finish while Stegall placed 101st. Comstock provided another senior on the team and added to the overall Tigers depth last season.

“We have a real resurgence of youth with the number of freshmen we have out,” said Tipton cross-country coach Eric Walsh.

Returning from the state team are Ben Ellis, Noah Jedlicka, Bryce Deerberg, Sam Bierman and Corey Wallick.   Deerberg placed 50th at state followed by Wallick (71st), Bierman (72nd), Jedlicka (88th) and Ellis (90th).  Conor Cromer also is back and will look to compete for a varsity spot.  

“It’s been a little hard to put together workouts early.  Some have logged a lot of miles, some haven’t and a large part of our team (new runners) haven’t put in this many miles before.  We are just getting everyone on the same page early on,” said Walsh.

Tipton opens the 2016 season on September 1 at Iowa City Regina.  Five days later, the Tigers host their annual meet at City Park.  Those meets are part of a seven-meet September and 11-meet regular season prior to the RVC Meet on October 13 at Mid-Prairie.

The Tigers have nine freshmen out this season. They are Trent Pelzer, Alex Reynolds, Craig Schaffer, Gavin Belitz, Kael Jauron, Brendan Nantz, Landon Hill, Andrew Osteen and Tiger Emrich.

Gone From 2015: Alek Comstock, Manny Stegall, Matt Pelzer.

Returning From 2015: Ben Ellis, Noah Jedlicka, Bryce Deerberg, Sam Bierman, Corey Wallick, Conor Cromer.

New Faces: Trent Pelzer, Alex Reynolds, Craig Schaffer, Gavin Belitz, Kael Jauron, Brendan Nantz, Landon Hill, Andrew Osteen, Tiger Emrich.

12 Knights On 2016 Roster For 2016

CLARENCE — The North Cedar boy’s cross-country team will begin the season with a roster of twelve, up a little from last season.  The Knights placed 11th at the River Valley Conference meet and 12th at the state qualifying meet in Monticello last season.  The Knights got a boost last season with the addition of then senior, Tim Bell halfway through the season.  Bell became one of the team leaders and ran half of the season and ran well at the state qualifying meet where he finished 15th in a time of 17:42.  Bell grabbed the last spot for the individual qualifier spots for the 2016 state meet to etch his name in North Cedar cross-country history.  At state, he placed 92nd overall.

This season, the North Cedar cross-country team will have four runners back from last season’s team that ran at the state qualifying meet last year.  Back are Seamus Raney (57th), Tyler Maschmann, Brian Driscoll and Cory Cox.

The Knights run two meets in August to start the season.  North Cedar starts the year at Ed-Co on August 23 and at IMS seven days later on August 30.  The Knights host their home meet on September 26 as part of seven regular season meets before the RVC meet on October 13 at Mid-Prairie.

New faces out this year are Marshall Van Ort, Joe Condon, Robert Anderson and Nate Meyer.

Gone From 2015: Tim Bell, Dawson Hamdorf, Austin Blake, Treat Spahr, Austin Sander.

Returning From 2015: Miles McCullough, Tyler Maschmann, Brian Driscoll, Seamus Raney, Barrett Truempler, Brady Lehrmann, Cory Cox.

New Faces: Marshall Van Ort, Joe Condon, Robert Anderson, Nate Meyer.

Beavers Could Quietly Make Noise This Fall

WILTON — The Wilton cross-country team is looking to quietly sneak up on teams this year and from the early practices and prep work for the season, that seems to be possible.  The Beavers return six of the seven runners that placed 10th at the state qualifying meet last fall in Monticello.  Wilton only losses four runners off of their team last season.  Wilton placed 9th at the RVC meet last fall.  One of those losses was Will Ball who qualified for the state meet last year where he placed 94th.

Back to lead the way are Noah Brown, Isaac Hunter, Riley Allen, Leif Clevenger, Nathaniel Fagner and Cole Rabedeaux.  Also returning are Colten Berggren, Chase Montagna, Mason Marquez and Jake Said.  The Beavers have the opportunity to set themselves up well for next season too as nine of their 13 runners are juniors this year.

Brown placed 26th at the state qualifying meet followed by Allen (70th), Clevenger (71st), Fagner (79th) and Rabedeaux (91st).

WIlton will open the season on August 30 at the annual Louisa-Muscatine cross-country meet.  The Beavers then will travel to three straight meets hosted by RVC schools Iowa City Regina, Tipton and Monticello.  That opening run of meets are part of eight regular season meets prior to the River Valley Conference meet on October 13 at Mid-Prairie.

New runners this year are a trio of freshmen in Kolby Brown, Buddy Darting and Jacob Reifert.

Gone From 2015: Jon Henessee, Riley Allen, Will Ball, Braden Stoops.

Returning From 2015: Colten Berggren, Chase Montagna, Noah Brown, Isaac Hunter, Mason Marquez, Nathaniel Fagner, Leif Clevenger, Cole Rabedeaux, Jake Said, Riley Allen.

New Faces: Kolby Brown, Buddy Darting, Jacob Reifert.

Durant opens the 2016 season on September 1 at Iowa City Regina.  The Wildcats run at Tipton on September 6 and North Cedar on September 26 in two of nine regular season meets.  The River Valley Conference meet is October 13 at Mid-Prairie and the state qualifying meets are a week later on October 20.

Five Of Top-7 Runners Back For Wildcats

DURANT — After finishing 8th at last year’s River Valley Conference meet and 11th at the state qualifying meet, the Wildcats return a lot of experience and excitement for the new season.  The Wildcats said goodbye to Joey Tobin, Isaiah Overton and Carter Voelkers.  Tobin, reached the state meet last season in his senior year, fulfilling a dream.  Tobin placed 15th at a state qualifying meet in Cedar Rapids and 73rd at the state meet.  Tobin now runs at the University of Dubuque.

Returning for the Wildcats this season are Jeremy Carnes, Jack Voss, Josh Hein, Nate Prunchak, Andrew Schemmel, Anthony Mundt and Tony Friedrichs.  Of those returners, Nate Prunchak (35th), Tony Frederichs (72nd), Josh Hein (89th), Jeremy Carnes (93rd) and Anthony Mundt (94th) were in the lineup at the state qualifying meet.

Durant opens the 2016 season on September 1 at Iowa City Regina.  The Wildcats run at Tipton on September 6 and North Cedar on September 26 in two of nine regular season meets.  The River Valley Conference meet is October 13 at Mid-Prairie and the state qualifying meets are a week later on October 20.

The Wildcats will get a boost from five new runners.  They are Easton Botkins, Jarod Moeller,  Cameron Hoon, Zach Hein and Thomas Rhoades.

Gone From 2015: Joey Tobin, Isaiah Overton, Carter Voelkers.

Returning From 2015: Jeremy Carnes, Jack Voss, Josh Hein, Nate Prunchak, Andrew Schemmel, Anthony Mundt, Tony Friedrichs.

New Faces: Easton Botkins, Jarod Moeller,  Cameron Hoon, Zach Hein and Thomas Rhoades.

Tigers Have Enough For Scoring Team - 2016 Girl's Cross-Country Preview

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

TIPTON — For the first time in a long time the Tipton Tigers will begin a season with enough kids to score at meets.  

“It’s a big story,” said Tipton cross-country coach Eric Walsh.  “We are going to have a scoring girls team.  Last year, we would have 3-to-4 in a varsity race, but things are a whole lot different when you have a team,” he said.

The sole returner is Mara Jauron.  Jauron placed 41st at the district meet last season and 35th at the River Valley Conference meet.

Others out are Kenzie Mente, Zoe Rezac, Alyssa Elijah, Emmarie Huseman, Zoe Comstock and Tiffany Schott.

“I am looking forward to having a team.  There is a different feel to practice.  For the kids, they have teammates that will hold them accountable out there and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do at the varsity level.

The River Valley Conference will be strong again this season.  At last years state meet in Ft. Dodge, Cascade placed 3rd in 2A, Regina placed 5th, Monticello 6th and NE Goose Lake 15th in class 2A.  Durant placed 11th in class 1A at state as well.

“The River Valley Conference is in my opinion, is one of the strongest confrences in the state.  You look at where they finished at state and the teams that finish high at conference, finish high at state,” said Walsh.

Tipton will open the season on Thursday, September 4 at a meet at the University of Iowa Ashton cross-country course.  The Tigers host their annual meet on Thursday, September 9 where eight of the 13 River Valley Conference schools are among the 23 participating schools.

Ford To Lead Beaver Girls’ CC Team

WILTON — The Wilton girl’s cross-country team will be a team of six led by Kaylee Ford.  Ford placed 12th last year at the district cross-country meet.  Wilton coach Dave Cook returns this season and said that his team is ready to go.

“Kaylee was 12th at the conference and the district meets last year and just missed out on qualifying.  I think that is a big motivator for her this season and she has a goal of getting to state this year,” he said.

“We have a mix of returning people and a mix of kids that put in running this summer,” said Cook.

Out this year for the Beavers are Ford, Chloe Dohrman, Caitlyn Carter, Alex Reifert, Hannah Christensen and Jessica Kokjohn. Of those, Kokjohn placed 56th at districts, Reifert 57th and Hannah Christensen 76th.  Wilton placed 6th at last season’s River Valley Conference meet.  

“They all want to improve and stay healthy this season.  They know that we can’t lose anyone to injury if we want to score as a team at a meet,” said Cook.

Wilton will open the 2014 season on Tuesday, September 2 at the Louisa-Muscatine Invitational held at the Langwood Education Center in Louisa County.  Central Lee, L+M and West Liberty are the teams there.

The RVC conference meet is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 at the University of Iowa Ashton cross-country course.

Wildcats Being 2014 Ranked

DURANT — The Durant Wildcat girl’s cross-country team begins the 2014 season ranked in the preseason top-15 poll put out by the Iowa Track and Field Coaches Association.  The Wildcats qualified for the 2013 state meet where they finished 11th overall in class 1A.  The Wildcats start the season ranked 12th in 1A.

Durant welcomes a new coach this season after Jim Weisrock resigned after getting a job in a Davenport school district.  Nolan Hovland is the new coach as he enters his second year at Durant.

“When Coach Weisrock resigned his position, I immediately expressed my interest and applied for the job.  Having a background with cross country, I know how rewarding the sport can be.  I also coach 7th grade girls basketball and volunteered as an assistant for the track program in the spring,” said Hovland.  

Hovland reports that the Wildcats have put the time in needed during the summer months to prepare for the upcoming season.

“Most of the kids did a great job of getting in a lot of miles over the summer. That base of miles will really help as we begin the racing season in a couple of weeks,” he said.

Hovland ran cross-country at North Iowa High School for three years 2005-07 making the state cross-country meet all of those years.

Durant returns six of the seven members that were on the State team last year.  Back are senior Whitney Ahrens, juniors Alyssa Williams, Janey Botkins, Sam Fusco and Emily Mundt and sophomore Madison Howe.  Also competing for spots in the top-7 are sophomore Susan Graves and freshman Aubrey Doerscher.

“We have a great group of girls back.  They've been working really hard so far this season, and many of them put in the miles they needed to over the summer.  This group of girls are a joy to coach.  They encourage each other during practice and really push each other to get better.  The team has a great group of leaders that makes my job as coach a lot easier,” said Hovland.  

Durant finished 5th in the competive RVC meet last fall and placed 3rd at the district meet.

The RVC conference meet is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 at the University of Iowa Ashton cross-country course.

14 Out For Knights In 2014

STANWOOD —  A year after not scoring at the River Valley Conference meet and placing 10th at the district meet, the North Cedar Knights have 14 girls out for cross-country this season.  The success of its track and field team last year, sparked some interest among the kids out for cross-country.

Out this year for cross-country are: Larissa Moore, Kelsey King, Tessa Fields, Britlyn Wilhau and Martha Jesuit.  Back row: Erin Ruchotzke, Kylie Marshall, Rachel Gutwiler, Laura Hansen, Anna Petersen, Brianna Nebergall and Lakaya Lyon.  The Knights are coached by  Dain Jeppson.

“I have been happy with the work we have gotten in during the preseason,” said Jeppson.  “Having the numbers we have out has made for competitive practices and I think that will be that way most of the year.

Of the 14 that are out, only two are out that ran on the district team - Kylie Marshall and Kelsey King and two that ran at the RVC meet - Madison Marshall and Kelsey King.

The Knights will host a meet on September 29 at the Lowden 330 Club.  The RVC meet is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14 in Iowa City.

Beavers Look To Make Noise In District 4

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

WILTON — Wilton head coach Ryan Hetzler enters his third season as the head coach of the Wilton Beavers coming off of a 5-5 season, one that ended with a first round playoff loss to Pella Christian.  Many players return from that team that were district runners-up last year, and Wilton will carry high expectations into the season and a new district.

The Beavers will play in class 1A, District 4 and return 10 returning starters.  Wilton has the a lot of team depth.  Teams in their district are Columbus Junction, Highland, Louisa-Muscatine, Iowa City Regina, Wapello, Van Buren and Sigourney-Keota.  The Beavers will play non-district games against Tipton and Durant.  Tipton’s game will open the 2016 season on August 26 and the Durant game will be at home the following week.  The Beavers will have four home games this season with back-to-back home games to start October.

Wilton started off slow, 0-2, before winning three straight games and four of their next five games.  The Beavers ended the season 5-2 after the first two games.  Wins over Bellevue, Durant and Wapello put the Beavers record at 3-2.  Wilton lost to state rated Mediapolis and West Branch and beat Alburnett and North Cedar in their final four games.

Wilton will have a new quarterback this season in Jerome Mays.  Mays backed up 2015 starter Javin Drake.  Drake, an all-district player and All-State punter.  Drake passed for 1,655 yards and 8 touchdowns.  He also rushed for 526 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Wilton returns two of their top three rushers from last year.  Leading rusher Bryce Oveson returns after an 843-yard, 10-touchdown season.  Trey Brisker also is back.  Mays and even end Evan Reifert will see more touches.

Leading receiver Evan Reifert returns after catching 32 passes for 622 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Oveson caught 12 passes for 186 yards and Kaleb Timmsen caught 14 passes for 179 yards.  Brisker and Cory Anderson also return having each catching six passes last season.

Oveson and Brisker will anchor the defense after leading the Beavers in tackles last season.  Oveson had 108 tackles with 10 tackles for loss to lead the team, while Brisker had 89 tackles and was second on the team in tackles.  Timmsen (63 tackles), Tyler Hartman (63 tackles) and Jared Townsend (60 tackles) also return.

On special teams, Reifert should handle the punting duty after averaging 38.7 yards on nine attempts.  Drake was a first team All-State punter after averaging 42.6 yards on 32 punts with a long of 55 yards.  Timmsen, a steady placekicker, will return to handle those duties.  Timmsen was 8-for-10 in field goals with a long of 40 yards and made 24 PAT’s and averaged 42.4 yards per kick-off.  The Beavers’ return game will fall on Cory Anderson and others after the graduation of the speedy Cody Navarro.  Navarro averaged 19 yards a return on kick-offs and 24.9 yards on punts.  Navarrow also will be missed on offense (43 receptions 515 yards) and defense (72 tackles).

Gone From 2015: Javin Drake, Cody Navarro, Chaz Hartman, Gage Maynard, Eli Faison, Collin McCrabb, Ashton Stoelk, Hunter Stoll, Reid Johnson, Braydon Herrold, Kolton Armey, Braeden Vandevoort, Zach Rubendahl and Peyton Hagens.

Back From 2015: Drake Hayes, Kaleb Timmsen, Ethan Fagner, Evan Reifert, Corey Anderson, Kaleb Timmsen, Brady Barrett, Damien Maynard, Bryce OVeson, Derek McQuillen, Brock Hartley, Chantz Stevens, Jerome Mays, Jacob Shepherd, Trey Burnett, Jared Townsend, Cory Anderson, Trey Brisker, Tyler Hartman, Kaelyb Gerlt, Austin Pleggenkuhle, Brian Stillman, Calib Lilly, Calvin Parrott, Jacob Creamer, Zach Rubendall, Ronen Santiago, Chase Miller, Drake Hayes, Brayton Wade

New Faces: John Rife, Nathaniel DeVore,  Daryn Clark, Hunter Hartung, Patrick Barszczewski, Dalton Snider, Nolan Moench, Zach Delever, Charles Martin, Brady Shook, Coy Baker.

Knights Welcome New Coach Hadenfeldt

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

CLARENCE — For the third time in four years, the North Cedar Knights will have a new football coach.  Adam Hadenfeldt takes over for Lucas Stanton who took a job in Dubuque at Wahlert High school.  He will also coach the defense at Wahlert.

The Knights struggled to gain footing early in the season, starting the 2015 season 0-6.  In that stretch, the Knights showed signs of life, scoring 20 or more points in five of those football games.  The Knights lost three games by seven points or less, taking seven-point losses to rivals Lisbon and Tipton and falling by five points to Alburnett.

The Knights got their first win in game seven at Durant, 28-8 and followed that up with a 41-33 win at Wapello the following week.  The Knights closed out the season with a tough 17-7 loss at Wilton to finish the season 2-7.

The Knights graduated a lot of talent from last year’s team with a handful of players trying football in college this year.  2015 senior Jacob Holst passed for 1,263 yards with 11 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions.  Holst will suit up for Coe this fall.  The Knights were led in receiving by 2015 seniors Ian Malaby and Brendan Sander.  Both moved on to play football in college at Drake University and Coe College.  Malaby was an All-State selection after catching 41 passes for 730 yards with 8 touchdowns.  He also led the Knights in rushing with 310 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Defensively, 2015 senior Kaleb Galloway led in tackles with 127 tackles, a sack and six tackles for loss.  Galloway is playing football at Loras this fall.  Malaby had 114 tackles with four tackles for loss.

North Cedar will likely turn to senior Carter Johnson at quarterback.  Johnson passed for 380 yards with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions last year.  Johnson was under center for both of the Knights wins last year, passing for at least 136 yards and two touchdowns in each victory.

The big question marks on offense if who will run the football.  Shane Weber returns after totalling the second most rushing yards last year with 224 yards for a 4.6-yard average with 2 touchdowns.  After that, the Knights will have to have someone step up this year.

North Cedar returns some receivers that saw the field last year.  Bryce Bemer is the top receiver back after catching 17 passes for 257 yards and 2 scores.  Weber (8 rec. 121 yards), Jacob Jensen (7 rec. 77 yards) and Aaron Woodward (3 rec. 28 yards) also return.

Bemer is the top returning tackler after totaling 40 last season.  Carter Johnson (35 tackles) and Nick Dewell (36 tackles) also return.

On special teams North Cedar will have punter Jacob Jensen (32.6 yards/punt) back, but will have to find a place kicker/kick-off duty player.  Weber and Bemer will anchor the return game.

North Cedar will play four home games this season.  The Knights open the season at home when they host Alburnett on August 26.  Home games with Bellevue on September 9, Jesup on September 30 and Maquoketa Valley on October 14 wait.  

North Cedar has road games at Clayton Ridge, Durant, West Branch and Tipton to end the regular season on October 21.  The Knights will play a road game against Lisbon at Cornell College.  The game will be under the lights and on the Rams field turf.

Gone From 2015: Jacob Holst, Brendan Sander, Rasmus Hensler, Ian Malaby, Torrey Wilhau, Trent Hanks, Kaleb Galloway, Clayton Cartensen, Cody Fields, Adam Paidar.

Back From 2015: Bryce Bemer, Jacob Jensen, Mason Minar, Colin Sander, Carter Johnson, Shane Weber, Byron Boleyn, Greg Hansen, Grant Tenley, Nick Dewell, Dominick Williams, Ethan Hill, Dylan Welsch, Danuel Moore and Aaron Woodward, Austyn Sander.

New Faces: Andrew Reif, Devon Willis, Matthew Koob, Sebastian Cinkovich, Sebastian Curley, Owen Meyer, Mason Darts, Chase Gallagher, Tyler Alexander, Logan Thimmes, Tyler Thurston, Evan Patterson, Brody Hawtrey, Keon McCullough, Brady Burcum, Ethan Sahr, Caden Wendt, Braden Wink, James Garner, Brandon Maschmann and Dillon Clift.  

Tigers Drop To 1A, Will Face New Opponents

Tipton senior Dalton Clark will be Tipton's lead running back this fall.  Conservative File Photo.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

TIPTON — The Tipton Tigers will play in a new class and play new opponents this season.  The past two seasons the Tigers have played the likes of state ranked teams Mt. Vernon and Anamosa as well as Monticello, Cascade and Camanche.  This season the Tigers will play in class 1A, district 3.  Teams in district three are Bellevue, Clayton Ridge, Durant, Jesup, Maquoketa Valley, North Cedar and West Branch.  The Tigers finished the 2015 season 7-3 and qualified for the playoffs.  Tipton lost 35-21 at Williamsburg in the first round.  Tipton played well most of the season, winning two of their first three games and going on a season best four-game win streak after a tough loss to state ranked Anamosa in their third game of the season.  Wins over North Cedar, NE Goose Lake, Camanche and Monticello sealed a playoff bid.  The Tigers had a chance to move up in playoff position by beating state ranked Mt. Vernon in the regular season finale, but fell 44-7 to the eventual class 2A state runner-up.  The Mustangs played well at the end of the 2015 season.

The Tigers lost a lot of offensive and defensive production and had a large senior class graduate.

On offense, Tipton will have a new quarterback after senior Adam Hermsen graduated after throwing for 1,031 yards and 8 touchdowns and rushing for 423 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Also gone is Tipton single season, most touchdowns in a season, rusher Koby Johnston.  Johnston rushed for 1,549 yards and 24 touchdowns with a 6.2-yard average.

The Tigers quarterback position is still undetermined as there is a fiece competition among Daulton Mente, junior Ben Emrich and freshman Frank Biermann.  Running the football this season will be the whoever wins the quarterback spot, senior Daulton Mente (408 yards, 4 TD’s), senior Dalton Clark (224 yards) and senior Brendan Claussen.

Mente is the top receiver back with 285 yards on 17 receptions and 1 touchdown but, if he is the quarterback, that will open up opportunities for new players to step up.  Zach Ford and Dalton Clark return with some experience at receiving as well.

Dalton Clark is the top defensive player returning.  Clark had 63 tackles which was second on the team last year.  Zach Ford had 58 tackles returns as well and was third on the Tigers team in tackles.  2015 seniors Spencer Gritton (73 tackles), Johnston (55 tackles), Cameron Ihrig (49 tackles) and Jordan Challis (6 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 44 tackles) all graduated.

On special teams, the Tigers will be looking for a placekicker after Kim Green-Hodge graduated.  Hodge made 37 PAT’s and handled kick-off duty.  Brendan Claussen, who had 21 kick off attempts, could slide into handling those duties.  Tipton will also have to find a punter as both Adam Hermsen (37.2 ave.) and Griffin Ormsby (40.0 ave.) both graduated.  The return game will be handed to a combination of Mente, Claussen, Emrich and Dillon McCollough.

Tipton will play five home games this season including their 2016 season opener on August 26th against Wilton.  Tipton will host Jesup on September 16 for homecoming.  Other home games are Bellevue on September 30, West Branch on October 14 and North Cedar on October 21.

Gone From 2015: Adam Hermsen, Griffin Ormsby, Spencer Gritton, Dylan Binns, Koby Johnston, Nate Moeller, Jordan Challis, Cameron Ihrig, Tyson Gilbert, Hunter McCollough, Reuben Mohr, Trysten Schwenker, Matt Rowold, Gage Garner, Dawson Hilbert, Nathan Owen.

Back From 2016: Dalton Clark, Daulton Mente, Brendan Claussen, Dillon McCollough, Zach Ford, Zach Jones, Logan Schroeder, Kolton Crock, Blaise Thumma, Ryan Youkovitz, Ben Emrich, Hunter Tenley, Keith Penningroth, Trenton Hilbert, Jake McDonald, Andrew Roling, Will Avey, Brandon Holladay.

New Faces: Chance Koch, Quinten Mesick, Frank Biermann, John Crowley, Jason Storjohann, Connor Hermiston, Billy Fonner.

Next Man In For Wildcats

DURANT — The Durant Wildcats lost a lot of senior talent from last season’s 1-8 year.  The Wildcats record was not an indication of the way the team played however, as the Wildcats lost two games by 14 points or less and another game that got away late in the second half.  Three football players from last year will play college athletics with two playing football this fall.  This is a season of opportunity for the Wildcats who look to improve on their 2015 record.

The Wildcats won one game last season, a 24-13 victory at Wapello in the third game of the season.  The Arrows finished the season 3-6.  In that game the Wildcats had two senior running backs over 100 yards with Brandon Dykes rushing for 182 yards and Gavin Blake rushing for 129 yards.

Both Dykes and Blake were all-district selections last season.  Both ended their careers with over 1,000 yards rushing.  Blake led the Wildcats in rushing last season with 822 yards and 4 touchdowns while Dykes was second on the team in rushing with 650 yards.  Dykes also caught 26 passes for 351 yards while Blake caught 20 passes for 326 yards.

Both Dykes and Blake graduated as did senior quarterback Will Bentley.  Bentley passed for 1,284 yards and 10 touchdowns and ended his career as one of the best quarterbacks in Durant history.  He also was an All-State punter.

Durant will turn the keys of the offense over to Leo Callison.  Callison saw limited time last season, but has guided the junior varsity team and has confidence to step under center.  

The Wildcats will have to replace most of their running back stable from last year.  Only Jacob Prunchak returns from last year.  Durant is a little better in the receiving corps as leading receiver Mason Compton is back after a team leading 25 receptions for 426 yards and a touchdown.  Jake Conley and Curtis Lilienthal also are back.  Conley could be a versatile option on the offensive side of the football.

Defensively, Blake led in tackles with 117 tackles and earned All-State honors.  Dykes had 89 tackles and 6 sacks.  Stewart Brennen is the top returning tackler back after totalling 38 tackles last season.

Callison will handle placekicking duty while the Wildcats will look to replace Bentley as the team's punter.

Durant will be in class 1A district 3 with Cedar County teams Tipton, North Cedar and West Branch.  The Wildcats will have five home games this year, with every other week playing a game on their home field.  Durant opens the 2016 season at home against non-district foe Columbus Junction.  The Wildcats other non-district game is at rival Wilton on September 2.  The Wildcats will have home games with Maquoketa Valley September 9, North Cedar on September 23, Tipton October 7 and Jesup on October 21.

Gone From 2015:  Will Bentley, Chris Saley, Lake Koenig, Gavin Blake, Noah Cawiezell, Brandon Dykes, Tanner Kleppe, Jacob Mangels, Austin Keppy, Chase Voelkers, Drew Larion, Shane Harris, Reece Bird, Ty Chenault, Jordan Craig, Nathan Heick, Drake Miller, Cole Stineman.

Back From 2015: Cole Miedema, Bryce Lafrenz, Leo Callison, Curtis Lilienthal, Jacob Conley, Tristan Hughes, Isaiah Werthmann, Gage Finke, Cale Frett, Dawson Frett, Mason Compton, Jacob Prunchak, Jarad Custer, Clayton Miller, Mason Bird, Collin Merschman, Jonah Werth, Alan Hammell, Stewart Brennen, Denver Feuerbach,

Ethan Schlapkohl, Zac Badtram,

New Faces: Jacob Nietfeldt, Bruce Dillabough,  Matt Fisher, Jared Gothals, Christian Gottsche, Tanner Hoon, Kody Koberg, Joe Lilienthal, Marcus Engstler, Drew DeLong, Logan Callison, Lucas Callison, Jake Willkomm, Brendan Paper, Will Lossi, Luke Whitlock, Caine Dominquez.  

Beavers Look To Build On 18-Win Season

WILTON — The Wilton volleyball team returns many players from a team that was 18-14 last season and lost to Durant in the first round of the 2A playoffs.  The Beavers started the season 5-0 and won eight of their first nine matches.  Later in the season, Wilton had a four-match winning streak.

Gone from last year are Megan Drumm, Lexi Grage, Allison Bosten and Renee Kerr.  Drumm had 285 digs and was third on the team in serving, going 267-287 with 20 aces.  Bosten had 18 kills and served 67-71 with 8 aces.

Wilton returns seven players from their rotation last season.  Back this season are Emily Lange, Kali Milder, Lexi Maurer, Kortney Drake, Aubrey Putman, Reagan Scarboro, Amanda Fowler and Kallie Poor.

The Beavers return their top-6 hitters last year.  Sophomore Aubrey Putman led the team in kills with 209 while senior Reagan Scarboro had 182.  Other returners senior Amanda Fowler (90 kills), sophomores Kortney Drake (69 kills) and Emily Lange (61 kills) and juniors Lexi Maurer (35 kills) and Kallie Poor (24 kills) return.  Maurer and Poor along with Kali Milder return as the leading servers back as well.

The Beavers return top setter Kallie Poor who had 487 assists last season.  Drake (50), Fowler (32) and Lange (31) return as top blockers and Maurer and three others return leading the back row.

Wilton will play in tournaments at English Valleys, Easton Valley, Wilton, Springville and Washington.  The Beavers play home matches against Mid-Prairie, Tipton, Iowa City Regina and West Branch.

Gone From 2015: Megan Drumm, Lexi Grage, Allison Bosten, Renee Kerr

Back From 2015: Emily Lange, Kali Milder, Lexi Maurer, Kortney Drake, Aubrey Putman, Reagan Scarboro, Amanda Fowler, Kallie Poor.

New Faces: Annabel Grings, Eleney Owens, Taylor Goldermann, Karissa Storjohann, Tatum Oveson.

Wildcats Want To Stay Among RVC South Leaders

Durant's Hannah Happ serves during a match with North Cedar.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

DURANT — The Durant Wildcats reached a class 2A substate match for the second time in as many years, but fell short of their goal of reaching the state tournament.  The Wildcats run the past two seasons has been remarkable as girl’s team sports of volleyball, basketball and softball each reached substate play, on the cusp of their sport’s respective state tournament.  This season, the Wildcats will look to continue that success and will come into the season off of a 23-10 season.

Gone from last season are Maddi Neitfeldt, Courtney Wiese, Sydney Randolph, Danielle Schlapkohl, Brinn Grunder, Rikki Gregoire, Miranda Cox, Shannon Telsrow, Sierra Semsch.  Telsrow led the Wildcats in kills with 293 while Grunder added 216 kills.  Both were among the team leaders in serving.  Telsrow served 314-327 with 30 aces while Grunder served 292-331 with 37 aces.  Telsrow was second on the team in assists with 236 and digs with 275.  Grunder was second in blocks with 38.

Durant will play weekend tournaments this season at Wilton, Benton Community, NE Goose Lake and Davenport West.  Durant will host rival Wilton on Thursday, September 1.  The Wildcats will also play home matches against Iowa City Regina, West Branch and West Liberty.  

Durant returns setter Ruby Kappeler who had a team high 315 assists to go with 146 digs.  Kappeler served 249-293 with 26 aces.

Sophomore hitters Kamryn Meyer (179 kills) and Aubrin Dittmer (47 kills) will anchor the front row.  Senior Cathy Ralfs also is back after 26 kills, serving 254-277 with 35 aces, 79 assists and leading the team in digs with 436.

Gone From 2015: Maddi Neitfeldt, Courtney Wiese, Sydney Randolph, Danielle Schlapkohl, Brinn Grunder, Rikki Gregoire, Miranda Cox, Shannon Telsrow, Sierra Semsch.

Back From 2015: Cathy Ralfs, Aubrin Dittmer, Hannah Happ, Ruby Kappeler, Annie Taylor, Sierra Gregoire, Kamryn Meyer, Mallory Warner.

New Faces: Emilee Voss.

Tigers Look To Build On Breakthrough Season

Tipton's Jamie Kofron puts a kill down last season during the Tigers 21-13 season.  Tipton returns many from that team and looks to continue to climb the RVC Ladder.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor

TIPTON — The Tipton Tiger volleyball team had a season for the ages last year.  Tipton won 21 matches and entered the class 2A Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union rankings last year and finished with a winning record overall, at 21-13 and in the conference, 6-5.  The Tigers say goodbye to a talented group of seniors and other player that transferred, but return many familiar faces looking to make their mark.

Gone from last year are Michele O’Haver, Alyssa Crock, Maggie Bormann, Kalyn Howe, Sami Pruess and Alex Wiese.  O’Haver is playing volleyball in college.  She missed some time with injury last year and still had 40 kills, served 41-45 and had 33 digs and 13 blocks.  Crock, Bormann and Howe made up the back row. Howe had 60 digs, 31 assists and 89 kills.  Bormann served 278-297 with 22 aces a team high 354 digs and 11 assists while Crock served 282-311 with 15 aces with 229 digs.  Reserve Sami Pruess also graduated and 2015 freshman Alex Wiese transferred to another school.

Tipton returns Kailee Meyer, Laura Webb, Allie Ryan, Emily Hermsen, Jamie Kofron, KiaLeigh Rickard-Urban, Amanda Smith, Blake Ehler and Bekka Falkers.

Sophomore hitters Blake Ehler and Jamie Kofron return as does senior Bekka Falkers to give the Tigers three hitters.  Ehler had 177 kills and Kofron 145 as freshmen last year.

Sophomore Amanda Smith took the conference by storm last year, leading the Tigers in assists with 616 and was third on the team in digs with 248.  She was also the top server on the Tigers last season, serving 323-344 with 26 aces.  Senior Kailee Meyer returns as a top server as well, after serving 222-234 with 16 aces.

Tipton will play in tournaments at Lisbon, Mt. Vernon, North Cedar and Western Dubuque.  The Tigers will have home matches against Durant, Mid-Prairie, NE Goose Lake and West Branch.  The Tigers open their season at the Lisbon Tournament on August 23.  There, the Tigers have won the tournament more often than not and jump started their season in the process.

Gone From 2015:  Michele O’Haver, Alyssa Crock, Maggie Bormann, Kalyn Howe, Sami Pruess, Alex Wiese.

Back From 2015: Kailee Meyer, Laura Webb, Allie Ryan, Emily Hermsen, Jamie Kofron, KiaLeigh Rickard-Urban, Amanda Smith, Blake Ehler, Bekka Falkers.

New Faces: Kamryn Chapman, Sommer Daniel, Emily Falkers, Hannah Sweeney, Madison O’Leary.

North Cedar Ranked 10th To Start Season

DES MOINES — Two River Valley Conference volleyball teams made the Iowa High School Athletic Union’s top-15 preseason rankings.  The West Branch Bears are ranked 6th to start the season.  The Bears reached the 2014 state tournament and lost to eventual state champion Dike-New Hartford in the first round.  North Cedar entered the 2015 rankings at number 10.  The Knights were ranked most of the year a season ago.  The Knights are coming off of a 29-match win season and their second straight RVC North title.  Other area 2A teams in the rankings are #4 Dike-New Hartford and #14 Denver.

Unity Christian starts the season out as the top ranked team in class 2A.  They reached the semifinals before falling to eventual 2A state champ Dike-New Hartford.

In class 3A, River Valley Conference member West Liberty begins the season ranked 4th after a state tournament run last year.  The Comets fell to Nevada in the first round.

Other area teams ranked are #2 Mt. Vernon, #6 Davenport Assumption, #11 CPU and #13 Solon.  Solon won the class 3A title last year while Mt. Vernon placed second and starts the season ranked 2nd.

Preseason IGHSAU Volleyball Rankings

Class 2A:

1. Unity Christian

2. Hull, Western Christian

3. Sumner-Fredericksburg

4. Dike-New Hartford

5. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont

6. West Branch

7. Tri-Center

8. Grundy Center

9. Lake Mills

10. North Cedar

11. Wapsie Valley

12. Lawton-Bronson

13. Treynor

14. Denver

15. Nashua-Plainfield

Class 3A:

1. Nevada

2. Mt. Vernon

3. Union

4. West Liberty

5. Carroll Kuemper

6. Davenport Assumption

7. Sioux Center

8. Forest City

9. Waterloo Columbus

10. Algona

11. Center Point-Urbana

12. North Polk

13. Solon

14. Spirit Lake

15. Humboldt

Storylines For 2015

1. Can North Cedar take the next step and knock off either West Branch or West Liberty.  The Knights have the talent to do so, and will start the season highly ranked.

2. Youth is served.  Three of the four Conservative teams will have an influx of talent from incoming freshmen.  Tipton, Wilton and Durant all have kids that will see time either as starters or coming off the bench.  The Tigers may have the most freshmen of the three teams with five players starting the year on varsity.

3. No Tipton-North Cedar regular season match.  Though they could play in both the Mt. Vernon and North Cedar tournaments, the annual Tipton-North Cedar match comes to an end.  Due to the River Valley Conference scheduling.  The two school slide off the cross-over rotation for at least two seasons, likely more.  I am guessing that next year, they will be back playing.  This match is too important for both schools and the conference, not to be played, even if it is a non-conference match.

Knights Look To Take Next Step

CLARENCE — The North Cedar Knights had an outstanding season a year ago, winning 29 matches and winning the RIver Valley North Division for the second straight season.  The Knights return most of their roster from last season.  The Knights had winning streaks of 10 and 7 matches during the season and had only two times where they lost two or more matches in a row.

North Cedar had five players total 100 or more kills last season.  Freshman Darby Hawtrey led North Cedar with 271 kills for a 2.27 kill per set average.  She is back for her sophomore season as is sister Madison Hawtrey who as a junior had 212 kills for a 2.10 kill per set average.

A trio of sophomores last season, juniors this season, also did well.  Aubrey Cady had 171 kills, Morgan Sander 127 and Lakaya Lyon 109 kills.

The Knights were a good serving team last season and top server Emily Hay returns after a sophomore season with a .995 serve efficiency (428-for-430) with 26 aces.

The Knights return their top two setters as well.  Ahrendsen had 404 assists while Hay had 352.  The Knights also have three backrow players who had 300 or more digs.  Kate Pruess led North Cedar with 398 or 3.75 per set while Taylor Kress had 314 (3.05 per set) and Madison Hawtrey had 300 (2.97 per set).

The Knights begin the year ranked 10th in class 2A after cracking the 2A rankings for the first time last season, as a member of the River Valley Conference.