Author: Nathan Bloechl

Prep Football: Panthers Fall in Thriller to Fairfield, Other Prep Finals:

The Mount Pleasant football team battled hard and had chances late but it was the Fairfield Trojans who came out on top with a 27-18 win over the Panthers last Friday at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

At one point trailing 20-6 in the third quarter, Mount Pleasant rallied for 12 straights points on Carson Coleman and Payton Hagans touchdowns rushes, but the Panthers would not get closer than 20-18.

Coleman had two total scores, including hooking up with Kyler Stott in the first quarter which knotted the game at 6-6.

He finished 7-of-13 for 147 yards.

Fairfield quarterback Tate Allen iced the game late in the 4th quarter with a touchdown scamper, brining his total touchdown mark to four.

Mount Pleasant, now 0-1, will be back at it next week at Washington.

The Trojans improved to 1-0.

Winfield-Mount Union 84, Moravia 34 

The Winfield-Mount Union football team scored early and often as the Wolves rolled to a 84-34 win over Moravia in Winfield last Friday.

Cam Buffington made his debut at quarterback and it did not disappoint.

The Iowa recruit finished 11-of-15 passing for 288 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing 19 times for 152 yards and four more touchdowns.

Winfield scored 48 points in the second quarter and never looked back.

The Wolves improved to 1-0, they’ll take on Iowa Valley in their homecoming contest.

Moravia fell to 0-1.

New London 52, Calamus-Wheatland 6

New London got their season started with a bang at home, securing a 52-6 win over Calamus-Wheatland.

Led by eight seniors, the Tigers jumped out a 14-0 lead after two possessions and controlled the game from there.

The Tigers rushed for 276 yards as a team and seven rushing scores.

Dominic Lopez completed 1-of-3 passes for 41 yards and one touchdown.

New London, now 1-0, will be off this week after Tri-County conceded their season.

The Tigers will be back in action on September 10th in a matchup of Henry County rivals at home against Winfield-Mount Union.

Kick is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

WACO 56, Springville 24

WACO improved to 2-0 after a 56-24 thrashing of Springville on the road last Friday.

Simeon Reichenbach led the way for WACO on the ground with 10 carries for 155 yards and four touchdowns.

Isaac Oswald had 98 total yards and a touchdown, as well.

The Warriors have outscored their opponents 108-24 through two games.

WACO, now 2-0, will travel to HLV next week for a matchup with the Warriors.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Other area finals:

Fort Madison 43, Keokuk 0

Burlington 27, Washington 18

Columbus 9, Louisa-Muscatine 6 (OT)

Mediapolis 44, Wapello 22

Mid-Prairie 55, West Burlington Notre Dame 13

Solon 63, West Liberty 0

Prep Volleyball: Panthers Go 3-2 on Saturday, Winfield Places 3rd:

The Mount Pleasant volleyball team completed a successful Saturday tournament, going 3-2 at the Grinnell Tournament.

The Panthers picked up three sweep victories — twice over host Grinnell, while dispatching Iowa Valley.

Their two losses came from the hands of Carlisle and Dallas Center-Grimes.

The Panthers, now 5-4, will battle Fairfield tomorrow night in conference action on the road.

First serve is set for 7:15 p.m.

Winfield Finishes 3rd at West Branch Tournament

The Winfield-Mount Union Lady Wolves finished 3rd in the West Branch tournament, picking up wins over Prince of Peace and Wapello, falling to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and West Branch.

Melina Oepping led the way for the team in kills in the four game weekend, with 21.

Keely Malone had 41 assists, while Keetyn Townsley racked up 34 digs.

Winfield upped their ledger to 3-2.

They’ll open Super Conference play on Thursday on the road at Pekin.

College Football: Wesleyan Falls in Road Opener:

Iowa Wesleyan clawed within 10-7 in the second quarter but saw Saint Ambrose score 28 unanswered points as the Fighting Bees earned a 45-13 win over the Tigers on Saturday.

Saint Ambrose racked up nearly 600 yards of total offense, rushing for 336 yards on 51 attempts.

Gavin Esquivel paced the Tigers aerial attack completing 25-of-44 passes for 218 yards and one score.

Hezekiah Hunter carried the ball 10 times for 18 yards and a touchdown.

Cade Gorzny spearheaded the Fighting Bees ground game with 106 yards on nine totes, while T’Nahleg Hall had 17 carries for 96 yards and a score.

Wesleyan, now 0-1, will look to get back on track when they host Missouri Baptist this weekend.

Kick is set for 3:00 p.m. from Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

 

Prep Football: Friday Football Feast Commences Tonight:

It’s really here, the start of the Iowa High School football season gets underway with several teams in action.

In our featured matchup, Mount Pleasant will host Fairfield at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Coverage on FM 105.5 and kilj.com will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the Panther Tailgate Show.

It will be a different cast of characters for the Panthers this year, after graduating several seniors from last year’s squad especially up front along the offensive line.

Head coach Shawn Striegel is taking a chameleon approach to offensive playcalling, primarily focusing on what the defense is giving. Striegel says that approach will allow him to cater the offense specific to the opponent each week.

“I tell you what, it depends on the team we are playing. We are going to take what the defense is going to give us. We have different skillsets at quarterback and running back — and that’s not even getting into our wide receivers who are [multiple] as well. It’s going to be interesting because there’s so many different things we can do as well” Striegel said.

In other area games tonight, which there are many, the New London football team will start their quest ranked inside the top-10 in some 8-man polls across the state.

The Tigers, under veteran head coach Mark McSorely, are poised to make more noise this year after falling in the second round of the playoffs one year ago.

They’ll open up with a matchup with Calamus-Wheatland at New London tonight, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.

Dominic Lopez is expected to make the start at quarterback for the Tigers.

WACO will hit the road tonight, under long time head coach Chad Edeker. The Warriors will take on Springville in Springville, with kick set for 7:00 p.m. — in what should be a great early season litmus test for the Warriors.

Other area matchups tonight:

• West Burlington/Notre Dame at Mid-Prairie
• Central Lee at Van Buren County
• Mediapolis at Wapello
• Moravia at Winfield-Mount Union
• Washington at Burlington
• Keokuk at Fort Madison

College Football: Wesleyan Ready to Take Flight Tomorrow:

The Iowa Wesleyan football team is ready to take flight tomorrow afternoon when they travel to take on Saint Ambrose in the season opener for both squads.

Head coach M.D. Daniels is ready to see more fireworks from his offense, who looks more in-sync in year two of the installation of offensive coordinator Kiefer Price’s Air Raid attack — which was popularized in Mount Pleasant by Hal Mumme and Mike Leach.

“A lot smoother, Gavin Esquivel is coming back, he’s super sharp, he’s in shape and he’s been nominated a team captain. The guys’ we brought have clicked” Daniels said.

“During camp it was great to see how explosive our offense was.”

Saint Ambrose has won the last four meetings between the two schools, most recently in 2012, which was a 23-14 Fighting Bees triumph.

Saturday’s contest will kick at 1:00 p.m., the Tiger Tailgate Show will begin at 12:45 p.m.

Prep Volleyball: W-MU Wins, Panthers Split:

W-MU 3, Keokuk 1 

Bradie Buffington poured in 14 kills as the Winfield-Mount Union Lady Wolves won in four sets over Keokuk last night in nonconference season opener for both squads.

Melina Oepping chipped in with eight kills, while Keely Malone provided the service with 19 assists.

Keetyn Townsley was sublime in the back row with 31 digs.

Now 1-0, the Lady Wolves will be off tonight but back at it tomorrow in the ever popular West Branch tournament.

Ottumwa 2, Mount Pleasant 0

Mount Pleasant 2, Davis County 1 

The Mount Pleasant volleyball split two matches in a varsity triangular at Ottumwa last night, falling to the host 2-0, while defeating Davis County 2-1.

Kenna Lamm was a maestro from the front row, pacing the Panthers in kills — Raylyn Seberg provided the service.

Mount Pleasant, now 2-2, will play in the Grinnell Tournament on Saturday.