8-Player All-District 6 Teams: WACO’s Louden Huisenga and WMU’s Cooper Buffington Repeat as MVPs

By Slaten Swords · Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 11:13 pm CDT

Prep Football- Iowa Valley and WACO were eliminated from the playoffs last Friday bringing around the 8-Player District 6 All-District Team and despite finishing second in the district, WACO nabbed the most First Team All-District spots at eight.

Iowa Valley

The Tigers unleashed an explosive offense that scored 70 or more points in six of their ten games this past season. Sophomore quarterback Nolan Kriegel was a big reason why as he took home Offensive MVP.

Kriegel led the district in total touchdowns with 55, rushing touchdowns with 36, and total offensive yards with 2,885 yards. The sophomore also had the best quarterback rating and the highest yard per carry average with 8.9—minimum of 58 carries.

Also making the First Team on offense was offensive lineman Mason Hoyt, a sophomore, and senior Owen Brat as his 331 receiving yards and six touchdowns earned him a First Team Utility spot.

Defense was where the Tigers made their mark with Caleb Haack and Ian Smith gaining spots on First Team defensive line, Chance Hoyt earned First Team linebacker, and the ball hawking sophomore Layne Peska was named First Team defensive back.

Haack lived in the backfield of opposing offenses as he tallied 24.5 tackles for a loss (TFL) and Smith added 12.5 TFLs to the team total. Haack also led the district with 13 receiving touchdowns. Hoyt led the team in tackles with 43 total tackles and nabbed an interception.

Layne Peska flew all over the field with 39.5 tackles to complement his six interceptions, including a pick-six. He also added two kick return touchdowns.

Dallas Sherman was named a Second Team offensive lineman, while Josh Reed was given the Golden Spikes, which is given to players who were injured for all or part of the season and did not play enough games to earn All-District honors.

The Tiger finished the season with an 8-2 record, their most wins in a season since 2018. Their perfect record in district play also gave the Tigers aa district championship as they climbed the rankings all the way up to #7. For all of the accolades, Casey Krull took home Coach of the Year honors.

WACO

Week three marked a clear transition for WACO as the Warriors found their footing on the offensive line and started to run the ball. Their defense also stepped up down the final stretch of the season, allowing only 18 points per game.

“We’ve come so far since Week 3 when we lost to Iowa Valley and we were sort of scratching our head, what we’re going to do and these kids really responded” said head coach Chad Edeker. “You know, we found a running game, you know, we did a really nice job of running the ball the last two weeks. You know, we did a lot of stuff. Our D line came together and started playing great, you know. It stings right now, but I tell the boys, you know, as we get through the end of the season here, we get to our banquet stuff. This was a really good year. I mean we you know second round of playoffs are nothing to scoff at him and the eight [teams] that are left are guaranteed #1 are playing right now and you know and we were #2 and we fought hard to get where we were.”

For his effort on defense, senior Louden Huisenga claimed his second Defensive MVP honor. He tied for the team lead and second in the district in total tackles with 73, while adding 5.5 TFLs and an interception. Huisenga also rushed for 1,072 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Gage Samo was named First Team wide receiver as the senior collected 30 receptions for 479 yards and seven touchdowns. Owen Wolf, a senior, helped pave the way for the offense to gather 1,642 passing yards and 1,668 rushing yards for a balanced attack.

On defense, the 6’7” Adam Stafford led a tough Warrior defense with 16 TFLs, while adding four sacks and 32.5 total tackles. The secondary provided a blanket with Clayton Miller and Isaac Rich each garnering First Team defensive back honors.

Miller provided the defense with 73 tackles, 12.5 tackles, and three interceptions. He also led the offense at the quarterback position with 23 touchdowns and 41 passing touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Rich also dominated both ways with a team leading four interceptions, 572 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.

Joel Meyer was named First Team Defensive Utility as the senior ranked third on the team in tackles with 57 and recovered two fumbles.

WACO held the edge in special teams with Niles Reichenbach nailing 45 of his 52 extra points and 3 of his 7 field goals with a long of 34, earning him First Team Kicker status. Hayden Shelman’s five return touchdowns grabbed him First Team Special Team/Returner.

WACO finished the season with an 8-2 record, going 4-1 in district play.

Winfield-Mt. Union

The Wolves potent offense propelled them to a 5-4 record on the season and third place in the district with their third consecutive trip to the postseason. Leading the way for that offense was Cooper Buffington, the Lineman MVP for the second consecutive season.

The senior paved the way for the Wolves to gain 1,358 rushing yards and 1,851 passing yards. Additionally, Buffington led the team in tackles with 57 total tackles, 12 of which happened in the backfield.

This freed up the duo of quarterback Jake Edwards and running back Lane Genkinger. Edwards was second in the district with 22 passing touchdowns, while leading the pack of five with 1,663 passing yards. Edwards added three interceptions on defense, including two pick-sixes.

Genkinger, who did not expect to have to catch the ball much this season, led the team with 821 receiving yards on 41 receptions. He added 796 rushing yards to finish the season with 26 total touchdowns.

Max Edwards was another main target for Edwards as he hauled in 31 receptions for 552 yards and seven touchdowns as the junior earned First Team wide receiver. Lastly, Grant Anderson teamed up with Buffington to earn First Team offensive lineman.

Nicholas Sparrow claimed Second Team utility as he finished with 28.5 tackles, two interceptions, and four receiving touchdowns.

New London

The Tigers ended the season with a 2-6 record, defeating English Valleys and HLV. London Franklin took home First Team running back honors for his 471 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. The junior added 514 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Nicholas Loyd, a junior, was named First Team offensive utility as the Tiger helped direct the offense to four games of scoring 30 points or more.

On defense, Gavin Menke-Bailey grabbed First Team linebacker for his team leading 62.5 total tackles. The senior was also a dual threat on offense with 1,330 total yards and 18 total touchdowns.

Corbin Jacobs-Jewell nabbed Second Team All-District linebacker for his team leading three sacks and six TFLs.

English Valleys

Cael Grove was First Team defensive utility, while Ben Coffman and Kane Axmear made the Second Team All-District team. Lastly, Deshon Anderson was named to the Golden Spikes team.

HLV-TC

Cael Weisskopf claimed First Team All-District running back as the marquee player for HLV. Keegan Gorsh was named Second Team quarterback and Levi Molyuneux made the Golden Spikes team.

Sports, November 4th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

Postseason Volleyball

The 2024 state tournament officially gets underway today with Class 5A leading off the day with Pleasant Valley facing off against Waukee at noon. Ankeny Centennial will take on Cedar Falls, Dowling Catholic will compete against Indianola, and Ankeny will tango with Waukee Northwest.

Class 4A’s top seed Xavier will face off against Sergeant Bluff-Luton today at 4 pm. Clear Creek Amana will take on Pella. Bishop Heelan will compete against Carlisle and North Scott will look to advance over Glenwood.

Class 3A will start the day tomorrow, November 5th, with Mt. Vernon going against Mid-Prairie at 10 am. Wahlert Catholic versus Kuemper Catholic at noon. Western Christian will take on Sioux Center and West Delaware will face off against Assumption.

The state tournament matchups for Class 2A will be Denver versus Boyden-Hull, Dike-New Hartford will take on Aplington-Parkersburg, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont will compete against Regina Catholic, and Beckman Catholic will face off against South Hardin. The tournament will begin at 2 pm tomorrow for Class 2A. 

#3 Holy Trinity Catholic will take on #6 BCLUW in the first round of the state tournament tomorrow night at 8:25. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 8:05 pm. 

The other Class 1A matchups include: Ankeny Christian versus Don Bosco, Riverside will compete against North Tama, and Saint Ansgar will take on Janesville. 

Postseason Football

In Class 2A, Mid-Prairie will take on PCM on Friday, November 8th, at 7 on the road. 

In Class 3A, #5 Mt. Vernon will travel to take on Algona on Friday at 7 pm. 

High School Cross Country

The Class 1A and Class 2A state meets were completed over the weekend and here’s how our local teams performed.

For the girls’ Class 1A state meet, Earlham took the team crown as Danville finished in 16th place with Alaina Gourley claiming 51st place with a time of 20 minutes and 42 seconds to lead the Bears. Delany Newberry finished in 97th place.

For the individual qualifiers, Iris Garza of Columbus took 72nd place with a time of 21 minutes and 16 seconds and the duo of Kayley Snowgren and Rylee Philips of Van Buren County grabbed 75th and 87th place, respectively.

For the boys’ Class 1A race, Danville led the southeast Iowa teams as the Bears claimed 7th as a team with the senior Jackson Shacklett finishing with a time of 16 minutes and 32 seconds, which was good enough for 13th place.

Columbus had Ty Muniz grab 25th place as the Wildcats finished in 11th as a team, while Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge raced to a 27th place time of 17 minutes and 1 second as the Warriors took 12th as a team. 

For individual qualifiers, Winfield-Mt. Union’s Kohlby Newsom turned in his best performance of the season, capturing 9th place with a time of 16 minutes and 29 seconds. Jude Dykstra of WACO claimed 19th with a time of 16 minutes and 46 seconds. 

The Class 2A girls’ state meet saw Mid-Prairie conquer the field for a team championship. For our individual qualifiers, Notre Dame/West Burlington had two runners participate with Kaitlyn Kipp finishing with a time of 20 minutes and 44 seconds, the 47th best time, while Hannah Fruehling claimed 61st place. 

On the boys’ side for Class 2A, Mediapolis had a trio of runners compete as Simon Wendell led the charge with a 32nd place time of 17 minutes and 8 seconds. Will Schmidgall’s time of 17 minutes and 59 seconds gave him 85th place and Mason Lindeen finished in 130th to round out the Bulldogs. Oelwein took home the team championship followed by Mid-Prairie.

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will face off against Des Moines Area Community College on Wednesday, November 6th, in the Region 11 Quarterfinals at 7 pm.

College Football

Iowa kept the Heartland Trophy in their possession after thrashing Wisconsin 42-10. Kaleb Johnson continued his phenomenal season with a 135 yard rushing performance as he plowed into the endzone three times in the victory. The Hawkeyes will travel to UCLA on Friday, November 8th, at 8:05 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the broadcast.

#17 Iowa State was eyeing their best start in program history but Texas Tech dashed those hopes with a 12 play, 71 yard drive that ended with a walk off rushing touchdown for the Red Raiders to win 23-22. Rocco Becht threw for 299 yards and two scores as Jayden Higgins went off for 10 receptions, 140 yards, and one receiving touchdown. The Cyclones will look to get back in the win column against Kansas on the road on Saturday, November 9th, at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.

This Day in Sports History

1934 – After posting seven straight shutouts to start the NFL season, the Detroit Lions are scored upon for the first time, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 40-7. It remains the longest consecutive shutout streak of games won in a season.

1980 – MLB Philadelphia Phillie Steve Carlton wins 3rd NL Cy Young Award as he helped the Phillies win their first World Series title.

2001 – MLB World Series: the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees, 3-2 in Game 7. Diamondbacks claim their first title; co-MVP: Arizona pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling.

Get In Bed With Henry County Health Center!

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 6:03 am CDT

The HCHC Foundation stopped by KILJ last week for their monthly update. The foundation has been around since 1990. Their mission is simple; To support the health and wellbeing in Henry County residents. The HCHC Foundation just awarded nine different Henry County organizations with grant funds, so those nine organizations can continue serving the county. HCHC Foundation Director, Savannah Collins also told us about a new fundraising campaign for 2025…

HCHC Foundation Director, Collins understands the hesitancy when donating to any sort of charity, and whether or not it stays local…

If you would like to support the HCHC Foundation as part of their New Beds campaign, or any other campaign for the Henry County Health Center, visit HCHC.org

MPHS Veterans Breakfast set for November 15th.

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, November 4th, 2024 at 5:33 am CDT

Mount Pleasant High School Students are gearing up for the annual Veterans Breakfast.  MPCS Superintendent, John Henriksen give us details…

 

The annual Veterans Breakfast is Friday, November 15th from 7am – 8am.

Superintendent, John Henriksen also wants to remind parents that now is the time to sign up for their Parent Teacher Conference’s. Invitations for PTC are going out soon and those Parent Teacher Conferences will be held November 7th & 8th.

Jared Paul Smith

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at 10:40 pm CDT

Jared Paul Smith, 30, of Mount Pleasant, died peacefully Saturday, November 2, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.

Jared was born February 15, 1994, in Mount Pleasant, the son of David and Janet (McMillan) Smith. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 2013. Jared was confirmed and baptized at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where he continued to be a faithful member, as well as a member of Knights of Columbus. Jared worked as a greeter at Orscheln’s, welcoming everyone with a big smile. He was an Eagle Scout, member of the Tribe of the Silver Tomahawk and a nine year 4-H member.

Jared could often be found fishing and spending time at his Make A Wish cabin. He was particularly fond of the outdoors watching squirrels, birds and meticulously maintaining his Purple Martin houses. Picking out pecans was one of his favorite pastimes as well as completing puzzles, Legos, and the time spent making wooden crosses. Jared loved music, singing and belting out Johnny Cash during karaoke. Jared was proud to exhibit his Case lawn tractor and Farmall H tractor at Old Threshers. A unique hobby of Jared’s was polishing grommets from worn out American Flags and giving them to Veterans. He was passionate about Mount Pleasant Panther football. Jared loved root beer, peach rings, and ‘skinless’ pumpkin pie, meaning no crust. He loved listening to KILJ.

Jared did not let Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy define him. He would send Christmas cards all over the United States to others with his same condition. Jared’s family would like to thank the University of Iowa Neuromuscular Clinic for the care he received.

Jared is survived by his parents David and Janet Smith; sister Hannah (Drew) Perry and son Cooper of Solon; brother Cole (Shay Slifka) Smith of Lone Tree; grandparents Velna Smith of Salem, Robert and Elizabeth McMillan of Stanley; best friend Grant Davidson of Mount Pleasant; and his faithful companion dog Mollie.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Edward Smith, uncle James McMillan, and beloved golden retriever Penny.

Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Rev. Ross Epping will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, at the Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. The family will greet friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. A Vigil Wake Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Midwest Old Thresher’s for accessibility improvement. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Jared and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Glenn Wilburn Ferrell

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at 10:32 pm CDT

Glenn Wilburn Ferrell died October 14, 2024, at the Parkview Care Center in Fairfield, Iowa, due to complications of a long illness.

A visitation for family and friends will be held 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 8th at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield. Expect there to be bagpipes. Burial will be at Prairie Center Cemetery in Packwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Fairfield High School FFA, or Jefferson County 4-H and mailed to the family at 2096-155th St. Fairfield, IA 52556.
Glenn was born September 4, 1939, at the Jefferson County Hospital to James “J.W.” and Mary Lee (Harmond) Ferrell. Glenn was the youngest of three boys. He was baptized and attended the First Baptist Church in Fairfield until joining St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield after his marriage.

Glenn attended Blackhawk #7, a country school, where he started classes a year early as the teacher needed one more student to keep the school open. He then attended Fairfield High School, graduating in 1957. While attending Fairfield, he played football and was active in FFA, holding many offices. He was also awarded the Iowa Farmer Degree. Following graduation, he attended Iowa State University and completed the Department of Agriculture Studies Winter Program. He then returned to Fairfield to farm with his father. Glenn believed in soil conservation and was one of the first farmers in the county to practice no-till and low-till farming.

When not on the tractor, Glenn worked at the Malleable Iron Foundry and Falco Aluminum. Glenn also worked with Bob Kiefer, doing whatever jobs needed to be done.

His family life began when he married Constance “Connie” Fedler, April 30, 1966, at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. The new couple moved to a farm south of Veo and farmed fields north of Fairfield. They welcomed their son, Joseph, in March 1967 and their daughter, Jill, in 1974.

In 1973, Glenn was selected to attend the Young Farmers Educational Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. He, Norman Baird, and three other farmers learned to facilitate and exchange information with others in agriculture to build understanding and strengthen agricultural practices. This conference resulted in the formation of the Iowa Young Farmers Educational Association in Iowa. Glenn was also honored to serve as a representative to many other national institutes and worked with Fairfield Agriculture instructor Roger Harrington.

As agriculture was the center of his life. In 1977, they moved to the farm north of Fairfield, where they raised cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans, and hay. Glenn was a 4-H leader and served on the Jefferson Country Fair Board for many years.

Glenn was an avid participant in his Class of ‘57 reunions, often making souvenirs for his classmates. He also enjoyed playing card games with friends. His passion for woodworking leaves an enduring legacy with family and friends receiving rolling pins, wooden spoons, cutting boards, Christmas sleds, and sleighs (made from the corncrib boards from Connie’s folk’s farm), as well as other quirky items like outhouses. Ask his niece Shelly about the special one-of-a-kind “spanking spatula.” When Connie and Glenn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, guests all received a commemorative stir stick. Glenn appreciated his family and heritage and had pottery crafted at Iron and Lace that featured his grandfather’s barn in Tennessee. Those pieces are treasured by his brothers, nieces, nephews, and children. Glenn even crafted the box that will house his cremains.

Anyone who knows Glenn knows he was a collector. He loved books, Fostoria American glass, art, and magazines. He especially loved pieces from Rick Cain and had the opportunity to visit his studio in Gainesville, Florida. His love of Fostoria started when he and Connie chose it as their wedding crystal. He even built Connie a solid cherry cupboard wide enough to hold her torte plate and 20-inch punch bowl. Glenn was an avid reader and loved Westerns, but he would also devour a cookbook like a novel. He put his hundreds of cookbooks to good use as he was a fantastic cook. His jambalaya was always a family favorite (except when it was a little too spicy, even for Glenn). Glenn also loved dogs, especially Boxer dogs. The first words out of his mouth to Joe were always to ask about the “pups.” Over the years, Glenn also cared for countless farm cats (and the accompanying raccoons and possums).

Even as his health deteriorated over the past few years, he still loved being with family and friends, celebrating holidays and birthdays.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law; brothers, Jim and Bob; brothers-in-law, Ted, Ed, and Mark Fedler; sisters-in-law, Christine (Fedler) Olson and Lori (Fedler) Humphrey; and sisters-in-law, Vivienne and Alice Ferrell. Left to celebrate his life are his wife, Connie; son, Joe (Tammy) of Roland, Iowa; daughter, Jill (Karl) of Fairfield; and grandchildren, Julia (James) Erickson of Richfield, Minnesota, Izadora of Des Moines; and the adorable three-year-old, Niko, whom Grandpa taught to love cowboy shows.

Robert L. Lerdal

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at 10:27 pm CDT

Robert L. Lerdal, 83, of New London, died Friday, November 1, 2024 at Bickford Cottage, Burlington.  He was born June 12, 1941 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Lloyd M. and Ruby L. Knudson Lerdal.  On December 19, 1964 at Nashau, Iowa he married Diane P. Eden.  She died June 15, 2009.

Bob was a Belmond High School graduate.  He joined the Navy in 1959 serving in VietNam and was discharged in 1963.  He was an insurance adjuster for Auto-Owners Insurance for twenty-seven years, retiring in 2003.  He was a member of the Southeast Iowa Insurance Association; Deerwood Golf Club; was a former Jaycee member; and a former member of the Belmond fire department.  He enjoyed golfing, hunting and mushroom hunting; and loved attending his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include two sons Greg (Shelly) Lerdal of New London and Richard (Lyndsay) Lerdal of Burlington; grandchildren, Jackie (Josh) Housman, Jake (Haeli) Lerdal, Jessica (Kyle) Helmerson, Chase Lerdal, Casey Davis and Caydee Lerdal; great-grandchildren, Macklynn and Jack Housman, Callen Lerdal, Rhett and Rush Helmerson, Theo Mallott, and Aspen Fett; and one brother Roland “Bud” (Carol) Lerdal.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; infant son Allen; two sisters, Jan and Bev; and two brothers, Tom and Ken.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date at Burge Cemetery, New London.  In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.  A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, November 8th from 4 – 7 pm at Deerwood Golf Club, 2870 Deerwood Golf Drive, New London.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliotfuneralchapel.com.

Phil Speidel – Pending

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 at 10:25 pm CDT

Phil Speidel, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, November 1, 2024 at his son’s residence in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.