High School Football

1,428 days had passed since Mt. Pleasant last celebrated a win at Bob Evans Field. The count officially ended last night as the Panthers beat Tipton into submission 33-24. The game did not start out in Mt. Pleasant’s favor as the Tigers got a defensive stop and drove down the field to put the first points on the board: a 37-yard field goal. However, an injury to starting quarterback Ayden Bosten disrupted the offense and ruined their momentum.

The Panthers offense found their stride with a streaky rushing attack and a passing attack that found some splash plays. Cooper Coleman found the endzone twice in the first half, Payton Walker swiped the Tigers in their own endzone for a safety, and Dylan White nailed his own field goal to take a 19 to 3 lead. But Tipton would not go out without a fight as Wyatt Ham returned a kick 80-yards for a score to cut the lead to 19 to 10 heading into halftime.

Backup quarterback Garret Fitch came out firing in the second half, finding Jacob Boedeker for a passing touchdown to cut the score to 19 to 17. Zach Newton, who finished with nearly 200 total yards, found Avin Troung for a 46-yard passing touchdown–both their first career passing and receiving touchdown–to reclaim a nine point lead, 26 to 17. Again, Fitch went through the air and found Jayson Johnson for a 23-yard touchdown, knocking the lead back down to two, 26 to 24.

That’s when head coach John Bowlin put the responsibility on the offensive line to win the game and a long, grueling drive, helped out by a 35-yard pass to Truong, was punctuated with a one-yard touchdown run by Payton Walker as the Panthers scored the final touchdown of the game, 33-24. Coach Bowlin talked about his offensive line after the game,

“We fought that fourth quarter, and we didn’t give up there. We started moving the line of scrimmage more and more. You know, I thought Nolan Frueh when you go behind that kid, he can move about anybody. He’s a big guy coming at you and he’ll move the whole line of scrimmage if he has to. So, I think these guys are just getting more confident in what they need to do and what our attack is.”

The defense stood their ground and finished their third game in-a-row in the positives in the turnover department. Coach Bowlin talked about the win after the game,

“You know, happy for those guys. They deserve it. You know, first win at home in a long time. So, they came out, you know, we made some mistakes, we came back. Our defense picked us up like they have been all year, and you know, we made some big plays there. I know Zach and Avin hooking up with a couple of big plays for us and then, you know, we found some run game that worked for us and we started hit some holes and just excited for these guys and, you know, got to build on it, keep working for working for next week, you know, move on and get another one.”

The Panthers will take on Burlington on the road on Friday, September 20th, at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame scraped by with a win last night, defeating West Liberty 27-22. The Falcons will host Mid-Prairie at 7:30 pm on Friday. 

WACO’s second half defense slammed the door on Winfield-Mt. Union as the Warriors celebrated homecoming in style 40-24. WACO will hit the road to face off against HLV on Friday at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will square off against Montezuma on Friday at home at 7 pm. 

New London fell to Iowa Valley last night 72-21. The Tigers will travel to Central City on Friday at 7 pm.

Washington needed a comeback, but the Demons kept their undefeated record intact, taking down Fairfield 34-26. Ethan Bisgard had a fine game for the Trojans, including a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Trojans will play Keokuk on Friday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Danville was demolished by Pekin last night 54-10 as dual threat quarterback Will Adam rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The Bears will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Van Buren County was shutout by Highland last night 13-0. The Warriors will look for their first victory against Wapello on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Wapello picked up their first win of the season in dominant fashion last night, drubbing Louisa-Muscatine 38-0. Grant Wilson tallied 136 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the win. 

Central Lee has started 3-0 in back-to-back seasons after taking down Durant 21-7 last night with a rushing attack that culminated in 369 yards. Kayden Calfee led the team with 181 yards and a score, while Bo Herdrich had a pick-six. The Hawks will compete against Davis County on Friday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis had Regina Catholic against the ropes but the Regals proved to be too much, winning 31-21 with Kyle Tracy notching 248 passing yards and three total scores. The Bulldogs will travel to Albia on Friday at 7:30 pm. 

Columbus could not keep up with Lisbon last night, losing 49-6. The Wildcats will attempt to get back in the win column on Friday at 7 pm against Pekin.

In other games from around the way, Mt. Vernon snuck past Benton 15-13, Assumption was blanked by North Scott 35-0, Keokuk snubbed Burlington 45-7, and Fort Madison remained winless after losing 28-12 to Centerville. 

High School Volleyball

Mediapolis and Mt. Pleasant will compete in a tournament at Wilton today.

Fairfield and West Burlington will compete in a tournament at Williamsburg today.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Wapello on Tuesday, September 17th, at 7:30 pm at home. 

WACO will look to get back on track on Tuesday at 7:30 pm against Columbus at home.

Van Buren County will face off against West Burlington on Tuesday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Burlington Notre Dame will compete against Central Lee on the road at 7:30 pm on Tuesday.  

Holy Trinity Catholic will look to continue their run on Tuesday at home against Mediapolis at 7 pm.

New London will square off against Holy Trinity Catholic on Thursday, September 19th, at 7:30 pm at home.

Danville will look to get back in the win column on Thursday against Burlington Notre Dame on the road at 7:30 pm.

High School Cross Country

Danville will run at Oskaloosa on Tuesday, September 17th. 

Central Lee will host a meet on Tuesday with Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County making the trip. 

WACO and Wapello will run on Tuesday at Knoll Ridge Country Club at 5:40 pm.

Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Winfield-Mt. Union, Fairfield, New London, Van Buren County, Danville, Central Lee, and Holy Trinity Catholic will run at Rodeo Park Trail on Thursday, September 19th. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team competed at a triangular last night and was swept by John A. Logan College and Heartland Community College. The Blackhawks will host Northeast Community College on Wednesday, September 18th, at 7 pm. 

College Football

Iowa will attempt to get back on track against Troy at home today with kickoff at 3 pm. The broadcast will be on KILJ 105.5 FM.

Iowa State is on a bye week.

This Day in Sports History

1975 – Milwaulkee Brewer Robin Yount breaks Mel Ott’s record, playing in 242 MLB games as a teen.

1978 – MLB Atlanta Brave Jim Bouton (38) beats the San Francisco Giants, his first win since 1970.

1991 – San Diego State freshman running back Marshall Faulk rushed for an NCAA record 386 yards and scored seven touchdowns as the Aztecs beat Pacific, 55-34.

8-Player

(3-1) WACO 40, (2-1) Winfield-Mt. Union 24

(3-0) Calamus-Wheatland 51, (0-4) HLV 50

(4-0) Iowa Valley 72, (0-3) New London 21

Class A

(3-0) Lisbon 49, (1-2) Columbus 6

(2-1) Highland 13, (0-3) Van Buren County 0

(1-2) Wapello 38, (0-3) Louisa-Muscatine 0

(3-0) Pekin 54, (1-2) Danville 10

Class 2A

(3-0) Central Lee 21, (1-2) Durant 7

(3-0) West Burlington/Notre Dame 27, (0-3) West Liberty 22

(3-0) Davis County 69, (0-3) Cardinal 6

(2-1) Sigourney-Keota 21, (0-3) Mid-Prairie 14

(3-0) Regina Catholic 31, (1-2) Mediapolis 21

(2-1) Chariton 35, (2-1) Albia 14

Class 3A

(2-1) Mt. Pleasant 33, (2-1) Tipton 24

(1-2) Keokuk 45, (1-2) Burlington 7

(3-0) Washington 34, (1-2) Fairfield 26

(3-0) Mt. Vernon 15, (2-1) Benton 13

(1-2) Centerville 28, (0-3) Fort Madison 12

(3-0) North Scott 35, (0-3) Assumption 0

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will stay at home to compete against Tipton tonight at 7 pm for Military Appreciation Night. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

West Burlington/Notre Dame will go against West Liberty tonight at 7:30 pm at home.

WACO will celebrate homecoming tonight at 7 pm against Winfield-Mt. Union. 

New London will host Iowa Valley tonight at 7 pm.

Fairfield will face off against Washington tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Danville is back at home to take on Pekin tonight at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will host Highland tonight at 7 pm for their home opener. 

Central Lee will take on Durant tonight at 7 pm at home.

Mediapolis will attempt to upset Regina Catholic tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

Columbus will hit the road to face off against Lisbon at 7 pm tonight. 

Wapello will compete at home against Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7 pm. 

High School Volleyball

Winfield-Mt. Union spoiled WACO’s homecoming week with a sweep last night, winning 25-19, 25-19, and 25-18. Kellee Milks led the Wolves with 17 kills as Kaelyn Townsley notched four aces in the victory. Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Wapello on Tuesday, September 17th, at 7:30 pm at home. 

WACO will look to get back on track on Tuesday at 7:30 pm against Columbus at home.

Van Buren County fell to Burlington Notre Dame in straight sets last night 25-9, 25-17, and 25-22. The Warriors will face off against West Burlington on Tuesday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Burlington Notre Dame will compete against Central Lee on the road at 7:30 pm on Tuesday. 

Central Lee dominated New London last night in straight sets 25-20, 25-16, and 25-10. Kenna Sandoval tallied 19 assists, while Taylor Jones collected nine kills, three blocks, and two aces in the win. The Tigers will square off against Holy Trinity Catholic on Thursday, September 19th, at 7:30 pm at home.

Danville claimed a hard-fought first set over Mediapolis 28-26 but could not hold off the Bulldogs, losing the next three sets 25-23, 26-24, and 25-13. Bryn Wright had a phenomenal night with 31 assists and eight aces for the Bulldogs with Maddy Carter tabbing 13 kills and five blocks. The Bears will look to get back in the win column on Thursday against Burlington Notre Dame on the road at 7:30 pm.

Mediapolis and Mt. Pleasant will compete in a tournament at Wilton tomorrow, September 14th. 

West Burlington faced 2-0 deficit last night against Holy Trinity Catholic after losing the first two sets 25-17 and 27-25, but rallied back to force a fifth set, taking the third and fourth sets 26-24 and 25-15. However, the Crusaders ended the comeback attempt with a 15-11 fifth set victory. Holy Trinity Catholic will look to continue their run on Tuesday at home against Mediapolis at 7 pm.

Fairfield and West Burlington will compete in a tournament at Williamsburg tomorrow.  

High School Volleyball Rankings

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their latest round of rankings yesterday and three of our local teams remained in the top 15 for their respective classes.

In Class 2A, West Burlington remained put at #9 after entering last night 14-1. The Falcons tout a veteran team as seniors Taryn Snodgrass and Carli Cline each broke the career 1,000-plateau last weekend with Snodgrass grabbing her 1,000th career assist and Cline tabbing her 1,000th career dig. 

In Class 1A, Holy Trinity Catholic kept their #5 ranking. Anna Bendlage has been the captain for the Crusaders this year as she leads the team in assists and aces. Lastly, Burlington Notre Dame moved one spot up in the rankings to #12 this week. Madalynn Knapp has been the main attacker for the Nikes this season with over 110 kills through 15 contests. 

High School Cross Country

Fairfield hosted their invitational last night and the girls’ and boys’ teams for Danville continued their early season dominance as both took 1st place as a team for the Class 1A and 2A teams, while for Classes 3A and 4A the Central DeWitt boys’ team grabbed 1st place and the Fort Madison girls’ team finished with the gold.

Looking at the girls’ Class 1A and 2A race first, Hillcrest Academy’s Marie Yoder took pole position with a time of 20 minutes and 21 seconds, but the Ravens would still finish in 2nd place with 65 points. 

Danville was anchored by Alaina Gourley’s 2nd place time of 21 minutes and 5 seconds as three more Bears finished within the top 10: Delaney Newberry and Abby Arnett grabbed 6th and 7th place, respectively, and Addison Henklevig took 9th place. The Bears finished with 33 team points.

Despite not having a team score, Kaitlyn Kipp and Hannh Fruehling of West Burlington and Kayley Snowgren of Van Buren County each finished in the top 5, with Kipp tabbing a time of 21 minutes and 9 seconds for 3rd place as Fruehling and Snowgren finished right behind her in 4th and 5th place, respectively. Kenna Small of Wapello claimed 8th place for the Arrows. 

Mediapolis finished in 4th place as a team with 76 points with Avery Dietz leading the charge for the Bulldogs with a 15th place time of 24 minutes and 8 seconds. 

On the boys’ side for Classes 1A and 2A, it was a rematch of some of the best runners in the state and a mixup of the top four runners. Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge took gold with a time of 16 minutes and 52 seconds followed by Jackson Shacklett of Danville with a time of 17 minutes flat with Mediapolis’ Will Schmidgall taking 3rd place just a second behind. Kohlby Newsom of Winfield-Mt. Union grabbed 4th place with a time of 17 minutes and 11 seconds.

Helping the Bears finish with a team leading 39 points was Isaac Shinn, Noah Horn, and Nick Powell who finished 7th through 9th, respectively. 

Landry Loeffler’s 6th place finish helped the Warriors grab 47 points and 2nd place as a team. Mediapolis took 3rd place with 64 points and Winfield-Mt. Union tabbed 5th place. 

West Burlington’s Gabe Andrus led the 6th place team effort with a 17th place time of 20 minutes and 11 seconds. Wapello finished in 8th place as Will Parsons took 32nd place. Nathan Bergman of New London finished in 31st place.

Switching to Classes 3A and 4A for the girls’ teams, Iris Dahl of Washington took 1st place with a time of 20 minutes and 28 seconds. Mt. Pleasant finished in 5th as a team with 135 points and Fairfield took 6th place with 141 points. 

The Panthers were led by Quintrie Lee’s 12th place finish with a time of 22 minutes and 19 seconds and Bella Dodds took 22nd place with a time of 23 minutes and 42 seconds. Head coach Lyle Murray called it a solid night of racing as everyone’s time trended in the right direction.

Caroline Van Pelt led the Trojans with a 16th place time of 23 minutes and 9 seconds followed by Alex Jo Steward, who grabbed 21st place. 

For the boys’ teams in Classes 3A and 4A, Fairfield touted 5th place with 145 points, Burlington took 7th place with 182 points, and Mt. Pleasant grabbed 8th place with 189 points. 

Solomon Clauson was Fairfield’s first finisher with a time of 19 minutes and 1 second, which was good enough for 21st place. Mt. Pleasant’s Locken Henderson finished in the top 10 at 7th place with a time of 17 minutes and 58 seconds. 

Danville will run at Oskaloosa on Tuesday, September 17th. 

Central Lee will host a meet on Tuesday with Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County making the trip. 

Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Winfield-Mt. Union, Fairfield, New London, Van Buren County, Danville, Central Lee, and Holy Trinity Catholic will run at Rodeo Park Trail on Thursday, September 19th. 

WACO and Wapello will run on Tuesday at Knoll Ridge Country Club at 5:40 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will compete in a triangular at Heartland Community College tonight with their first contest against John A. Logan College at 5 pm. 

College Football

Iowa will attempt to get back on track against Troy at home tomorrow, September 14th, with kickoff at 3 pm. The broadcast will be on KILJ 105.5 FM.

Iowa State is on a bye week.

This Day in Sports History

1958 – Braves Warren Spahn is the first lefty to win 20 or more games nine times.

1973 – US Congress passes and sends a bill to President Nixon to lift the NFL’s television blackout of sold out games.

2018 – “Thursday Night Football” Cincinnati beats Baltimore 34-23; the first all-female broadcast booth in NFL history as Andrea Kremer calls the game with Hannah Storm.