High School Football
It was a slow start for both teams but Mt. Pleasant wore down Mediapolis to the tune of a 23-7 victory last night, starting the year 1-0 for the third straight season. The Panthers struck first with a two-yard touchdown run by Ryan Helling, yet the Bulldogs evened things up with their own short touchdown surge by Brock Spears. Mt. Pleasant would take a 10 to 7 lead into the half after a 20-yard field goal by Brandon Veloz.
The third quarter was where the Panthers started to fire on all cylinders, as Grayson Walker hit Kaden Schadt, who finished with 103 receiving yards, for a 50-yard touchdown pass before Helling bounced off a couple of would-be tacklers for a 21-yard touchdown scramble. On defense, Adam Denning intercepted his first pass at the varsity level, while Isaiah Lange tallied two sacks. Panther head coach John Bowlin was happy with the win but knows there’s adjustments to be made,
“I thought our second half effort was way better than our first half effort. We kind of settled in a little bit and figured out a few things we were doing wrong. We might have still done them wrong in the second half too on a couple of them. But, you know, it’s always a learning thing. And, you know, I think our kids play with great effort tonight. And, you know, I think we won the turnover battle by, I think two, but I’m not 100% off the top of my head right now. You know, the defense shut them out in the second half and that was huge. You know, played much better, tackled better. And like I said, it’s a physical game. So, a great game to get out of the way and know what we have to bring every week.”
Mt. Pleasant will compete against Knoxville for their first home game of the season on Friday, September 4th, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.
Mediapolis will travel to Keokuk on Friday at 7 pm.
Fairfield decimated Benton last night, 42-14, as Ethan Bisgard finished the night with four touchdowns. The Trojans will hit the road to play Centerville on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Washington fell to Mid-Prairie last night, 35-21. The Demons will host Independence on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Central Lee handled Van Buren County last night, 38-12. Brett Cook threw for 201 yards and scored three total touchdowns in the winning effort, while Jace Duncan hauled in four receptions for 155 yards and a score for the Warriors.
Central Lee will make the trip to Albia on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Van Buren County will face off against Columbus on Friday at 7 pm on the road.
Columbus lost to BGM last night, 63-27.
Wapello dropped a close contest to Louisa-Muscatine last night, 26-20. Wapello will look to bounce back on Friday at 7 pm against Highland on the road.
Winfield-Mt. Union clobbered Easton Valley last night, 72-14.
WACO started the year with a victory over Central City last night, 34-12. The Warriors will clash with Winfield-Mt. Union at home on Friday at 7 pm.
West Burlington/Notre Dame ran away with a 47-25 win over Danville last night. The Falcons will take on Fort Madison at home on Friday at 7 pm.
Danville will head over to Louisa-Muscatine on Friday for a 7 pm kickoff.
High School Girls’ Tennis
Fairfield and Burlington Notre Dame will compete in the Ottumwa Invitational today.
Mt. Pleasant will face off against Burlington on Monday, August 31st, at 4:30 pm.
High School Volleyball
Fairfield, Mt. Pleasant, and Washington will compete in the Grinnell Invite today.
Central Lee will host an invitational today with Burlington Notre Dame, West Burlington, and Van Buren County making the trip.
Winfield-Mt. Union will participate in the Albia Invitational today.
West Burlington will tangle with Fort Madison at 5:30 pm and Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Burlington at 7 pm at the Battle at Bracewell on Monday, August 31st.
Wapello will get back to action when they host the Arrow Tournament on Tuesday, September 1st, with Mediapolis and Columbus making the trip.
High School Cross Country
Washington will compete at the Anamosa Meet today.
Central Lee will head to Prairie for a meet today.
Mt. Pleasant, Danville, and Mediapolis will take part in the Williamsburg Invitational on Tuesday, September 1st, at 4:30 pm.
Wapello, WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Columbus will participate at the Hillcrest Academy Early Bird meet on Tuesday at 5:50 pm.
Van Buren County, Fairfield, and New London will run at the Wildwood Meet on Thursday, September 3rd, at 5:20 pm.
Southeastern Community College
The volleyball team fell to Allen County Community College yesterday in straight sets. The tournament will continue today with matchups against Mineral Area College and Spoon River College at SCC.
The men’s and women’s soccer teams will host Lincoln Trail College today with the men playing first at 2 pm followed by the women’s team at 4 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1885 – Boxing’s first heavyweight title fight with 3-oz gloves and 3-minute rounds was fought between American boxers John L. Sullivan and Dominick McCaffrey in Cincinnati, Ohio.
1977 – MLB St. Louis Cardinal Lou Brock eclipses Ty Cobb’s 49-year-old career stolen bases record at 893 as the Padres win 4-3.
2022 – St. Louis Cardinal slugger Albert Pujols hits career home run 694 off of a major league record 450th different pitcher in 13-4 win over Reds in Cincinnati.