High School Girls’ Tennis
Burlington Notre Dame will face off against Albia on Thursday, August 6th, on the road.
Mt. Pleasant’s season opener will be a road contest against the Nikes on August 10th.
Fairfield will start their season at home against Keokuk on August 10th.
High School Football
In a preview for Class A District 5, Pekin will attempt another flawless run through district play, while Danville eyes another postseason trip. The Panthers are going to essentially be starting over after graduating their starting quarterback, Riley Smith, and starting running back, Nolan Glick. Henry Adam and Alijah Brock will most likely be the new tandem with Fairfield transfer Zandrik Allison bringing All-District talent to the new look team.
Since venturing out on their own after the 2022 season, Danville has clinched a playoff berth in each of their last three seasons, including a 6-3 record last year and the chance to host a playoff game. However, the Bears will also be looking to replace some talented seniors, especially up front, namely Byers Nealey. Not only did he lead the team in rushing yards and touchdowns but he also has led the team in tackles each of the last three years. That will be tested in a week one home matchup on August 28th against a West Burlington/Notre Dame team that boasts a more experienced roster.
Wapello is hoping to return to the postseason after a 5-4 campaign last year. The squad sprinted out to a 5-1 start, but lost to Van Buren County after allowing 45 points and dropped a narrow, 33-31, contest to Danville, leading into a one-sided affair against Lynnville-Sully in the playoffs. Wapello was a well balanced team last year, throwing for about as many yards as they rushed for and benefitted from senior quarterback Rowen Atkinson’s reliability, throwing only three interceptions to 14 touchdowns last year. Now, they will look to lean on Edgar Vazquez, as the junior rushed for 616 yards and claimed seven total touchdowns last year. Wapello will start the year at home against Louisa-Muscatine on August 28th at 7 pm.
Columbus turned in a 3-6 record last year, but their 3-3 district record was good enough to earn a spot in the postseason bracket. The Wildcats graduated 11 seniors from last year that included their starting quarterback, running back, and a trio of linemen. Lamar Ceant was the only non-senior to accumulate more than 20 yards last year. The Wildcats will play Cardinal on August 21st at 7 pm at home.
Lastly, Van Buren County hopes to build upon a season ending victory over Wapello that saw the Warriors score nearly as many points as they had in their other five games. Van Buren County, unlike most of the district, returns most of their skilled positions but will need to see their defense step up as they graduated their top-three tacklers from last year. Kaden Miller and Alex Scott each tallied over 20 tackles last year, while playing both ways. The Warriors host Central Lee on August 28th at 7 pm for their season opener.
Local Athletic Camps
Wapello’s youth football camp for 3rd through 8th graders will continue through Thursday, August 6th, from 4 to 5:30 pm. If you have any questions, then email coach Tony Johnson at tony.johnson@wapellocsd.org.
Winfield-Mt. Union will hold its youth football camp today through the 6th for 2nd through 6th graders from 9 am to 10 am. The camp will cost $30 and each camper will receive a t-shirt.
Here’s the link to register: W-MU Registration
The Winfield-Mt. Union football camp for 7th through 12th graders will continue through the 6th from 5 to 7 pm.
Danville High School will be hosting the Soukup Basketball Camp August 7th, going from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, and August 8th and 9th from 2 to 5 pm for boys and girls entering 3rd through 8th grades. The camp will cost $60 per camper.
Here’s a link to register: Soukup Basketball Camp
Mt. Pleasant Cross Country
Summer runs are underway for the Mt. Pleasant Cross Country team. These runs are optional but a great way to run with others and get in shape for the fall season. The runs are available to anyone entering 7th through 12th grades. Coaches may not be present at every run, as they are often led by upperclassmen.
On Mondays, the runs will take place at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre. Wednesdays will be high school speed day at 7 am at Mapleleaf and Tuesdays and Thursdays will take place at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm.
The runs will continue through the middle of August until the Mt. Pleasant Cross County camp. If you have any questions, you can contact Coach Lyle Murray at 319-850-0867.
Southeastern Community College
The women’s soccer team will host Indian Hills Community College on Saturday, August 8th, at 3 pm.
The men’s soccer team will start the season against Bradley University on August 11th on the road.
Prospect League
The conference championships will be played tonight with the winners advancing to a three-game championship series scheduled to start on Thursday, August 6th. The Eastern Conference will see the Terre Haute Rex face off against the Lafayette Aviators on the road at 7 pm, while the Western Conference pins the Quincy Doggy Paddlers as the road dogs against the Cape Catfish at 6:35 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1934 – Mel Ott became the first major league baseball player to score six runs in a single game.
1956 – Lee Petty dismounts his car on lap 32 and waves the red flag to the field because of dusty conditions at NASCAR Grand National at Tulsa, Oklahoma; race halted and never completed.
1983 – New York Yankee outfielder Dave Winfield threw a baseball during warm-ups and accidentally killed a seagull. After the game, Toronto police arrested him for “causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.”