Sunday, September 30, 2012

Grace Schottel Hurls One Hitter, Gives Tiger Softball Hope for Future

Grace Schottel threw a one hitter Thursday afternoon before the varsity game as Worth County shut down Northeast Nodaway 11-0. The softball team has been on an offensive tear of late and the rise of Grace will give Worth County something to look forward to two years from now; the scary thing about her performance is that she is only in seventh grade. She already showed the athletic ability last year; as a sixth grader at the Elementary Track Meet, she rewrote the record book and had a near-varsity level 6:31 in the mile. She also showed her versatility by winning the 400 and 100 that morning; she showed her stamina by getting stronger as the game progressed and then playing a full-fledged game of pickup basketball afterwards along with some of her softball friends.

Like her older sister Haven, Grace showed that she was dangerous on the basepaths once she got on; she walked to lead off the game and then stole second and third. Sidney Troutwine then singled her home as she beat out the throw from short. She then stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch. Jarisa Moffat later scored on a wild pitch and Kristin Ross scored on a dropped third strike as Payton Adwell scored. Grace Schottel continued to run wild on the basepaths in the second, accounting for Worth County's tally in that frame to make it 5-0. With one one, she walked and stole second and Sidney Troutwine hit a grounder to the mound. She was out, but Grace scored all the way from second on the play and made it standing up.

Northeast finally started getting some good swings off of Grace, but Victoria Moore showed some promise in center, making a nice running catch to stop anything from getting started. Northeast got their lone two baserunners off Grace with a hit and a walk in the third, but that was when Grace really turned on the gas and shut them down, getting a groundout and consecutive strikeouts to end the lone Northeast threat of the day.

Once again, Grace manufactured a run for the Tigers as she led off the fourth with a walk, stole second and third, and then scored on a ball that barely got away from the catcher. It was the sort of daredevil baserunning that former Worth County standout Renae Miller used to show all the time along with Tiffany Troutwine, Kayna Wake, and Grace's coach April Miller Healy, all of whom rewrote the softball recordbook. That play seemed to open up the floodgates as the team would steal seven bases in the inning and plate six runs. The stolen bases meant that it only took one hit to score a run. Sidney Troutwine, Quinci Schottel, Payton Adwell, and Brooklyn White all scored on wild pitches while Payton Adwell singled in a run to round out the scoring for the Tigers. Grace finished strong on the mound, striking out two in the final inning and catching a pop fly; she struck out six and four in the last two innings.

Doin' God's Work for October 3rd, 2012

Singing a new song as we roll into October. Harvesting the seeds God provided and without a lot of moisture, they still multiplied; as did our faith in Him to provide our needs. Making preparations for a new season. Will we be a fan of Jesus or will we be true followers of Christ?

Wednesday at 6, we sang every song we loved to give praise back. Felt good to be in His house with others sharing in prayer. So many need His healing hand! Make plans to join us next Wednesday.

Wednesday at 3:30 to 5:30, "Make a Joyful Noise" in Grant City United Methodist Church. The afterschool program is doing well with 35-40 children attending.

After a month of Jim Spiers directing choir practice, the big day came to let God's light shine. Sunday, all six churches joined together under one roof at Grant City UMC. Voices filled the rafters as we gave gratitude and thanks for His blessings. We shared communion together and His love. After Tim gave a wonderful sermon, we met in the church cafeteria to fellowship and a pot luck lunch. There was food in abundance, giving back for the blessings He's given us.

World Communion Sunday is the 7th. Can you imagine how proud God the Father is to share it with His creations? We are all connected; we are not just neighbors; we are a family of God. Communion we take in remembrance of His act of love and sacrifice for us.

Any act of kindness you perform this week, may God bless you for it; you are doing God's work. Reach out to others this week in love and deed for what Jesus gave to us; a promise of eternal life with Him in Heaven. HE is worthy to serve.

God bless you and see you in our home churches next Sunday!

Mountain Lion Spotted West of Sheridan

A mountain lion was spotted in a silage pit owned by Eldon Hart west of Sheridan. It was spotted by Bo DeMott of Sheridan last week. Mountain lions are rare in Missouri, but they can range for hundreds of miles in search of mates and prey. There have been six mountain lion sightings throughout the state of Missouri posted on the Missouri Department of Conservation website. Two were in Shannon County, two in Grundy County, and two in Reynolds County. One was caught by a landowner in a large, cage-type game trap. There have been 32 confirmed reports of mountain lion sightings since 1994. There were 14 confirmed sightings in 2011. DNA testing tied two cougars to the Black Hills area of South Dakota; others were traced to Montana and Colorado.

Tiger Softball Erupts for 57 Runs in 3 Games

Worth County's softball team erupted for 57 runs in 3 games as they have now won three out of their last four games going into Monday's Senior Night game with North Andrew. Following their 13-12 loss to Princeton, they followed with a 20-6 win over Northeast Nodaway and then erupted for 25 runs against hapless Braymer, which gave them their second conference win of the year in a 25-8 win over Braymer. The Tigers now have six wins on the year, as opposed to one all of last year.

Northeast started off with a win over North Nodaway, but have not gotten any more as they have struggled to stop teams from scoring as they have had one lone win this year. Their hitting has been their biggest improvement; however, they have had games in which they would score a bunch of runs in one inning and then not do much for the rest of the game. Fading late has been one of their biggest problems this year; they fell behind 6-0 against Jefferson right off the bat and then held them scoreless for several innings before giving up five more runs and being run-ruled. Against Worth County, they were down only 8-5 before giving up 12 runs against the Tigers in the sixth and being run-ruled. If they find more consistency in their play, they will show improvement over their one-win season this year.

Playing their last home games for Northeast were Katrina Freemyer, Kristan Judd, and Ashl'e Moore. Also recognized at Senior Night were members of the Worth County/NEN football team Aaron Patton, Ethan Schmitz, Tyler Schmitz, and Kevin Stoll.

Northeast Nodaway struck first as Claudia Wiederholt tripled to the wall in right and then Katrina Freemyer reached on an error as Claudia scored in the bottom of the first. More and more teams have taken to using the makeshift 200-foot fences; however, Northeast Nodaway has not and the big outfield presented problems for both teams as well as balls hit in the gap. Worth County tied it at 1 in the second as Sidney Davenport singled to right to score Brianna Fletchall.

Worth County plated two in the third as Katie Mullock got an infield hit that scored Kristen Andrews. It was similar to the play that hurt Worth County against Princeton as Katie hit a slow roller into no-man's land that NEN second baseman Kerrigan Adwell got to but had no play on. Brianna Fletchall got her second hit of the night, a two out single that scored Katie Mullock. The Tigers have gotten a lot of runs with two outs this year.

Normally, Kristen Andrews has been a left-handed slap hitter all year. But with two strikes on her and two on in the fourth, Kristen turned around and batted from the right side of the plate and doubled down the left field line to score Haven Schottel and Claire Andrews to make it 8-1. Rebecca Moore reached on an error as Kerrigan Adwell bobbled a grounder to score Kristen and Katie Mullock was hit by a pitch. They successfully pulled off a delayed double steal which led to some more runs as Rebecca Moore stole third and then Katie Mullock stole second after Rebecca had successfully made it, meaning that there was now a first and third situation. Kaitlyn Davidson walked to load the bases and then Brianna Fletchall grounded into a force at home. But then Katie Mullock beat out a force play at the plate. Sidney Davenport grounded into a force at the plate, but NEN catcher Bailey Judd threw away the double play attempt, allowing another run to score and making it 8-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Worth County gave up two runs, but an outstanding defensive play prevented more from scoring. Shayna Dougan walked and went to second and third on wild pitches as Worth County pitcher Kacey Smyser started tiring. Bailey Judd then walked. Worth County attempted a pickoff play at first and Shayna Dougan broke for the plate, but Brianna Fletchall made a strong throw home to get her out as Bailey took second. Northeast, with two outs, then put together three straight flare hits to score two runs. Dallis Coffelt hit a chopper at Sidney that she had no play on, Claudia Wiederholt hit one just past Kristen Andrews, and Kristan Judd hit a shot off Kacey Smyser's glove.

Northeast continued to chip away in the fifth as Dallis Coffelt walked in a run on four pitches. Claire Andrews replaced Kacey Smyser and walked in another run before Kristen Andrews caught a pop fly to end the threat.

In the top of the sixth, Kacey Smyser walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Sidney Davenport flied out to Dallis Coffelt, who initially misjudged the ball but then made a nice basket catch for the first out. Claire Andrews then tripled down the line in left to score Kacey as once again, the big outfield wreaked havoc on the defense. Haven Schottel walked; putting Haven on the basepaths has been a sure sign of trouble for teams facing the Tigers this year. Haven stole second but Kristen Andrews struck out for the second out of the inning with the score still 9-5. But Worth County would go on to score 11 of their 12 runs with two outs in the inning. It was similar to the Albany game earlier this year in which they scored most of their 17 runs with two outs.

The short backstop at Northeast prevents a lot of runs from scoring that would otherwise score on a wild pitch because the ball's bounce is unpredictable and could bounce right back at the catcher for an easy out. But Claire Andrews pulled it off as a wild pitch hung in the air forever and she made it home easily. Rebecca Moore then dug a pitch out of the dirt and lined it into center to score Haven and stole second. Katie Mullock then hit a high chopper into center for a hit and it was misplayed for an error. Once again, the huge outfield was unforgiving to both teams as Katie circled the bases and Rebecca Moore also scored. Kaitlyn Davidson and Brianna Fletchall were hit by pitches, finishing pitcher Shayna Dougan. Dallis Coffelt came into pitch for Northeast, but Worth County continued to run at will on the basepaths as Brianna Fletchall, Sidney Davenport, and Kacey Smyser scored on wild pitches and Rebecca Moore had a three-run single just over second.

There was a scary moment in the bottom of the sixth as Kristan Judd was out at the plate on a collision and was shaken up; however, she was OK. Freshman Allie Runde showed some promise with her bat as she came off the bench and hit a triple to the right field run to score Jenny Seipel.

Tigers Prevail in 76-44 Shootout with Trojans

Worth County prevailed in a 76-44 shootout with Nodaway-Holt Friday in a wild encounter. The Trojans showed that their 4-1 mark was no accident, but the Tigers took a game that they had to have in order to catch Rock Port in the district standings. The game had it all, including bizarre plays, sloppy officiating, and defensive breakdowns.

It looked like it would be an easy game for the Tigers at first as they jumped out to a 20-0 lead. First, Dallas Greenland scored from 17 yards out following blocks from Kevin Stoll and Wyatt Rush to make it 6-0 with 10:31 left. That was set up by a long pass from Bryce Ross to Wyatt Rush. They followed that up with a 22-yard sweep to Wyatt Rush, following the block of Aaron Patton into the end zone with 9:16 left in the first. That was set up by a 19-yard scramble from Bryce Ross. After Nodaway-Holt could get nowhere on their next series, Dallas Greenland broke a pair of tackles and shot past everyone for another touchdown to make it 20-0 with 6:38 left. 

But the only reason that the Trojans had gotten in the hole was because of a ton of dropped passes on their part. Once they started catching passes from prize quarterback Nick Patterson, they finally started to get into the end zone. Some of it was the fact that Nodaway-Holt was a good team; some of Worth County's troubles were self-inflicted and the referees made some bizarre calls all night.

Nodaway-Holt got on the board as Nick Patterson threw a short pass to Wade Saxton that he turned into a 32-yard catch and run to make it 20-6 with 4:12 left. Worth County fumbled the ball right back to Nodaway-Holt and they had a chance to make it a one-possession game but Worth County held on downs thanks to sacks by Dylan Kinsella and Kevin Stoll on one play and by Stoll on another play as Nodaway-Holt was forced to punt. But that was the sort of play that let Nodaway-Holt think that they were still a part of the game.

A guard eligible pass from Bryce Ross to Dylan Kinsella, where Bryce eluded the rush and threw a shot put to Dylan, turned into a 46-yard gain to the 15. That set up a six yard run from Dallas Greenland, behind the blocks of Dylan Kinsella and Austin Carlson. Bryce Ross ran in the extra points, ringing the bell of a much bigger defender for the final yard to make it 28-6 with 1:06 left.

But the kickoff return woes that have hurt Worth County all year came back to bite again and then the referees started to get in on the act. Nodaway-Holt got a long kickoff return to the Worth County 37, giving them a short field to work with; they would have a short field for much of the second quarter. Kevin Stoll got his third sack of the day to set up third and 18, but Derek Lemon caught an 18-yard pass to the 15 to set up fourth and inches. Nick Patterson seemingly fumbled the ball, but a referee who was completely out of position to make the call ruled he was down. A pass interference call put the ball on the 7 and Lemon's pass and two point conversion made it 28-14 with 10:06 left.

Worth County played deer in the headlights football on its next series as they went three and out and punter Aaron Patton got a bad snap and only got to the 30, giving Nodaway-Holt another short field to work with. They were backed up fourth and 15 at the 35, but a pass interference call gave the Trojans a first down at the 18. That was Worth County's fifth penalty of the quarter. Once again, Nodaway-Holt was backed up fourth and goal at the six, but the referees allowed the Nodaway-Holt coaches to talk them out of a false start penalty as Brian Lance caught a pass for a score. Brice Shamberger's extra point pass made it 28-22.

That seemed to wake up Worth County; they took advantage of a short kickoff and a short field to get back on track. The ball was kicked off to Aaron Patton, who is one of the up-men on kickoff return and he ran it back to midfield. From there, they only needed one play to score as Dallas Greenland shot up the middle, broke a host of tackles, and bounced outside to score with 7:29 to make it 36-22. Even there, the referees were not doing their jobs; as the play was happening, Bryce Ross got hammered by one of the Nodaway-Holt players while the referee was not watching. It was not a legal hit because he was not part of the play any longer and was not faking carrying the ball. It is the referee's job to protect the quarterback from unnecessary hits in these sorts of situations.

Nodaway-Holt went three and out thanks to a dropped pass and an intentional grounding call that backed them up to their own three. Worth County got a short field once again at the Trojan 38, but could not capitalize as Wyatt Rush was wide open but Ross overthrew him on fourth down. But Nodaway-Holt backed themselves up with a holding penalty and was forced to punt. Andrew Mullock had a long punt return, but the Tigers picked up their sixth penalty of the quarter as a player who was on the opposite side of the field and was not part of the play picked up a holding penalty to wipe out a touchdown. But Worth County was able to use a horsecollar penalty to get back on track and Dallas Greenland bounced to the outside for a 25-yard score as Nodaway-Holt unsuccessfully tried to send all eight players in an effort to stop the run. That made it 42-22. The referees missed yet another call on the extra point as the official called Wyatt Rush for offensive pass interference even though it was the Nodaway-Holt player who shoved Wyatt in the back as he was trying to go for the extra point pass. 

Worth County continued to shoot itself in the foot, picking up a horsecollar penalty to move Nodaway-Holt into Tiger territory at the 35, but Dallas Greenland picked up a sack to stop them in their tracks and they were forced to punt. Andrew Mullock weaved his way through traffic for a long punt return for a touchdown, breaking a host of tackles along the way. The referees were going to call it back with a block in the back penalty, but in an obvious makeup for earlier in the quarter when the Nodaway-Holt coaches talked them out of a penalty, waved off the penalty and the touchdown stood. That made it 48-22.

But the fireworks continued as Worth County played the rest of the half like they were down 26 instead of up 26. Nodaway-Holt was simply trying to run out the clock, but Wade Saxton broke away for a 50 yard touchdown with 13.4 seconds left to make it 48-28. The deer in the headlights play continued on Worth County's part and they could not blame the referees for this one as everyone stood around and watched Nodaway-Holt scoop up an onsides kick. Then, they gave up a 34-yard touchdown pass to Brian Lance even though they knew what the play was going to be, making  it 48-36.

The bad thing about that sequence was that Nodaway-Holt got the ball with a chance to make it a one possession game to start the second half. The deer in the headlights football continued as Worth County picked up a roughing the passer penalty to move it to the 37, but then they finally woke up and played some of their best defense of the year the rest of the half. They held on downs and then Dallas broke a host of tackles for a 40-yard score to make it 54-36 with 10:48 left in the third. Nodaway-Holt continued to move the ball as Patterson's scramble for 33 yards set up first and goal at the Tiger 10 as the referees missed a holding penalty that sprung him loose. But Worth County made a goal line stand as Aaron Patton broke up a pass in the end zone, Kevin Stoll blew up a pitch play, Lance's pass only netted five yards, and Tyler Schmitz and Wyatt Rush combined on a sack to give the ball back to the Tigers on downs at their own 10.

Worth County overcame a false start as Andrew Mullock ripped off gains of 19 and 21 to move it out of danger into Trojan territory at the 35. Worth County stalled with fourth and seven at the 32, but The General came through as Aaron Patton made a leaping catch at the 10 to keep the drive alive. The Tigers were once again backed up third and goal at the 10, but Dallas Greenland got a sweep and got open for the score and ran in the extra points to make it 62-36 with 2:05 left in the third.

The fourth quarter was dominated by Nodaway-Holt's frantic attempts to get back in the game through the air unsuccessfully. Finally, Wyatt Rush caught a 25-yard pass from Bryce Ross with 2:17 left to set off another round of scoring. Saxton countered with a 43-yard run but Wyatt Rush got a series of long runs for Worth County's final score of the night to make it 76-44. Saxton caught a 49-yard pass down to the Tiger 1 in the closing seconds, but the Trojans were denied as Cole Parman caught him from behind and then Nodaway-Holt subsequently fumbled the ball back to the Tigers.


Saturday, September 29, 2012

Cut to the Chase -- Motivate Me; Don’t Mandate Me

By Rebecca French Smith
When my boys were little, we used to tell them not to eat their broccoli, peas or sweet potatoes, or whatever disgusting thing lurked on their dinner plate. Tell kids not to do something and they want to do it. It was a neat trick when my kids were little, before they figured out my game. Now, local and federal governments are playing games when it comes to food choices.
There is a long list of topics on which the government sets rules, mandates and guidelines, and most are likely done with good intentions. Some simply go too far. Take some of the recent guidelines and mandates for what we eat, for example. Perhaps there are those in society who cannot make proper food choices. Maybe they cannot add calories, maybe they do not understand nutritional labels (I sometimes struggle on this one) or maybe they just don’t have the willpower to say no (guilty again, love candy corn). But for the government to mandate what citizens should eat in a one-size-fits-all program seems ridiculous.
The new USDA school lunch guidelines, championed by First Lady Michelle Obama to fight childhood obesity, mandate nutrition that does not meet the needs of significant sections of students it affects. Not all kids are the same. (I’m hearing a big “duh” out there, but clearly the government thinks they are.) On the surface, it’s a good idea: revise school lunch standards to “align with the latest nutrition science and the real world circumstances of America’s schools.” But the guidelines base food servings on your age or grade in school, not how active you are or what your risk for obesity might be. The spectrum of nutritional needs that exists among students at any given school is too broad to mandate such specific guidelines.
In a more general move, New York City has taken aim at soda sizes. The “soda ban” in New York proposes to ban the sale of “full sugar” sodas larger than 16 oz. at city-regulated establishments. Apparently you could still get a 32 oz. soda, you just have to order it in two cups, or get refills. But the goal of the proposal isn’t to take away choices, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg; it is “forcing you to understand” what you’re drinking. So, if it’s about education, then why not list the calorie count of each and let the consumer choose?
As I went through the drive through at McDonald’s recently—fully intent on ordering a large soda, albeit the diet variety—I noticed a change on their menu. They had listed the calorie counts of each menu item, and while I was not planning on ordering one of the new pumpkin shakes, the calorie count on it would have made me change my mind. And that’s the point, isn’t it? Equip consumers with the knowledge they need to make good choices. Some in agriculture don’t always agree with McDonald’s policies, but the company has chosen to implement this change ahead of the federal requirement in the new health care law for restaurants to do so.
It was a good marketing move for McDonald’s, but this federal requirement about food makes sense to me. I like being credited with the ability to think for myself, to make choices for me and my family. My kids are able, too, and more often than not make the right choice when they know what they’re eating.
Don’t issue unrealistic mandates, or guidelines; give me tools to motivate me to do better with my choices.

(Rebecca French Smith, of Columbia, Mo. is a multi-media specialist for the Missouri Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization.)

Friday, September 28, 2012

Worth County Progress Organization Seeks Donations

The Worth County Progress Organization is seeking donations for its work in developing the local economy. Through the past decade, Worth County has gotten paved streets, high-speed internet, new emergency equipment, an ADA compliant courthouse, a renovated swimming pool, Enhanced 911 services, creation and updating of community and county strategic plans, a new athletic shed, new sidewalks and lighting on the county seat square, and the Dollar General Store and the new Firehouse along with the new Casey's which held its grand opening Friday.

The mission of the WCPO is to work to ensure long-term vitality in a community that is attractive, clean, safe, and rich in educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. In order to accomplish this, their goal is to be proactive in the area of economic and community development by continuing to stress the importance and need for the position of Worth County Economic Developer.

Among activities and duties being performed by Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger are:
Growing Business
-- Adding businesses to the county and city web pages;
-- Creating a feature business of the month and meeting with business owners and helping to advertise individual businesses through tailored promotions;
-- Facilitating meeting with Clint Dougherty, business development procurement specialist;
-- Contacted and opened lines of communication with more than 50 local businesses;
-- Numerous meetings with local residents regarding entrepreneurship;
-- Facilitated meeting with Steve Dempsey, Missouri business representative, to promote National Career Readiness Certificate and provided information on Work Opportunity Tax Credits;
-- Offered free employer compliance posters;
-- Facilitated meeting with EEZ board; completed annual report;
-- Created business directory.

Growing Youth
-- Coordinated youth involvement at Denver Schoolhouse;
-- Coordinated Greenhouse Class to plant flowers on Square;
-- Created a youth internship program;
-- Coordinated youth involvement in local community service projects;
-- Facilitated meeting with Kim Mildward, Functional Manager, Missouri Career Center in Maryville to encourage youth in the workforce through the Workforce Investment Act Youth Program.

Growing Community
-- Created County Market Days;
-- Promotion of local events by word, meeting attendance, reports;
-- Created What's Happening in Worth County Community Calendar;
-- Facilitated open forum for community members and West Side building owners to open lines of communication; 
 -- Met with structural engineer regarding Yetter Building;
-- Coordinated donations for Annual Golf Classic;
-- Attended meetings of various local governments and organizations;
-- Actively support Grant 4 Change as well as many other community events;
-- Created "Worth County Bounty" to promote local authors and entrepreneurs;
-- Regular communication with Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments;
-- Monthly report in local newspapers.

Growing in Government
-- Met with representative from Congressman Sam Graves' office to keep lines of communication open;
-- Met with Janie Dunning, Missouri State Director, USDA Rural Development and Jeremy Brady, USDA Area Specialist -- new Firehouse Grand Opening;
-- Attended grant-writing workshop for Solid Waste District;
-- NWMEF Board Member;
-- LEPC Board Member;
-- Attended 2012 and will act as County Coordinator for Great Northwest Days 2013 in Jefferson City.

To donate money, note any special areas of interest for the coming year, or for more information, contact Amber Monticue (564-4000) or Bob Hull (564-2100) or the Office of Economic Development (564-3776).

 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Four Personnel Moves Made by Worth County School

The Worth County School Board made four personnel moves in their closed meeting at their regular Board of Education Meeting. Added to the substitute teacher list were Mary Jo Riley and Jarod Dowis. Named as bus driver and volunteer coach was Gabe Bickel. Former principal Dale Healy was hired as an athletic supervisor.

Opinion: Congress Has Forgotten How to Oversee the Executive

By Lee H. Hamilton
 
You’ve likely never heard of William Natcher, which would have been just fine with him. Natcher spent four decades in Congress representing the area around Bowling Green, Kentucky, and for the most part the national press ignored him, just as he ignored them. He didn’t have time for burnishing his public image; he was what is known on Capitol Hill as “a work horse, not a show horse.”
 
For many years, Natcher chaired a subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee that dealt with the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services. In his day, the Appropriations subcommittee chairs were arguably the most powerful legislators on Capitol Hill: they were known as “the College of Cardinals” and were feared and respected not just by their colleagues, but, more importantly, by the people who ran the executive-branch departments they oversaw.
 
These days, the position carries much less power. As Scott Lilly, a longtime congressional staffer who now teaches at Georgetown University, put it recently in an insightful article for the congressional-affairs journal Extensions, the chairmen once known as the Cardinals are now “more like a rag tag band of parish priests.”
 
I’m telling you this because what might seem like a bit of obscure congressional trivia is actually a key reason Congress is far less effective as an institution and why power has shifted to the executive branch. Congress may still oversee executive agencies, but not very well. The disappearance of legislators like Natcher is a big reason why.
 
Watching Bill Natcher at work was a lesson in what it means for Congress to be a co-equal branch of government. He prepared painstakingly for his subcommittee hearings — scrutinizing agency budgets, filling entire notebooks with questions and observations about executive-branch decisions, reaching out to the contacts he’d made over decades to understand the implications of the tiniest changes in policy, working closely with his Republican counterpart to examine every line in the budgets they oversaw.
 
He’d spend days grilling administration officials, making them explain their policies and holding them accountable for every dollar they’d spent and proposed to spend. He wasn’t rude or impatient or partisan — officials of both parties knew they’d be treated courteously, but that when they came before him, they’d better know their budget and operations in detail and be able to justify every increase they were proposing.
 
Natcher wasn’t alone. Most of his fellow Appropriations subcommittee chairs did this. They secured the information Congress needed to make informed decisions about the federal budget and government policies. And they put the executive branch on notice that Congress was watching its every move.
 
As Scott Lilly points out, various changes have undermined this role. The Republican caucus decided in the mid-1990s to limit its subcommittee chairs to six years. Being a member of Congress today requires endless fundraising and public relations, and affords far less time for committee business. The partisan environment stresses ideological point-scoring and downplays rigorous oversight. Congress now relies excessively on omnibus and supplemental bills. All this has shifted power to a distracted leadership and out of the hands of congressional experts who had the time and interest to oversee executive agencies.
 
Why does this matter? Because for all its faults, Congress is still the most representative institution our nation possesses, and therefore the place where tough oversight of the executive must occur.
 
The appropriations process, when the executive branch must ask for funding, is the strongest lever Congress controls to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent effectively and that policy represents the interests of the American people. When legislators no longer have the skills, interest or ability to gather the detailed information they need to hold executive-branch officials accountable, Congress simply cannot do its job properly.
 
“We are dealing with a $10 billion black box,” one frustrated congressional staffer told Lilly, lamenting how easy it has become for federal agencies to sidestep scrutiny from Capitol Hill. The power of the executive is going unchecked.
 
Lee Hamilton is Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years.

Jack Remembers -- Herschel & Mae

     Mae Cline recently celebrated her 100th birthday at a local church.  In a scrapbook was a “Jack Remembers” column that I had written on her 90th birthday.  The article told about the one room country schools where Mae had taught in her career.  The church on that Saturday afternoon was packed.  Many of the people present were Mae’s former students who were not too young themselves.  If you were a one room country school teacher, or know someone who was, let me know.

     Mae’s husband Herschel was superintendent of Oak Grove schools in 1947 when I was a freshman.  Including Herschel, there were a total of four full time teachers and a part time music teacher in the high school. 
      
One day Herschel gathered all the high school boys in to one room and had a football in his hand.  He explained to us it was called a “pigskin” and we were going to have a football team.  It is hard to believe today, but lot of the boys in that room had never seen a football.  The school had not had a football team since before World War II.  Herschel, who also taught science, agriculture, and other classes, was the football coach and our first game was against Henrietta.  Although we would play eleven man football before the year was out, this was a six-man team.  I was dressed out but definitely not going to play.  There was a time-out, and Herschel said, “Hackley, take the water jug out to the team.”  When I did, the referee hollered, “Too many men on the field, ten yard penalty.”

      Herschel and Mae, with little remuneration, devoted their lives to teaching common sense classes, but it paid off.  I overheard one woman at Mae’s birthday event say Mae was the best teacher she ever had.  And I can say Herschel was the best teacher I ever had, even if we both were responsible for the first football penalty in Oak Grove’s now 65 year history of continuous Panther football.

Jack can be reached at PO Box 40, Oak Grove, MO 64075, or jackremembers@aol.com.  Visit www.jackremembers.com

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Grant City Legion Receives Americanism Citation

The Grant City American Legion received an Americanism citation from the National Americanism Commission for the year 2010-2011 for outstanding community service. They were also recognized for achieving a 103.56% membership increase for the year 2011-2012. Grant City American Legion meets every 1st Thursday at 7:00 at the Grant City Hall. The next meeting date is October 4th. Sons of the American Legion, for people who are male descendants, adopted sons, and stepsons of American Legion members, meets every 2nd Thursday at the Grant City Senior Center. The next meeting date is October 11th. The Legion and Sons of the American Legion are always looking for new members; to join or for more information, contact Dwayne Staton at (660) 564-7151.

Birth -- Madison Renae Lager

Madison Renae Lager was born to Doug and Marsha (Ray) Lager of Conception Junction. She was 6 pounds and 13 ounces and was 19 1/2" long. She is welcomed by a sister, Krysta Nicole Lager. Madison was born at St. Francis Hospital & Heath Services at 8:54 p.m. on September 14th, 2012.

Maternal grandmother is Patricia Ray of Sheridan. Paternal grandmother is Irene Lager of Burlington Junction. Maternal great-grandmother is Maxine Surplus of Maryville.

Tiger Softball Drops 13-12 Heartbreaker to Princeton

Worth County's girls could not hold a 10-5 lead over Princeton last Tuesday night as they fell 13-12 in a GRC tilt. The Tigers were able to get a lot of hits and baserunners, but made too many mistakes and walked too many batters.

Worth County hit the leadoff batter in the top of the first and she came around to score on a single by Ashton Summers. Trinity Kile singled in another run for Princeton and they led 2-0.

The Tigers countered with four in the bottom of the first. Haven Schottel singled to right and stole a base and Kristen Andrews bunted her way on as the third baseman threw it away for a three-base error, putting Kristen at third and scoring Haven. Rebecca Moore grounded out to score Kristen. There were two outs and nobody on, but Kaitlyn Davidson singled and Kacey Smyser reached on a dropped third strike and Kaitlyn went all the way to third on the throw to first. Brianna Fletchall singled to left center to score them both to make it 4-2.

The teams traded runs in the second, but Princeton tied it at 5 in the third thanks to one of several airmailed throws, which have hurt the Tigers all year.

Worth County scored five in the fourth to break the tie. Claire Andrews doubled to the gap in right center and Haven reached on a fielder's choice as the shortstop attempted unsuccessfully to tag Claire running past her. Haven stole second and Kristen reached on a bunt single and Haven went to third and Kristen took second on the throw over there. They both scored as Rebecca Moore reached on an error. Kacey Smyser doubled in a run and Brianna Fletchall doubled in another as the Tigers led 10-5.

But after a big inning, it is important for the team to turn around and shut down the other team; however, Worth County allowed six runs in the top of the fifth. Kacey Smyser, after pitching strongly from the second to the fourth, tired in the fifth and she and Claire Andrews walked seven batters in the innings and the team made three errors in the frame as well as Princeton retook the lead at 11-10. It would have been worse except that Claire Andrews, playing in right, made an outstanding defensive play by throwing out a runner at first to end the inning after Princeton had batted around.

Worth County got a two-out rally in the fifth to retake the lead at 12-11 as Kristen Andrews got a bunt single and stole second. Rebecca Moore doubled to the right field corner to plate Kristen and then Katie Mullock tripled to the wall in right-center field to score Moore.

In the top of the sixth, Rachelle Parks singled in the tying run, but Haven Schottel threw out the lead run at the plate to preserve the tie. But Worth County missed a golden opportunity to go ahead in the sixth as they loaded the bases with one out. But Haven Schottel popped out and Brianna Fletchall was doubled off third to end the inning.

Princeton got their first two runners on as Kianna Kinnison singled and Rebecca Phillips reached on an error as shortstop Katie Mullock airmailed a throw to second on a force attempt. Only an outstanding defensive play by Claire Andrews in right, who backed up the play perfectly, stopped the runners from advancing and possibly from scoring.

A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third with nobody out, but Worth County nearly got out of the inning as Katie Mullock caught a popup and Kacey Smyser struck out a batter. But then Shaylee Henley hit a slow roller into no-man's land and second baseman Kristen Andrews didn't have a play as the go-ahead run scored to make it 13-12. First baseman Brianna Fletchall made an outstanding defensive play at first to prevent further damage as she scooped a bad throw out of the dirt for the third out. Worth County could not respond as they went in order in the bottom of the seventh.

Monday, September 24, 2012

WC School Seeks to Expand Library, Upgrade Internet System

Worth County is looking into expanding the Partnership Library and upgrading their Internet system in moves made at the Worth County School Board meeting Thursday night. The school says the Internet system is progressively slower after around 11:30. They learned that the possible price tag would be around $49,000. It will allow the system to run faster and allow more online learning to take place. They could possibly get Race to the Top funds although this is a highly competitive program that around 850 schools are trying to get. The school also looked at expanding their library system. In 2007, the school and the public library each got private donations that would allow the school to expand their library; it was designed to expand once the school got the money. The estimated price tag for that would be around $83,000 for a 20 foot by 40 foot expansion. Currently, the library is 40 feet by 60 feet. There is $52,000 from the private donation and another $30,000 that the public library has available for this expansion. It would be open space; there would be no new walls constructed. The board voted to put the project out for bid and see if they could get a better price tag for the project. Currently, the library bookshelves are full and there is little room for new books; the library must throw out books once they get some new ones in. It would also allow for more classroom space for students to work in.

Other needs were discussed at the meeting. Among other needs listed were:
--Walls for the 4th through 6th grades. The 1st through 3rd grade partitions have been completed.
--Repairs on the stairs/walls to the ag building.
--Fixing or replacing the football and basketball bleachers and putting in safety bars.
--Repairs on the stairs to the band room.
--Fixing the track ($80,000 estimate), which has fallen apart faster than expected thanks to the drought.
--Replace a bus ($80,000).
--Eliminate the boiler and put in a new heating system for the ag room ($30,000).
--A new school vehicle ($20,000).
--Putting in hallway floors.
--Electronic door access ($20,000).

All of these are needs and the board will spend money on these needs as funds are available. Much depends on how much money will be available in the Funding Formula. One possible new source of funding will be a proposal on the ballot to raise the state cigarette tax by 75 cents; the school would bring in an estimated $40,000 from that. However, the danger of that is that the legislature might subsequently turn around and reduce funding from other sources with the rationale that the voters approved a tax increase. The money would not be put in the Funding Formula, but would use a totally different funding mechanism for schools.

Julia Wideman gave a talk about the Junior High reading enhancement class. They work on reading, comprehension, thinking aloud, understanding language usage, vocabulary, and editing skills. Mrs. Lawrence and Mrs. Quick gave a talk about a recent field trip their students had to Graceland, where they have an annual Civil War reenactment every year. They looked up diaries on the Civil War, researched the generals and did biographies, learned about games and medicines that were in use at the time, learned about the various ranks, methods of communication during battles, and interacted with the participants. It was a two-day event and some of the students liked it so much they went back for a second day.

Assistant Principal Chuck Borey reported that the track needs repair sooner than expected due to the drought. There were cracks 1/2" wide before patching was done. The south curve is falling apart and the dry weather aggravated it. This is the 10th season that it has been used and there is only $30,000 in the track fund now, meaning that the board will have to come up with $50,000 from somewhere else. Borey said that with some luck, the school would be able to get through this year but that next year, it will have to be replaced.

Principal Jon Adwell reported that there were 91 high school students without D's and F's who were rewarded for their efforts. Students that do get D's and F's get academic detentions and work with teachers to get off D's and F's. The consequence for not showing up for an academic detention is one half day in-school suspension and they still have to serve their academic detention afterwards. Students that did not turn in homework would not have been allowed to participate in the Homecoming celebrations; however, nearly all of them got their homework turned in and were able to participate.

The school had a mixed picture on Missouri test scores. The school finished 7th out of 9 in testing in the conference in all categories. They showed great improvement in elementary math and communication arts. 8th grade math was sharply lower. There was good growth in English and Geometry was above average. The Obama administration allowed the state to waive the Adequate Yearly Progress rule, meaning that the school does not have drastic penalties hanging over their heads for not meeting AYP standards. The school did not meet progress standards for 3rd - 5th Communication Arts, but all the other categories were met. The school finished above average in ACT scores in all categories but the Free and Reduced Lunch category. Out of the 22 graduates last year, 17 are now attending college. Last year, the school showed a 100% graduation rate, which was the biggest positive. The school is putting in tests at the elementary level which is very specific in identifying the areas in need of improvement for each individual student.

Superintendent Mike Rennells reported that Albany is having good results with their four-day weeks. Worth County, in effect, has four-day weeks half the time; out of 40 weeks, the school has 20 weeks that are four days or less because of in-service meetings.

The school has joined a group of 21 other schools for the purpose of creating distance learning opportunities for students. Northwest Missouri State is on board with this project as well.

The board approved three residency waivers that past administrations had already agreed to. In the future, such waivers will be approved individually by the board.

'Lil Tigers A Team Goes 3-0

The Little Tigers A Team is now at 3-0 following their 36-9 win over South Harrison in the nightcap game Saturday. The Tigers overcame a formidable South Harrison line and some speed by the secondary and had enough big plays to get the game under control. The Tigers showed some big hits early, including one in which Hayden Holmes rung the bell of Tyler Daugherty on a reverse right off the bat. The Tigers struck quickly as Jacob New aired it out to Jacob New for 52 yards and a score. Issac Alarcon caught a short pass and got a block from Caleb Parman for the extra points to make it 8-0.

Jeremy Wimer got a sack on the next play to kill a drive and South Harrison was forced to punt. Caleb Parman broke a whole host of tackles to the 38 for an 18 yard gain and the Tigers used him as a workhorse as they moved slowly down the field. Finally, Drake Simmons got a block from Caleb, sprung free, and scored from 23 yards out to convert fourth and three to make it 16-0 with 19 seconds left. Bryant McCord caught the extra point pass from New.

The Tigers showed that they could cover people as South Harrison could not get their passing game going; Hayden Holmes broke up a pass on the next series and Colton Wilmes and Issac Alarcon combined to blow up another play as South Harrison went three and out.

Worth County got a scare on the next series as Jacob New threw a pick deep in Tiger territory; however, the South Harrison played fumbled it right back to the Tigers, who got new life. They did not score, but they were able to take valuable time off the first half clock before stalling at the 15. South Harrison got a first down, but then Hayden Holmes broke up one pass and then finally picked one off and returned it all the way to the South Harrison 28 with just seconds remaining on the clock. That was all Worth County needed to make it a three-possession game as Drake Simmons caught a wobbly pass from Jacob New over the middle and outran everyone into the end zone with no time left to make it 22-0.

South Harrison got to midfield on their next series, but stalled thanks to a false start and Worth County got the ball at their own 20. Caleb Parman was once again the workhorse as he got carries of 8 and 23 and Drake Simmons picked up 23 more. Finally, Caleb Parman was in the end zone with 4:40 left. Bryant McCord caught his second extra point pass of the game to make it 30-0.

South Harrison used a late hit penalty to move deep into Tiger territory at the 17 and then Tyler Daugherty caught a pass for a 15-yard score. Gavin Garrett's extra point made it 30-7. Worth County got the points right back as Caleb Parman got a sweep down the left side and Drake Simmons threw the final block that sprung him free for a 47 yard score with 10:14 left to make it 36-7. South Harrison got another break as the Tigers played a pass perfectly, but tipped the ball right into Daugherty's hands to set up first and goal at the 7 after a fourth and 10. But the Tigers made a goal line stand and got the ball back at the 1. South Harrison scored a safety to account for the final score, but then Jacob New picked off a pass to allow the Tigers to run out the clock.


'Lil Tigers B Team Shuts Out South Harrison

Worth County's B team shut out South Harrison's Purple team 28-0 Saturday to raise their record to 2-1 on the year. South Harrison moved the ball on their opening drive into Tiger territory, but they were stopped by Austin Welch on fourth and short at the 30 and the Tigers took over on downs. The Tigers had trouble fumbling the ball against Central Decatur last week; however, they settled down this week and took much better care of the ball. Hunter Simmons converted a fourth and one at the 39 for a first down and then Simmons ran off gains of 7 and 13 down to the 11. Finally, Tanner Parman ran the bootleg and outran everyone to the end zone. Rory Bredlow caught a pass to make it 8-0 with 5:05 left in the first.

Both teams exchanged punts until early in the second quarter, when the Tigers started moving the ball again. Rory Bredlow's sweep got the Tigers to their own 37 and then Bredlow converted a fourth and two, getting a big hole down the right side to get six yards and a first down at the 29. The Tigers were backed up again at the 17 and faced with fourth and nine, but then Tanner Parman juked two different defenders for a score to make it 14-0 with 3:22 left. It was similar to a play that current principal Jon Adwell made back in his playing days; the Tigers were playing at Midway (KS) and he successfully juked a Midway defender, drawing then-coach Mark Fletcher's ire, but picking up an extra 10 yards for a 19-yard gain.

Worth County got the ball to start the third quarter and what could have given South Harrison a break and let them right back in the game instead went Worth County's way. The Tigers had a mixup behind the line of scrimmage on their first play and fumbled it, but Tanner Parman scooped it up and ran it 27 yards into South Harrison territory. That set up a score on the next play as Rory Bredlow fooled everyone with a counter play and easily made it into the end zone to make it 20-0.

The Tigers fumbled it to kill a drive on a subsequent possession, but Justin Dye and Austin Welch were forces on defense, denying South Harrison any chance of cashing in. Finally, Rory Bredlow got loose again on a sweep as everyone was sucked inside and nobody was out to contest him. He scampered 31 yards to the South Harrison 22. The Tigers stalled at fourth and five at the 17, but then Rory got loose again for the final score with 13:57 left in the fourth. Andrew Alarcon caught a pass to make it 28-0.

County Commission Minutes -- Patron Rock Signup Extended till October 1st



Presiding Commissioner Findley called the meeting to order at 9:03 am Monday, September 17th.

1.       Clerk Roberta Owens had Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley sign a pay request for invoice number 7, and number 8 for a payment on the Worth Bridge BRO-NBIL-B113(16).
2.       Commissioner Rob Ruckman made a motion to extend the cart/patron sign up until October 1st, 2012. Commissioner Dennis Gabbert seconded.  All in favor, motion carried.
3.       Commissioner Rob Ruckman reported the gas prices as $3.749 and diesel as $3.979  
4.       Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to approve the minutes and agenda. Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
5.       Treasurer Linda Brown presented the weekly balance sheet, payroll, and bills.
6.       Commissioner Rob Ruckman made a motion to approve the bills and payroll. Commissioner Dennis Gabbert seconded. All in favor, motion carried.
7.       Pat Kobbe, County EMD came to get Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley’s signature on the EMP Grant.
8.       Tammy Ueligger, Economic Developer report: Tammy was here but the Commissioners did not request her report.
9.       Road and Bridge Foreman Jim Fletchall’s report:
·         Discussed the Conservation rock.
·         Discussed the tubes on CR 121/170th Road
·         Need a new tube in section 35 of Fletchall Township-new name is 123North.
·         Discussed putting tax gravel on CR 120/170th Road. They will put tax rock on a quarter mile of the road as it has had rock put on in previous years, then see if landowners want to put rock on the rest of the road to make it qualify.
·         Fletchall requested and received permission to purchase 2 new tires for the bridge truck.

10.   Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to recess for lunch and road inspection at 12:15.  Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded.  All in favor, motion carried.

Presiding Commissioner Ted Findley brought the afternoon session to order at 2:50pm.

11.   The Commissioners inspected CR’s 2,3,4,17,19,22,35,120 while on break.
12.   Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to advertise for help for the Road and Bridge Crew.  They are looking at hiring either a full time position or a part time position.
13.   Commissioner Dennis Gabbert made a motion to adjourn at 4:30. Commissioner Rob Ruckman seconded. All in favor, motion carried.

Worth County Sheriff's Report for September 26th, 2012

9-17 -- Person calls about barber shop door being open; unable to contact owner, officer locks and closes door.
9-17 -- Resident in for trailer inspection.
9-17 -- Person calls about custody issue.
9-18 -- Report of cattle out on Route B; owner notified.
9-18 -- Report of dogs harassing horses on 4th street property; referred to City of Grant City.
9-18 -- Person in to file charges on another person.
9-19 -- Grant City resident calls about car damage to her lawn.
9-20 -- Report of vandalism at Sunny Slope Apartments.
9-21 -- Officers working traffic at Homecoming parade.
9-21 -- Officer serves warrants in Sheridan.
9-21 -- Vandalism complaint in Grant City.
9-21 -- 4-wheeler complaint in Denver.
9-21 -- Trespasser complaint east of Grant City.
9-21 -- Motorcycle complaint in Grant City.

Obituary -- Howard Russell Burns 1914-2012

Howard Russell Burns was born near Oxford on December 24, 1914, the youngest child of Levi and Katie (Miller) Burns. His siblings were Maggie (Ralph) Harris, Eva (Roy) Gabriel, Bertha Burns, Goldie Burns, Hassel "Hack" (Vada) Burns, and Bill (Hazel) Burns. Howard died September 20, 2012 at the Worth County Convalescent Center with his family and friends close by him.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings.

Surviving are wife Charlene (Dannar) Burns of Worth; children Barbara (Ted) Findley of Denver, Russell (Nancy) Burns of Grant City; grandchilden Lisa (Tim) Runde of Ravenwood, Jana Findley of Denver, Matthew (Lorelei) Burns of Eldon, MO, and Dru (Shannon) Burns of St. Joseph; great-grandchildren Jeff (Holly) Runde of Parnell, Jon (Alex) Runde of Gentry, Laura Runde of Ravenwood, Daryl Burns of Eldon; great-grandchild Kylee Runde of Parnell; and many nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

Howard professed his faith in Christ at Worth Baptist Church on December 3, 1961. Charlene, Barbara, and Russell likewise professed their faith in Christ at Worth Baptist at about the same time.

Most of Howard's life was spent farming in Worth County. He started farming with horses and eventually farmed with tractors. He was known for being a good neighbor and for his friendliness and his sense of humor. Some of his interests included fishing and hunting and camping with family and friends. He especially enjoyed hunting coyotes with his hunting dogs. Howard also hunted pheasant, quail, and mushrooms. He enjoyed playing cards and dominoes. Those who played dominoes with him would agree that he was a very skilled player, winning the game fair and square even when he resided in the nursing home. He liked playing the harmonica and the guitar, entertaining audiences young and old.

Howard's life will continue to live on through each of us who knew and loved him.

Funeral services were held at the Andrews Funeral Home of Grant City on Monday, September 24, 2012 at 11 a.m. Pastor Doug Cummins officiated. Interment was in the Grant City Cemetery.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Coach Mark Fletcher's 1995 Team Honored at Homecoming

Coach Mark Fletcher had his 1995 Tigers honored at the Homecoming festivities Friday. Fletcher's team was the first to win a state title; they were undefeated that year despite some close calls throughout the year. They were honored during the Homecoming Parade, at a banquet in their honor, and before and after Worth County's game with North Nodaway that evening. Since 1995, Worth County has won over 84% of their games. Current head coach Chuck Borey was the assistant while current assistant coach Chris Healy was a waterboy for the team. They were the ones which started the current run of success that they had along with the 1994 Tigers.

The theme for the team was "Bad to the Bone," which they played before every home game. P.J. Sanders and his friends had the belief that they could do anything; they won the GRC in basketball the year before and they successfully tried their hand at choir singing that summer, winning the local talent show at the Worth County Fair and singing the National Anthem before a Royals' game. They must have brought even the Royals good luck as they won that night. It was a good year in general for Tiger athletics as the girls won the GRC in softball that year as well.

Coach Mark Fletcher, after an initial 7-2 campaign with Jon Adwell and Craig Hunt, had two 4-6 years. But in 1994, Chuck Borey became the defensive coordinator for the team and Fletcher made three changes that turned out well. He committed to the spread offense, platooned a lot more players, meaning more rest during games, and began in-season weights. That team went 8-2 that year.

The passing game was already there for the Tigers; P.J. Sanders produced eye-popping passing numbers including a school record 401 yards passing in a single game in 1992 against West Nodaway. But in 1994, two stats were critical in the team's improvement -- the running game and defense. The running game got much better in 1994, allowing Worth County to diversify their attack. And the defense, which had given up a lot of points in 1992 and 1993, got much better as well as the Tigers gave up a lot fewer points per game in 1994. The result was an 8-2 campaign. In weeks 8 and 9 against North Nodaway and King City that year, the Tigers went up against the once-beaten Mustangs as well as the Wildkats, which had beaten Worth County each of the last two years. Worth County traveled to King City and beat them handily 48-6 and then ended the North Nodaway game at halftime, 58-12. Two other teams that had beaten the Tigers in the past, Craig and South Holt, were down that year and Craig would never win more than 5 games in a season after 1993.

In 1995, former powerhouse teams West Nodaway and Fairfax graduated most of their players; they were both still good, but not the caliber of team that Worth County was. It was a golden opportunity for Worth County to finally claim the whole ball of wax. Despite being favorites, Worth County received plenty of stiff challenges along the way. Nodaway-Holt took on all the atmosphere of a playoff game despite Worth County's 50-point win early in the season; South Holt revived in 1995 and Worth County needed a goal line stand late to beat them. North Nodaway, despite missing some of their players, gave Worth County all they could handle before falling in overtime. Stanberry was played in sub-zero weather. While the Bulldogs were winless, it was the first of many games that Worth County would play against Dan Collins, the winningest coach in eight-man football besides Coach Borey.

The game against Nodaway-Holt, who had not lost a game since Worth County had beaten them earlier in the year, was played in snowy conditions. P.J. Sanders got off to a slow start, completing one out of his first four passes before ditching his gloves and settling down. In a lot of other years, the weather conditions have hurt the Tigers' chances; however, Coach Fletcher credited Bill Hauber, father of senior Brad Hauber, with bringing in a portable heater for the game. The players were able to warm up between series and the Tigers were able to pull off a back and forth 38-26 win over Nodaway-Holt. The North Andrew game looked like it would be a track meet as the game was tied at 20 in the third quarter. But the turning point of the state title game, played at Rickenbrode, was when Worth County marched the ball right back down and scored. Then, they kicked the ball into no-man's land and Chris Owens, one of the fastest players of the team, beat all of the North Andrew players to the ball and Worth County scored again to take a two-possession lead. That swung the momentum in Worth County's favor and they would go on to win 48-26 for the state title.

P.J. Sanders remembered the community support and the fact that the year flew by quickly. One of the main characteristics of the team was their ability to tune everything out and just play the game; that was how they were able to win all of their nailbiters that year.

Coach Chuck Borey Wins 150th Game

With Worth County's 78-28 win over North Nodaway, Coach Chuck Borey has won his 150th game as a Tiger. He is the winningest coach in school history. His teams have always won at least six games and the Tigers have never had a class go without a title ring at some point in their careers. In 2001, Coach Borey won his 50th game as his team, quarterbacked by current assistant Chris Healy and led in rushing by Jason Rush, won their second straight state title and third in four years. In 2007, Coach Borey won his fourth state title and got his 100th win in the process. This year, the Tigers dropped their first game to newcomer Rock Port but then turned around and ran the table against West Nodaway and Mound City, picked up a forfeit win over CFX, and then won convincingly over North Nodaway at halftime. Worth County has won six state titles, five under Coach Borey. The other state title was won by Coach Mark Fletcher in 1995 and Borey was an assistant coach under Fletcher that year.

The following are the totals for Coach Borey:
1997 -- 10-1 (Districts, 275)
1998 -- 12-0 (Districts, 275, State)
1999 -- 9-2 (Districts)
2000 -- 12-0 (Districts, 275, State)
2001 -- 12-0 (Districts, 275, State)
2002 -- 6-4
2003 -- 7-3
2004 -- 6-4
2005 -- 11-1 (Districts, 275)
2006 -- 9-3 (Districts)
2007 --12-0 (Districts, 275, State)
2008 -- 7-3
2009 -- 9-2 (275 tri-champs)
2010 -- 11-1 (Districts, 275)
2011 -- 13-0 (Districts, 275, State)
2012 -- 4-1

Tigers Run Away from Mustangs as 1995 Team Honored

Worth County's Tigers ran away from North Nodaway 78-28 in a Homecoming tilt in a game that ended at halftime. The 1995 team was honored before and after the game and former Coach Mark Fletcher and members of the 1995 served as honorary captains for the Tigers. Bryce Ross, after being out for the first five games of the year, came back from an injury and aired out a pass right off the bat to Aaron Patton for 33 yards down to the North Nodaway 5. Wyatt Rush, following a block from Dallas Greenland, was in the end zone just 28 seconds into the game to make it 6-0.

As usual, Worth County was able to use a short field to get a bunch of scores and wrap up the game early. North Nodaway went three and out and lined up to punt from their own 22. Lane Craven shot through and blocked a punt and Dallas Greenland returned it to the North Nodaway 13. Dallas then took a sweep 12 yards down to the one and Andrew Mullock scored with 10:06. Wyatt Rush was all alone in the end zone for a pass from Bryce Ross to make it 14-0 with 10:06 left. 

North Nodaway tried to follow Northwest of Hughesville's lead and run trick plays and use the swinging gate to stretch out the defense. They got a first down off a reverse pass from Austin Reynolds to Trent Coleman for 11 yards to the 21 after Andrew Mullock buried North Nodaway at the 10 on the kickoff. But after a short pass and a quarterback keeper got seven yards, Cole Parman, moved from the quarterback position to defensive back, broke up a pass and the Mustangs were forced to punt. Lane Craven once again blocked a punt and Dylan Kinsella recovered on the North Nodaway 8. Dallas weaved his way into the end zone with 8:17 left in the first. 

The Mustangs could not get anywhere on their next drive as Lane Craven and Dallas Greenland shot right up the middle for a sack. North Nodaway had trouble all night long protecting themselves from pressure up the middle. Kevin Stoll hurried another throw and North Nodaway was forced to punt and it was shanked, once again putting the ball in good field position at the North Nodaway 23. Aaron Patton's bubble screen that went for 15 yards set up a three-yard touchdown run from Andrew Mullock behind a block from Dylan Kinsella as Worth County went up 26-0 with 6:02 left.

Worth County only needed 30 more seconds to get on the board again as North Nodaway fumbled the ball in their first play from scrimmage. Andrew Mullock got the hit and Wyatt Rush recovered at the North Nodaway 31. Dallas Greenland caught a long pass from Bryce Ross as he snatched it from two defenders and got into the end zone. Dallas powered his way past two defenders for the extra points to make it 34-0 with 5:32 left in the quarter.

North Nodaway got the points right back as they scored off a kickoff return with 5:18 left. Marcus Simbro caught a pass to make it 34-8. Worth County only needed three plays to answer. Dallas picked up 11 yards into North Nodaway territory at the 35. He then followed a Kevin Stoll block for 9 yards and then followed a Lane Craven block where he knocked down a Mustang defender 80 pounds bigger than him for a score. Dylan Kinsella caught an extra point pass to make it 42-8 with 4:05 left.

Wyatt Rush and Lane Craven combined on a sack to set North Nodaway into a big hole as they once again came up the middle. That set up an interception by Aaron Patton and The General followed a Dylan Kinsella block to the North Nodaway 12. Dallas weaved his way down to the one and Aaron Patton got a block from Kevin Stoll on a bubble screen and scored with 1:39 left in the first. Andrew Mullock drove three defenders into the end zone for the extra points to make it 50-8.

North Nodaway had three straight incompletions as Cole Parman jumped a pass and Ethan Schmitz and Lane Craven hurried another throw as North Nodaway was forced to punt. Cole Parman got blocks from Kevin Stoll and Andrew Mullock and got a long runback to the North Nodaway 22. Four straight carries by Wyatt Rush got the Tigers over the 45 point plateau with 11:57 left in the second quarter. North Nodaway outkicked their coverage after being forced to punt and Andrew Mullock returned it from the 2 all the way to the North Nodaway 15 and Cole Parman ran it in from there, getting a block from Truman Moore and scoring with 10:12 left. 

North Nodaway kept their starters in against Worth County's JV, but the JV managed to score twice against the Mustang defense. On their first drive, Nate Pointer and Ben Badell, back from an injury, carried the load on a 57 yard drive. Finally, Andrew Faustlin cut his way inside for a 10-yard score. Will Rennells caught the extra point pass with 3:34 left to make it 72-14. Faustlin's cutback run from 20 yards out with 26.9 seconds left accounted for Worth County's final score.