Tigers Pitch 60-0 Shutout Against Stanberry in District Opener

Worth County pitched a 60-0 shutout against Stanberry in their district opener Thursday as they were able to go home early at halftime. The game was moved up to Thursday due to the Stanberry softball team going to state for the first time ever. 

With Brayden Stevens back, Worth County was able to develop depth that it didn’t have at the start of the year. The focus of the game was to get a clean win and get tuned up for Platte Valley next week. The road will be much harder for Worth County; Platte Valley has been battling injuries all year, but got a big win against Rock Port to clinch the conference title and got a first round bye to rest and heal up. Ball security will be a key for the Tigers, as Platte Valley forced a ton of turnovers in the Rock Port win after they pulled ahead.

Colby McQueen was back for Stanberry, but Stanberry moved him to end, seeking to develop a freshman quarterback in Drew Parman as they seek to climb out of the hole next year.

This game was over early as the Tigers scored early and often. Stanberry kicked off and Brayden Stevens got blocks from Lucas Frisch and Sawyer Thurman and got loose to the Stanberry 32. Jude Archer got a sweep and got a block from Landon Wilmes as he took it 28 yards down to the Bulldog 4. Landon Wilmes got blocks from Lucas Frisch and Brayden Stevens as he took it to the house with 11:35 left in the first quarter. Landon ran in the sweep for the extra points to put the Tigers up 8-0.

The ensuing kick was shanked and Stanberry had good field position at the Tiger 39, but on the first play from scrimmage, Ethan Lininger pounced on a fumble at the Stanberry 39. Landon Wilmes got a block from Ethan Lininger to the 31. An incomplete pass set up third and two, but Brayden Stevens got a block from Bo Collins and took it 18 yards to the 13. Landon Wilmes got a block from Ethan Lininger and carried it six yards to the seven. Karson Briner caught a pass from Hayden Sanders and the Tigers were on the board again up 14-0 with 10:04 left in the first quarter.

Stanberry started at its own 25. They started with an incomplete pass, and then a keeper only went for two yards. The next pass was tipped and Stanberry was forced to punt. Worth County started at its own 27 and Landon Wilmes picked up 19 yards to the Stanberry 34 after getting a block from Carter Chapman. Jude Archer picked up seven more to the 27. A holding penalty moved it back to the 30, but then Lucas Frisch made a diving grab of a pass from Hayden Sanders for a score. Brayden Stevens caught a short pass for the extra point try and got a block from Carter Chapman to make it 22-0. 

Stanberry started at the 40, and Decker Heyde found daylight to the 35 and an offsides put it on the 30. Heyde slipped and fell on the wet field on the next play at the 36, and a short pass set up fourth and five at the 35. Quarterback Drew Parman scrambled for a first down to the 28 to keep the drive alive. But a counter went nowhere as Sawyer Thurman snuffed it out. A false start moved Stanberry back to the 32, and an incomplete pass set up third and 14. Stanberry tried to set up a screen, but Lucas Frisch blew it up and Stanberry was driven back all the way to the 40 and was forced to punt.

Landon Wilmes ran back the ensuing kick from the 9 to the 33. Wilmes got a block from Ethan Lininger and bounced outside to the 13. Jude Archer lined up in the Wildcat formation and got a block from Landon Wilmes down to the 5. Brayden Stevens caught a short pass and ran it in with 3:44 left in the first quarter. Landon Wilmes took an option pitch and laid out a would be tackler to make it 30-0.

Stanberry started on its own 25. On its very first play from scrimmage, Landon Wilmes pounced on a fumble at the 21. Worth County aired it out to Karson Briner for a score and they were on the board again in just a 16 second span. Landon Wilmes took a sweep and got a block from Karson Briner for the extra points to make it 38-0 with 3:28 left in the first.

Stanberry started on its own 30, and then Decker Heyde picked up three to the 33. On the next play, Heyde bounced outside for 38 yards to the Tiger 9 before being pushed out of bounds. But then Landon Wilmes blew up a pitch play for a loss at the 15. A false start moved it to the 20. On the next play, Parman dropped back to pass for Stanberry. Carter Chapman got a helmet on the ball, which popped up in the air. Bo Collins caught it in midair and took it to the house with 1:47 left. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to make it 46-0.

Stanberry started at their own 25, and immediately picked up a false start to the 20. Ethan Lininger dropped Heyde for no gain, and then Carter Chapman dropped Parman on a keeper. Lininger then blew up a pitch and Stanberry was forced to punt. Worth County started at its own 36, and two running plays went for only five yards. But then Brayden Stevens lined up in the Wildcat formation and instead of running with the ball, threw a shovel to Landon Wilmes, who got loose for 26 yards to the 13. On the next play, Landon Wilmes took a quick pitch to the house with 10:29 left in the second quarter. Worth County tried a screen pass and Brayden Stevens and a wall of blockers had nobody in front of them as the Tigers went ahead 54-0.

The JV squads played out the rest of the half. On the next series, Stanberry started at its own 28. A holding penalty put them back on the 18. Reyen Hansen recovered a fumble at the 15, and Wyatt Hill got a block from Lance Runde, back from a scary injury, and took it to the house for Worth County’s final score. 

North Harrison First Quarter Honor Rolls

HIGH SCHOOL HIGH HONOR ROLL

Lani Briggs, Carmon Fordyce, Kolton Graham, Jaxcynn Hansel, Lela Hartschen, Andi Nail, Kira Robertson, Evan Schreiber, Kayka Wilson.

HIGH SCHOOL REGULAR HONOR ROLL

Anna Augustine, Morgan Chandler, Kellan Craig, Addison Davis, Jensen Davis, Seth Davis, Ryker Fortner, Lane Graham, Dustin Hamilton, Kyler Kimbrough, Brooklyn Lane, Cambry Lane, Wyatt Maize, Addison Milligan, Alonna Milligan, Kenzie Milligan, Kathryn Parkhurst, Tate Richardson, Ava Rinehart, Owan Roberson, Kayson Sims, Hali Smith, Rylee Valenti, Rebecca Welling, Gracie Young.

HIGH SCHOOL B HONOR ROLL

Quincy Akins, Axle Allen, Emma Chandler, Andrew Craig, Gage Fortner, Ethan Henson, Lance Jacobs, Landon Johnson, Kadence Lambert, Raven McClellan, Cassody Richardson, Lucian Sweeney.

JUNIOR HIGH HONOR ROLL

Scotty Briggs, Henry Frank, Creighton Graham, Meric Hansel, Coulson Hartschen, Conner Hicks, Keaton Hill, McKenna Hill, Hattie Hogan, Raegan Hogan, Ana Ingsson, Caleb Ingsson, Eli Jacobs, Taryn Johnson, Zayne Kerr, Lily Lane, Amelia Long, Quincy Norris, Cotton Osborn, Hayze Pottorff, Matt Richardson, Hadley Williams.

JUNIOR HIGH B HONOR ROLL

Jacoby Ballard, Alex Barnhart, Sadie Edington, Janessa Epperson, Charlie Frank, Mason Hicks, Kholt Hoffman, Karsyn Smith.

Stanberry, Gallatin Softball Both Going to State

Both Stanberry and Gallatin are going to state in softball, the first time ever that two teams in the area are going. The game created a change in the football schedule. The football game between Worth County and Stanberry was moved up to October 31st at 7:30 pm, since Stanberry’s first game will be Friday, when the first round of football districts are normally played. The junior high basketball games between Worth County and Stanberry will be October 31st at 4:15 instead of 5 pm. 

Stanberry had come into districts with a nine game losing streak. But the streak was misleading, as the Bulldogs had scheduled a bunch of bigger schools down the stretch to prepare for the postseason. Their losses were to Albany (27 wins), Pattonsburg (21 wins), NEN (15 wins), Oak Park (Class 5), West Platte (16 wins, Class 2), Savannah (21 wins, Class 3), Platte Valley (rivalry game), Lafayette (Class 3), and Benton (19 wins, Class 3). They immediately caught fire in districts with a 13-3 win over Maysville and a 4-3 rivalry win over King City.

North Andrew had beaten Northeast Nodaway 5-4 in the district semifinals there. The Cardinals showed that their win over the Bluejays was no accident as they gave Stanberry everything they wanted. The teams played to a 1-1 tie in the District Championship for the first seven innings. Finally, Brea Jenson hit a walkoff home run, her first hit of the game, to give Stanberry a 2-1 win. Alyssa Wallace got the win, giving up four hits and striking out five.

That put Stanberry in a quarterfinal match with Princeton. The Blue Tigers beat North Harrison 6-4, then needed extra innings to beat Pattonsburg 3-2. Albany was the heavy favorite coming into the final matchup sporting 27 wins, but Princeton beat them 7-2 to set up a match with Stanberry.

There have been changes in how MSHSAA assigns teams and there are now more cooperative franchises. Back in 2017, when North Harrison made it to state, they had to win two games, against Platte Valley and Maysville, in order to get to state. But Stanberry only had to win one.

In the quarterfinal game, Alyssa Wallace was even more dominant, only giving up two hits in a complete game 2-0 win. Brea Jenson showed her blow against North Andrew was no accident, hitting another home run in the win.

In the meantime, Polo had been down for much of the year, but gave Gallatin everything they wanted before falling 1-0 in their district final. Gallatin subsequently beat La Plata 5-4 to make it to state. 

Stanberry will play St. Elizabeth on Friday at 11 am at the Killian Sports Complex in Springfield. It is the same facility where North Harrison won third in state in 2017. Gallatin will play Paris at 11 am there as well. The third place game will be Friday, November 1st at 3 pm. The championship game will be Saturday, November 2nd at 10 am. 

Worth County Honor Rolls for First Quarter 2024-25

HIGH HONOR ROLL

Seniors – Abbi Brown, Carter Chapman, Eva Engel, Bridgette Hightshoe, Keaten Morin, Emma Spencer, Mackenzie Walter.

Juniors – Riley Ridge, Eric Ritchie.

Sophomores – Kambree Briner, Jessie Chapman, Bo Collins, Sara Fletchall, Evalyn Gilland, Addison Gray, Keira Hardy, Krista Monticue, Caleb New, Hayden Sanders, Emsley Spainhower, Kristen Tracy.

Freshmen – Braelyn Fletchall, Bella Blankenship, Heather Deardorff, JoLynn Hawk, Liam Hayden, Breeanna Ray, Audrey Runde, Megan Tracy.

8th Grade: Bella Blankenship, Conner Chapman, Jordan Dannar, Tucker Fletchall, Brock Healy, Kassidy Joslin, Brooke Monticue, Kennedy Murphy, Kynlee Steele, Gracie Thurman.

7th Grade – Heather Deardorff, Kaydence Downing, Jarrett Gilland, Cole Hardy, Jane Hawk, Lane Pickering, Brecklyn Rush, Brooke Monticue, Hadley Rush.

REGULAR HONOR ROLL

Seniors – Karson Briner, Eliza Corey, Anissa Russell.

Juniors – Jace Cameron, Alyssa Clarkson, Brayden Combs, Marissa Schmitz, Sawyer Thurman.

Sophomores – Brandon Bever, Arenna Galanakis, Kimberlyn Kobbe, Alivia Moyer, Cole Ruby, Dylan Smith, Ryder Smyser.

Freshmen – Trenton Adwell, Brynn Chapman, Hartley Fitzgerald, Lola Morin.

8th Grade – Tate Adams, Mark Curtis, Robert Dees, Mason Hiatt, Brianna Riley, Haley Russell, Owyn Wuillay. 

7th Grade – Briella Benson, Silas Brown, Hudson Cameron, Jakob Herbert, Paige Hubbard, Londyn Maudlin, Catelynn Moyer, Clayton Oberhauser, Jaydon Roush, Brooklyn Smith, Gunnar Smith.

Jack Cottrell to Receive Honorary High School Diploma at Veterans Day Show

Jack Cottrell will be awarded an Honorary High School Diploma at this year’s Worth County School District’s Veterans Day Program on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Cottrell attended school at Grant City High School, but he didn’t have the opportunity to graduate. He went on to serve in the Army during the Korean War where he was awarded three Bronze Stars. Jack Cottrell was nominated for Missouri’s Operation Recognition and the Honorary High School Diploma program by Julie Tracy. Cottrell served as a school bus driver for the Worth County School District for 34 years.

To date, the Worth County Veterans Day program has presented three Honorary High School Diplomas to the following recipients: Paul Hiatt (posthumously) and Dallas Ruth in 2019; and Louis Prichard in 2023.

This year, the school will host 1974 alumni Dr. Dan Weddle as the keynote speaker. Weddle will share about his mother’s time in service as a Russian sharp-shooter and her time spent as a POW in Dachau Concentration Camp during WWII. Earl Hardy will be recognized by the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program for his service in the Army with a World War II certificate of recognition and a WWII Medal and Medallion, which will be presented to his oldest living son, David Hardy. Earl Hardy was part of the battalion that helped to liberate Dachau Concentration Camp.

A Memorial Wall for the biographies of those who paid the ultimate price will be on display in the foyer next to the Partnership Library. In addition to this, there will be a Wall of Honor showcasing both retired and active duty military veteran biographies.

Individuals can nominate any veteran for either wall at any time throughout the year. Nominations can be sent to Julia Wideman at jwideman@wc.k12.mo.us. This year’s display has over 370 biographies.

The public is invited to attend and join us in honoring our local heroes. Please park in the south parking lot of the school and plan to stay for the reception after the program.

Worth County Passes Audit Report; Bus Parking Lot, Ag Welding Area Nearing Completion

Westbrook came to the Worth County School Board Meeting Tuesday, October 22nd and reported that the district is in compliance and in good financial standing. The board approved the audit. 

Superintendent Chris Healy reported that the school has received district bond funds and a majority of those projects will be completed during summer 2024. The Vo-Ag shop welding area is nearing completion, and the electric bus parking lot that the school recently bought land for is also nearing completion.

The Health Services Program was rated as Excellent. Strengths listed include the fact that the Health Aide actively insures that students have immunizations, vision screening, fluoride treatment, human growth lessons, handwashing, and daily medications. School staff is trained in CPR and AED. The health office is kept clean and organized. The school coordinates wellness challenges to promote staff well-being. The health aide is participating in School Nurse Supervision program through DHSS. 

There were 109 students seen for emergency referrals during the previous school year. There were 16 seen for regular medications. There were anywhere from 453 students to 628 students a month seen for minor health issues during each full month of the previous school year. The highest number was in October and the lowest was in April. 

Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported on the new Coderz Club. The following students are the top five point collectors – Hadley Downing (1st), Malary Fojtik (2nd), Case Downing (3rd), Kruz Adams (4th), and Grady Jones (5th).

There are currently 33 friends being served by the Friday Friends program, formerly known as Backpack Buddies. Families who qualify for free & reduced lunches or who are facing unforeseen circumstances are eligible. This is a weekend childrens’ feeding program in partnership with Head Start, the school, and Mission Possible. Students receive a sack of food in their backpack each Friday for the weekend at no cost. The program is paid for by donations from churches, individuals, and grants.

Members of the Worth County Kindness Club took the Woot Woot Cart to teachers to pass out coffee, donuts, or fruit. The project was paid for by the PTO. Members also did crafts for Worth County Care & Rehab residents and Orilla’s Way. They also painted pumpkins for both nursing homes and delivered them on October 18th. They ordered new t-shirts from Mrs. New’s Tiger Design class.

There were 18 office referrals for the first quarter for this year, compared to 11 for the first quarter of last year and 15 for 2022-23.

The school is once again doing Compliment Coins. Each class sets a goal of how many compliment coins they think they can earn in a month. If they reached their goal in September, they were able to choose between a free recess or a different location to eat lunch. Mrs. Stull’s 2nd grade chose to eat lunch on the playground. Mrs. Lischer’s first grade and Miss Lewis’ fourth grade ate lunch in the classroom while watching a movie. Mrs. Schlapia’s Kindergarten, Mrs. Hightshoe’s 2nd grade, and Mrs. Lane’s 5th grade decided to have a free recess.

Fifth grade has been learning about chemical and physical changes. Pre-K went outside and enjoyed some apple activities.

Elementary parents were invited to join in the fun at the Title 1 Apple Festival. They painted with apples, heard a story, ate apples with caramel, and set apples in different liquids to see what they looked like at the end of the day.

An attendance challenge is being held in the elementary again. For September, the first grade got the highest attendance percentage with 98.69%. They received a free recess.

Pineview Manor did a meet and greet with the elementary students when they came to school on October 15th.

The elementary marked Fire Safety Prevention Week from October 7th to 11th. Pre-K through 2nd grade students were given fire truck rides on October 10th, courtesy of the Worth County Fire Protection District. They The Fire Protection District also purchased fire prevention items for all grade levels.

A pop tab assembly was held with Alan Lubert, community relations manager for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Kansas City.

High School Principal Josh Smith reported on activities going on in classrooms. Biology students are using dice labeled with key terms to compete in a game that reviews properties of large, carbon-based molecules. Students flip the central die and race to align their own with the key term to the structure, function, and examples of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids.

Seventh grade students are building machines that demonstrate that energy can be transferred to or from an object.

Strength and Fitness students are completing daily workouts in the weight room, producing improvements in their strength and flexibility.

Health students are researching body systems and using presentations that explain how body systems work and how to seem them healthy.

The high school is once again doing a classroom attendance challenge. The sophomores are first with a 97.99% attendance rate. The seventh graders are second with a 97.91% attendance rate. The freshmen are third with a 95.90% attendance rate.

A GRC West professional development day was held. There was a keynote speaker, a breakout session, and department meetings.

Student activities included an FFA Grasslands contest, Missouri Days Marching Festival, helping with the Mobile Food Pantry, and the National FFA Convention. The Veterans Day Program will be November 11th.

The Counseling office put together a My Success Event and an industry showcase. There will be an Albany Manufacturing Tour Day on November 12th. There are 15 students enrolled in the Vo-Tech program.

The board made the annual Federal Program Appointments for the current school year. Foster Child Liaison is Anna Gladstone. Migrant Liaison, Homeless Coordinator, and English Language Learner Liaison is Amanda Pottorff. Title IX Coordinator is Josh Smith. 504 Coordinator is Amber Hawk.

The board approved an agreement with Northwest Health Services of St. Joseph to provide funds for a social worker to provide services at the school.

The board voted to adopt an agreement with United Fiber to provide backup Internet access.

The board voted to authorize an agreement with Lion Electric based in Channahon (IL) in which Lion Electric will store the five electric buses that the school purchased from it until November 1st. There will be no cost to the school district. After that, Lion Electric will deliver the buses to the school. 

US Senate Candidate Nathan Kline Calls for End to Big Money in Politics

While all the focus has been on Lucas Kunce and Josh Hawley in the current Missouri Senate race, Nathan Kline, the Green Party candidate running for Senate, said that he is the most qualified candidate because he is the only candidate on the ballot who is not taking money from multinational corporations and billionaires. He recently reached out to the Express to share his views on why voters should consider the Green Party. “My vote for Bill Clinton in 1992 was the last vote I ever cast for one of the main party candidates,” he said. After Clinton ran against George Bush and took him to take for free trade deals, Kline said he promptly turned around and implemented NAFTA, GATT, and normalization of trade relations with China. “We live in a system of legalized bribery,” said Kline. “We now have a system of one dollar one vote instead of one person one vote.”

After he became disillusioned with Clinton and the Democrats, Kline began petitioning with the Green Party starting with Ralph Nader’s candidacy in 1996. He ran for office twice himself, including getting 36,000 votes for Jackson County Executive. 

Unlike either of the two main candidates, “I don’t make money out of this, I lose money,” said Klein. “I’m the only candidate representing actual Missouri voters.”

When asked if a vote for a Green candidate would take votes away from the Democrats and enable Donald Trump’s agenda, Kline said that he represents the great majority of people in the US who didn’t vote last time. “I’m trying to reach people who have given up on the system,” said Kline. “A vote for me is a vote for someone who is not for sale.” He said that voting for the lesser of two evils means that, “You still get evil. Your vote for the two party duopoly is a vote for the present system.”

He said that he has talked to people from all walks of life and that people are invariably sick and tired of the current system. “To say that we’re somehow taking votes away from someone else is absurd,” said Kline. 

While the billionaires and multinational corporations are buying our elections, Kline said that in the meantime, the planet is entering a resource crisis caused by manmade climate change. “In the meantime, everyone is about drill baby drill,” he said. “It’s endangering our children and grandchildren.”

And for all his talk about climate change, Kline said that the pipeline construction was continuing under Joe Biden. According to the US Energy Information Administration, there are nine announced projects, ten under construction, and since 2023, four new petroleum liquid pipelines completed, three for crude oil and one hydrocarbon gas liquid pipeline.

“We have to find a more sustainable way of living so that our children and grandchildren can have a future,” said Kline. “The Green Party has always been leading the way in finding alternatives to drilling. We can and will be different.” The problem, according to Kline, is that we’re based on a system of endless growth. “It’s impossible to keep going on in the cycle of endless growth,” he said. “We’re coming up against the limits of how much we can grown.” He noted that the charts predicting climate change would skyrocket and produce more extreme weather have actually underestimated the impact of climate change. “I know it’s not a popular thing to say, but let’s get out of the burning building before it’s too late,” said Kline.

In an interview with KTVO, out of Kirksville, Kline said he supports the government stepping in and guaranteeing healthcare for all American citizens like dozens of other countries are doing. He supports free college, saying that hundreds of thousands of Americans can’t find a way to get into college because of what he sees as restrictive costs. He told KTVO, “We’re importing engineers, doctors, and other professionals because we don’t produce enough in this country.” 

The Green Party is based on the Four Pillars, which are peace, ecology, social justice, and democracy. They say that the country’s long wars and worldwide military presence are immoral and unsustainable, calling for the military budget to be cut drastically. Candidates have called for the budget to be cut from anywhere from 75% to nearly 100%. They support getting off fossil fuels and getting onto renewable energy, raising the minimum wage to $25 an hour, public financing of elections, open debates, and what they see as more representative voting systems. The Green Party has historically pushed ranked choice voting, in which voters rank the candidates in order instead of voting for just one.

Their ten key values include grassroots democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, ecological wisdom, nonviolence, decentralization, community based economics, feminism and gender equity, respect for diversity, personal and global responsibility, and sustainability.

Election day is November 5th.

Nine Seniors Honored; Brayden Stevens Returns in 86-16 Tiger Victory

Nine Tigers who were part of the girls golf team, the band, and the football team were honored at Senior Night Friday before the game between Worth County and Princeton. They were Bridgette Hightshoe (golf), Karson Briner (football), Carter Chapman (football), Landon Wilmes (football), Eva Engel (golf), Abbi Brown (golf), Anissa Russell (band), Eliza Corey (band), and Emma Spencer (band).

For the football team, Brayden Stevens returned after a long hiatus (knee) and was back at full strength. Worth County had to win to keep the pressure up on Albany in the GRC West, which was playing King City at home. Last year, in its first year in eight man, Princeton saw an influx of numbers and a return to respectability although they didn’t show it in a 94-6 loss to Worth County in the Pit. But Princeton’s school board axed their head coach, and they had a new coach this year and a decline in numbers. They had 20 players listed, 14 of whom were freshmen or sophomores. Of those, five were injured over the course of the year, and there were 15 players dressed out for Friday’s game. They had shown some potential this year, putting points on the board against Platte Valley and Albany and holding Pattonsburg down to 26 points.

Princeton received the ball for the opening kickoff and Lucas Frisch dropped Bowe Ussery for no gain at the 29. They dropped back to pass, but Bo Collins and Ethan Lininger flushed Clay Evans out of the pocket, and they were forced to punt after a botched screen. Landon Wilmes ran it back to the 40. Karson Briner dropped a sure touchdown pass, but then Jude Archer picked up eight to the 32 and then Landon Wilmes got loose on a sweep after blocks from Lucas Frisch, Bo Collins, and Carter Chapman to get to the house with 10:07 left in the first quarter. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to make it 8-0.

The carry by Landon Wilmes put him over the 1,000 yard mark for the year. He had been at the 997 mark coming into Friday’s game.

Karson Briner and Sawyer Thurman dropped Judd Henke at the 27. Evans ran a run/pass option, pulled up, and tried to drop it off for a pass, but it was incomplete. A screen pass went for three yards after Tyler Coffman met Lucas Frisch. A short pass to Coffman got to the 35, but a false start set up fourth and seven and Princeton was forced to punt. Worth County started at their own 14 after one of several good kicks, but Brayden Stevens got his first touch, a six yard screen pass after getting a block from Carter Chapman, and Landon Wilmes picked up 17 more to the 37. Two false starts moved Worth County back to the 27, but that only made things more interesting as a long pass to Karson Briner was hauled in this time and he broke a tackle to get into the end zone with 6:48 left. 

Princeton started off at its own 35. Sawyer Thurman and Landon Wilmes dropped Mitchell Walker for a two yard loss, and two incomplete passes forced the Blue Tigers to punt. A pitch to Landon Wilmes netted 15 yards after he got blocks from Hayden Sanders and Carter Chapman. Brayden Stevens picked up ten more after getting a block from Bo Collins, and a 15-yard facemask penalty put the ball on the 23. Hayden Sanders aired it out to Lucas Frisch for the rest of the way. Landon Wilmes took an option pitch and laid out a Princeton defender to make it 22-0 with 5:12 left in the first.

Lucas Frisch rung Kolton Schurke’s bell at the 34. There was a mixup on the handoff and the ball rolled all the way back to the 22 before Princeton recovered it. An offsides penalty put it on the 28, and the Blue Tigers tried a draw, but Judd Henke dodged Carter Chapman only to be swarmed under by four other Tigers. Ethan Lininger hit Clay Evans as he was throwing, and Princeton was forced to punt, pinning Worth County at its 12. Landon Wilmes picked up four on the first carry. Princeton nearly picked off Sanders as Kash Holt came free on the pass rush and Hayden Sanders had trouble getting it over Holt’s tall frame. Princeton tried a corner blitz and Gavin Tatum shot through unblocked on the blind side, but Hayden Sanders got it off just in time and aired it out to Landon Wilmes, who got behind the defense for a score. Brayden Stevens was all alone for the extra point pass to make it 30-0. 

Brayden Stevens broke up a pass after Princeton started on its own 26. Lucas Frisch batted down the next pass. But a hook and ladder to Tyler Coffman set up fourth and inches at the 36. But Princeton tried to pass on fourth down and Carter Chapman batted it down to give Worth County the ball back on downs. A long run by Hayden Sanders for a score was called back by a block in the back to the 30, but it didn’t matter as Landon Wilmes got loose down the right side to score with 1:47 left in the first. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to make it 38-0.

But an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Tigers on the ensuing kickoff put the ball on the 40, and after a one yard gain by Coffman to the 39, Coach Jon Adwell continued to argue the call and got one of his own to put the ball on the Tiger 24. Worth County had Princeton faced with third and five at the 19, but then nobody covered Cooper Boxley, who was all alone for a touchdown pass with 52 seconds left in the first quarter. Clay Evans ran in the extra points and Princeton was on the board, down 38-8.

Worth County started on its own 29 and Brayden Stevens picked up 12 to the Princeton 39 behind blocking from Karson Briner, Landon Wilmes, and Hayden Sanders. A holding penalty put it back on the 31, but that only made things more interesting as Brayden lined up in the Wildcat formation, got a block from Bo Collins, and that was all he needed to take it to the house with 26 seconds left in the first. Hayden Sanders ran in the extra points to make it 46-8.

Princeton started at its own 30 and Brayden Stevens dropped Coffman for a loss of two. Princeton tried to air it out, but the pass was incomplete. On third and 12, one of the Tiger defensive lineman batted the ball in the air and Lucas Frisch caught it and took it to the house as time expired in the first quarter. A fake handoff to Brayden Stevens on the extra point try fooled everyone and Landon Wilmes took it in to make it 54-8.

The Blue Tigers nearly fumbled away the resulting squib kick before falling on it at the 22. A sack lost yardage to the 14, but a five yard facemask put it back on the 19. On the ensuing play, Evans threw a strike to Lucas Frisch, who took it to the house with 11:43 left in the second quarter to make it 62-8.

Bowe Ussery tried to take a running play, but Landon Wilmes dropped him for a loss of three. A scramble went nowhere as Bo Collins tackled Clay Evans after a one yard gain. Evans tried a sweep, but Jude Archer kept the edge and Princeton was forced to punt and Worth County got it back on their own 31. Brayden Stevens got into the clear and down the left sideline for 39 yards to the ten. Away from the play, one of Worth County’s players was drive blocking one of the Princeton players 20 yards down the field when the Princeton player shoved him after the play was over, drawing a late hit to the five. On the ensuing pass play, Landon Wilmes was all alone in the end zone to make it another score with 9:39 left in the half. Hayden Sanders ran in the extra points to make it 70-8.

Princeton finally used some trickery to move down the field after they started at their own 32. A pass to Judd Henke picked up 13 to the 35. A running play to Henke went nowhere as Carter Chapman dropped him at the 38 for a loss. A pair of incompletions set up fourth and 13, but a halfback pass from Henke to Kolton Schurke picked up 25 yards to the 13. On the next play, Princeton used a reverse pass to get the ball to Mitchell Walker for a score with 7:43 left in the half. Clay Evans ran it in to make it 70-16.

The junior varsity took over at that point after the Tigers took over at the 20. Wyatt Hill picked up three yards, but a holding penalty moved it back to the 13 and then Franklynn Taute planted the turf at the 9. But that only made things more interesting as Jude Archer lined up in the Wildcat formation along with the JV offense and turned on the afterburners for a 71 yard score with six minutes left in the first half. Ryder Smyser caught the extra point pass from Wyatt Hill to make it 78-16.

Princeton took the ball at their own 26. The Blue Tigers tried to call a timeout that they didn’t have and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as a result, moving it back to the 13. Brayden Murphy dropped Gavin Tatum for no gain and an attempted option play resulted in a fumble which rolled forward to the 22, where Princeton recovered. But they were forced to punt and Worth County took over at its 32. Dylan Smith tried to reverse his field, but planted the turf at the 29. But then Wyatt Hill gashed the Princeton defense. He got a block from Dylan Smith and picked up 18 to the Princeton 33, got another block from Smith and picked up another 16 to the 17, and then got blocks from Reyen Hansen and Franklynn Taute for six more to the 11. Wyatt Hill then ran through multiple defenders like they weren’t even there for the final score. 

Franklynn Taute recovered a fumble and returned it to the Princeton 5, allowing Worth County to kneel out the first half clock. The game was called at the half.

The only tense moment was whether King City could beat Albany and hand Worth County a share of the title. Albany was playing without Elliot Mercer again (ankle), but was still a formidable opponent with the three headed monster of Chase Cline, Keagan Schaefer, and Kyle Emerson and a huge 250 pound line to create space. 

King City gave Albany everything they wanted and led them through much of the first half. But after Albany tied it at 22, King City could not score from the one yard line late in the first half. Nonetheless, Ryder Sample was carrying the Wildkats on his shoulders and the King City squad played Albany to a 42-42 tie in the fourth quarter.

But then everything that could have gone wrong for King City did go wrong. First, Sample left the game with an injury and did not return, sucking all the energy out of the King City sideline. Then, Kyle Emerson scored on a long reverse that put the Warriors in front 48-42 with 8:19 left in the game. Then, Albany pulled off a blitz and sacked Carlson at the 12 to force a punt and Chase Cline converted a fourth and two to the King City 34. On the next play, Albany went back to the reverse and Emerson outran everyone to the house and Chase Cline added the extra points to make it 56-42 with just under five minutes left. 

King City got the ball back at their own 21 and tried a reverse, but there was a mixup and it was fumbled, pounced on by Zane Rippy at the six. King City was able to keep Albany out of the end zone, but then an intentional grounding penalty that the referees said was in the end zone was called even though there was a King City receiver in the area, resulting in a safety to put Albany in front 58-42. 

The ensuing onsides kick was unsuccessful and Albany was able to run out the clock and claim its first football conference title since 1996, when Charlie Jones blocked a Gallatin field goal to preserve a Warrior win while they were still playing 11-man.

North Nodaway Honor Rolls and Awards

GOLD HONOR ROLL

6th Grade – Kayden Snuffer.

7th Grade – Sophee Clapp, Zoey Pearson, Cade Miller.

8th Grade – Eliza Clements.

Freshmen – Laney Turner.

Sophomores – Lily Blane, Tequilla Miller, Mya Hansen.

Juniors – Addalea Barcus, Blaine Clements, Lacy Riley, Gannon Volner.

Seniors – Owen Martin.

SILVER HONOR ROLL

6th Grade – Braxton Dougherty, Brentley Marriott, Montana Morrow, Arianna Owen-Sportsman, Aleesia Rader, Kamden Reynolds, Avary Volner.

7th Grade – Samuel Jenkins, Reed Martin, Ava Steinman, Gannon Stricker, Chandra Wyllie.

8th Grade – Luke Clements, Jaycie Edington, Journi Farnsworth, Jackson Keho, Conner Pearson, Zoey Phillips, Hayden Marriott, Marek Stevens.

Freshmen – Trynzlee Ebrecht, Taccoa Moyer, Weston Alexander, Draven Rader, Lena Richards, Savannah Rucker, Pyper Smith.

Sophomores – Keith Riedel, Wyatt Emery, Hallie Young, Ridge Harger, Aiden James.

Juniors – Sadee Clapp, Emily Keho, Kaeden Nave, Casey Wray, Jordan DeLeon, Landon Parman, Jackie Wray, Trevin Wyllie.

Seniors – Mason Casner, Gabryelle Harper, Nevaeh Halvin, Katelyn Parman, Olivia Renfro, Lakota Rucker, Amy Richards, Nevaeh Smith, Alanis Wray.

BRONZE HONOR ROLL

6th Grade – Jacobie Edington, Israel Torres.

7th Grade – Hudson Alexander, Lila Miller, Dustie Rader, Tristen Wray.

8th Grade – Elijah Tatum.

Freshmen – Kaeah Edington, Robbie Forney, Conner Reeves.

Sophomores – Monica Castillo, Harley Howard.

Juniors – Madison Judd, Draven Rowland.

Seniors – Kody Bird, Ethan Tyler.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE

6th Grade – Jacobie Edington, Carter Forney, Kamden Reynolds, Kayden Snuffer, Israel Torres.

7th Grade – Hudson Alexander, Scarlett Brown, Sophee Clapp, Reed Martin, Trenton Roberts, Ava Steinman.

8th Grade – Elijah Tatum.

Freshmen – Trynzlee Ebrecht, Savannah Rucker, Pyper Smith.

Sophomores – Keith Riedel.

Juniors – Blaine Clements, Lacy Riley, Casey Wray, Jackie Wray.

Seniors – Owen Martin, Lakota Rucker.

OTHER AWARDS

High School Achievement Award – Draven Rader, Ridge Harger, Casey Wray, Lakota Rucker.

High School Leadership – Sadee Clapp.

High School Citizenship – Gannon Volner.

High School Mustang Award – Monica Castillo.

High School Student of the Quarter – Owen Martin.

High School Student of the Month – Emily Keho.

Middle School Achievement Award – Kayden Snuffer.

Middle School Leadership Award – Zoey Pearson.

Middle School Mustang Award – Sophee Clapp, Samuel Jenkins.

Student of the Quarter - Jaycie Edington.

Grant City Targets 16 Problem Properties for Condemnation

The City of Grant City will call a special meeting to condemn the rest of the abandoned houses that it says need to come down. City Administrator Lizzie Jeanes reported to the council at their regular meeting Wednesday that while a few more properties are getting cleaned up around Grant City, there are 16 property owners that need to be called in to the special meeting in question. 

The city is still in the process of getting a demolition grant for the Masonic Lodge. They needed more info, which the city has sent.

Better by Design is in the process of knocking on doors to talk to people and come up with a plan on how many holes they will have to make to look at pipes. This is part of a nationwide process to get lead out of pipes. After that process is done, they will write letters to people telling them what kind of pipes they have.

Jon Claypool is wondering if there is a way to change the zoning on his property around his house to Ag so that he can fence off the front of his house and have a few butcher cows.

The city is in the process of finalizing the want list for the park project. Possible items include four pieces of exercise equipment, a few things for smaller kids, a teeter totter, a four person bouncer, a tether ball pole, a merry go around, and a handicap swing. The grant has to be done by the middle of November and requires a 50/50 match. The council voted to match up to $50,000 for the park equipment grant.

Justin Smith asked if his house could be added to the city sewer project. Jeanes is going to check with the engineer and let him know.

The council voted to renew the solid waste contract with Porter Trash and to attend Great Northwest Day for another year.

Ryan Fletchall reported that the city has replaced meter pits, helped install new gas lines, and that there has been a large number of dog complaints and dogs being picked up. He reported that lagoon levels have been good this year. 

Carl Staton reported that 100 locates came in from Better by Design for the lead service line inventory and that he has been working at getting those completed. He reported completing the new gas line for the new county barn. He ordered eight small commercial meters to change out; he still has 100 new meters to get installed.

Tyson Troutwine reported that Approved Paving came and sealed half the city streets. They will finish this week. The city voted to purchase two loads of salt and hire Kory Nonneman to haul it. The city voted to purchase two loads of sand and have Dirk Groom haul it. Allen Cameron his having his bank cut down and is giving the dirt to the city. 

Clerk Farrah Richey reported that most city phones have been switched over to Verizon. All of the tax refunds have been applied to customer accounts. The council voted to renew the insurance contract with Blue Cross & Blue Shield; the rate will increase 0.2%. 

Gavin Humphrey Catches 326 Receiving Yards, but Warriors Remain in Drivers Seat With 78-74 Win

Gavin Humphrey had a monster night for Pattonsburg Friday, getting 15 catches for 326 yards, getting a career night for Pattonsburg, and Landon Preston added 11 catches for 134 yards, but the Panthers couldn’t buy a stop defensively in the second half and Albany remained in the driver’s seat in the GRC West, beating Pattonsburg 78-74. 

Camden Griffith completed 28 for 56 passes for 428 yards. Drake Sperry completed a pass for 25 yards and Landon Preston completed a pass for 36 yards. Griffith ran for another 87 yards. 

Defensively, Landon Preston had 17 tackles. Camden Griffith had 11. A new face for the Panthers, Maverick Roberts, showed some promise in Friday’s game, getting 7 tackles along with Bryson Clark. Gavin Humphrey, Jace Estrada, and Parker Virtue had 6 each, Alex Young had 5, and Gage Fortner and Collin Mason had 2 each. 

For Albany, Chase Cline completed 21 of 27 attempts for 239 yards. Keghan Schaefer, Elliot Mercer’s replacement at runningback, had 18 carries for 117 yards; for the second year in a row, Albany was able to plug in a new runningback after another back had gone down. Kyle Emerson had 6 rushes for 70 yards, and Chase Cline had 15 carries for 164 yards. 

Kyle Emerson had 6 catches for 102 yards. Zane Rippy had 3 catches for 73 yards and Cameron Martin 5 catches for 34 yards. 

The Panthers fell behind 12-8 after one, but came alive in the second quarter to grab a 46-42 halftime lead. Pattonsburg had some early success against Albany, with Gavin Humphrey and Landon Preston both picking off Chase Cline and Preston also forcing a fumble. But a key onsides kick recovery swung the game in Albany’s favor, and they regained narrow but firm control of the game throughout the second half. The Warriors were faced with fourth and four at the Panther 27 at the start of the fourth quarter, but Pattonsburg jumped offsides, and Albany never gave them another chance to take the lead. Chase Cline took it to the house on the next play and Albany was up 62-52.

Pattonsburg started off at their own 30 at the next series and Alex Young caught a short pass for six yards and then Gavin Humphrey caught one for 30 to the 14. Camden Griffith’s pass was incomplete, but then Drake Sperry’s catch and run picked up eight yards to the six. On the next play, Landon Preston caught a pass in the end zone to cut the Warrior lead to 62-58.

On the ensuing kick, Pattonsburg nearly recovered the onsides kick, but it rolled out of bounds right before they got on top of it and Albany started at their own 39. A Delay of Game penalty put them on their own 34, but Keghan Schaefer ripped of nine yards and a counter to Chase Cline set up third and one at the 32. Schaefer picked up seven for a first down and Chase Cline took a sweep 17 yards to the Panther 8. Schaefer took it the rest of the way with eight minutes left and Cameron Martin caught the extra point pass to make it 70-58.

After getting the ball on their own 35, Pattonsburg nearly got the six points back, but a deep pass was dropped at the Warrior 20. Landon Preston caught a short pass and he got a block from Drake Sperry to the Warrior 30. Camden Griffith scrambled to the 14 for another first down. After an incomplete pass, Landon Preston caught the next pass for a score with 7:23 left and Camden Griffith scrambled for the extra points to cut it to 70-66.

On the next series, Albany started off at their own 37. Keghan Schaefer ripped off five yards and Chase Cline six more for a first down to the 32. Then, Trevor Akins ripped off a 25 yard sweep down to the seven. Pattonsburg stood tight for the next three plays as Maverick Roberts dropped Schaefer at the five and Landon Preston dropped him at the three. Albany tried an option with Cline making the pitch to Schaefer, but Camden Griffith strung it out and the Panthers stopped it at the two. But on fourth and goal, nobody accounted for Trevor Akins and he was all alone for six with 3:56 left. Zane Rippy was all alone for the extra point pass to make it 78-66 with 3:56 left.

But Pattonsburg kept coming as Camden Griffith scrambled for 20 yards into Warrior territory again at the 34. Gavin Humphrey caught a short pass to the 26, and on third and two, Landon Preston caught one for 11 at the 15. Albany nearly got a stop as a drop and a misfire set up third and ten. Gavin Humphrey caught a short pass, but was tackled at the seven to set up fourth and three. Camden Griffith was apparently tackled for a loss at the 10, but a facemask penalty kept the drive alive and the Panthers had new life at the four. After an complete pass, Alex Young took a reverse three yards to the one and Landon Preston ran it in for the remaining yard with 1:38 left. Alex Young caught the extra point pass to cut the Warrior lead to 78-74.

Once again, Pattonsburg made a stand for three plays but could not buy a stop on the fourth. Maverick Roberts and Bryson Clark dropped Cline for a gain of one at the 38. Schaefer picked up four to the Panther 38. Cameron Martin took an option pitch, but didn’t realize where he was and slid one yard short of a first down with 51 seconds left. But on fourth and one. But Chase Cline picked up five yards to clinch the game and allow the Warrior to kneel out the clock and clinch at least a share of the GRC West title.

Karson Briner Has Big Night Receiving; Tigers Win Critical Game Over King City

 Worth County won a critical GRC West matchup with King City and clinched a winning season, its 10th in 11 campaigns and its 31st in 33 tries with a 60-14 win over the Wildkats. King City had been in control of its own destiny despite a loss to St. Joseph Christian; a win by the Wildkats over Worth County would have given them a shot at clinching a share of the crown for itself Friday. A win by King City also would have secured a third place seed in districts and forced a trip by Worth County to Albany in the second week of districts. As it was, Worth County locked up the third seed in districts with its win.

The Tigers were hoping for lightning to strike twice and for Pattonsburg to pull off an improbable win over conference leader Albany, but the Warriors hung on for a 78-74 win over Pattonsburg, meaning they are still unbeaten in conference play. Worth County must beat Princeton Friday and hope that King City bounces back and beats Albany in order to clinch a share of the conference title.

King City kicked off to start the game and Lucas Frisch returned the ball up to the 39. Landon Wilmes got a block from Jude Archer and picked up 10 to the 31, and then Landon Wilmes picked up two more to the 29. On the next play, Jude Archer lined up in the Wildcat formation, got a block from Landon Wilmes, and took it to the house with 10:41 left to make it 6-0.

But on the ensuing kickoff, King City set up a wall of blockers to the right side and Ryder Sample waited patiently, then burst through the hole to the Tiger 36. Ethan Lininger forced a quarterback hurry, but then King City began creating problems for Worth County by going up-tempo and mixing short passes with runs from Graham Metzger down to the Tiger 4. King City had been searching for a quarterback for the last two seasons, but finally found one in Landon Carlson, a freshman, who is one of the reasons why King City is one of the most improved teams in the conference this year. But at the Tiger four, Ethan Lininger dropped Carlson for a loss, then Sawyer Thurman and Lucas Frisch combined on a sack to set up fourth and goal at the six. Hayden Sanders broke up the ensuing pass to give the Tigers the ball back on downs.

Three running plays by the Tigers only picked up eight yards, and King City had a chance to tie or take the lead starting at their own 29. But Bo Collins dropped Metzger at the 30. Carlson picked up four on a keeper to the 34, but then Hayden Sanders had his second pass breakup in as many series and King City was forced to punt. On the ensuing kick, a bad snap sailed over punter Graham Medsker’s head a and Carter Chapman dropped him at the Wildkat 9. Hayden Sanders went nowhere on the first play, but then hit Karson Briner in the endzone after a good battle between Briner and Michael Perman for Worth County’s second score. Landon Wilmes moved a pile into the end zone to make it 14-0 with 3:51 left in the first.

The ensuing kickoff caromed off a King City player and was nearly pounced on by Lucas Frisch, but King City got back on top of it at the 31. King City completed two short passes each to Ryder Sample and Tucker Mollus and runs by Carlson and Medsker. Finally, Carlson scored on a sneak late in the first quarter to cut it to 14-6. Jude Archer broke up the extra point pass. 

But instead of digging deep, Worth County threatened to let it snowball, and consecutive penalties moved them back from the 33 to the 13, where they faced third and 30. Had King City gotten the ball back with a chance to tie before halftime, it would have been a completely different ballgame. But then Hayden Sanders dropped back to pass, the line gave him good protection, and he threw a dime to Lucas Frisch for 32 yards to keep the drive alive. Frisch picked up nine yards and Hayden Sanders two more to get another first down at the 24. Jude Archer took a direct snap and picked up five more to the 19. Landon Wilmes then took a sweep, got a block from Lucas Frisch, and cut back and into the clear for a score with 9:13 left. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to make it 22-6.

A horsecollar penalty put the ball at the 40 for King City’s next possession, but then Ethan Lininger and Hayden Sanders dropped Metzger for a loss. Ethan Lininger got presser on Carlson and forced an incompletion, but a hook and ladder play picked up 10 yards and set up fourth and two at the Tiger 32. But for the remainder of the game, King City had trouble converting fourth and short yardage situations. Carlson threw behind the intended receiver on fourth and two and Worth County got the ball on downs at the 32.

Landon Wilmes bounced outside and hurdled a defender to the Tiger 38, and then Wilmes got blocks from Lucas Frisch and Bo Collins to the 37 and a first down. Landon Wilmes got a block from Bo Collins and picked up another first down to the 23. Two more carries only picked up three yards to the 20, but a short pass to Lucas Frisch picked up nine to the 11. Finally, Hayden Sanders rolled to his right and found Karson Briner in the end zone with 5:18 left. Karson Briner caught the extra point pass to make it 30-6.

King City started on the Tiger 37 in good field position, but Ethan Lininger forced a hurry and an incompletion. Medsker picked up nine to the 28. Carlson slipped and fell and lost one, but Medsker converted the fourth and two to the 27. But on the very next play, Carlson dropped back to throw and threw a strike to Jude Archer, who took a pick six to the house with 3:43 left. Landon Wilmes caught the extra point pass to make it 38-6.

King City fielded a squib kick at its own 37 and tried the hook and ladder, but it was a near disaster as they fumbled it and nearly lost it at the 40. An option play went nowhere, and then Ethan Lininger and three other Tigers blew up a “wham” pass with a sack to force a punt to the Tiger 29. Worth County only needed one play to convert as Hayden Sanders aired it out to Karson Briner, who was all alone for his third score of the night after the line once again gave Sanders good protection. That made it 44-6 with 1:33 left in the half.

King City tried to answer right before half, and a five yard run by Medsker and two short passes to Sample moved the ball into Tiger territory at the 32 with 46 seconds left. But then Carter Chapman batted down a pass, Carlson threw away the next ball under pressure, and then Chapman batted down another pass to give the Tigers the ball back on downs at the 32 with 33 seconds left.

Worth County got a diving catch by Lucas Frisch to the 25, and then Landon Wilmes’ catch and run got to the two before he was pushed out of bounds. But Landon Wilmes was tackled at the one right before halftime and Worth County couldn’t quite end the game on the mercy rule at halftime.

King City got the ball to start the second half, but the ensuing kickoff got past Ryder Sample, and he had to fall on it at the nine, and a holding penalty moved it to the four. Carlson was dropped by Ethan Lininger at the six, and a short pass to Darwin Bowden put the ball on the 11, where it was third and three. Bo Collins batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage to set up fourth and three, and in desperation, King City went for it, only for Carter Chapman to get his third pass batdown of the game. That gave the Tigers a short field to work with at the King City 11.

It only took Worth County one play to complete the score as Landon Wilmes broke a host of tackles to get into the end zone with 8:57 left. Lucas Frisch caught the extra point pass to make it 52-6.

King City elected to play on and started at their own 32. Jude Archer broke up a first down pass, but Medsker picked up five and then got an option pitch 18 yards to the Tiger 25. But then Bo Collins dropped him at the 23. On the next play, King City tried a reverse, but a mixup on the handoff caused a fumble and it was third and 14 at the 29. Medsker got half of it back at the 22, but then Bo Collins body slammed him there to give the ball back to the Tigers on downs. 

Landon Wilmes picked up two yards, and then Hayden Sanders scrambled to the 31 where it was third and one. Lucas Frisch picked up two more for a first down to the 33. From there, Hayden Sanders took an option, got a block from Ethan Lininger, cut it inside, and got loose down to the 10. Landon Wilmes took it the rest of the way and caught the extra point pass to make it 60-6 with 1:28 left. Shortly afterwards, both coaches turned things over to their substitutes.

Karson Briner caught 90 yards worth of passes, three touchdowns, and two extra points. Landon Wilmes rushed for 90 yards.

Grant City Reminds Residents of Dog Ordinances, Violations

By the City of Grant City

As the number of dog owners in Grant City continues to grow, city officials are reminding residents of the local dog ordinances in place to ensure the safety and comfort of the community. Recently, there has been an increase in violations, prompting authorities to emphasize the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Key Ordinances Every Dog Owner Should Know:

1. Leash Laws: All dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in public areas. This is to ensure that dogs are under control and do not pose a threat or inconvenience to other residents. 

2. Clean-Up Requirements: Pet owners are required to immediately clean up after their dogs in all public spaces. Failure to do so not only leads to unsanitary conditions but can also result in fines. 

3. Excessive Barking: Grant City enforces a noise ordinance that prohibits dogs from barking excessively, especially during late hours. Complaints from neighbors regarding persistent barking can result in fines and legal action.

4. Licensing and Vaccination: All dogs over the age of four months must be licensed with the city. Additionally, dogs must be up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Licensing helps to ensure that lost pets can be returned to their owners quickly and allows the city to track the number of pets within the community.  All vaccination records must come from a vet.

5. Dangerous Dogs: Any dog that is deemed aggressive or has bitten a person or another animal may be classified as dangerous. Owners of dangerous dogs are subject to additional regulations, such as requiring muzzles when in public, mandatory training courses, and increased insurance coverage.

6. Abandonment of Dogs at the City Pound: It is illegal for residents to abandon their dogs at the city pound. Dropping off unwanted pets without proper procedures violates the city’s abandonment laws. Dog owners who can no longer care for their pets are urged to contact the Animal Control Department to discuss surrender options or find alternative care. Violators face fines and potential legal action.

Consequences for Violations: Recent reports indicate a surge in violations of these ordinances, particularly involving leash laws, failure to clean up after pets, and illegal abandonment of dogs at the city pound. Fines for violating these ordinances range from $50 to $500, depending on the severity of the offense. Repeat violators may face higher penalties and even legal action.

What Can Residents Do? Grant City officials encourage dog owners to familiarize themselves with these ordinances to avoid penalties. Residents who witness violations are urged to report them to the City Hall

For more information on the city's dog ordinances, visit the official Grant City website or contact the City Hall at 660-564-3369

By working together and adhering to the rules, residents can ensure that Grant City remains a safe and enjoyable place for all—both for people and their pets.

North Nodaway Hires Junior High Assistant, Two Substitute Cooks; Adopts No Cell Phone Use Policy

The North Nodaway School Board voted to approve the employment of Jake Hoy as the Assistant Junior High Boys Basketball Coach for the current school year at their regular board meeting Wednesday. The board also approved Lynette Berg and Rinda Gladman as substitute cooks. 

The board approved a no cell phone use policy for the school effective January 7th, 2025.  At that time, students from K-12 will be asked to either not bring their phones and smart watches to school or to place such personal technology in a designated Yondr pouch that the school will supply. These pouches have a magnetic device that locks the phones in the pouch and denies phone access to students. The students will retain possession of the pouches and will unlock their pouches at dismissal or when the student checks out for the day from the office. Students will be responsible for their pouch like any other materials issued by the school. If student/parent contact is needed, parents may call the school offices or stop by the school office. In the high school, students have email capabilities.

The school says there are many reasons for the change, a few which are listed below:

–Conflicts that begin on social media or through text messaging during and outside school that the school says disrupts the learning environment;

–Pictures and video being taken of other students in the school and then being circulated, including in bathrooms and locker rooms;

–Bullying and namecalling;

–Students leaving classrooms to check notifications;

–Students using AI on their phones to complete assignments;

–Pressure of parents having to purchase phones for children at young ages;

–Research showing that cell phones in classrooms having negative impacts on student learning.

The administration says they have spoken to staff members, board members, students, and conducted their own experiment. In one class period, 13 students had 440 new notifications during one class period. Often, students were asking to go to the restroom just to check their phone. In one case, it was a parent texting asking what they wanted for dinner. 

Students in violation of this policy will have three days of in-school suspension on the first offense. The second violation will result in five days in-school suspension. The third offense will result in a parent conference and two days of out of school suspension. Additional offenses may result in more severe penalties. In-school suspension allows students to make up the work and receive full credit; out of school suspension does not. Out of school suspension results in students not being allowed to participate in activities or receiving credit for missed work.

As part of the new policy, the board voted to approve the purchase of Yondr Pouches in the amount of $4,906.

The school received two bids to pour concrete at the new bus barn. JS Concrete Construction bid $34,700 for a 34’x50’ slab along with drains. Ideal Concrete Construction of Maryville bid $39,005 for a 30’x50’ floor. The board voted to accept the bid from JS Concrete Construction.

The board received one bid from Northwest Missouri Concrete Coatings out of St. Joseph for putting new flooring in the commons area of the gym as well as the Ag building. The bid was $24,849.50. The board voted to accept the bid.

The board voted to approve the senior class going to Branson in May for their Senior Trip.

Elementary Principal Heather Townsend reported that vision screenings were administered at the elementary.

Students participated in Pickering Pony Day Activities on September 20th. Students were taken from the school to the arena by wagons pulled by horses. At the arena, they participated in fun activities and a live performance followed by a snack. 

Student Council members were named for the Elementary. They were Marin Alexander (President), Whytlee Ebrecht (Vice-President), Brysha Allen (Treasurer), Ady Dailey (Secretary), and members Bella Graham, Gunner Stricker, Zaylynn Luke, and Oakley Marriott.

High School Principal Roger Johnson reported that junior high basketball and cheer practices have begun. The boys have a lot of numbers out; the school hired a new assistant. The girls junior high volleyball team set a school record for most wins in a season. The junior high cross country girls broke a school record and the boys established one for the first time. 

The FFA completed fruit sales and did well at Fall Contest at Northwest.

Superintendent Chris Turpin reported that the playground installers have been installing the new portion of the playground. Helzer fencing will come to the school to put the new fending out front. 

New culture and climate surveys will be going out to staff, students, and parents.  Results will be shared at a future board meeting.

Area Courthouse, Police, and Crime Reports for October 16th, 2024

On October 2nd, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri ruled that part of Missouri’s Halloween statute for sex offenders was unconstitutional. Sex offenders cannot be required to post signs at their residence on Halloween reading, “No Candy or Treats at This Residence.” Other aspects of the Missouri law are unchanged. Registered sex offenders must still remain inside their residence from 5 pm to 10:30 pm, turn off outdoor lights, and avoid Halloween related contact with children. Exceptions can be made for just cause, such as work obligations or medical emergencies.

On October 8th, Ethan Rice (23) of Smithville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of DWI. He was sentenced to two years probation by Judge Robert Rice. 

On October 8th, Irina Younger (64) of Maryville pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Careless & Imprudent Driving. She was placed on two years probation by Judge Robert Rice.

On October 8th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Chad Behrens (44) of Maryville alleging DWI (.158% Blood Alcohol Content), Speeding (83 mph), and Failure to Drive on Right Half of Roadway.

On October 8th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Kyle McCoy (28) of Burlington Junction alleging Failure to Register as Sex Offender (Felony) and No Valid License. Bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety. 

On October 8th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Robert Mauck (22) of Knox City (MO) alleging Property Damage (Felony). Bond was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety.

On October 8th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Joe Hamilton (47) of New Market alleging DWI, Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), No Insurance, Driving While Suspended, and No Seat Belt.

On October 8th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Tammy Blaney (45) of Guilford and Rebecca Morris (67) of Guilford alleging Stealing and Property Damage. An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendants, between March 1st and September 5th, stole various goods from a local store, attempted to steal other goods, and damaged some in the process. 

On October 8th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Steven Cureton (38) of Maitland and Rebecca Lane (30) of Jamesport alleging Tampering with Motor Vehicle (Felony) and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Device. An affidavit from the Maryville Police Department alleges the defendant and another individual stole someone’s credit card and their vehicle and ordered food in the middle of the night at local food stores. Bond for Cureton was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety. Bond for Lane was set at $5,000, cash or corporate surety. 

On October 9th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Serjio Diaz (40) of Belton was sentenced to 15 years without parole by Judge Greg Kays after Diaz had pleaded guilty to charges of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine; Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, and Money Laundering.

On October 9th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office announced the indictments of 19 people from Missouri and Kansas in conjunction with a Meth trafficking ring.  Stevie Delane Logan, Jr., 34, Daron Cortez Kelly, 36, Damion Williams, 34, Necole Jennings, 47, Osric Rashaad Edwards, 25, Shawn Weston Morris, 54, and Rikkita Charnay Tolbert, 37, all of Parsons, Kan.; William Edward McKinzie, 52, Juston Dean Crane, 39, and Gary Jay Watkins, Jr., 54, all of Joplin, Mo.; James Richard Sharp, 55, of Seneca, Mo., Jon Kurtis Smith, 39, of El Dorado, Kan.; Christuffer Allen Roeder, 28, of Independence, Kan.; William Earl Troester, Jr., 45, of Wichita, Kan.; and Kylei Paige Sullivan, 27, of St. Paul, Kan., were charged in an 18-count second superseding indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo., on Tuesday, Oct. 1. That indictment was unsealed and made public October 9th  following the arrests of all remaining defendants. The initial indictment in this case charged Dontrell Anthony Powell, 34, and his brother, Dreshawn Powell, 27, both of Springfield, and Willie Murry, Jr., 42, and Mark Monta Logan, 33, both of Parsons, on Feb. 6, 2024. They remain as defendants in this second superseding indictment.

On October 9th, Special Prosecutor Tara Cluck filed charges against Darrell Germann (40) of Conception Junction in Nodaway County alleging Non-Support (Felony). The amount alleged owed totaled at least $21,900. 

On October 9th, Donato Valeriano (31) of Grant City failed to appear in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court on charges of Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident), No Valid License, and DWI. A warrant was issued and bond set at $375, cash only. 

On October 9th, Neftali Garcia-Santiago (38) of Grant City pleaded guilty in Gentry County Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). He was assessed $515.50 in fines, costs, and fees, sentenced to two days in jail, and sentenced to two years probation by Judge Rebecca McGinley. Defendant must complete SATOP.

On October 9th, Willie Floyd (51) of Darlington pleaded guilty in Gentry Country Associate Circuit Court to charges of DWI and No Taillights. He was assessed $466 in fines, fees, and costs and sentenced to two years probation by Judge Rebecca McGinley. Defendant must complete SATOP by December 9th.

On October 10th, Jack Buckman (23) of Bethany pleaded guilty in Harrison County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Careless & Imprudent Driving (Accident). He was sentenced to two years probation and assessed $115.50 in court costs by Judge Corey Herron. Judge Rebecca McGinley had recused herself from the case. He also pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to charges of Speeding and Possession of Controlled Substance. He was fined $100.50 and sentenced to five years probation by Judge Herron. The probation term is concurrent with the Careless & Imprudent Driving charge. 

On October 10th, a 2010 Nissan Cube driven by Holly Smiley (49) of Maryville was eastbound on 136 one mile north of Conception Junction at around 6:55 am when she collided with a deer. She was seriously injured and was taken to Mosaic in Maryville. 

On October 10th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2015 Chevy Suburban driven by Holly Richardson (37) of Eagleville was northbound on I-35 three miles south of Eagleville at around 4:10 pm when she collided with the rear of a 2021 Freightliner driven by Wol Bol (42) of Lenexa (KS). Richardson received serious injuries and was life flighted to Truman Medical Center. Bol was not injured.

On October 11th, Garrett Allen (39) of New Hampton pleaded guilty in Gentry County Circuit Court to an amended charge of Driving While Suspended. He was sentenced to 10 days to be served every other weekend, two years probation, and fined $300 plus court costs by Judge Corey Herron. 

On October 11th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter dismissed a charge of DWI against Katelyn Kramer (26) of Conception Junction.

On October 11th, Gary Reed (68) of Kearney pleaded guilty in Nodaway County Associate Circuit Court to a charge of Littering. He was fined $79.50 plus costs by Judge Robert Rice.

On October 11th, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2003 Ford F-150 driven by Shaun Grey (20) of Bedford was southbound on Route 148 three miles south of Hopkins at around 5:10 am. The truck traveled off the right side, overcorrected, and left the left side. It then struck a fence, overturned, and came to rest on its wheels. Gray received minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Maryville. 

On October 11th, Harrison County Prosecutor Alex Van Zandt filed charges against Christopher Cantrell (45) of Bethany alleging Trafficking Drugs (Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony), Speeding (75 mph), and Failure to Signal. Bond was set at $50,000, cash only. 

On October 12th at 10:35 am, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Marci Knisley (39) of Albany struck a Ford F-250 driven by Dale Reisen (23) of Philadelphia (MO), which was slowing down to set up road construction signs on Route 136 in Albany. Knisley sustained minor injuries and was taken to Mosaic in Albany. Reisen was not injured.

On October 15th, Nodaway County Prosecutor Tina Dieter filed charges against Larry Miller (33) of Skidmore alleging Burglary (Felony) and Possession of Methamphetamine (Felony). Bond was set at $10,000, cash or corporate surety.

On October 15th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Brian Aalbers (50) of Kansas City pleaded guilty in federal court to 13 counts of attempting to produce child pornography and one count possession of child pornography. He had been a neurologist at Overland Park Regional Hospital. He faces between 20 and 30 years in prison. 

On October 15th, the Western Missouri US Attorney’s Office reported that Amber Waterman (44) of Pineville (MO) pleaded guilty to charges of Kidnapping and Murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. The defendant allegedly kidnapped Ashley Bush of Maysville (AR) for the purpose of claiming Bush’s unborn child as her own. The defendant allegedly enticed Bush with the prospect of a job opportunity and a meeting with a supervisor. But instead, she murdered Bush and Bush’s unborn child, Valkyrie Willis. Waterman was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole. Her husband, Jamie Waterman (44) of Pineville (MO), pleaded guilty to a charge of being an accessory after the fact, allegedly helping Amber Waterman conceal the crime. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

Charges listed are merely allegations. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty it is to determine guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. 

Hayley Yost Returns; Bristol Hicks Catch Sparks Bluejays to 18-0 Win

Northeast Nodaway's girls avoided a letdown against LeBlond and beat them even more convincingly Thursday, sending them home 18-0 in three innings. Northeast had beaten the Golden Eagles easily enough 16-3 in their first meeting, but since then, they came alive and dismantled Stewartsville/Osborn 23-6 for their first win of the year. Their bats had shown some life against NEN in the teams' first meeting; they scored three runs in the first inning of the regular season matchup between the teams before the Bluejays pulled away to a 16-3 win. 

The Golden Eagles were bound and determined to build off their sudden offensive resurgence and Emersyn Lenz sent the very first pitch of the game into the gap in left center. But freshman Bristol Hicks closed the gap in a hurry and ran it down for the first out. Like the Worth County/Maysville game earlier, the balls were flying off the bats in Maysville and Erica King singled. Marah Rocha hit it hard, but right at Mylee Wilmes, who got the force at second. Hicks' catch meant that LeBlond was still off the board when Harper Wright crushed a double underneath the right center field wall instead of setting up another big inning. Haven Wright grounded out to Hadley DeFreece to end the threat.

After Hicks' catch in the top of the first meant that the game was still scoreless, Northeast never gave them another chance as Baylie Busby hit a ground rule double to start the first. The inning looked routine at first as Hadley DeFreece walked and a wild pitch put Busby on third. Lindsey Jackson's fly ball scored Busby to make it 1-0. 

But that was when the dam burst. Brianna Meyer hit a double to the wall in right and a cutoff throw got away to put her on third as DeFreece scored. Blair Nelson walked and stole second. Mylee Wilmes hit a shot off the third baseman's glove to score Meyer and put runners on first and second. Makenzie Pride walked and Aubrey Fetters was plunked to force in a run. Sasha Deardorff hit a pop fly single to load the bases and score another run. Baylie Busby was plunked in the knee to force in a run. Hadley DeFreece unloaded the bases with a three run triple that emptied the bases. Lindsey Jackson doubled off the left field wall. Brianna Meyer doubled in Jackson. By the time the dust was settled, Northeast had scored 11 runs in the first inning and had put the game out of reach.

The other highlight besides Hicks' catch was the return of Hayley Yost to the lineup. She broke two of her fingers in the Stanberry Tournament trying to dive back to first and everyone thought she would be out until the start of basketball season, but she healed faster than anyone thought and was cleared to play for Thursday's game. She led off the Bluejay second and got down 0-2, but she kept battling and finally worked a walk to start the inning. Sasha Deardorff walked and Baylie Busby hit a grounder to short. LeBlond tried to go to third for the force, but Hayley Yost showed her wheels and beat it out to load the bases. Yost showed some wheels again when she came home on a wild pitch, followed by Sasha Deardorff. Hadley DeFreece doubled over the center fielder's head and scored Busby. She tried a delayed steal, but was caught in a rundown between second and third. She escaped the rundown and came home when Lindsey Jackson grounded out to make it 15-0.

Brianna Meyer reached on a dropped fly and Blair Nelson was plunked to put runners on first and second. They advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Makenzie Pride hit a shot off the first baseman's glove that rolled away to score a run. Hayley Yost hit a high chopper to second and once again showed her wheels as she beat out the infield hit and brought in a run. Sasha Deardorff beat an infield hit to load the bases. Baylie Busby walked to force in a run to make it 18-0.

NEN worked around an error despite the heart of LeBlond's order coming up as Hadley DeFreece froze Erica King on strikes and snagged Marah Rocha's ground ball for the final two outs. 

Kristen Tracy, Riley Ridge Get Three Hits in Wild Win Over Wolverines; Tigers Clinch Winning Season

On a night in which the ball was flying off the bats, Worth County overcame seven errors, clinched its third straight winning season, and beat Maysville 18-11 Thursday. The Tigers have a good chance to get two more if everyone stays healthy. They return everyone back for next year and gain stalwarts from the junior high squad such as Kennedy Murphy and Bella Blankenship. And out of their ten players from this year’s squad, only two of them are juniors. 

Maysville came in having won only two games; they have fallen on hard times since winning state in 2018, returning there in 2019, and winning again in 2021. But they looked anything but a two win team Thursday; everything they hit was hard, they got 11 hits, and kept coming at Worth County even after the Tigers pulled ahead. They have 18 players out this year, and only two of them are seniors, and most of them are freshmen and sophomores. Their pitcher, Sam Gripka, symbolizes their toughness; she has taken six shots off her body this year, including one from Megan Tracy off her ankle. It has gotten to the point where it doesn’t hurt, but is numb. 

For Worth County, Kristen Tracy had two doubles and a triple. Riley Ridge had three singles. Kambree Briner had a single and a double. Megan Tracy, Audrey Runde, and Addison Gray all had two singles each. Rylee Ruckman and Braelyn Fletchall had one hit each.

The game was marred by the fact that the umpires did not show up for Thursday’s game. Maysville was able to round up a local person who had his license and one of the fans to work the game.

Megan Tracy pitched the win for the Tigers. Coach Cody Green said he was resting Kristen for districts later this week. The Tigers play Thursday against Gilman City.

It started easily enough for Worth County in the top of the first when Riley Ridge slapped a single past third and short, stole second, and Kambree Briner doubled her to right center. Briner later came home on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

But then the balls started flying off the bats for Maysville, and Sophia Redman walked and stole second. A double by Sam Gripka, a single by Madi DeShon, and a single by Skylar Nalle put the Wolverines back up 3-2.

Addison Gray reached on a dropped fly ball and stole second and third in the Tiger second. She was almost stranded there as the next two batters struck out, but then Braelyn Fletchall singled to center to knot it at three and took second on a wild pitch. Riley Ridge hit a slap down the third base line that rolled dead for a scratch hit to put runners at first and third. Ridge stole second and then Kambree Briner singled them both home to put Worth County back in front 5-3.

Worth County nearly got out of the Maysville second, but had trouble getting to strike three or getting the third out. Sophia Redman hit what looked like a routine grounder to short, but she beat it out. Gripka hit a shot off Keira Hardy’s glove and everybody was safe as a run scored. DeShon walked and Nalle got to two strikes, only to crush a double to score two and put Maysville back up 6-5.

At that point, the only way Worth County was going to beat Maysville was to keep scoring. They didn’t score in the third, but as Megan Tracy settled in and pitched three straight shutdown innings, that was all the space they needed to score six in the fourth to take an 11-6 lead and put it away. Riley Ridge shot a single past short after getting two strikes on her and Kambree Briner was hit by a pitch. Kristen Tracy tripled them both in and Audrey Runde beat out an infield hit to score Tracy. Megan Tracy reached as Maysville threw away a force and Rylee Ruckman beat out a slow roller down the third base line to load the bases. Runde scored on a wild pitch and a dropped pop fly scored two more runs.

Worth County scored two in the sixth and five more in the seventh as they were able to put some distance between themselves and the Wolverines.

Landon Wilmes Racks Up 250 Yards as Tigers Match Record with 94-32 Win

Landon Wilmes racked up 250 yards as Worth County matched a school record with 94 points, downing Pattonsburg with a 94-32 win Friday. With the win, Worth County kept up the pressure on Albany, which faced a surprisingly stiff challenge from Stanberry before pulling away for a 46-6 win. Albany lost Elliot Mercer on the first play of the game. The last few years of the Albany/Stanberry wars have always resulted in key players being knocked out of the game. King City was also unbeaten in the conference going into Friday's game, but faltered 34-26 against St. Joseph Christian to go to 4-1.

The win for Worth County sets up a showdown at King City Friday. The game is a must win for both schools. Worth County has to beat King City and hope that Albany falters against either Pattonsburg or King City to clinch a share of the GRC West. If King City wins, then Worth County is out of the race while the showdown between Albany and King City will be for a share of the GRC Title for the Wildkats. Friday's win against Pattonsburg brought the magic number for a winning season for the Tigers down to one game; a win Friday night will give them a winning season for the ninth time in ten tries with the other season being a .500 season. The game will also be for district standings. Worth County can likely finish no higher than third in districts due to losses to Platte Valley and Albany; a win by King City would vault them ahead of Worth County to third place, forcing Worth County to travel to Albany. 

The win matches a school record for most points in a contest by the Tigers. They scored 94 points in 2010 against South Holt, a 94-48 donnybrook which prompted the 275 conference to make a rule requiring schools down by 45 points to call the game for a time. They scored 94 points against Pattonsburg in 2015, and 94 points last year against Princeton. 

Pattonsburg has been going through a tough luck season this year. After playing Rock Port and South Holt tough, they lost Wyatt Maize for the year (knee) during the latter game and have been in a tailspin for much of the season. They showed flashes of their old form, beating Stanberry handily, but struggling in a 50-8 loss to King City. They put some points on the board against a physical St. Joseph Christian  squad last week, but lost 70-38. The hope was to show some spark against Worth County and then turn around and propel it into a win against Albany, like what happened last year. They showed flashes of promise against Worth County, but the Tigers, after some early lapses on defense that kept Pattonsburg in the game, got better as the game progressed and the Panthers couldn't buy a stop against Wilmes and the Tiger ground game, while Hayden Sanders completed enough passes to keep Pattonsburg's defense honest. And Worth County did not give up a pair of free possessions to Pattonsburg like Albany did in its first game with them last year and fuel their rush.

Pattonsburg got the ball on their own 18 and got a pass from Drake Sperry to the 29 for a first down. Lucas Frisch blew up a jet sweep, but then Alex Young was all alone for a pass to the Tiger 34. The Panthers were faced with a third and ten after Landon Preston was met by Sawyer Thurman, Lucas Frisch, and Bo Collins and Jude Archer broke up a pass, but then Camden Griffith scrambled for seven to the 27 and then scrambled for a touchdown as the black shirts overran him and he channeled Gage Iddings, weaving his way through traffic with 7:38 left to make it 6-0. But Worth County was ready for the swinging gate on the extra point try, having seen it against Platte Valley before, and broke up the extra point pass. They stopped all but one of Pattonsburg's extra point tries. 

The Panthers nearly recovered an onside kick before it rolled out of bounds at the 34. Landon Wilmes started off with a seven yard sweep, getting a block from Lucas Frisch. Jude Archer lined up in the Wildcat formation and took it four yards to the 35 after getting a block from Landon Wilmes. Lucas Frisch picked up four to the 31, and then a shovel pass to Landon Wilmes went nowhere, stopped at the 30. But then Hayden Sanders moved a pile to the 25 and a first down and Landon Wilmes got a block from Carter Chapman and got six down to the 19. He got 11 more off blocks from Lucas Frisch and Ethan Lininger and then took a sweep to the house with 4:33 left. Hayden Sanders got good protection in the pocket and threw a strike to Lucas Frisch to make it 8-6. 

But Pattonsburg marched right back down the field after starting at their own 32. Bo Collins got pressure on Griffith and forced a hurry, then Griffith scrambled for four to the 31. Hayden Sanders nearly picked off a pass before Gavin Humphrey nearly made a diving catch, but on fourth down, nobody picked up Humphrey and he was all alone for a strike with 3:32 left. Griffith tried to run in the extra points, but was pushed out and Pattonsburg led 12-8.

Sawyer Thurman ran back the ensuing kick to the Pattonsburg 36. Landon Wilmes got blocks from Bo Collins and Lucas Frisch for 11 yards and then Jude Archer took a snap out of the Wildcat and took a counter from 25 yards out to the house with 2:54 left. Once again, Hayden Sanders got good protection from the line and threw a strike to Archer for the two points to make it 16-12.

The Panthers have tried to establish a running game with some success this year, but Worth County was ready for it and blew it up for most of the night. Sawyer Thurman and Ethan Lininger dropped Alex Young for a loss, Sawyer Thurman broke up a pass after Lucas Frisch forced a hurry, and then Bo Collins got loose and forced an incompletion to a wide open Landon Preston. Camden Griffith tried to scramble for a first down, but this time, Carter Chapman showed his speed and ran him down to five the Tigers the ball back on downs at the 27.

Worth County rescued a dropped pass as Landon Wilmes got a block from Lucas Frisch and got 22 yards to the 5. Then, Jude Archer got a block from Karson Briner and took it to the house with 1:34 left in the first quarter to put Worth County up 22-12.

Pattonsburg went into the two twin formation that Mound City used with some success against Worth County, but this time, they were ready for it. Pattonsburg started off at its own 31 and a short pass to Alex Young netted four. But then Bo Collins and Karson Briner rang Griffith's bell. Carter Chapman tweaked his shoulder and came out, but the Tigers may have found a new defensive end as Karson Briner took most of the reps at that position after the first quarter and the Tigers showed no dropoff. Meanwhile, Chapman was still able to anchor the offensive line. The Tigers overcame a facemask penalty as Briner forced a hurry. Drake Sperry was all alone, but Griffith misfired, and a pass was too far for Landon Preston, giving the Tigers the ball back on downs at their own 39.

Worth County only needed three plays to get down the field. They aired it out to Karson Briner to the 13. Following an incomplete pass, Hayden Sanders threw a shovel pass to Landon Wilmes, who took it to the house with 11:33 left in the second quarter after getting blocks from Jude Archer and Bo Collins. A carbon copy was good for the two points as Landon Wilmes weaved his way through traffic to make it 30-12. But Pattonsburg came storming right back as a big battle between Landon Preston and Jude Archer resulted in a juggling catch and run that took it to the house with 11:20 left. Gavin Humphrey caught the extra point pass to make it 30-20. 

Pattonsburg tried to follow the game plan against Albany last year, where they took control in the first game by recovering a pair of onsides kicks. But Worth County kept their heads against their tactics and didn't give up one all night. Karson Briner recovered one at the Panther 32, and then Landon Wilmes took a sweep and ran through Panther defenders like they weren't even there to make it 36-20 with 11:12 left. But Collin Mason and Jace Estrada combined on a sack of Hayden Sanders to keep the margin at two possessions. 

That meant that the Panthers could make it one possession if they were to score. A late hit put it on the Tiger 34, and then passes to Gavin Humphrey and Alex Young moved it to the 21. But from there on out, Bo Collins started playing as one possessed, starting with the next series. A running play lost six as Bo shot through unblocked. Bo forced another hurry and an intentional grounding, and then got another hurry to set up fourth and 28 at the 39. Pattonsburg aired it out, and Gavin Humphrey nearly made a spectacular grab, but came up short as the Tigers took over on downs. From there, Worth County did not look back. 

Jude Archer nearly broke one, but Gavin Humphrey made a shoestring tackle to hold him to five yards. Landon Wilmes got a block from Lucas Frisch, and cut back for seven more to the 29. From there, Hayden Sanders called his own number. The front line defenders overran him, he got a block from Lucas Frisch, and he took it to the house with 8:02 left. Like Bo Collins on defense, Lucas Frisch was playing possessed on offense, laying out defenders everywhere in sight and opening the holes for Landon Wilmes and the other Tiger backs. Hayden Sanders took in the option to make it 44-20.

Pattonsburg started at their own 32, and then Bo forced another quarterback hurry and an incomplete pass. Camden Griffith scrambled and managed to find Gavin Humphrey for eight yards, but then Pattonsburg started taking too much time to get the play off and then Sawyer Thurman flushed Griffin and Karson Briner got a sack. On fourth and eight at the Panther 34, Bo Collins once again got pressure and flushed Griffith, who threw it away to give the Tigers the ball back on downs. 

Jace Estrada sacked Hayden Sanders on the first play, but then Jude Archer weaved his way eight yards and then six to set up fourth and three at the 27. Worth County then lined Landon Wilmes up in the Wildcat formation, and he weaved his way through the green shirts like they weren't even there as he took it to the house with 4:30 left to make it 50-20. 

Worth County tried to give Pattonsburg a dose of its own medicine by trying an onsides kick, but Remington White fell on it at the 39. On their first play, Alex Young was all alone for a pass, but Griffith misfired. Lucas Frisch broke up a pass, and then dropped Griffith trying to scramble to set up fourth and nine. Bo Collins flushed Griffith and Hayden Sanders broke up the resultant pass and Worth County had the ball on downs at the 40. Once again, they only needed one play as Landon Wilmes ran through the Panther defense like nobody was there and scored with 3:20 left to make it 56-20.

Pattonsburg then switched quarterbacks and put freshman Gage Fortner in at quarterback and Griffith as a wide receiver. Bo Collins batted down his first pass, but then Fortner aired it out to Griffith for 60 yards to the house with 3:10 left to make it 56-26. But the ensuing onsides kick didn't travel the necessary 10 yards and Worth County had good field position at the Panther 34. Once again, Landon Wilmes wove through the Panther defenders like they weren't even there, getting blocks from Jude Archer and Lucas Frisch to get loose. He ran in the option to make it 64-20 with three minutes left.

The Panthers started off at their own 29. Landon Wilmes dropped Gavin Humphrey after a one yard pass. Bo Collins and Karson Briner combined on a sack, and then Bo Collins dropped Landon Preston for a loss after they tried to leak him out of the backfield. It was fourth and 19 at their own 20, too far for the Panthers to even consider going for it, and Landon Preston got off a great kick downed at the Tiger 13. But with 1:12 left, that only made things more interesting for the Tigers. Landon Wilmes weaved his way up to the 36, and then took a sweep to the Panther 17 before getting out of bounds with 42 seconds left. But Wilmes was finally stopped on the next play, forcing Worth County to use its last timeout with 36 seconds. Worth County took a shot into the end zone, but after a good battle, Alex Young broke up a pass intended for Karson Briner with 30 seconds. Landon Wilmes caught a short pass, but was tackled at the eight with 26 seconds, one yard short of the first down. On fourth and one, Jude Archer got three to the five to keep the drive going. Worth County threw it away with 8.1 seconds left, and then Jude Archer took a quick pitch, got a block from Karson Briner, and got in with 3.8 seconds to spare. Landon Wilmes took the Wildcat snap and turned himself into a human bowling ball to get into the end zone to make it 72-26 at the half.

Unlike previous years, Pattonsburg elected to play on this time and on Worth County's first possession, Parker Virtue got a huge hit, but Worth County recovered it at their own 30 for second and 15. Jude Archer took a Wildcat snap and was seemingly in the clear before Parker Virtue came out of nowhere to tackle him at the Panther 21 to save a touchdown. But Lucas Frisch took it three yards to the 18 and then Landon Wilmes weaved his way through traffic for his final score with 9:49 left in the third, Jude Archer caught the extra point pass to make it 80-26.

Pattonsburg got the ball back at the 20, and this time, they adjusted their blocking scheme to double team Bo Collins, who had hurt them in the first half. Sawyer Thurman blitzed on their first play and forced a hurry, and Jude Archer was there to break it up. Gavin Humphrey caught a short pass, only to be body slammed by Lucas Frisch straight out of the WWE. But then Fortner threw a long pass to Humphrey, who made a circus catch at the Tiger 28 to keep the drive going. Worth County forced another pair of hurries, but then Fortner aired it out again, this time to Landon Preston, who made another circus catch, this time for a score with 5:20 left to cut the Panther deficit to 80-32. Jude Archer broke up the extra point try.

After Karson Briner returned the resulting squib kick to the Panther 29, Worth County turned things over to its JV. Wyatt Hill picked up carries of two and four to the 23, and then got a block from Brayden Murphy and got loose, taking it to the house with 2:58 in the third. Hill got blocks from Reed Smyser and Liam Hayden to add the extra points and make it 88-32.

Pattonsburg started off on its own 30, but a sack by Karson Briner put them on their own 16. Drake Sperry got most of it back and would have gotten more had not Reyen Hansen come out of nowhere to tackle him at the 28. A pair of bad snaps gave the Tigers the ball back on downs at the Panther 10, and Franklynn Taute took it to the house to make it 94-32 before the Panthers threw in the towel and the rest of the game was played with reserves. 

In reserve action, Reyen Hansen got a pick and a nice return to the Panther 25 before Wyatt Hill got loose again for the lone tally during that stretch. 

Silas Brown Scores Three Times as Junior High Tigers Cap Unbeaten Season

Worth County capped off an unbeaten junior high season Monday with a 68-6 win over Pattonsburg. The current group of eight graders came a long way since last year, when they lost four and tied two. They had several horses to anchor the team this year, with Brock Healy at the quarterback helm and targets to hand the ball to or throw to like Jordan Dannar, Wyatt Scadden, Cole Hardy, and Bentin Roberts. But it was Silas Brown who stole the show Monday, ripping off four carries for 119 yards, the kind of performance Bo Collins put on two years ago against Pattonsburg. It was Worth County's third unbeaten junior high season in four years. Last year, Worth County played the numbers game and barely got a team on the field; this year, they had 23 players listed in the program. 

Pattonsburg showed some promise this season, even though the scoreboard Monday didn't show it. They have a new quarterback in waiting for their pass-happy attack in Mason Preston, receivers like Colton Crone and Evan Mason, and two huge fullbacks in Meric Hansel and Cash Teel who showed some skill in carrying the ball for the Panthers. The numbers were up for the Panthers, who had 22 players out this year; last year, the varsity squad was down to 13 players at one point. They won a couple of games against Stanberry and North Andrew. "We should have won a third against Princeton," said coach Alan Koch. But Worth County showed the same kind of dominance that they did in 2021 and 2022, when Bo Collins and that bunch were in junior high.

The scoring started right off the bat for Worth County when Jordan Dannar took one to the house on the kickoff after getting a block from Hudson Cameron with 7:50 left. Brock Healy took the option in for the extra points and it was 8-0. 

Cole Hardy had a big hit on the kickoff return to pin Pattonsburg on their own 25. Pattonsburg had a chance to make a game out of it on the next series as Preston, under pressure from Jace Burns, aired one out to an open Evan Mason, but he dropped it and the suspense was soon over. A good return by Bentin Roberts on the punt was called back to the Tiger 26 by a block in the back penalty, but that only made things more interesting as Brock Healy aired it out to an unguarded Wyatt Scadden, who took it to the house with 6:35 left. Brock Healy got blocks from Scadden and Dannar and added the extra points to make it 16-0.

Pattonsburg tried to establish the shovel pass, but Wyatt Scadden and Cole Hardy blew it up twice and Scadden added a sack to force a three and out. Bentin Roberts took the ensuing kick, got a knockdown block from Jordan Dannar, and took it to the house with 3:56 left. A counter play to Cole Hardy fooled everyone to make it 24-0.

On the next series, a running play went nowhere as Hudson Cameron met Gabe Jeswald for no gain. Hudson Cameron hurried Mason Preston into an incompletion, and a reverse went nowhere as Bentin Roberts did his job and stayed home and made the tackle. This time, Pattonsburg tried to go for it, but Liam Cordell picked it off on the Tiger 33. This time, Worth County only needed one score as Jordan Dannar took a dive, got a block from Jace Burns, and bounced out to the left side and to the house with 2:03 left. Cole Hardy caught the extra point pass to make it 32-0.

This time, Pattonsburg tried to go for it again, but Brock Healy broke up a fourth down pass and Worth County got a short field on the Panther 27. They elected to work on their passing game, and Scadden was tackled immediately after a one yard gain and an incomplete pass set up third down. But Brock Healy aired it out and Scadden outran everyone to the house with 7:48 left. Bentin Roberts flared out on a screen pass, juked a defender, and got in to make it 40-0.

It looked like more of the same for Pattonsburg after Jace Burns and Bentin Roberts tag teamed and body slammed Mason Preston in a move straight out of the WWE. But Preston, on fourth and five, had a short memory as he rolled out to his right, reversed field to his left on fourth and five, and scrambled for a first down to the Tiger 33. A short pass to Evan Mason set up a manageable down and distance at the 25, and Worth County jumped offsides on fourth and two to keep the Panther drive alive. But then Jakob Herbert stepped up and came up big for Worth County, dropping Preston for no gain, and an incomplete pass, a short pass than went nowhere, and a sack by Jordan Dannar gave the Tigers the ball back on downs at the 35.

Worth County ripped off a pair of big gains from Jordan Dannar to the Panther five, but elected to work on spiking the football; they executed it perfectly, but time ran out on them before they could get it grounded.

The ensuing second half kickoff was fumbled around before Xander Bodle pounced on it at the 15. They only needed one play to cash in as Jordan Dannar got a block from Bentin Roberts as he took it to the house with 7:20 left in the third to make it 46-0. 

But Pattonsburg, which had called games like this in the past, changed their thinking this year and elected to play on; the varsity also played on after falling behind by more than 45. They continued to play hard even after the running clock kicked in; after Wyatt Scadden recovered a Panther fumble, they turned right around and Leon Robinson recovered a Tiger fumble. But then Jakob Herbert recovered a fumble for Worth County, and they turned to Silas Brown as a runningback. The seventh grader immediately showed some skill, ripping off 27 yards to the four and taking it to the house after getting a block from Wyatt Scadden. Jace Burns, who had anchored the offensive and defensive line all year, was rewarded with a carry and bulldozed his way into the end zone for the extra points to make it 54-0 with 2:43 left.

Desperate to try something that would work, the Panthers put Meric Hansel and Cash Teel in the backfield and it paid off after Pattonsburg started on their own 16. First, Hansel dragged the whole Tiger football team eight yards to the 24. Then, Cash Teel showed some skill and dragged a pile three yards before Gunnar Smith body slammed him at the 27. Then, Hansel went to work again, dragging defenders left and right for six more yards to the 33. That set up some daylight for Mason Preston, who bounced outside and took it to the house with 7:43 left in the fourth to put Pattonsburg on the board at 54-6. Mason Hiatt picked off the ensuing extra point try.

But then Worth County got the ball back on the 25 and Silas Brown went to work, getting loose and running through Panther defenders like they weren't even there. Wyatt Scadden ran in the extra points to make it 62-6 with 3:35 left. Cole Hardy pounced on the ensuing squib kick at the Panther 33, and that set up Silas Brown's last run in the closing seconds. Gracin Runde ran in the extra points to make it 68-6.