Sports

Wed
29
Nov
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Huxoll, Metro State advance to D-2 tourney

Huxoll, Metro State advance to D-2 tourney

Alivia Huxoll, a freshman on the Metropolitan State University Roadrunner volleyball team, goes up for an attack during action on the court for the Roadrunners’ earlier this season. COURTESY PHOTO | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Huxoll, Metro State advance to D-2 tourney

Huxoll

Alivia Huxoll, a 2023 graduate of Sutton High School, and the daughter of Edd and Erica Huxoll, of Sutton, will be joining her teammates on the Metropolitan State University volleyball team when they open play in the 2023 NCAA Division II national volleyball tournament, entering the tournament as the sixth-seed in the South Central Regional tournament, played in Canyon TX on Thursday, Nov. 30.

Huxoll and the 26-6 Roadrunners will take on Texas A&M-Kingsville (2110) in the opening round of the tournament.

Huxoll, who is majoring in business and sports marketing, had a strong start to her young career with the Roadrunners. In 12 matches, and 22 sets, Huxoll collected 17 kills, five blocks and seven digs coming in off the bench. She had a season- high five kills in a win over Chadron State, Sept. 16.

Wed
29
Nov
Edgar's picture

Stability and culture is the focus that drives SC head wrestling coach Logan Searle

Stability and culture is the focus that drives SC head wrestling coach Logan Searle

Logan Searle, a three-time state qualifier, and a third place medalist in 2015 for the then South Central Red Raiders wrestling program has returned home to take over the head coaching duties for the now Sandy Creek Cougars wrestling program this winter. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Wrestling is a word that in Logan Searle’s dictionary belongs on the front page of any dictionary in circulation. He breathes wrestling, bleeds wrestling, and sleeps wrestling, and for those that know him well, know that he demands respect for the sport that he loves deeply.

Searle, who after four years as ‘the master builder” of Liberty North High School’s wrestling program in the suburbs of Kansas City, MO, along with his wife, Kami made the decision that it was time to get out of the city and get back to their roots, and support small town America. This past summer they returned home, moving back to Edgar, where Searle took over the Industrial Arts program at Sandy Creek High School, and oh, by the way, stepped into the role of head wrestling program, which beginning this program, will no longer be under the South Central Unified District umbrella, and will in fact be the first Cougar Wrestling team since the late 1990s.

Wed
29
Nov
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Mau to be inducted into Nebraska softball HOF

Mau to be inducted into Nebraska softball HOF

Todd Mau is shown here with his family. From the left is Kesean (Mau) Bundy), wife Shelley, Todd, and Lakyn. COURTESY PHOTO | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Mau to be inducted into Nebraska softball HOF

Todd Mau, shown here with his oldest daughter Lakyn, will be inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame Saturday, Dec. 2 COURTESY PHOTO | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

A 16-year veteran softball coach, Todd Mau, will be inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held Saturday, Dec. 2, in Hastings.

The induction ceremony, in which four other inductees will join Mau will be at the Lochland Country Club, with the banquet set to start at 6 p.m. at the Hastings club.

Joining Mau in the 2023 induction class are Gary Benson, Duane Cheney, Jeff Drahota, and Dennis Glover.

In nine letters of support for Mau’s induction, each letter had a common theme about Mau, “Coach Mau has always been a selfless, devoted and talented coach. Todd, an incredible player himself, hung up his own cleats to help us get ours dirty,” his youngest daughter, Kesean (Mau) Bundy shared.

Wed
22
Nov
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6 Cardinals earn D6-3 district honors

6 Cardinals earn D6-3 district honors

Schumm
Knueven
Reutzel

6 Cardinals earn D6-3 district honors

Fishler
Villalbaso

The Harvard football team, in what many can call the toughest 6-Man football district in the state of Nebraska, has placed five players on the D6-3 All-District football team for their efforts during the 2023 season.

Led by senior Cody Fishler and junior Eduardo Perez, who were both named as a first-team selection, Fishler as a defensive back, and Perez as a kicker, by coaches in the D6-3 District, while senior Eric Villalbaso earned second team honors for his play as a defensive lineman for the 3-5 Cardinals this year.

Three other Cardinals were honored as honorable mention selections, including Lathem Schumm, Kyle Knueven, and Cohen Reutzel.

Wed
22
Nov
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Josh Shaw is tabbed as 3rd team MIAA all-conference selection at Ft. Hays State

Josh Shaw is tabbed as 3rd team MIAA all-conference selection at Ft. Hays State

Fairfield native, and Sandy Creek graduate, Josh Shaw, was selected as a third-team MIAA all-conference offensive lineman for the Fort Hays State University Tigers. COURTESY PHOTO | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Josh Shaw is tabbed as 3rd team MIAA all-conference selection at Ft. Hays State

Shaw

Josh Shaw, a 2022 graduate of Sandy Creek High School, and a Fairfield native was named as a third-team selection to the 2023 All-MIAA all-conference football team, as Shaw, and his Fort Hays State Tigers football team closed out the season with a 7-4 overall record, and a 6-4 conference record.

The 6-2, 285 offensive lineman for the Tigers, Shaw, according to the Tigers’s website “received his first All-MIAA pick on the offensive line. He started all 11 games at left guard in 2023, helping the team to 4,622 yards of total offense, averaging 420.2 per game. The Tigers ranked fifth in the MIAA in total offense.

He is the son of Brian and Julie Shaw of rural Fairfield.

Wed
22
Nov
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Cougars dominate All-District honors

Cougars dominate All-District honors

Sandy Creek’s football players that landed on the D1-8 All-District honors list, following their 11-1 season include, in front, from the left: Kaeden Schmidt, Ben Sullivan, Logan Sanders, Connor Rempe, and Alston Clark. In the middle row, from the left is Zac Corman, Owen Oglesby, Jack Clark, Ethan Shaw, Jack Watts, and Will Claycamp. In the back is Oliver Oglesby, Hudson Devlin, and Jacob Petr. Not pictured is Wes Biltoft. MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars dominate All-District honors

Sutton football players that landed on the D1-8 All-District honors list, following the 2023 season include, in front, from the left: Keith Kliewer, Gabe Gwennap, and Billy Marshall. In the back, from the left is Weston Ohrt, Harrison Herndon, Aidan Jones and Wyatt Pollet. Not pictured is Devon Griess. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

As dominant as the Sandy Creek Cougars were on the football field, ending the 2023 season following their 12-point loss to Stanton, the Cougars continued their dominance in the postseason, as a total of 15 Cougars earned honors from coaches in the Class D1-8 District.

Sutton, who finished the year with a 3-6 record, after a first-round playoff loss to North Platte St. Pats, had eight players earn postseason honors by the district.

Sandy Creek’s players on the first team offense included: quarterback Ethan Shaw, receiver Connor Rempe, and offensive linemen, Jack Watts, Will Claycamp and Hudson Devlin.

Defensively, Cougars on the first team included: Kaeden Schmidt, as a defensive back, Alston Clark, as a linebacker, and Jacob Petr, as a defensive lineman.

Second team honors for the Cougars, offensively included Ben Sullivan as a running back, Logan Sanders as a receiver, Wes Biltoft as a linebacker, and Owen Oglesby, as a defensive lineman.

Wed
15
Nov
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Sandy Creek girls finish 2023 volleyball season with 10-20 record

Sandy Creek girls finish 2023 volleyball season with 10-20 record

The Sandy Creek volleyball team added four more wins to their total from last year, as after going 6-24 a year ago, the Cougars wrapped up the 2023 season 10-20.

Wins for the year came by way of sweeps over Ravenna, Kenesaw, Gibbon, Fillmore Central, and Heartland. The Cougars also had a 2-1 win over Heartland, and upended Wilber-Clatonia, Centura, Sterling, and High Plains Community in the same 2-1 fashion.

On the attack, sophomore Emma Fisher, and senior Ella Martin had 339 combined kills, as Fisher led with 202, and Martin 137. Fisher was 594-728 on the attack (81.6%), while Martin was 479-560 (85.5%).

Sophomore Paige Biltoft also finished in triple figures for kills with 113, as Biltoft was 293-393 at the net (74.5%).

Setting up the attack was the duo threat of Martin, and sophomore Katelyn Pohlmier, as the two combined for 504 of Sandy Creek’s 579 total assists. Martin led the way with 260, while Pohlmeier put up 244 assists.

Wed
15
Nov
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Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

The Sandy Creek football team runs onto the Cougars home field just prior to the start of their first semifinal football game played since 1994. The Cougars, however, dropped a tough 48-36 decision to the Stanton Mustangs, as the 2023 season came to a close with an impressive 11-1 record, including a 3-1 run in the Class D-1 state playoffs and a perfect 8-0 run in the regular season. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

A host of Cougars bring down Stanton quarterback Barrett Wilke (4) in the first quarter of Stanton’s eventual 12-point win. For the Cougars, Alston Clark (7), Will Claycamp (77), Connor Rempe (1) Ethan Shaw (2), Owen Ogelsby (13) are involved in the gang tackle. MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Sandy Creek’s defense was strong, but came up short against the Mustangs. Five Cougars move in on Stanton’s Barrett Wilke during the first half of the Class D-1 semifinal clash between the Cougars and Mustangs. Stanton outrushed the Cougars 364-235 helping the Mustangs reach the D-1 state title game Nov. 20. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Junior quarterback, Ethan Shaw, and head coach Andrew Kuta, strategize during the Cougars’ battle with top-seeded Stanton Mustangs. MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Sophomore Alston Clark (7) lunges at Stanton quarterback Barrett Wilke in the first half of the Mustangs 48-36 win over the Cougars. Will Claycamp (77) trails the play for Sandy Creek. JASON BROCKMAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Senior Logan Sanders and sophomore Kaeden Schmidt leap high during the starting line-up announcements prior to the start of the Cougars game with Stanton. JASON BROCKMAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Junior quarterback, Ethan Shaw, launches this pass downfield in the first half of the Cougars’ season ending loss to the Stanton Mustangs. Shaw had 56 yards passing, and three touchdown passes, along with 230 rushing yards on 33 carries. Blocking up front for Shaw is his younger brother, Christian, (51), along with sophomore Jonas Amos (54), and senior Will Claycamp (77). TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Juniors Ethan Shaw and Connor Rempe work together on this play during early action against Stanton. The Cougars wrapped up an impressive season with an 11-1 record after the semifinal loss to the Stanton Mustangs. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars playoff run halted by Stanton 48-36

Juniors Ethan Shaw hands off to junior Ben Sullivan midway through the third quarter, with Stanton holding a narrow 20-12 lead. The visiting Mustangs worked their way to a come-from-behind 48-36 win over the Cougars to advance to the Class D-1 state championship game against Exeter-Milligan/Friend, to be played Nov. 20 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Sandy Creek’s perfect season came to an end with a tough loss to another undefeated team the Stanton Mustangs.

Both teams came into the semifinals undefeated, with identical 11-0 records, but only one could come out perfect in the end, and the Mustangs offense would get the best of the Cougars defense as Stanton came from behind, to claim the 48-36 victory. A couple of costly turnovers by Sandy Creek early in the game and again late in the game proved to be the difference, as Stanton capitalized on each turnover with a score.

Stanton’s offensive line was very good, and knew how to use their leverage to their advantage, as on the second play of the game that stout offensive line led Stanton quarterback Barrett Wilke to a 51yard score, on a sneak behind the offensive line.

The two-point conversion, however, failed, leaving the Mustangs with a 6-0 lead.

Wed
15
Nov
Edgar's picture

Fillies wrap up 2023 season with 20-13 record

The 2023 volleyball season for the Sutton Fillies came to a close in the C2-8 sub-district tournament with a tough three-set loss to Southern Nebraska Conference rival, Thayer Central, leaving the Fillies with a 20-13 record.

The season’s first month would see Sutton run to a 15-7 record, but in the final four weeks, the Fillies won five of their final 10 matches.

In all, Sutton won 10 of 16 SNC matches, and claimed 10 non-conference victories.

On the attack, senior Lily McCroden led Sutton with 285 kills, while hitting .167 for the year, converting on 82 percent of her 820 attempts.

Senior Carly Skalka followed with 219 kills, with freshman Kamryn Steinhauer gaining 112 kills and junior Jacee Haight 104.

McCroden set a new school record with a total of 814 kills during her career.

As a team, Sutton hit .114, converting on 2,469 of their 2,972 total attempts, having 503 hitting errors (83.1%).

Wed
08
Nov
Edgar's picture

DOMINANT WIN

DOMINANT WIN
DOMINANT WIN
DOMINANT WIN

Juniors Ethan Shaw and Connor Rempe work on a delayed hand off during Sandy Creek’s 44-24 dominating win over Cross County Friday, Nov. 3. The duo combined for 358 of Sandy Creek’s 408 total yards in the win, as the Cougars move to 11-0 and will host one of two Class D-1 state semifinal games Friday, Nov. 10, hosting the Stanton Mustangs. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

DOMINANT WIN

Junior Connor Rempe looks upfield during this run, while leaving several Cross County players in his dust, as senior Logan Sanders seals off the corner for Rempe to run through. Rempe, after being shut down in a 22-20 win over Weeping Water, made up for that performance and then some, as the junior speedster had 168 receiving yards and 89 rushing yards while also charting 14 tackles on defense, including seven solo tackles in the 20-point win over Cross County. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

DOMINANT WIN

Juniors Ethan Shaw and Ben Sullivan work together on this play, as a big block from Sullivan broke Shaw open to score one of his two touchdown runs in the 44-24 win over Cross County. Shaw ran for 101 yards on 16 carries, and was 9-19 passing, while throwing for another 189 yards in the quarterfinal round win at Cross County High School, Nov. 3. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

DOMINANT WIN

Senior Will Claycamp landed on this Cross County fumble during second half action in the “Clash of the Cougars,” where Sandy Creek claimed a 20-point victory. Alston Clark (7) and Wes Biltoft moves in to help Claycamp secure the recovery, and ultimately, help Sandy Creek run their season record to 11-0. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Coming into the quarterfinal round of the Class D-1 state playoffs, head coach Andrew Kuta knew that Sandy Creek’s road battle at Cross County between the two unbeaten, 10-0 football teams was going to be a difficult challenge. As the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard, the Sandy Creek Cougars moved to 11-0 with a dominating 44-24 win to claim the “Clash of the Cougars” as Sandy Creek’s defense was dominant, and their offense piled up the numbers to gain the 20-point victory.

It was no secret that the Cougars in blue had a strong offensive team, as they averaged 57.4 points per game, but that heroic defensive effort by Sandy Creek caused the Cougars in blue to be in and even more “blue mood” with Sandy Creek’s powerful defense holding Cross County to just 24 points.

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