Sports

Wed
06
Sep
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Cougar Nation unveils new digital scoreboard as Sandy Creek football runs season record to 2-0

Cougar Nation unveils new digital scoreboard as Sandy Creek football runs season record to 2-0

Cougar Nation was collectively able to get their first glipse of the newly installed video scoreboard during Sandy Creek’s 46-14 win over the Riverside Chargers, Friday, Sept. 1. While the scoreboard’s video production aspect was not in working condition, fans of the Cougars were able to see the sheer size of the board, situated on the west side of the football field, facing east towards the stadium seats. Part of the chain gang for Sandy Creek is also shown below the scoreboard in this shot. To the far right is Troy Shuck, while at the far left is Brad Brennfoerder. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougar Nation unveils new digital scoreboard as Sandy Creek football runs season record to 2-0
Cougar Nation unveils new digital scoreboard as Sandy Creek football runs season record to 2-0

As has been tradition for numerous years, the first starting line-up of the 2023 footballl season was announced prior to the Cougars taking down the Riverside Chargers last Friday night, 46-14. To the right, senior Logan Sanders (17) leaps into the air to high five one of the Cougars’ newest team members, tight end, and defensive back, freshman Wes Biltoft (12). In the foreground, watching the introduction of Biltoft is Kaeden Schmidt, (8). TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Lots of hype and curiosity surrounds the Sandy Creek football program, following the release of a special documentary “A Season of Change,” a feature about the 2022 Cougar run, produced by the 74 Creative production staff at Sandy Creek High School, which seen Sandy Creek end a magical run, finishing with a 6-4 record, gaining their first playoff berth since 2011, and the Cougars’ first playoff win since a a 26-14 win over East Butler in 2003.

The new season, not only brings excitement and anticipation, as the Cougars have started the year with two straight wins, but the district installed a new Daktronics scoreboard to Cougar Stadium.

The first collective sight of the scoreboard was witnessed by hundreds of Cougar fans this past Friday night, Sept. 1, when Sandy Creek hosted the Riverside Chargers in the Cougars’ first home game of the 2023 season.

Wed
30
Aug
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Fillies win 3 of 4 at Centennial tournament

Fillies win 3 of 4 at Centennial tournament

Sophomore Kyla Griess digs out this ball during action against Clarkson- Leigh Saturday morning at Centennial High School, as freshman Kamryn Steinhauer and head coach Shelli Mohnkie look on during the play. Sutton won three of four matches in Utica to improve to 5-1 on the young season. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Fillies win 3 of 4 at Centennial tournament

Freshman Kamryn Steinhauer, left, and junior Jacee Haight go up for a block against Clarkson-Leigh Saturday morning in Utica, as senior Kennedy Perrien (12) looks on in the background. Sutton improved to 5-1 on the year with three wins in four matches at Centennial High School. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Fillies win 3 of 4 at Centennial tournament

Senior setter Kennedy Perrien was perfect on all 246 of her set attempts in the four matches at the Centennial Invite, while putting up 78 assists throughout the tournament TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Following a pair of dominating wins over Fullerton and Cross County in the season opener at Fullerton, the Sutton Fillies hit the road for Centennial High School in Utica for tournament action Saturday, Aug. 26.

The day opened with a dominating win over Lutheran High Northeast of Norfolk, where the Fillies rolled to a 25-13, 25-15 win over the Eagles, before the Patriots of Clarkson-Leigh dashed the hopes of a tournament title with a 25-19, 25-17 win over the Fillies.

In the final two rounds at Centennial, Sutton bounced back to defeat Fairbury 2512, 27-25, before holding off a surging Wilber-Clatonia team in three sets, winning 25-17, 23-25, 25-17 to run their record to 5-1 after week one of the season.

Against the Eagles in round one, Sutton downed 18 kills and recorded five aces in the straight sets sweep over Lutheran High Northeast.

Wed
30
Aug
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Cougars roll by Bobcats 60-2

Cougars roll by Bobcats 60-2

Freshman Wes Biltoft makes a stop on this Blue Hill running back during Saturday afternoon’s continuation of the Cougars’60-2 win over the Bobcats. Biltoft had four tackles in the win, including this solo stop. Looking on for the Cougars is Daeden Schmidt (8), and Alston Clark (7). MELISSA WHITEFOOT | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Cougars roll by Bobcats 60-2

Junior quarterback Ethan Shaw hands off to junior running back Ben Sullivan during the first half of the Cougars’ 58-point win over Bluehill, as Wes Biltoft (12) blocks for Sullivan. Shaw and Sullivan combined for 150 rushing yards, with Shaw gaining 123 and Sullivan, 27. ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

The Sandy Creek Cougars would head a little west of the home grounds of Cougar Stadium to open the 2023 football season, taking on the Blue Hill Bobcats in a weather-related two-day showdown.

The Cougars started out the game strong and never looked back after the first snap of the football. The Cougars relied heavily on the running game with 29 carries for 244 yards rushing. SC also aired it out as the Cougars had 109 passing yards, putting the Cougars at 353 yards of total offense.

The 60-2 eventual win marked the second straight win over the Bobcats in as many years. Over the course of the past two seasons, the Cougars have outscored Blue Hill 130-2, following a 70-0 thrashing of the ‘Cats in 2022.

The Bobcats would start with the ball, before junior Ethan Shaw came up with the tackle on fourth down to stop the Bobcat drive on the Bobcat 35-yard line.

Wed
23
Aug
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SC football premier set for Sunday evening

SC football premier set for Sunday evening

The grand premiere of the highlight film, created by students and advisors of Sandy Creek’s 74 Creative, called “A Season of Change,” which documents the Sandy Creek football teams magical state playoff and entire season run during the 2022 season will premiere at 6:45 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 27, in the Oak Forum area at Sandy Creek High School. The fourpart documentary, directed by Connor Peters and produced by Mason Hinrichs, is said to be just over an hour long.

Wed
23
Aug
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Sutton youth football team to open season 2 Sunday

Sutton youth football team to open season 2 Sunday

TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS Members of the 2023 Sutton Youth Football team includes, in front, from the left: Easton Anderson, Bentyn Griess, Kooper Steinhauer, Tyler Hajny, Tim Hoffman, Liam Ely, Andrew Sykes, Mason McKenzie, Cooper Griess, Keaton Griess, Briley Bieck, Beckham Schelkopf, and Rex Anderson. In the middle row, from the left: Bryce Nelson, Koen Jones, Broxton Ely, Bentley Farmer, Hank Ehly, David Mohnike, Kay’onn Weaver, Austin Althouse, and Grayson Villarreal. In the back row, from the left: Cooper Shaw, Arthur Bautista, Brooks Ebert, Noah Kimminau, AJ Smith, Jase Theis, Conner Aspegren, and Gatlin Anderson.

Following an impressive inagural season as part of the Farmers Valley Football League, the Sutton Mustangs will kickoff their second season on the gridiron with a top three match-up from a year ago.

Sutton will take their talents to Thayer County to open the 2023 season for a Sunday, Aug. 27, matchup with the defending 8-man League champions in Thayer County.

Sutton wrapped up the 2022 season as the third-place team in the 16team 8-man division of the Farmers League. Ravenna would claim the runner-up spot a year ago.

Sutton will then have a pair of back-to-back home games, hosting Nuckolls County on Sunday, Sept.

10, before hosing BDS on Sunday, Sept. 17, with the playoff portion of the season set to get underway on Sunday, Sept. 24, with the final round of the playoffs set for Sunday, Oct. 1.

2023 SUTTON ROSTER

Wed
09
Aug
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Performance pointers that can help student athletes avoid injury

Performance pointers that can help student athletes avoid injury

Though there’s no foolproof way for athletes to avoid injury, student athletes and their families can consider these preventive measures to reduce their risk of being sidelined.

Professional sports teams often note that injuries are part of the game. That notion is never too far from professional athletes’ minds, but it can be a harsh reality for student athletes to confront, especially if they have never before been sidelined by injury.

Though there’s no foolproof way for athletes to avoid injury, student athletes and their families can consider these preventive measures to reduce their risk of being sidelined.

• Use diet to athletes’ advantage. A healthy diet benefits people from all walks of life, and it can be especially beneficial for student athletes.

Precisely what defines a healthy diet depends on variables specific to the athletes, such as age and gender, but Nemours Childrens Health notes that balance is vital for teenage athletes. Avoid cutting back on carbohydrates, which provide fuel for young athletes.

Wed
02
Aug
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Smith leads county junior golfers in state tourney play

Smith leads county junior golfers in state tourney play

Sutton’s Myles Jones, right, a soon-to-be seventh grader at Sutton Public Schools, wrapped up his summer golf season in a big way Friday, July 28, as Smith gained the runner-up title in the 12-13 year old age group in the 2023 Nebraska Junior Golf Tour Championships, held at the Field Club in Omaha. Pictured to Smith’s left is the age group champion Walker Nannen of Lincoln. Nannen shot a one-under 34, while Smith carded a three-over 38 in the action. COURTESY PHOTO - CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Myles Smith, the son of B.J. and Meredith Smith of Sutton, capped his 2023 competitive summer of golf this past week during the 2023 Nebraska Junior Tour golf championships in Omaha on the Field Club Country Club’s course.

Smith was one of four Clay County players that took on the championship tournament action, with Smith finishing as the runner-up in Omaha in the 12-13-year-old age group.

Soon-to-be Sutton junior Jadyn Friesen wrapped up the championship tour, played at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln with a 12th-place finish, while two Clay Center youths, Landry Borer and Hutchins Mihm, competed at the Field Club in Omaha.

For Smith, his nine-hole round started with a pair of bogeys on the first two holes, followed by six straight par’s on holes three through eight, before wrapping up the tournament with a bogey on the final hole to card a 38 and claim the runner-up title of the season-ending tournament.

Wed
02
Aug
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Strike 3, you’re out!

Strike 3, you’re out!

ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Maddie Schiermeyer catches a ball making it her second out of the evening during the first round of Fairfield’s Co-Ed Baseball tournament Friday, July 28.

Wed
02
Aug
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Harvard hosts first-ever Ronnie Schwindt Memorial Legion Baseball Tourney

Harvard hosts first-ever Ronnie Schwindt Memorial Legion Baseball Tourney

ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Former Harvard Legion Baseball players gathered for the first-ever Ronnie Schwindt Memorial Legion tournament Saturday, July 29. Posing with a photo of Ronnie are, in back from left: Keith Perkins, Terry Owens, Doug Stone, Dave Aspegren, Chuck Conway, Tim Yost, Addison Jarzynka, Jason Brandenburger, and Kyle Spotts. Kneeling in front from left: Myles Ferguson, Clay Harmon, Braxton Harmon, Justin Harmon, Baby Shore sitting on grandpa Case Shores’ lap, Clayton Sandord, Drew Conway, Adam Sabata, Landon Scott, Jarod Owens, and Joel Barnett. Players came out to honor their number one fan, Ronnie; the span of years playing Legion baseball ranged from 1969-2023.

Wed
26
Jul
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York throws a curve ball at Sutton

York throws a curve ball at Sutton

Merrick Maltsberger slides safely into home during Saturday's Class B Area-5 opener against Aurora. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

York throws a curve ball at Sutton

Drew Goracke pitches to an Aurora player while Eli Nething, in the background, prepares for the play. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

After coming off a big 8-1 win over Aurora in the Class B, Area-5 opening-round tournament win, Saturday, July 22, the Sutton Senior Legion baseball team ran into a big roadblock in their route to a trip to the Class B state tournament in Pierce. The top seeded Post-61 Seniors, behind a three-run fourth inning by York, fell victim to a 4-2 loss to drop Sutton to 27-5 on the year.

The loss put Sutton in a must-win situation for the remainder of the double-elimination tournament, played on Kernel Field in Central City.

York grabbed a 1-0 lead after two innings of play, before Sutton tied up the game in the bottom of the third frame, as Weston Ohrt scored on a Myles Jones sacrifice to set the game at a 1-1 tie.

In the top of the fourth, York touched up Jones’ pitching for three runs, as a single hit, two hit batsmen, and a fielding error set York up with a 4-1 lead.

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