SPORTS . . .

Lady Cougar Volleyball Is Just Fantastic

By Craig Lang

Prairie Advocate Sports

After the all too short exit of the Eastland Lady Cougar volleyball team from this years tournament, I found it necessary to reflect on the past four years and the Lady Cougar volleyball program. From the squad that began their volleyball careers at EHS in 2007, going 28-11 that year, to the 2008 team that went 39-3 and won EHS’s and Carroll County’s first state championship ever, it has been quite a memorable ride.

Then, just last year the team again finished the season with a 40-2 mark and yet another Class 1A state volleyball championship trophy to be placed proudly in the trophy case at Eastland High School. The 2007 squad came oh so close, losing in the sectional semifinals to Warren.

The current team has amassed a four year record of one hundred forty two wins and a mere twenty losses. There are many, many highlights. The thrill of seeing that final point drop in the first ever state title game was one I will personally never forget, and to repeat that same feat the very next year, how amazing is that!

A twenty six game winning streak for the 2009 team that saw them not lose a single game from September 19th to the state title match against Mt. Pulaski. A state final record of four and zero in matches and eight and three in games. The players, from Chelsey & Megan Bunyer, Jamie Schriner, Calli Jo Heckman, Abbie Hare, Damaris & Hope Linker, Karissa Pierce, Sidney Kane.

And, of course, don’t forget the coaching staff. Head Coach Kristy Pierce, who in her twenty nine years of coaching at Shannon, Pearl City and at Eastland ranks 7th on the all time list of matches won and is approaching eight hundred victories against a mere one hundred sixty two losses. The excellent assistant coaches and the whole staff, you all deserve a huge pat on the back.

The 2009-2010 team will be losing nine very talented seniors, Kaitlyn Bissell, Courtney Blair, Katelyn Dickman, Logan Feltmeyer, Carissa Gruhn, Katelyn Hasken, Kerby Kniss, Hope Linker and Bricelynn Myers. Returning players include Taylor Heeren, Alex Todd, Megan Miller, Jessica Freidag and Kayla Barnes. I hear that the frosh/soph squad is looking good so the future of Eastland Lady Cougar volleyball is again looking bright indeed.

When asked what these years have meant to them, Demaris and Hope Linker’s dad Doug responded, “This incredible journey truly began on a cold winter day in January 2001 in Eldridge, Iowa. On that first day tiny bundles of energy struggled to play the game that they would fall in love with. Only able to serve the ball eight to ten feet that day they progressed to serving aces on the state championship floor!

“Girls that started at the bottom and ascended to the highest level of competition brought hundred of people joy and excitement! They provided relief from the everyday problems of our lives. A small number of girls and coaches were able to move mountains! We are so thankful for this opportunity. Our girls found a sport they loved and became so passionate about, using their incredible work ethic to find success that will benefit them for the rest of their lives! We have been blessed with dedicated coaches who gave so much of themselves to our girls, they will always be remembered for their love and unwavering support!”

Mom Jeanette responded, “This wasn’t just a loss, this was the end to a great time in our lives. We have traveled with many of these girls and families for nine years with tournaments, school and club. Tournaments were our vacations. These friendships are deep. People can’t imagine how special this was unless you were part of it. It goes much further than wins and losses. The ending wasn’t what anyone expected so it’s tragic for us and the girls. They have worked unbelievably hard for all their accomplishments, making it much more difficult to end this way.

“Because of what they’ve been through,” Jeanette continued, “with all their successes brought on by great leadership, discipline and dedication, these girls will always know what it takes to succeed and to be part of a team. This will overflow into their college and adult lives in ways that they can’t imagine. They will always be successful because they know what it takes to contribute without looking for credit. This experience is something so great that most people won’t understand. You must believe in sports and ultimately true teamwork. A team of teenage girls, wonderful and dedicated parents and no jealously. We had something special here and this is the difference between great teams and champions.”

Very well said!

IHSA Class 1A State Volleyball Tournament

At Redbird Arena, Normal

Semifinals-November 12

Scales Mound 2 Springfield Lutheran 1 (16-25,25-21,25-17)

Heyworth 2 Toledo Cumberland 1 (25-22,22-25,25-15)

3rd Place-November 13

Springfield Lutheran 2 Toledo Cumberland 1 (25-19,19-25,25-17)

Championship

Heyworth 2 Scales Mound 1 (22-25,25-18,26-24)

IHSA Quarterfinal Football Results

November 13 - 1A

Le-Win 34 East Dubuque 15

2A

Sterling Newman 22 Morrison 19

3A

Stillman Valley 46 Aurora Christian 16

IHSA Football Semifinals

November 20

1A

(11-1) Le-Win at (12-0) Lewistown-2pm

(11-1) Tuscola at (12-0) Mt. Sterling (Brown Co.)

2A

(12-0) Sterling Newman at (12-0) Mackinaw (Deer Creek-Mack.)-2pm

(12-0) Casey-Westfield at (10-2) Maroa-Forsyth

3A

(11-1) Tolono Unity at (12-0) Stillman Valley-2pm

(11-1) Mt. Carmel at (12-0) Carthage (Illini West)

Comets Outlast Mustangs

By Craig Lang

Prairie Advocate Sports

The Mustang’s Jason Caruso drags a Sterling Newman tackler as he fights for yardage during Saturday afternoons football playoff game in Sterling. Jason carried the football six times for twenty yards.(PA photo/Craig Lang)

On a cloudy and windy day at Roscoe Eades Field in Sterling, the rematch between Three Rivers conference rivals Sterling Newman and Morrison took place with the Mustangs hoping the outcome would not be the same as their previous meeting earlier in the regular season.

The Comets were able to squeeze out the 16-6 win, handing Morrison their only loss of the year. Early on in the contest, it looked like the Mustangs would do just that, as they were able to build a first quarter 19-0 lead.

An interception of a Jack Hanlon pass gave Morrison possession of the football at their own forty five yard line. On the third play from scrimmage quarterback Danny Dennehey found Jason Caruso for a fifty five yard scoring pass that put the Mustangs up six to nothing.

A Joe Blessman fumble then gave the ball right back to Morrison. Unable to move the ball, Newman took over on downs and also unable to move the football were forced to punt. That punt was blocked by Bryce Vegter and recovered in the end zone by Brock Deter for a 12-0 Mustang lead.

Another Newman fumble gave the football back to Morrison, and Dennehey found Brandon Belt in the end zone for a 19-0 Morrison lead to end the first quarter.

Two second quarter Sterling Newman scores and two point conversions made the score 19-16 at the halftime intermission.

Morrison head coach Cory Bielema talks to his team during a timeout in Saturday’s playoff game against the Sterling Newman Comets at Roscoe Eades Field. (PA photo/Craig Lang)

Both defenses then dug in to keep the third quarter scoreless with nether offense able to generate much of anything. The defenses looked to control the fourth quarter also but a key Morrison fumble turned the ball back to the Comets who looked to capitalize on the mistake. Sterling Newman then capped a seven play drive with a one yard run into the end zone by Jason Propheter and the Comets went on top 22-19. The two point conversion try failed and Morrison was unable to get the ball into the end zone as Dennehey’s attempt was picked off by the Comet’s Monte Sunday to seal the victory for Newman and end the Mustang’s great season. Morrison’s Andy Schaver led the ground attack, running the football fourteen times for eighty eight yards. QB Dennehey was thirteen for twenty seven for one hundred thirty eight yards and two scores.

Morrison-19-0-0-0-19

Sterling Newman-0-16-0-6-22

NFL Schedule

Thur. Nov. 18

Chicago at Miami-7:20pm

Sun. Nov. 21

Buffalo at Cincinnati-noon

Detroit at Dallas-noon

Washington at Tennessee-noon

Arizona at Kansas City-noon

Green Bay at Minnesota-noon

Houston at NY Jets-noon

Baltimore at Carolina-noon

Cleveland at Jacksonville-noon

Oakland at Pittsburgh-noon

Tampa Bay at San Francisco-3:05pm

Seattle at New Orleans-3:05pm

Atlanta at St. Louis-3:05pm

Indianapolis at New England-3:15pm

NY Giants at Philadelphia-7:20pm

Mon. Nov. 22

Denver at San Diego-7:30pm

College Football Schedule

Sat. Nov. 20

Illinois at Northwestern

Wisconsin at Michigan

Ohio State at Iowa

Sauk Valley CC Basketball Schedule

M=Men W=Women

Nov. 18

(W) SVCC at Daley College, Chicago

Nov. 23

(M&W) South Suburban at SVCC

Highland CC Basketball Schedule

M=Men W=Women

Nov. 18

(W) HCC at Waubonsee, Sugar Grove

Nov. 23

(M&W) Madison Tech at HCC

HS Basketball Schedule

Nov. 17

(G) Milledgeville at Oregon Tourney

(G) Pearl City at Warren Tourney

Nov. 18

(G) Sterling Newman at Morrison

(B) Stockton at Pearl City

Nov. 19

(G) Morrison at Rock Falls Shootout

(G) Eastland at Forreston Tourney

(G) Pearl City at Warren Tourney

(B) Pearl City Tourney

Nov. 20

(B) Pearl City Tourney

Nov. 22

(B) Milledgeville at Oregon Tourney

(B) Morrison at Sauk Valley Shootout

(G) Pearl City at Warren Tourney

Nov. 23

(G) AFC at Milledgeville

(B) Morrison at Sauk Valley Shootout

(G) Pearl City at Warren Tourney

(B) Orangeville at Pearl City

Oregon Hawk’s Boy’s Basketball Thanksgiving Tourney

The West Carroll boy’s basketball teams will participate in the Oregon Thanksgiving Tourney November 22nd-27th. The Thunder pool includes Milledgeville and Rockford Lutheran. Other teams in the tournament are River Ridge, Rockford Lutheran, Mendota, Genoa-Kingston, Milledgeville, Christian Life, Oregon, Durand, Byron, Rockford Christian and Lena-Winslow. T

he varsity Thunder will start the tourney with Rockford Lutheran at 5:45 on Monday, November 22nd.

The fresh/soph will play Rockford Lutheran at 7:15. Both games will be played at the Blackhawk Center.

Ticket prices for the week night and Saturday evening games will be $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. All day Saturday prices are $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for students. Concessions will be available throughout the tournament with the proceeds to benefit the boy’s basketball and athletic programs.

2010 Girl’s Varsity Basketball Tournament

At Warren

Mon. Nov. 15

Durand vs. Warren-6pm

Pearl City vs. Galena-7:30pm

Wed. Nov. 17

Durand vs. Pearl City-6pm

Warren vs. Orangeville-7:30pm

Fri. Nov. 19

Galena vs. Warren-6pm

Orangeville vs. Durand-7:30pm

Mon. Nov. 22

Orangeville vs. Pearl City-6pm

Galena vs. Durand-7:30pm

Tues. Nov. 23

Orangeville vs. Galena

Warren vs. Pearl City

West Carroll 2010 Fall All-Conference Winners

Volleyball

Katy Cook-2nd Team, Sophi Morhardt-Honorable Mention

Football

Jordan Speer-1st team Offensive End, Andrew Ritchie-1st Team Linebacker, Jordan Barr-1st Team Defensive Line, Tevan Campbell-1st Team Punter, Marcus Klein-Honorable Mention Running Back, Taylor Brunner-Honorable Mention Offensive Line, Ryan Kerr-Honorable Mention Offensive Center, Brandon Larson-Honorable Mention Defensive Back, Michael Hartman-Honorable Mention Kicker

Golf

Nick Dickau-Honorable Mention, Garrett Badtke-Honorable Mention

West Carroll Wrestling

The West Carroll JV wrestlers will compete in the Comet Invitational on Saturday, November 27th at Sterling Newman High School. The tournament will start at 10:00 a.m. The Newman concession stand will serve breakfast and lunch menus throughout the day.

Bowling Results

Women’s Wednesday Night League

November 10

1-Hilltop 30-14

2-Pruis Upholstery 27-17

3-FAT Boy’s 26.5-17.5

4-Ken Kophamer Realty 23-21

5-KJ’s Bar & Grill 21.5-22.5

6-Green & Clean 18-26

7-Smith & Associates 17-27

8-Goldstar FS 13-31

High Individual Game

Karen Norman 206, Jaini Ammon 202, Tara Holley 202, Brenda Workman 192, Maggie Lanhart 190, Deb Manninen 189

High Individual Series

Brenda Workman 522, Jaini Ammon 520, Karen Norman 514, Bette Wiebenga 504, Deb Manninen 492

Hilltop League

November 12

1-Hilltop 27-13

2-FAT Boy’s 24-16

3-Ridley Appraisals 21-19

4-CAR Quest 21-19

5-Nelson Electric 20-20

6-Roger’s Roghriders 17-23

7-DA BEERS 17-23

8-AG Express 13-27

High Individual Game

Bob Onken 254, Bill Onken 244, Jerry Ammon 236, Mike Hamilton 235, Ryan Renkes 228

High Individual Series

Mike Hamilton 662, Jeff Workman 625, Daryl Schroeder 621, Eddie Ruiz 620, Bill Onken 595