Andy Meyer
Turnovers trouble Maryville, but Spoofhounds find footing in time to advance
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Central swimmers dive into state championships
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
No need for theatrics
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
Monday, Nov. 3, 2008
Monday, Nov. 3, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008
Monday, Oct. 27, 2008
Perched up top again
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Hornets survive Savage attack
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
Off the beaten (base) paths
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008
Stanberry stops North Andrew tide
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
Running out of time
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Travel costs, geography complicate local high schools' football scheduling
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008
Turnovers trouble Maryville, but Spoofhounds find footing in time to advance
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Breaking off lengthy touchdown runs usually resides atop John Farmer’s to-do list. For a short while, that goal took a backseat.
Maryville’s shifty halfback sacrificed loftier rushing totals for ball security — routinely cradling the football with a vice-like grip and not shying away from contact.
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Fractions of a second separated Matt Zieger from his ultimate goal — making a championship final.
The Central junior will have to wait another year, however, after an abundance of speed forced at the Missouri Swimming and Diving Championships placed him in two consolation finals at the St. Peters Rec-Plex.
Central swimmers dive into state championships
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
Matt Zieger never has much room for error. A sprinter by trade, the Central junior starts and finishes his best race — the 50-meter freestyle — in just more than 20 seconds.
It’s surprising just how much can go wrong in such a short time in the pool.
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
Some of St. Joseph’s best coaches might have missed their career calling.
At Wednesday’s St. Joseph Sports Inc. Fall Round-Up, a handful of coaches treated the event like an open mic night. Called upon to preview their teams’ seasons, Central’s Kevin Kelley — who begins with a joke every year — and Steve Vertin of Bishop LeBlond displayed their impressive comedic chops.
This year’s material didn’t disappoint. Here’s a sampling of some of the better punch lines from the night:
No need for theatrics
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
WESTON, Mo. — Ryan Humes had seen enough and was in no mood for another nail-biter.
With East Buchanan still hanging around during Monday night’s Class 1 sectional, the West Platte quarterback single-handedly marched his team down Rudolph Eskridge Field for the game-clinching score. “I came in the huddle, and I told them we had to punch it in right there,” Humes said. “We had to put the nail in the coffin.”
Throughout the night, Humes hammered the ball into the heart of the defense and captained the Blue Jays’ 33-19 victory against their KCI Conference rival.
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
To be honest, I never thought it would happen.
Even after talking with Danny Brown and Kevin Bryan before the season, the odds of West Platte and East Buchanan both qualifying for the postseason — much less meeting in sectionals — seemed pretty remote. Yet, here we are.
Practically unheard of in the modern era of scheduling, the KCI Conference rivals will clash for the third time this season and second time in 12 days. With wins in the previous two tilts, the Blue Jays have to be considered favorites heading in, but another rainy forecast could reduce the teams’ potent spread offenses to stayed grounded.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Running elbow-to-elbow at times, Central’s Yout Aye didn’t focus on the competitors surrounding him during his Class 4 race. He was running against a ghost.
After his brother — Akech — lost his eligibility before the season, Aye made a pact with himself to represent his older sibling at Oak Hills Golf Center. Beating Akech’s time was a secondary objective.
“That was my goal from the beginning of the season — make it to state,” Aye said. “And I tried to catch him.”
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After receiving the day’s final award, Hamilton’s girls lingered atop the trophy stand a few extra minutes Saturday — savoring their most recent state title. No one could argue that the Hornets didn’t deserve it.
Sure, the team has spent plenty of time there in the past few years. With another runaway victory in the Class 1 team standings, however, the Hornets now stand alone atop the record books following their fifth championship in as many years.
Friday, Nov. 7, 2008
On the rolling hills of Oak Hills Golf Center, little comes easy. Least of all redemption.
That’s exactly what a collection of Northwest Missouri runners will be seeking at today’s State Cross Country Championships — Benton’s Taylor Woodruff chief among them.
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
A difficult decision paid huge dividends for Central’s Amy Majors.
After forgoing her budding basketball career a year ago, Majors launched herself headlong into a year-round club volleyball program in Kansas City that pushed her to the point of burning out on the sport.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
Well, here we are on the threshold of change.
Not only is the seemingly endless political season coming to a whirlwind conclusion, but the dawn of Missouri’s new football postseason structure is upon us, as well.
Like it or leave it, Wednesday’s regional round marks the much-discussed debut of the state expanded playoff system and will look plenty familiar to folks on the Kansas side of the state line. Sunflower State natives call them bi-district games but serve the same purpose — giving twice as many teams a shot at experiencing a playoff atmosphere and providing district runners-up a shot at redemption.
Monday, Nov. 3, 2008
Here's a capsule look at the matchup for local teams in tonight's Kansas high school football playoffs.
Maryville soccer can't keep up with St. Pius XMonday, Nov. 3, 2008
Jon Rogers had been in this position dozens of times this year — fullbacks fruitlessly chasing after him, only the goalkeeper to beat. Ordinarily, celebration soon followed for the Maryville striker.
But this was no ordinary defense, and Zach Guthier is no ordinary keeper.
After staging a frenetic comeback effort, the Spoofhounds eventually relented and dropped their Class 1 District 8 semifinal game Monday to St. Pius X, 7-1, at Eagle Stadium.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
KEARNEY, Mo. — Hampered by a season full of inconsistent results, John Beamon tried to simplify his race strategy.
“Just kind of start out fast and hold my position as long as I can,” Beamon said.
Not exactly scientific. But the tactic proved no less effective for the Benton sophomore during Saturday’s Class 3 District 8 meet at Jesse James Park. Beamon finished eighth and earned his second trip to next weekend’s state cross country meet in Jefferson City, Mo.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Achieving perfection can prove a tricky task. Look how it turned out for Dan Gabel, Tom Brady's Patriots or any number of athletes who’ve fallen short of the lofty goal.
Well, Mound City might be capable of it this postseason -- and not just in the win column. The Panthers are akin to Cael Sanderson on the mat, Michael Phelps in Beijing or a Beethoven symphony — flawless on an 80-yard field.
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
OREGON, Mo. — Victory isn’t the final measure of success for Brian Messer and his dominant Mound City squad. Not even the too-familiar blowouts seem to suffice.
The Panthers practically expect perfection. They weren’t far from it Friday night, when they annihilated South Holt 76-0 in a game that lasted all four quarters. The win sent Mound City (10-0, 7-0 Highway 275) into the playoffs with a flawless record, which will be tested next Saturday against North Andrew.
“We want them to play a perfect football game,” Messer said. “They do believe that we can score several ways, and they have a lot of confidence they can do that.”
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008
WATHENA, Kan. — After combining for the game-clinching sack, Ethan Robinson and Kyle Smith didn’t spring up from the turf in celebration.
Exhausted relief seemed to be the prevailing emotion.
Thanks to a series of defensive stands, Troy survived its climactic regular-season finale Thursday by upending conference rival Wathena, 20-13. The Trojans earned their eighth consecutive playoff berth and will play Tuesday against Valley Falls in a Class 2-1A bi-district.
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
On the final week of the regular season, this week’s slate seems loaded with a slew of games that features one of the hardest dynamics to predict: the best team vs. the best player on the field.
Case in point. Last Friday, I watched Bishop LeBlond’s Mark Lawhon make play after play — including an insane interception return with no time remaining that came up five yards short — for the Golden Eagles. Trenton used a better all-around effort to smooth its playoff path, but if Lawhon breaks a couple plays here and there, you’re looking at a much different outcome.
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
After sharing breakfast Saturday, life-long friends Paul Woolard and Matt Tabor became week-long enemies.
The two city coaches — Woolard at Lafayette, Tabor at Benton — traded scouting videos and pleasantries over biscuits and gravy at Betty’s Cafe before turning to the task at hand. After sharing the same sideline for the Fighting Irish a year ago, the duo will oppose each other tonight at Alumni Stadium for the first time during the regular season.
“We knew this was inevitable,” Tabor said. “I have the utmost respect, obviously, for them and their program, but our main focus this week is to win.”
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008
Kelly Walker flicks her fingertips skyward, directing Bishop LeBlond’s swirling offense.
As she moves fluidly around the court, the junior setter looks naturally suited to the position that prefers to deflect attention rather than receive it. You’d never know by watching her, but she’s still learning on the job.
Three and a half months after switching from hitter, Walker helped top-seeded LeBlond cruise to a two-game win against Plattsburg during Tuesday’s Class 2 District 16 semifinal play, 25-7, 25-18.
Monday, Oct. 27, 2008
After dominating the net for a game and a half, Savannah’s potent offense seemed to suddenly shut down.
All the energy seemed to drain from the Savages’ attack, as they let a seven-point lead slip away to a resilient Benton squad playing for its season on its home court. A pivotal third game seemed imminent.
Instead, the Savages switched the intensity back on and slammed the on a Benton comeback during Class 3 District 16 play at Springer Gymnasium — 25-18, 28-26.
Perched up top again
Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008
With every frantic step down the third baseline, Rachael Schmitz sprinted closer to redemption.
After coming up short of the Class 1 state title game the past two years, the Jefferson senior wanted to trample any crushed expectations that remained. By scoring on an eighth-inning squeeze play, Schmitz wiped the slate clean of any prior disappointments.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Sarah Elliott didn’t just think Platte County’s offense would come through. She knew.
After three quiet innings, the Pirates broke loose for six runs in the fourth and never looked back during a 7-1 victory Saturday in the Class 3 softball championship against Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) at Heritage Park.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
As he waited at the one-mile mark, Central coach Roger Price waited for a pack of Liberty runners to lead the way. Instead, there was Yout Aye — his breakout senior — out in front of the pack at the Class 4 District 8 meet at Kansas City’s Swope Park.
In his first year on the varsity squad, Aye couldn’t keep the lead but helped the Indians team advance to sectionals Saturday with a fourth-place finish. Central’s girls also advanced by placing third.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
A day after ending her winless streak at the Class 1 State Tennis Championships, Chillicothe’s Ellyn Turner realized a long-sought goal.
In her fourth trip to the state meet in Springfield, Mo., the Hornets senior earned an elusive medal Saturday at Cooper Tennis Complex. Despite a pair of losses that wrapped up her superlative career, Turner notched a fourth-place finish in the singles bracket.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
A roll of the dice helped Jefferson High School, of Conception Junction, Mo., claim the Class 1 softball championship Saturday afternoon at Heritage Park.
Mid-Buchanan settles for 3rdSaturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Throughout the postseason, rattling Katie Wood has proved a difficult task.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
TRENTON, Mo. — Wes Croy may have experienced a few flashbacks Friday night. After a season full of turbulence, the Trenton coach watched his Bulldogs playing last year’s brand of football — grinding out tough yards, controlling the clock and repeatedly rolling into the end zone in a 35-13 victory over Bishop LeBlond.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
For most teams, a runaway Week 8 victory against a winless opponent might seem like an expected accomplishment.
With only one district win in the past four years, Plattsburg won’t take its district-opening triumph over Van Horn for granted.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
After stumbling to the sidelines, Ghaali Muhammad struggled to gain his bearings last Friday.
Following two consecutive tackles against Oak Park, Central’s senior running back didn’t immediately recognize the familiar turf at Noyes Field.
“At first, I didn’t know what was going on. I was thinking to myself, ‘Where am I at? How’d I get down here?’” Muhammad said. “It definitely scared me.”
Muhammad suffered a mild concussion during the first quarter against the Northmen and did not return to the game as a precautionary measure. Due in part to his absence, Oak Park went on a 21-3 run and handed the Indians their seventh loss.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
I’ve been called many things by Ross — many of which are not fit to print — and taken most of them in stride.
Being branded a cheater, I will not tolerate.
Admittedly, our selections have been eerily similar throughout the season, but we’ve evenly split the games we differed on during the past four weeks or so. Plus, simply copying Ross from here on out won’t do me any good.
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008
As the first rain drops fell on his buzz cut, a smile briefly flashed across Ben Barrows’ face.
This was his kind of weather.
Running in a steady downpour that got worse by the stride, the Smithville junior appeared to be exactly in his element Tuesday at Krug Park — where he claimed his second straight Midland Empire Conference championship. His time (17 minutes, 9 seconds) was the quickest conference time since 2004.
Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008
One stroke tempered Kate Gallagher’s state title celebration a year ago. Despite Savannah’s best team finish in program history, the Savages finished a stroke out of trophy contention at last season’s state tournament.
But a summer’s worth of dedication by the entire squad has improved the Savages’ on-course performance and expectations. After dominating the area throughout the season, Savannah hopes to break into the upper echelon at today’s Class 1 Golf Championships in Nixa, Mo.
“We’re hoping to place this time. I know we can if we keep playing like we have been,” Gallagher said. “Everybody’s so talented that it forces us to keep improving.”
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — As she watched the ball sail toward center field, Kaitlin Steeby couldn’t contain her emotions.
Not accustomed to playing the hero’s role, Mid-Buchanan’s senior second baseman provided the clutch hit that sent the Dragons back to state for the first time in nearly a decade.
Steeby’s one-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning broke a scoreless tie and gave Mid-Buchanan a thrilling 1-0 victory against Westeran in their Class 2 quarterfinal at Danner Park.
Hornets survive Savage attack
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — True to historical form, most Chillicothe running backs develop a hard-nosed, no-nonsense running style that goes along with their historically potent power rushing game.
Bryce Young knows his mentality doesn’t quite fit the mold.
“I’ve got to stay outside and get away from people,” Young said. “I can’t run over too many people.”
It’s a good thing, too. The Hornets’ junior tailback used his superlative speed to shake his slumping team and sparked Chillicothe’s 29-19 come-from-behind victory Friday at Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium.
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008
With the apex of the political season upon us, we’re all familiar with the well-worn cliches that come with the territory.
The over-dramatic attack ads. Promises of sweeping tax cuts. Change we can believe in.
Still, all of those fall short of the most common, overused rhetoric thrown around this time of year: Now that we’re seven weeks into the high school football season, every team is 0-0.
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
FAUCETT, Mo. — In her first real spot of trouble, Katie Wood should have been bursting with nervous energy.
With the tying runner at the plate, Mid-Buchanan’s ace had lost the strike zone in the game’s final inning. One more off-target pitch would load the bases — with no one out, no less.
What kind of churning emotions spill forth in such a pressure-packed moment?
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
Jim Brockhoff thought a move out of the Midland Empire Conference would improve his postseason odds.
If anything, they got worse.
After moving from Savannah to North Platte four years ago, he moved into one of the most competitive — if not talented — districts in Class 1. In the past five seasons, District 15 has produced a state champion (West Platte in 2005) and a runner-up (East Buchanan in 2004) plus a slew of collegiate prospects.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008
Intensity doesn’t come naturally for Lane Hegarty and Lauren Looney.
Even with the weight of postseason pressure bearing down on Bishop LeBlond’s No. 2 doubles team, they’d rather relax and worry more about having a good time.
“When we’re serious, we do worse. Really,” Hegarty said. “We have to be loose and not put pressure on each other.”
The Golden Eagles pair did just that Tuesday and helped LeBlond coast to a 6-2 victory against Kearney in Class 1 regional play at the St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Center. LeBlond swings back into action Saturday when it hosts Marshall in sectional play.
Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008
Conner and Loree Hazelrigg have a rare connection that gives them and advantage on the tennis court.
Central can’t stop Ray-Pec quarterbackSaturday, Oct. 11, 2008
A rattled Cameron Coffman, then a backup freshman, stepped off Noyes Field last year slightly shaken from his game-sealing interception against Central.
On Friday night, the Raymore-Peculiar quarterback returned a much different — and more devastating — player.
The Panthers’ signal caller conducted a ruthlessly efficient offensive effort, as Ray-Pec, the No. 1 team in Class 5, blitzed Central 48-21. Already one of the state’s top passers as a sophomore, he tossed three first-half touchdowns and ran for another.
Off the beaten (base) paths
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — The stage pales in comparison to Mizzou Arena, but the pressure Kyle Schieber feels is on the same, state-championship level.
Game winding down, the outcome resting in his fingertips.
The lanky Jefferson senior has dealt with nerves throughout his high school career and has become well-known for his ice-cold demeanor during the winter months on small-town basketball courts. But there’s another side to Schieber — equally dominant — many haven’t seen.
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008
I shouldn’t have been surprised.
I’d finally turned in my first breakout week of the year — a solid 8-2 effort that kept me within four games of assistant sports editor Ross Martin. Finally, a chance to gloat a little, redeemed from my previously pathetic picking.
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008
For years, Chillicothe stood unchallenged as the perennial favorites on tennis courts throughout the Midland Empire Conference.
Until Bishop LeBlond moved into the neighborhood.
The Golden Eagles toppled the Hornets’ reign atop the conference standings two weeks ago and claimed the de facto conference championship — LeBlond’s first since rejoining the MEC.
Stanberry stops North Andrew tide
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
ROSENDALE, Mo. — Stanberry coach Dan Collins doesn’t consider his halftime speeches particularly motivating or magical. He prefers to go the cut-and-dry, no-nonsense route.
It’s hard to argue with the results.
After a sluggish first half, his Bulldogs mounted a blistering rally and notched a thrilling, come-from-behind victory Friday against North Andrew, 37-30.
Running out of time
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008
Running came so naturally for Akech Aye.
A refugee from war-torn Sudan, it played a vital part in surviving his tumultuous childhood.
But the lanky Central distance runner found an outlet for his sinewy frame a few months after finding a new home in St. Joseph. In his first season on the cross country team, Aye surpassed expectations and looked forward to improving on his trip to state last year.
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
When Chillicothe braces for the snap, there’s no telling who will end up with the ball in the Hornets’ crowded backfield. With as many as four black helmets crammed next to each other, the options seem endless.
Take your pick. The result often turns out the same — another handful of yards in a slow, steady march to the end zone.
Behind a tremendously balanced running attack, the Hornets efficiently bowled over Benton at Spark Field on the way to a 37-6 victory Friday night.
Travel costs, geography complicate local high schools' football scheduling
Friday, Sept. 26, 2008
Compiling a complete football slate presents its share of challenges, to be sure, but Pat Ryan never thought his schedule would come down to a coin toss.
The South Holt principal nabbed his team a Week 2 game against Southwest Livingston when his correct call landed the Knights a matchup and left North Nodaway out in the cold with a shortened, nine-game schedule.
“I was not prepared for the whole scenario,” Ryan said. “Hopefully, we can stay lucky.”
The unusual instance brings attention to the scheduling abnormalities that high school football teams have faced this year — based on a number of factors stemming from travel concerns.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008
In this line of work, mulling over impossibly hypothetical matchups can be half the fun.
For example: Who wins the former Midland Empire Conference clash between Platte County’s first state championship team in 2000 and the 2005 Cameron squad that rewrote the record book on offense? A do-it-all offense versus the spread. Drew Newhart vs. Brandon Gutshall at quarterback.
Epic.
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008
Front-of-the-pack expectations come standard with the mantle of Hamilton’s top runner. But after her emergence into a rock-solid No. 2 runner last season, senior Ashley Flook has taken the move in stride.
Runner-up on her own team a year ago, Flook finished third overall Tuesday and paced a youthful Hornets team to its customary first-place at the Benton Invitational at Hyde Park.
