November 19, 2018 By Chris Varney
We take a look back at the fall sports season for football, volleyball, and cross country. Today is the Monday Coaches Corners and we will continue all week long
Montezuma
Football: 2-7. In their first season of 8 man, it was mixed results for the Braves. They were in a tough district, with New London (playing this week for the 8 man title), Iowa Valley and HLV. Monte gave SE Warren a decent game in week zero. The Warhawks went undefeated and lost to Rockford in the semifinals. If Montezuma had not stumbled in the second half, they would have beaten Lone Tree and WACO. Sophomore Trey Schearer was the leader on offense, throwing for 1,476 yards, 12 TD and 10 interceptions. However, in the last game of the season Freshman Eddie Burgess played QB and Schearer moved to wideout and that worked as well. Senior Jaedon Probasco and Junior Hunter Van Dee were standouts on defense.
Volleyball: 30-7, SICL champs, regional champs. Without a doubt, the greatest volleyball season in Montezuma history. The Bravettes made it to the state tournament in school history, an incredible thing considering the basketball history at the school. Senior Riley Gatton became the school’s all-time leader in kills, striking for 356 this season and overcoming an ankle injury in the playoffs. Gatton also led the team in digs with 319. Junior Shateah Wetering added 293 kills and led the Bravettes with 85 blocks. Junior Wavy Roorda set up the big hitters with 751 assists and led the team in serving with 63 aces and a .918 efficiency. Freshman Ash Krousie showed that she is the future with 79 kills on the year. Montezuma loses 5 key starters on the year but has a lot of talent coming back.
Cross Country: Sophomore Elise Boulton made it to the state meet and finished in 35th place. Boulton finished 2nd at the SICL meet. Brayden Stockman finished 4th place in the SICL meet for the boys.
North Mahaska
Football: 1-8. The Warhawks struggled this season, especially on the line. Co-coach Chris Sampson said that North Mahaska could not start the same group every week on the offensive line. That does not help make a successful season. Sophomore Dylan Klinker did the best he could at QB, throwing for 590 yards, 5 TD, but had 15 interceptions. Klinker led the team in rushing with 364 yards. Senior Luke Groves never had many holes to run through but had a strong year on defense, leading the Warhawks with 86 tackles. Sampson and Seth Streebin were co-coaches and whether that system continues or whether one of them is promoted to Head Coach or whether somebody else is brought in will have to be decided.
Volleyball: 12-17. There were only 4 seniors on the roster but only one of them saw significant action on the court. The Warhawks were led by Sophomore Madi McKay with 120 kills, 33 aces, and 137 digs. Junior Kassidi Steel added 79 kills and 36 aces. Freshman Zoe Deucore led the team with 342 digs.
Cross Country: Junior Cheyenne Shaw had a break through season for the Warhawks. Shaw was the conference champ, district champ, and got on the medal stand at state, finishing in 11th place.
Belle Plaine
Football: 4-5. The Plainsmen started the season 3-1 but the district was extremely tough and an injury to Senior QB Garret Straight did not help either. Garrett missed two games; his younger brother Junior Trevin Straight was the highlight of the offense and finished the season with 1,130 yards rushing and 15 TD. Senior Ethan Gates led the defense with 71 tackles. Belle Plaine seems to be pretty consistent every year, right around 4-6 wins every year.
Volleyball: 23-6, 2nd place in SICL regular season. The Lady Plainsmen had a great season although were disappointed by a second round exit in the playoffs. Senior Kenzie Mantz had another all-state type season with 390 kills, which ranked 5th in all of Class 2A. Mantz also had 48 aces, 270 digs, and 51 blocks — she will heading to Iowa State to play volleyball. Senior Shaylee Dodd was a solid setter with 732 assists. Sophomore Nicholaa Phillippe will be the leader of the team going forward — she had a solid year with 136 kills, 40 aces, 177 digs and 17 blocks. Belle Plaine will have to reload after losing 7 starters this season.
Cross Country: It was a sweep for the Plainsmen at the SICL conference meet, winning both the boys and girls team titles. The girls were led by Breanna Cook in third place and Hanna Cook in 4th. On the boys side, Kobe Grieder finished in third place, Steven Mently was in 7th place and Spencer Yilek finished 10th. Grieder was the only one from Belle Plaine making it to the state tournament, the Senior finished 83rd.