November 13, 2018 — By Chris Varney
BGM
Football: 8-2. The Bears returned to the playoffs after a one year absence but lost in the first round to Edgewood Colesburg. This team faced a lot this year. Senior QB Scott Tibbetts came into the season in the wake of family tragedy and BGM did not even get to play on its home field until week 6. And yet, the Bears came together and had a great season. Junior RB Noah Beck became a great every down back, running for 1,202 yards and 17 TD. Senior DL Dylan Staker had an outstanding year with 58 tackles and 27 TFL. Tibbetts would lead BGM to an emotional opening season win vs. Lisbon and passed for 1,060 yards, 16 TD, and 6 INT.
Volleyball: 2-23, 2-8 10th in the SICL. It was a rebuilding season for first year Head Coach Ashley Hulsing. Senior Rylie Gritsch led the team with 83 kills. The Bears only lose three seniors who saw significant time on the court.
Cross Country: Nobody made it to state this year; Regan Clayton led the girls with a 17th place finish in the conference meet and Jack Smith led the boys, finishing 14th in the SICL.
Iowa Valley
Football: 10-1. It was a great season for the Tigers, going undefeated in the regular season and winning a district title. In the end, there was disappointment after losing to New London on their home field in the quarterfinals 56-20 and not going to the dome. Senior Garet Sims moved to offensive line and it freed up Junior Ben Smith (1,163 yards rushing) and Senior Noah Mumby (876 yards rush) to lead the offense. Sims, meanwhile, was freed up for a monster season on defense with 84.5 tackles and led 8 man with 28 tackles for a loss. Senior Breven Platt led the team in tackles with 89.5. Iowa Valley became the #1 team in the Radio Iowa 8 man poll after they beat New London 22-12 during the regular season but it stings after falling in the rematch.
Volleyball: 17-18, 7-3 4th in the SICL. The Tigers string of 4 straight regional finals was broken by HLV in the quarterfinals this year. The Tigers made it into the “Final Four” in the SICL tournament but lost to Montezuma in the semifinals. Junior Taylor Smith was an all-state player with 315 kills, 20 aces, 235 assists, and 28 blocks. After the season, Greg Jergens announced he would not return as Head Coach.
English Valleys
Football: 4-5. It was promising start for the Bears after winning 4 of their first 5 games. But E-V lost three in a row to Iowa Valley, HLV and New London and ran out of gas against Lone Tree. Senior Cooper Andreassen led the team with 1,101 yards rushing and 20 TD. Senior Caleb Peach added 615 yards on the ground and 7 TD. The two players were the leaders as well on defense (Andreassen 56.5 tackles, Peach 51.5). Junior Cael Hester did not throw much but rushed for 248 yards and 12 TD; he will be counted on to do more next year.
Volleyball: 5-19, 2-9 11th in the SICL. Junior Cheyenne Conrad led the team with 96 kills and 50 blocks.
Cross Country: Senior Jacob Glandon would make it to the state meet and finished in 57th place; Glandon finished 2nd in the South Iowa Cedar League meet. Bryson Grove earned a 10th place finish in the conference meet. On the girls side, Maddie Koehn had the best finish in the conference in 10th place.