Sports

Richard Rhoden

Richard Rhoden

Hawk seniors leave program better than they found it

Drake Schafer didn’t know it at the time, but Hampton’s 49-7 win over Santee turned out to be his final high school football game.  But what a show the Hawk senior went out on. Schafer totaled three interceptions, two of them pick sixes in the rout of Santee.
Aurora has earned the No. 2 seed for the Class B playoffs, opening with Lexington at home Friday night.

Aurora has earned the No. 2 seed for the Class B playoffs, opening with Lexington at home Friday night.

Aurora earns No. 2 seed in Class B playoffs

Aurora enters the Class B playoffs as hot as anyone, riding a seven-game win streak and playing its best football of the year.  The Huskies (7-2) were rewarded the No. 2 seed in the Class B playoffs and will play No. 15 Lexington (4-5) at home Friday night.
Britton Kemling scored twice, including a pick six in Aurora's 50-14 win over Seward.

Britton Kemling scored twice, including a pick six in Aurora's 50-14 win over Seward.

Huskies roll Seward for district title

Aurora and Seward was billed as a Class B top 10 showdown with a district championship on the line.  A huge start from the Huskies snowballed into a rout as Aurora defeated Seward 50-14 on its home field to win the district crown.
Drake Schafer had three INTs for Hampton in a 49-7 win over Santee Thursday night.

Drake Schafer had three INTs for Hampton in a 49-7 win over Santee Thursday night.

Hawks crush Santee in season finale

Hampton had a lot of time to think about its season finale game with close to a three-hour road trip north Thursday night.  It was a bit of a slow start but once the defense started clicking, the points were flowing.
Taryn McKinney was responsible for several new season and career records for the Aurora softball team.

Taryn McKinney was responsible for several new season and career records for the Aurora softball team.

Several Aurora softball records re-written during 2021 year

The 2021 Aurora softball season will be one to remember years down the line for a variety of reasons.  The team’s 21-12 record was its best in more than a decade and the 21 wins were the program’s second best in school history.
Aurora’s Grace Ziegler watches her putt fall into the cup on the par-3 seventh hole during day two action of the Class B state golf tournament at Scottsbluff Country Club.

Aurora’s Grace Ziegler watches her putt fall into the cup on the par-3 seventh hole during day two action of the Class B state golf tournament at Scottsbluff Country Club.

Aurora competes at state

Sure, the weather was picture perfect for awhile and lightning-plagued for others.  It wasn’t the best rounds of golf the Lady Husky golf team has turned in during the 2021 season.
In an amazing display of sportsmanship, Aurora’s Tyson Kottwitz encourages Brandon Fye to finish the race as the Central City runner had started to go down just before the finish line.

In an amazing display of sportsmanship, Aurora’s Tyson Kottwitz encourages Brandon Fye to finish the race as the Central City runner had started to go down just before the finish line.

Huskies qualify for state in tight district race

Every single point matters in district cross country competition and the Aurora Huskies learned that the hard way Thursday, coming up one point shy of a team title but still confidently punching their ticket to this week’s Class C state meet in Kearney for the eighth straight year.
Dave Bradley

Dave Bradley

One tough customer

With just four games remaining in his Husker football career (okay maybe five if Nebraska can somehow make it to a bowl game), it’s great to finally see what Richard Rhoden and I have been saying for the past four or five years. “Throw the ball to Austin! He’s wide open!
High Plains celebrates a point during its quarterfinal matchup with Meridian in the CRC tournament Saturday.

High Plains celebrates a point during its quarterfinal matchup with Meridian in the CRC tournament Saturday.

CRC tournament update

All three area teams were in action at Saturday's start to the Crossroads Conference volleyball tournament in York.  The most success of the three area teams came from No. 4 seeded High Plains, who defeated No. 13 McCool Junction in the opening round, 25-12 and 25-8.
Carsen Staehr recorded 7 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown in Aurora's 41-27 win over GINW Friday night.

Carsen Staehr recorded 7 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown in Aurora's 41-27 win over GINW Friday night.

Friday night roundup week 8

Playoff football weather was in the air Friday night, giving a preview of what's to come during week eight of the high school football season.  All four area teams were on the road Friday with Aurora picking up the lone win.