Sports

From left, Mack Owens, Caden Carlson, Carlos Collazo and Bryce Barger converge on McCook punter, ultimately tackling him for a safety.

From left, Mack Owens, Caden Carlson, Carlos Collazo and Bryce Barger converge on McCook punter, ultimately tackling him for a safety.

Fast start leads to fourth straight Husky win

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Aurora jumped out to a fast start and dominated McCook in nearly every phase of the game Friday, though coach Kyle Peterson said the Huskies didn’t take the steps forward he was hoping to see in a 32-10 win over the Bison.
Nebraska co-captain Austin Allen is all smiles for teammate running back Ramir Johnson after his touchdown run in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern Saturday night.

Nebraska co-captain Austin Allen is all smiles for teammate running back Ramir Johnson after his touchdown run in the second quarter of Nebraska’s 56-7 drubbing of Northwestern Saturday night.

Saturday night magic -- winning fixes everything

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
My mind raced faster than the Memorial Stadium light show ahead of the fourth quarter.  While Saturday’s 56-7 drubbing of the defending Big Ten West champs Northwestern evoked shock, awe, pride and celebration, I wondered: Is this what it was like to watch Nebraska in the 90s?
Evan Pankoke clears the runway for Justin Gyhra toward the end zone during Hampton’s 58-18 win at Heartland Lutheran Friday night.

Evan Pankoke clears the runway for Justin Gyhra toward the end zone during Hampton’s 58-18 win at Heartland Lutheran Friday night.

Hawks building momentum with back to back victories

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
The Hawks are soaring higher than ever in recent memory.  Hampton’s football team dominated its way to a second victory in a row out of its bye week, taking a 58-18 win at Heartland Lutheran Friday night.
Hampton's defense held a shutout through three-plus quarters in a 58-18 win over Heartland Lutheran.

Hampton's defense held a shutout through three-plus quarters in a 58-18 win over Heartland Lutheran.

Friday night roundup week 6

Richard Rhoden
Friday, October 1, 2021
Scoring points and a lot of them was big around the Hamilton County area as three of the four teams picked up wins Friday night.  Aurora won its fourth game in a row on the season over McCook at home while Hampton and HPC each picked up road victories.
Kylie Mersch was a force for Hampton on the outside in a sweep of Red Cloud.

Kylie Mersch was a force for Hampton on the outside in a sweep of Red Cloud.

Lady Hawks sweep Red Cloud

Richard Rhoden
Thursday, September 30, 2021
The brooms were out and ready on Hampton's Senior Night.  The Lady Hawks used one of its best serving nights of the season to defeat Red Cloud in three sets, 25-15, 25-14 and 25-23 Thursday at home.  After two dominant sets, the third was much more difficult.
Taylor Janda had two RBIs in Aurora's 11-2 win over Columbus Lakeview during the Central Conference tournament.

Taylor Janda had two RBIs in Aurora's 11-2 win over Columbus Lakeview during the Central Conference tournament.

Lady Huskies go 1-1 at conference

Richard Rhoden
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Once the rain let up, the softball action took off at a high pace Wednesday from the 4-Diamond Sports Complex.  The Lady Huskies were in action as part of the Central Conference tournament, going 1-1 on the day.  Aurora, the No.
Kirsten Jensen receives a serve during Aurora's five-set loss to Lexington.

Kirsten Jensen receives a serve during Aurora's five-set loss to Lexington.

Lexington rallies past Aurora in five

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Aurora found themselves in another five-set tussle Tuesday night, but this one had a different ending.  The Lady Huskies looked to be in control, but couldn't finish the deal in a five-set loss to Lexington, 14-25, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25 and 15-13 at home.
Pictured at the presentation of “The Henderson Scholarship” are, from left: Kelsey, Gerad and Rylee Olsen, Ashton Voss, Brock Henderson, Lora Henderson and Shea Willems.

Pictured at the presentation of “The Henderson Scholarship” are, from left: Kelsey, Gerad and Rylee Olsen, Ashton Voss, Brock Henderson, Lora Henderson and Shea Willems.

Scholarship honors Kevin Henderson

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
It was an emotional scene on the pitcher’s diamond last week as Rylee Olsen was recognized as the first-ever recipient of a scholarship named in honor of the late Kevin Henderson.
The Lady Hornets celebrate a point during a four-set victory over Nebraska Lutheran Thursday.

The Lady Hornets celebrate a point during a four-set victory over Nebraska Lutheran Thursday.

Lady Hornets pick up big win on championship night

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
On a night where Giltner honored its champions, the current Hornet volleyball team rose to the challenge.  After a slow start, Giltner charged ahead to defeat conference foe Nebraska Lutheran in four, 22-25, 25-16, 25-16 and 25-20 Thursday night.
Rylee Olsen gets a fist/glove bump from coach Ashton Voss after throwing another shutout inning in a home game against David City. Olsen gave up only one run in an 11-1 victory.

Rylee Olsen gets a fist/glove bump from coach Ashton Voss after throwing another shutout inning in a home game against David City. Olsen gave up only one run in an 11-1 victory.

Two Olsen homers power Huskies to key victory

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
A huge win with postseason implications was one of Aurora’s highlights last week.  The Lady Huskies went into a tough road environment Thursday, picking up a 13-8 win over Columbus Lakeview thanks to Rylee Olsen’s big bat.