Sports

The BigRich Sports Report

The BigRich Sports Report

Not just the same old thing

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
A brief Husker pigskin conversation Friday morning left me puzzled.“Same old thing,” the person told me. Huh? Still recovering from the previous night’s suds? There wasn’t much that was the ‘same old thing’ in regards to Nebraska’s 20-17 opening night win over Cincinnati in Kansas City.
Hampton's Kyler Luebbe protects up front during the Hawks' 43-14 win over Parkview Christian.

Hampton's Kyler Luebbe protects up front during the Hawks' 43-14 win over Parkview Christian.

Friday night roundup week 1

Richard Rhoden
Friday, August 29, 2025
Hampton kicked off its final season of Hawk football with a win, picking up a 43-14 win at home over Parkview Christian Friday to carry the flag for area teams starting the 2025 campaign.
Aurora’s Emely Gonzalez gets dirty with a safe slide into second base during the Huskies’ 8-2 loss to Auburn in Friday’s tournament. Gonzalez collected four hits and two RBIs through Aurora’s first four games.

Aurora’s Emely Gonzalez gets dirty with a safe slide into second base during the Huskies’ 8-2 loss to Auburn in Friday’s tournament. Gonzalez collected four hits and two RBIs through Aurora’s first four games.

Huskies slide through opening weekend

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Opening weekend for the Aurora softball team was an up and down adventure. The Huskies split its first four games at home, defeating Lexington Thursday night in the opener, 14-0.
Husky Nation and coaches got one last look at the Aurora football team Friday with the team’s final preseason scrimmage. The Huskies kick off the 2025 season Friday at Pierce. The Bluejays are ranked preseason No. 8 in Class C1, with the Huskies No. 9.

Husky Nation and coaches got one last look at the Aurora football team Friday with the team’s final preseason scrimmage. The Huskies kick off the 2025 season Friday at Pierce. The Bluejays are ranked preseason No. 8 in Class C1, with the Huskies No. 9.

Aurora set for season kickoff at Pierce Friday

Kurt Johnson
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
The football season kicks off Friday in Pierce for a Husky team that will be tested early and often in the 2025 campaign.
Husky Nation will get a preseason look at the Aurora football team Friday. The Huskies kick off the 2025 season Aug. 29 at Pierce.

Husky Nation will get a preseason look at the Aurora football team Friday. The Huskies kick off the 2025 season Aug. 29 at Pierce.

Huskies hungry to get back on winning track

Kurt Johnson
Friday, August 22, 2025
The taste of a 3-6 football season that ended a streak of 19 consecutive playoff appearances didn’t sit well this off-season with a group of seniors which Husky coach Kyle Peterson says is now anxious to take the field and get Aurora back to its winning ways.
Retired late-model racer Kent Tucker (center) competed in the 2025 Legends of Lex race at the Dawson County Raceway in Lexington on Sunday, Aug. 10, where he placed second out of eight drivers. Tucker poses for a picture after the hot laps surrounded by his members of his family. Picture in front, from left, are daughters Jessica Rojewski and Megan Rathje. In back are daughter Libby Spotanski and Tucker’s wife, Laura.

Retired late-model racer Kent Tucker (center) competed in the 2025 Legends of Lex race at the Dawson County Raceway in Lexington on Sunday, Aug. 10, where he placed second out of eight drivers. Tucker poses for a picture after the hot laps surrounded by his members of his family. Picture in front, from left, are daughters Jessica Rojewski and Megan Rathje. In back are daughter Libby Spotanski and Tucker’s wife, Laura.

Tucker returns to track in Legends of Lex

Elizabeth Hunter
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Although it’s been 30 years since he was behind the wheel of a race car in an actual race, Nebraska hall of fame racer Kent Tucker of Hampton made a triumphant return to the track Aug. 10 and placed second.
Gavin Gilmore was a two-sport star for the Hawks, competing in volleyball and basketball while setting multiple records for Hampton.

Gavin Gilmore was a two-sport star for the Hawks, competing in volleyball and basketball while setting multiple records for Hampton.

Gavin Gilmore earns first ANR AOTY selection for Hampton

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Longtime Hampton girls basketball coach Margo LaBrie saved a note written nearly a decade ago now written by Gavin Gilmore when she was in fourth grade. To some effect, the note stated Gilmore couldn’t wait to play high school basketball for LaBrie.
Gage Friesen’s jam-packed senior year for High Plains was highlighted by a Class D state championship on the wrestling mat over the winter.

Gage Friesen’s jam-packed senior year for High Plains was highlighted by a Class D state championship on the wrestling mat over the winter.

Gage Friesen adds ANR AOTW to long list of achievements

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
“Gage (Friesen) is one of those kids you want to attach yourself to because 10 years from now, he’ll be one of those guys you’ll be proud to have known him in high school.
The BigRich Sports Report

The BigRich Sports Report

Hard work always wins

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
There are those who work hard and then a much smaller subset category of those who put in so much time that the others question how hard they’re really trying. HPC’s Gage Friesen and Hampton’s Gavin Gilmore, through testament of those closest to them, fit right into that exclusive category.
Aurora’s Dane Comer gave Post 42 a shot in an elimination game Saturday, throwing 71 total pitches in six innings during a 5-3 loss to Fairbury.

Aurora’s Dane Comer gave Post 42 a shot in an elimination game Saturday, throwing 71 total pitches in six innings during a 5-3 loss to Fairbury.

Pinnacle Bank Seniors end season at districts

Richard Rhoden
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
The Aurora Pinnacle Bank Post 42 Seniors saw its season come to a close Saturday underneath the blistering heat of the late July sun.