Ross Martin
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
Lafayette falls to Staley in regional playoff
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
Lafayette's 1st trip to postseason in a decade postponed for a day
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Lafayette stops Benton, earns first playoff trip since 1998
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
City's first black quarterback reminisces
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Unassuming in command
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
East Buchanan overcomes miscues
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
Birth defect doesn’t slow down East Buchanan freshman’s life
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
Field of streams
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008
Monday, Oct. 20, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Chillicothe holds off Maryville rally
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
Diminutive cornerback makes impact for Worth Co.
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008
Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008
Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008
ST. LOUIS — As Chris Holt forced himself to think about his graduating seniors one more time, Maryville’s third-year coach found an emotion where pride and regret meet.
“When the job was kind of being inquired about, I was told about this sophomore group of kids,” Holt said, emotions choking off his ability to talk.
“It’s tough,” he managed to add after a deep breath.
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
ST. LOUIS — The final minutes showed Mound City with an insurmountable, double-digit lead.
But the Panthers’ backups didn’t get the privilege of finishing off Mound City’s 8-man Show-Me Bowl title at the Edward Jones Dome.
After St. Joseph Christian’s junior-varsity offense committed the Lions’ third and final turnover, Mound City coach Brian Messer sent the starters back out with 1 minute, 34 seconds left to run three straight kneel downs and run out the clock on the Panthers’ 48-16 victory Friday morning.
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
ST. LOUIS – The pregame buzz rarely rose above a murmur.
With the 8-man Show-Me Bowl making its debut at the Edward Jones Dome, Friday's 9 a.m. start for the St. Joseph Christian-Mound City championship tilt did little to help the crowd size. Each team’s supporters likely could have been contained to a single block of seats near midfield, which holds 480 fans.
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008
So here we are at the end of a long road.
As Andy referenced last week, I win the inaugural season of pick 'em regardless of this week’s outcomes. I bolted to an early lead, then buried Andy in a heap of shame and indefensible picks.
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008
For years, the Missouri 8-man Football Coaches Association lobbied for a stage to showcase its sport to the state.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008
Little more than 19 months ago, Benton’s girls celebrated an undefeated state championship. Seniors Holly Switzer and Meghan Curtis have only about four months to build toward another title.
One of Missouri’s top Class 4 programs for nearly a decade now, Benton looks to retool after a 21-5 season that ended in the district championship game. Expectations are high again, and the players don’t want to lower expectations from anything less than another state crown.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008
Justin Love shows the capability to dominate in the post during most Central practices.
The senior forward better enjoy the preseason workouts because, like the rest of the undersized Indians, Love has a tough slate in front of him. For a second straight year, Central has no true center and will rely on toughness and grit from its post players to make up for a lack of height.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008
FAIR GROVE, Mo. — Adam Mattson enjoys company down field — especially the kind that acts like his personal bulldozer.
During his second rushing touchdown against Fair Grove, Maryville’s tailback literally planted a hand on Clint Thompson’s back as his hulking teammate paved the way to pay dirt.
“I’ve got so much room to run, and then I’ve got linemen downfield in front of me — just blocking whoever’s in my way,” Mattson said.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008
CASSVILLE, Mo. — Phil Willard wanted the field goal try to wait one more play — just one more shot at the end zone before lining up for a potential game-winning kick.
Instead, Chillicothe’s coach, his players and the Hornets’ fans watched in disbelief as Cassville sophomore Trenton Tanner made an interception on a pass intended for Clint Dysart. With only 18.3 seconds left, Chillicothe’s hopes for a sixth state title were over.
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008
As I prepare for a long road trip to Pleasant Hill, Mo., on Saturday morning, I remember why I hate MSHSAA’s hosting regulations — or, more accurately, hate it every other year.
Part of the fun in covering high school sports, especially football, is following good teams in their quest for a state title. The past two years haven’t been nearly as exciting; but this year, I’ve enjoyed watching Maryville, Chillicothe, West Platte and Hamilton chase state titles.
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008
As Steve Vertin trudged to the stage for a third time Wednesday night, he made an unusual declaration.
“I don’t know if I have anything left to say,” Bishop LeBlond’s boys basketball coach said after being announced as the winner the 2008 St. Joseph Sports Inc. Coach of the Year award.
That sentiment didn’t last very long.
Monday, Nov. 10, 2008
HAMILTON, Mo. — With Orrick facing a fourth-and-1 at Hamilton’s 6-yard line, the Hornets dug in, trying to make one more defensive stand.
But Orrick running back Aaron Blyth took a pitch right and went into the end zone with 3 minutes, 28 minutes remaining in Monday night’s Class 1 sectional. The score extended the Bearcats’ lead to two scores and all but ended Hamilton’s upset hopes.
No. 1-ranked Orrick added an insurance score 2 minutes later and went on to an 18-0 win at Hamilton High School, eliminating Hamilton in its first postseason appearance since 1996.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
TROY, Kan. — Another trip to the playoffs ended in all-too-familiar school tradition for Troy.
Following a 36-9 Class 2-1A regional loss to St. Marys, Troy’s players and coaches gathered in the end zone, somberly singing the school’s fight song.
Troy’s eighth straight trip to the playoffs again ended in disappointment. The Trojans have lost in regionals each of the past two seasons and have only advanced to sectionals once during its recent postseason run.
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008
MOUND CITY, Mo. — North Andrew’s defense stood up to Mound City for two drives Saturday afternoon.
That only refocused and motivated the undefeated Panthers at Ceglenski Field.
After needing 14 plays to score two touchdowns, Mound City used only 17 more to add six additional offensive touchdowns. The Panthers’ defense forced four turnovers and added a score on a 46-yard Cole Rosier interception return.
Lafayette falls to Staley in regional playoff
Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008
KANSAS CITY — Lafayette scored on its first play from scrimmage Wednesday night and its final play Thursday night against Staley.
In between, the Fighting Irish saw two touchdowns called back on penalties, completed two goal-line stands and allowed Staley to score just enough points in a game delayed a full day due to weather. Lafayette’s first trip to the postseason in a decade ended Thursday night in a 19-14 loss at the North Kansas City District Activities Complex.
Down 19-6, quarterback Bryston Williams completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Timmy Nelson with 5.6 seconds left, and after a 2-point conversion pass from Williams to Nelson, Lafayette had renewed hope.
Lafayette's 1st trip to postseason in a decade postponed for a day
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008
KANSAS CITY — Lafayette’s first trip to the playoffs in a decade will last more than one day.
Due to inclement weather, Lafayette and Staley were forced to postpone Wednesday night’s Class 4 regional at the North Kansas City District Athletic Complex. The game will resume with Staley leading 7-6 at 5:30 tonight.
“It’s the same for both teams,” Lafayette coach Paul Woolard said. “We get another day to evaluate everything, kind of look at some stuff.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
Lafayette and Staley enter uncharted territory tonight during their Class 4 sectional.
Both schools are making monumental playoff trips but on the opposite ends of the high school football spectrum.
Staley opened this year as the fourth school in the North Kansas City School District, making the playoffs in the program’s first year of existence. The once-proud Lafayette program makes its first playoff appearance since 1998, ending a decade of losing and frustration.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008
VALLEY FALLS, Kan. — Colin Greaser faked to running back Kenny Tharman and darted toward the middle of the field.
Troy’s senior quarterback looked to have a third touchdown on his ninth carry Tuesday night during a 48-21 bi-district win against Valley Falls. Unfortunately, the head official blocked Greaser’s path.
“I saw two black jerseys on each side of me, so I had nowhere to go except straight in front of me,” said Greaser, who finished with 252 yards rushing on 26 carries and five total touchdowns, four rushing.
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008
LEXINGTON, Mo. — Bishop LeBlond’s players choreograph celebrations for nearly every point they score.
The Golden Eagles didn’t have a plan on how to react after dropping a roller-coaster 21-25, 25-21, 25-17 Class 2 quarterfinal Saturday evening against Cole Camp. Just hours after recording the second playoff victory in school history at Lexington High School, LeBlond suddenly found its record-setting season over.
Players briefly huddled on their side of the court, unable to find words. Then, or course, came the tears.
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Facing a four-touchdown deficit against Park Hill, Central played Friday night’s fourth quarter the only way the Indians knew how.
Central put up three fourth-quarter touchdowns, but like much of the Indians’ season, the outcome didn’t favor them. Park Hill held on for a 33-21 victory at Noyes Field, and Central’s season ended at 2-8.
“Coach (Tony) Dudik kept telling us all season not to give up until the four quarters were over. That’s the way we played all year,” said senior running back Ghaali Muhammad, who totalled 119 yards of offense and ran and threw for a touchdown.
“We played a tough schedule, but we hung in there and battled until the end. That’s what brought us together, even though we didn’t have a winning season. It brought us together as a family and a team.”
Lafayette stops Benton, earns first playoff trip since 1998
Friday, Oct. 31, 2008
Bryston Williams soaked in the adulation, a hint of blood on his bottom lip.
Surrounded by Lafayette students, faculty and fans, the Fighting Irish’s senior quarterback reflected on two and a half quarters of frustration and big hits and touchdown runs on back-to-back drives in Thursday night’s Class 4 District 16 finale. The second score lifted Lafayette to a 14-7 victory at Alumni Stadium.
The win advances Lafayette to the playoffs for the first time since 1998, and Williams’ back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances were the driving force.
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
The 3-6 records aren’t impressive, the postseason chances bleak.
But for the first time since 1999, city rivals Benton and Lafayette meet with a trip to the playoffs at stake. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lafayette’s Alumni Stadium.
City's first black quarterback reminisces
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Bill McGaughy doesn’t remember the last time he attended a high school football game and never thought about his place in this city’s history.
But he is content to hear Lafayette’s Bryston Williams finally followed in the footsteps he laid down so many years ago. McGaughy is believed to be the first black high school quarterback in the city of St. Joseph after starting as a sophomore at Christian Brothers High School in 1964.
Unassuming in command
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Bryston Williams never intentionally draws attention to himself.
The Lafayette senior rarely acknowledges his athletic abilities, routinely downplays his achievements and readily passes off the credit to his teammates, coaches and family. But sometimes, history has a way of finding people who would much rather avoid it.
Williams never realized when he took his first varsity snap as a quarterback Aug. 29 at K.C. Central that it started a year-long journey into city history.
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008
Andy and I were sitting around trying to figure out the playoff scenarios for this district with North Andrew, Worth County and Stanberry fighting for two playoff spots.
Of course, Andy quickly gave up and left the heavy lifting to me. Whatever.
With all of the 11-man classifications going to four-team districts -- save for a single district in Class 5 -- this appears to leave the complicated scenarios in 8-man. The five-team districts have chances for tougher three-way ties to break due to the extra game.
East Buchanan overcomes miscues
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
GOWER, Mo. — East Buchanan turned the ball over twice in its own half during the first half, racked up 125 yards in penalties and still managed to beat Mid-Buchanan 21-7 on Friday night at East Buchanan High School.
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008
Jefferson waited three years for an offensive performance like Friday’s against Canton.
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
Jefferson waited three years for an offensive performance like Friday’s against Canton.
Playing in a third straight Class 1 semifinal, Jefferson broke out in a 15-3, six-inning victory at Heritage Park to advance to the state championship game. The Eagles were shut out each of the past two seasons in the semis on their way to third-place finishes.
Now Jefferson (21-4) finally has its shot to add a fifth softball state championship, first since 2001.
“The last two years we were disappointed we didn’t make it to first (place),” senior shortstop Rachael Schmitz said. “This year, it’s just overwhelming, and we’re excited to be there.
“Once we get to hitting, we just keep hitting.”
Birth defect doesn’t slow down East Buchanan freshman’s life
Friday, Oct. 24, 2008
GOWER, Mo. — Mark and Emily West never let their son feel sorry for himself.
With a perfectly healthy boy, they believed Nathan West’s life could be full of the same activities and endeavors as other children. There was no time for excuses, nor did Nathan want to come up with them.
He was too busy proving people wrong.
Nathan was born with only half of his left arm due to a defect which restricts the growth of limbs or digits while in utero. Nathan never doubted he was different but never allowed himself to be handicapped.
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
West Platte placed football coach Danny Brown on paid administrative leave this week, and superintendent Kyle Stephenson said Thursday that the veteran coach will not return to the sideline this season.
Brown did not coach the Blue Jays this past Friday when West Platte beat Mid-Buchanan 27-21 to move its record to 7-1, and he will not be on the sideline tonight against North Platte. Beyond that, Brown’s future with the school remains unclear.
Field of streams
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008
Mid-Buchanan senior Kaitlin Steeby found confidence after the realization her Dragons qualified for the Class 2 State Softball Championships. With her high school just down the road from St. Joseph’s Heritage Park, Steeby couldn’t wait to play in front of a “home crowd.”
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008
Ellyn Turner doesn’t have any reason to like the Class 1 State Championships.
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008
Kate Gallagher settled for second place individually but celebrated a second-place showing for Savannah’s team.
The Savages’ junior leader used another strong individual showing to help ensure Savannah brought home the first team state golf trophy in school history. Gallagher followed up her first-round 73 with a second-round 80 on Tuesday at Fremont Hills Country Club in Nixa, Mo.
Gallagher — the defending state champion — finished nine strokes behind first-round leader Sky Seo of MICDS, and the Savages’ two-day total of 739 placed them squarely behind Visitation Academy’s 684. Seo’s five-stroke first-round lead and Visitation Academy’s 43-shot advantage entering the second round allowed Savannah to be proud of both second-place showings.
Monday, Oct. 20, 2008
Savannah junior Kate Gallagher still holds out hope for a second straight state championship.
But Sky Seo of MICDS made that task a lot more daunting.
Seo fired a state-record 68 on the par-71 on Fremont Hills Country Club in Nixa, Mo., taking a five-stroke lead into today’s second and final round of the Class 1 State Golf Championships. Gallagher shot a 2-over 73 — 11 strokes better than her state round at Fremont Hills as a freshman — but knows the difficulty of making up five shots.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Chillicothe soaked in the excitement on one side of Court 3, while Bishop LeBlond stood opposite, feeling the pangs of disbelief.
Saturday’s Class 1 quarterfinal couldn’t have ended any other way after two evenly matched teams battled for more than four hours at Noyes Tennis Complex. A state semifinal berth on the line, the two teams split six singles matches before Chillicothe earned the trip to Springfield, Mo., next week with two doubles victories.
The Hornets won 5-3 with a third doubles match not finished with the team result already decided.
Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Benton players snatched their helmets off, pained looks of frustration dotting their faces.
Excelsior Springs quarterback Nick Anderson took a knee on the final play of Friday night’s game, sealing a 13-7 win for his Tigers at Sparks Field. Benton lost for a fourth straight time, this one in the opener of Class 4 District 16 play.
The Cardinals players and coaches knew they needed a win to keep realistic hopes of a playoff berth. Now, Benton goes into next week against No. 1-ranked Kearney needing a monumental upset or a Lafayette win against Excelsior Springs.
Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
SAVANNAH, Mo. — Jefferson used three solo home runs to overpower King City 5-1 on Thursday night in their Class 1 sectional.
But Shelbi Schieber’s tie-breaking shot to left field almost didn’t count.
Knotted at 1 in the top of the sixth, Jefferson’s senior first baseman blistered a line drive to left field off of King City starter Shelby Stoll. Eagles coach Tim Jermain, watching from his third-base coaching box, leapt up in celebration after the shot cleared the 12-foot fence at the Savannah Youth Sports Complex field.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
Andy swears he doesn't cheat, but I did hand in my picks first last week.
Conveniently, my co-worker managed to make the same 10 selections as me. We both came out looking good -- regardless of how he came to his decisions.
Our only errors came in selecting North Platte to beat Lawson and failing to predict West Platte would topple Plattsburg. One out of two wouldn't have been bad, but we're starting to get embarrassed and missing games from our area.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008
North Andrew let a lead slip away again last Friday night. But what a difference a week made for the youthful Cardinals.
After watching Stanberry snatch a victory away Oct. 3, North Andrew took Worth County to overtime and found a way to earn a victory.
North Andrew led 16-0 but went to overtime knotted at 16-16. The Cardinals scored on both of their possessions, setting off a raucous celebration at North Andrew High School in Rosendale, Mo.
Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008
Reader Lee Smith of Atchison contacted me today and gave me an extra tidbit concerning the use of drop kicks in the area.
Three Kansas districts consider consolidationFriday, Oct. 10, 2008
Don Cash hears the talk every year.
But this time around, the longtime Troy, Kan., educator believes the idea of consolidating the Elwood, Kan., Wathena, Kan., and Troy districts into one is serious.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
The identity of small midwestern towns often coincides with their high schools.
In eastern Doniphan County, that mind set has always prevailed.
The Trojans reside in Troy, the Wildcats in Wathena and the Panthers in Elwood, but the rekindling of consolidation talks threatens that existence. A hypothetical “Doniphan East High School” would forge a new identity.
It’s a problem that hasn’t cropped up yet but eventually will rear itself, as three school boards toy with a monumental proposal.
“There’s a real concern that if you lose your school, you lose your town,” said Troy principal Don Cash, who has been in the district for more than 30 years.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Football coaches often bemoan the distractions that come with playing on homecoming.
Lafayette coach Paul Woolard is starting to enjoy the festivities surrounding the annual fall celebration.
The Fighting Irish secured a second straight dramatic homecoming victory last week against Cameron by recording a sack on the opposition’s final play. Lafayette scored a huge upset of Smithville the previous year when Josh Davis dragged down Smithville quarterback Brent Hastings on the homecoming game’s final play.
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008
Maryville coach Chris Holt and Savannah Mark Cole’s longstanding friendship helped bring a new twist into an old rivalry, starting with tonight’s MEC clash at Savage Field.
The two started pondering the idea for a traveling trophy to award in the annual rivalry game between Savannah and Maryville. With Savannah’s fast start, the two converged a couple of weeks ago to make it a reality.
Chillicothe holds off Maryville rally
Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Chillicothe’s biggest weapon during the second half Friday night against Marvyille wasn’t running back Bryce Young’s big-play ability or a turnover-forcing defense.
The difference for the Hornets was the right leg of running back/defensive end/punter Clint Dysart.
In a matchup of Midland Empire Conference powers, Dysart made the difference by pinning Maryville inside its 20-yard line four times in the final 24 minutes. The last punt put Maryville at its own 4 with only 1 minute, 31 seconds left.
Diminutive cornerback makes impact for Worth Co.
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
GRANT CITY, Mo. — Zach Harmening occasionally creates doubt in Kyler Hiatt’s mind.
Hiatt, one of the best runners in Missouri 8-man history, has confronted that uncertainty in practice numerous times during the past two-plus years. Coming around the corner, the 6-foot-2, 200-plus pound Hiatt will often see Harmening as the Worth County scout-team cornerback.
At 5-foot-6, 114 pounds, Harmening is a quandary for the bruising runner.
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
Maryville and Chillicothe have established themselves as teams competing for a state title. Only one will have the chance to pursue undefeated championship aspirations.
Ranked No. 2 in their respective classes, Maryville and Chillicothe meet tonight at “The Hound Pound” in possibly the marquee high school game in the state of Missouri. Maryville enters as undefeated defending Midland Empire Conference champions, and this matchup could determine the Spoofhounds ability to repeat.
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
DeKalb coach Vernon Pike waited for his quarterback to reach the sideline, ready to send in the play.
Instead, Jimmy Derry asked his coach if rather than a 2-point conversion try, the Tigers could go for an extra point. Not just any extra point — a drop kick.
Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008
You win some, you lose some in the world of high school pick 'em.
Last week, Andy and I won eight each and lost two, which for me is good enough to retain my healthy five-game lead on my co-worker. This could be a week with some shuffle to it. There are many intriguing matchups out there, and by my count, six of this week's 10 games are nothing more than a coin flip.
Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008
Carl Edwards dove to the inside of Jimmie Johnson going into Turn 3 on the final lap.
The crowd at Kansas Speedway responded as the Columbia, Mo., native took the lead from Johnson. But it didn’t last long.
Edwards’ risky move — called a slide job — in the final turn of the Camping World RV 400 landed him against the wall. Johnson went around him for the win in the third of 10 races in Sprint Cup’s Chase for the Championship.
