By Bob Bakken
MaxPreps.com
Cherokee quarterback Tyler Jones is expected to set the state’s all-time passing yardage record Friday night when the Braves play at Milford-Okoboji.
Officials say Jones needs just 48 yards for the new mark, set last year by Keokuk’s James Vandenberg at 7,701 yards.
Jones threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns last week in a loss to Spencer. As a junior, Jones threw for 2,360 yards and 20 touchdowns. He is also a standout catcher in baseball.
Football: Olson Suffers Neck Injury in Game
Lake Mills students and community are concerned about the welfare of one of their own after Tyler Olson suffered a neck injury in a game at Forest City last Friday night. Olson’s neck was broken in the contest and he is recovering in Rochester, Minn. Reports indicate he was starting to get feeling back in his limbs this week.
Classmates have signed large cards that are being delivered to Olson, a junior at Lake Mills. Windshields of cars around town have his initials, “T.O.” and his uniform number “84” painted on them. Several fundraisers have also been planned to defray expenses.
Football: Albia Player Scores Touchdown of a Lifetime
The junior varsity football team at PCM-Monroe gave an opponent a moment in glory toward the end of the team’s game on Monday night. Leading 39-0 toward the end of the game, Albia sophomore Kyle Weiss returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown that prevented his team from being shut out.
Weiss, a special needs student at Albia, scored as teammates and opponents stayed out of the way, so he could have a “moment in the sun.” PCM quarterback Brandon Kain said both sides agreed to have the ball come loose in front of Weiss and stayed away as he scored the touchdown.
"You hear about people doing this kind of stuff all the time," Kain told the Des Moines Register newspaper. "I thought it would be kind of cool to let him have a time of his life, because I guarantee that doesn't happen that often for him."
Football: Raiders Forfeit First Victory
Dunkerton school officials have announced they have forfeited their 14-13 season opening victory over Clarksville. Activities director and football coach Jeremy Hesse says an error over a player’s eligibility caused the forfeiture.
Hesse says an academically ineligible player was used in the game, telling the Oelwein Daily Register newspaper the school self-reported the infraction to the Iowa High School Athletic Association on Monday.
“It was an oversight on the school’s part — we didn’t know,” Hesse said.
He said a neighboring school told them about the ineligible player, but Hesse would not identify the school. Another victory over CAL (Latimer) will stand for the Raiders, as the ineligible player did not take part in that game.
The official score of the game now becomes 1-0 in favor of Clarksville. Since it was a non-district game, the outcome won’t affect the school's playoff chances.
Football: Unbeaten Meets Unscored Upon Friday Night
The Clinton River Kings are unbeaten after two weeks of the football season for the first time in 11 years. The River Kings hope to go to 3-0 this weekend, but face a Burlington Grayhound team that has not yet given up a point.
Burlington is one of seven Iowa schools to have posted a pair of shutouts in the first weeks of the regular season. Clinton has allowed just 13 points in two victories, including last week’s 34-6 win over Davenport West. The ‘Kings are doing it with a new defensive scheme, as new defensive coordinator Dave MacGrath takes over for 40-year coaching veteran Larry Smrcka, who retired after last season was finished.
Volleyball: Johnston Leads Volleyball Rankings
Defending Class 4-A volleyball champion Johnston may have designs on doing what its baseball counterparts did over the summer.
The Dragons’ baseball team went 40-0 in claiming the state 4-A championship and the volleyball team is 8-0 and ranked number one in the latest Class 4-A list provided by the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union.
Other number one teams in the volleyball ratings are Mount Vernon in Class 3-A, Dike-New Hartford in 2-A, and Fairbank-Wapsie Valley in Class 1-A.
