Thursday, September 29, 2022

Polo knocks off North Andrew to win the GRC Softball Championship

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

Polo Panthers defeated North Andrew Cardinals 12-2 to win the GRC Softball Championship.  It is Polo's second GRC title.  They also won in 2014.   Polo becomes the 5th school to win the GRC Championship in 5 years.

The Panthers got a one-out double from Chloe Gilbert in the first inning, but she was stranded.  Hanna Vaught pitched the bottom of the inning and was one pitch from being perfect.  She struck out the first two Cardinal hitters on 3 pitches each.  It took her four pitches to strike out the third hitter, but she retired all three hitters on strikeouts on 10 pitches.

In the second inning, Kendyl Fitzwater led off the inning with a triple and scored when Haley Barnett struck out, but the catcher was unable to secure the pitch.  North Andrew would get singles by Cassidy Brittain and Piper Cook in the bottom of the inning, but Vaught worked around them making the score 1-0 Polo after 2.

In the third inning, Jade Misel led off with a walk after working Katryna Warren to a 3-2 count.  Kenley Moore then reached on an error.  This opened the floodgates for Polo with their top hitter coming up in Gilbert.  She knocked two in with her second double of the night.  Hanna Vaught followed up with an RBI triple.  Mya Heil then doubled to score Cierra Stigger, who was pinch running for Vaught.  By the time the inning ended, Polo had scored 7 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks, a Hit by Pitch and 2 errors.  Vaught allowed one hit to Michaela Sybert in the bottom of the third, but was able to retire the Cardinals.  Polo led 8-0 after 3.

Polo added 3 more runs in the fourth inning.  Moore and Gilbert both singled.  Vaught knocked in Moore with a groundout, and then Heil recorded her second double to drive in Gilbert.  Heil would score on a Wild Pitch to make it 11-0 Polo.  Vaught would allow a couple of hits in the bottom of the 4th, but strike out the side.  She once again kept the Cardinals off the board.

In the 5th, the Panthers were unable to score after Schmidt led off the inning with a single.  Warren retired the next three.  North Andrew was down to their last out, but got 3 straight singles from Sybert, Warren and Madison Curran to plate 2 runs extending the game another inning with the score 11-2 Polo after 5.

In the sixth inning, Polo would score a run after Heil singled, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.  North Andrew was retired in order in the bottom of the 6th.  The game ended with Polo winning 12-2.

I caught up with Polo coach Becky Ross after the game.  You can hear postgame along with Coach Ross's interview here:


Stats (Unofficial)
Polo
Kenley Moore, 1-4, 2 R, 1 K
Chloe Gilbert, 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Hanna Vaught, 1-4, 2 RBI, 1 3B
Mya Heil, 3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Kendyl Fitzwater, 1-2, 2 R, 1 BB
Haley Barnett, 1-3, 1 R, 2 K, 1 BB
Valorie Gabrielli, 0-4, 2 K
Emily Schmidt, 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 K
Jade Misel, 0-2, 1 R, 1 K, 1 BB

Hanna Vaught, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 11 K, 0 BB

North Andrew
Teigan Miller, 0-3, 2 K
Michaela Sybert, 2-3, 1 R, 1 K
Katryna Warren, 1-3, 1 R, 1 K
Madison Curran, 2-3, 1 RBI
Cassidy Brittain, 1-3, 2 K
Kinzie Wilmes, 0-3, 2 K
Piper Cook, 2-3
Gracie Wilmes, 0-3, 2 K
Kelsey Rathburn, 0-2, 1 K

Katryna Warren, 6 IP, 11H, 12 R, 8 ER, 7 K, 3 BB


Monday, September 26, 2022

October 1 GRC Softball Tournament Schedule

8 GRC Schools will be participating in 5 Softball Tournaments on October 1.  Here is the schedule for each tournament:

Centralia Tournament
Putnam County

La Plata Tournament
Milan, Trenton

Mid-Buchanan Tournament
North Andrew, South Harrison
Norborne Tournament
Gallatin

Tiger Softball Tournament (at Plattsburg)
King City, Stanberry

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Week 5 GRC Power Poll

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

Gallatin and North Andrew maintain the top spots in the GRC Power Poll.

11-Man Power Poll

1. Gallatin (5-0; 3-0 GRC; Last Week #1; d. Maysville 35-12; Week 6 - at Milan)  Unlike prior weeks, Gallatin got off to a slow start fumbling the opening kickoff.  Maysville was able to capitalize on a short field to go up 6-0.  But they started settling in by the 2nd quarter to go up 21-6 at intermission, with Baker scoring on a QB keeper with 9.5 left in the half.  The Bulldogs were able to extend the lead to 28-6 on a Payton Feiden 73-yard TD run late in the 3rd and finished it off with Draven Wright's second TD of the night.  Maysville scored late to make it 35-12.  Bottcher also added a TD run.

2. Trenton (5-0; 3-0 GRC; Last Week #2; d. Milan 21-7; Week 6 - at Polo) Trenton knocked off Milan in an ugly game filled with turnovers and penalties.  Both Gabe Novak and Sam Gibson had over 130 yards rushing for Trenton.  Gibson had a 65-yard TD run in the first half to get Trenton on the board and scored from 3 yards out for the final TD in the 2nd half.  Trenton led 14-0 at the half with Novak scoring from 2 yards for the other TD.

3. Putnam County (4-1; 2-1 GRC; Last Week #4; d. Princeton 40-16; Week 6 - vs. South Harrison) After falling behind 8-0, the Midgets got on the board with just under 7 minutes left in the first with a 44-yard TD pass from Trace Riediger to Jake Rouse to make it 8-7.  Chase Tomlin put Putnam County on top 14-8 with 2 minutes left in the half.  The Midgets fumbled on the 2nd half kickoff, but stopped Princeton.  Blaine Perkins answered with a 48-yard TD to make it 20-8.  The Midgets got out to a 40-8 lead before a late touchdown by Princeton to make the final score 40-16.

4. Maysville (3-2; 2-1 GRC; Last Week #3; lost to Gallatin 35-12; Week 6 - vs. Princeton) Maysville was able to recover a fumble on the kickoff and score on a short field to go up 6-0 early, but was not able to stop Gallatin.  The Wolverines fell behind 35-6 before adding a touchdown late to make the final 35-12 Gallatin.

5. Milan (2-3; 1-2 GRC; Last Week #5; lost to Trenton 21-7; Week 6 - vs. Gallatin) Milan couldn't overcome a multitude of penalties and a strong Trenton defense.  Carlos Cotto was able to break free for a 73-yard TD, but Milan could not sustain drives and fell to Trenton 21-7.

6. South Harrison (1-4; 1-2 GRC; Last Week #7; d. Polo 16-8;  Week 6 - at Putnam County) After allowing a first quarter TD, South Harrison answered late in the first quarter.  Hunter Ackley scored from 2 yards out to tie the game at 8 after the conversion by Cornett.  It remained tied at 8 until just under 7 minutes left in the 3rd when Jad Cornett scored on a QB keeper.  The Bulldogs converted the 2-pt conversion to go up 16-8.  That is where it would end.

7. Polo (2-3; 0-3 GRC; Last Week #6; lost to South Harrison 16-8; Week 6 - vs. Trenton)  Polo got onto the board via a 2-yard TD run by Maverick Gentry with 6 minutes left in the first to go up 8-0, but that was all of the scoring that the Panthers would do on the night.  South Harrison would score 16 unanswered to win the game.

8. Princeton (0-5; 0-3 GRC; Last Week #8; lost to Putnam County 40-16; Week 6 - at Maysville) Andrew Rhoades got the Tigers on the board first with an 11-yard TD run with 8:50 left in the 1st quarter.  The drive included two 4th down conversions including the touchdown.  Princeton fell behind 14-8 at the half.  They caught a break on the 2nd half kickoff as Putnam County fumbled.  But they weren't able to take advantage.  Putnam County ultimately pulled away 40-16.  Kelby Thomas scored on 15-yard TD pass late in the game for Princeton's other score.

8-Man Power Poll

1. North Andrew (4-0; 3-0 GRC; Last Week #1; d. St. Joseph Christian 86-30; Week 6 - vs. Stanberry) Braxon Linville was involved in 8 touchdowns as North Andrew knocked off St. Joseph Christian 86-30.  Linville had 4 TDs through the air throwing for 238 yards.  He also scored 4 on the ground with 143 yards rushing.

2. Albany (5-0; 2-0 GRC; Last Week #2; d. Platte Valley 36-34; Week 6 - at St. Joseph Christian) Albany defeated the #2 team in the state 36-34 for the second straight week, but they had to come from behind down 14 to win this one.  Platte Valley went up 28-14 with 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, but Albany answered with a Kemper Cline 3-yard run to make it 28-22 with 1:30 left in the 3rd.  After Albany got the ball back, a Cline to Troy Popplewell 34-yard TD pass put the Warriors up 30-28 with 8:21 left.  Platte Valley answered to go up 34-30, but Cline found Porter Davis from 3 yards out with 2 minutes left to make it 36-34.  The Warriors were able to stop Platte Valley on a 4th down at the 4-yard line to secure the win.

3. Worth County (4-1; 2-1 GRC; Last Week #3; d. King City 42-8; Week 6 - vs. Knox County) Worth County rebounded from their loss to Albany with a big win over King City.  They got out to a 42-0 lead at the half on their way to a 42-8 win.

4. King City (3-2; 2-2 GRC; Last Week #4; lost to Worth County 42-8; Week 6 - at Rock Port) King City ran into a motivated Worth County team.  They fell behind 42-0 at the half and were only able to salvage one score losing 42-8.

5. Stanberry (3-2; 2-2 GRC; Last Week #5; d. Pattonsburg 84-48; Week 6 - at North Andrew) Stanberry was able to score at will against Pattonsburg taking a 52-34 lead en route to an 84-18 win.

6. Pattonsburg (1-4; 0-3 GRC; Last Week #6; lost to Stanberry 84-48; Week 6 - vs. Rich Hill) Like most games this year, Pattonsburg was able to put points on the board, but couldn't stop their opponent.  A 52-34 halftime deficit ballooned to 84-48 loss.

7. St. Joseph Christian (0-5; 0-3 GRC; Last Week #7; lost to North Andrew 86-30; Week 6 - vs. Albany) The Lions were able to put together a few drives and put 30 points on the board, but couldn't stop the Cardinals.  They fell behind 74-18 at the half and lost 86-30.

Trenton grinds out a 21-7 win over Milan to go 5-0

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

When Kevin Hixson first came to Trenton, the Bulldogs often shot themselves in the foot with untimely turnovers.  With a young team back then, they had trouble overcoming them.  On Friday night, the turnover bug hit the Trenton again.  They fumbled twice and threw two interceptions for 4 total turnovers.  However, backed by a strong running game and dominant defense, the Bulldogs were able to grind out a 21-7 win over Milan.

Trenton was driving on their first possession behind strong running by Sam Gibson.  Gibson had 40 yards on the drive, but a Milan defender punched the ball out of Gibson's arms at the 6, and the Wildcats took over.

Milan was unable to take advantage on their first drive, and after a punt, the Bulldogs started on their own 35-yard line.  That is when Gibson got behind the Milan defenders to scamper downfield for a 65-yard touchdown to put Trenton on top 7-0.

After a 3-and-out by Milan, Trenton was able to drive into Milan territory again, but an interception by Greyson Smith of Milan ended the Bulldog threat.  Milan was able to get to the Trenton 25, but penalties by the Wildcats put them behind the chains and they turned it over on downs.

The next possession was the Gabe Novak show.  Trenton drove 63 yards down the field with Novak getting 52 of those on the ground ending with a 2-yard touchdown for Novak.  Trenton would go into the half up 14-0.

Trenton would start the second half with another interception in Milan territory, but Milan continued to kill them selves with penalties and had to punt.  The punt by Chase Jacobs pinned Trenton inside the 5-yard line.

It looked like Milan had Trenton stopped when they had a 3rd and 15 at their own 20.  Quarterback Coleman Griffin found Novak in traffic surrounded by a bunch of Wildcats and Gabe was able to get into Wildcat territory with a 37-yard reception.  That allowed Gibson to 30 yards on 3-carries which finished with a 3-yard touchdown.  

Milan's Carlos Cotto scored a 73-yard touchdown on Milan's first play of the next possession.  However, Milan continued to make untimely penalties and the game ended at 21-7.

After the game, I caught up with both coaches and also talked with Tom Johnson of KTTN.  You can hear the recap of the game below:


Here is a video of Trenton player introductions:

Stats (unofficial)

Trenton
Passing
Coleman Griffin, 6-14, 111 yards

Rushing
Sam Gibson, 143 yards, 2 TD
Gabe Novak, 133 yards, 1 TD
Coleman Griffin, 40 yards
Ian Elbert, 5 yards

Receiving
Gabe Novak, 49 yards
Tucker Otto, 28 yards
Sam Gibson, 21 yards
Aiden Weyer, 13 yards

Gabe Novak - 2 interceptions

Team - 321 yards rushing, 111 yards receiving, 432 total yards

Milan
Passing
Ahmit Niasse, 8-14, 73 yards

Rushing
Carlos Cotto, 89 yards, 1 TD
Ahmet Niasse, 63 yards
Darren Doporto, 50 yards
Eduardo Garcia, 22 yards
Cheppe Ayala, 3 yards
Jeremy Bennett, -6 yards

Receiving
Jeremy Bennett, 66 yards
Greyson Smith, 7 yards

Greyson Smith - Interception
Jose Garcia - Interception

Team - 221 yards rushing, 73 yards receiving, 294 total yards


Thursday, September 22, 2022

GRC Crossover Scenarios - Sept 22 Update

GRC Softball Crossover Games will be played on September 29.  Games will be hosted by GRC West Schools.  GRC East and West schools will face each other based on position in standings.  Additionally #8 GRC East will play at #7 GRC East.

Remaining Games
GRC West
None

GRC East
Maysville at Putnam County - September 27

GRC Championship Game

North Andrew will host Polo for the GRC Championship Game.  Polo is currently ranked #1 in Class 1.  North Andrew is ranked #2.

Scenarios

Here are the scenarios for both divisions (unofficial)

*Tiebreakers are decided by fewest runs allowed in games played among the 3 teams.

GRC West Scenarios

GRC West games have been completed.  Here are the final standings:

  1. North Andrew 5-0
  2. King City 4-1
  3. North Harrison 2-3
  4. Worth County 2-3
  5. Albany 2-3
  6. Stanberry 0-5

 North Harrison, Worth County and Albany all tied for 3rd Place with a record of 2-3.  The tiebreaker is the fewest runs allowed in games played among the 3 teams


Tiebreaker Games
Worth County 5 North Harrison 3
Albany 3 Worth County 2
North Harrison 12 Albany 0
 
Runs Allowed
North Harrison 5
Worth County 6
Albany 14

GRC East Scenarios

#1 - Polo has clinched the #1 spot and will play at North Andrew in the GRC Championship Game

#2 - South Harrison has clinched the #2 spot and will play at King City

#3 - Gallatin has clinched the #3 spot and will play at North Harrison

#4 - Trenton has clinched the #4 spot and will play at Worth County

#5 - Princeton has clinched the #5 spot and will play at Albany

#6 will play at Stanberry
#7 will host GRC East #8

If Putnam County defeats Maysville, 
Putnam County finishes #6
Milan finishes #7
Maysville finished #8

If Maysville defeats Putnam County, then Maysville, Milan and Putnam County finish in a 3-way tie for #6, #7 and #8*





Tuesday, September 20, 2022

GRC Softball Crossover Scenarios - Sept 20 Update

GRC Softball Crossover Games will be played on September 29.  Games will be hosted by GRC West Schools.  GRC East and West schools will face each other based on position in standings.  Additionally #8 GRC East will play at #7 GRC East.

Remaining Games
GRC West
None

GRC East
Maysville at Putnam County - TBD (Postponed from 9/20)
Milan at Putnam County - 9/22

GRC Championship Game

North Andrew will host Polo for the GRC Championship Game.  Polo is currently ranked #1 in Class 1.  North Andrew is ranked #2.

Scenarios

Here are the scenarios for both divisions (unofficial)

*Tiebreakers are decided by fewest runs allowed in games played among the 3 teams.

GRC West Scenarios

GRC West games have been completed.  Here are the final standings:

  1. North Andrew 5-0
  2. King City 4-1
  3. North Harrison 2-3
  4. Worth County 2-3
  5. Albany 2-3
  6. Stanberry 0-5

 North Harrison, Worth County and Albany all tied for 3rd Place with a record of 2-3.  The tiebreaker is the fewest runs allowed in games played among the 3 teams


Tiebreaker Games
Worth County 5 North Harrison 3
Albany 3 Worth County 2
North Harrison 12 Albany 0
 
Runs Allowed
North Harrison 5
Worth County 6
Albany 14

GRC East Scenarios

#1 - Polo has clinched the #1 spot and will play at North Andrew in the GRC Championship Game

#2 - South Harrison has clinched the #2 spot and will play at King City

#3 - Gallatin has clinched the #3 spot and will play at North Harrison

#4 - Trenton has clinched the #4 spot and will play at Worth County

#5 - Princeton has clinched the #5 spot and will play at Albany

#6 will play at Stanberry
If Milan defeats Putnam County, Milan finishes #6
If Putnam County defeats Milan and Maysville, Putnam County finishes #6
If Putnam County defeats Milan, and Maysville defeats Putnam County, then Maysville, Milan and Putnam County finish in a 3-way tie for #6, #7 and #8*

#7 will host GRC East #8
If Milan and Maysville defeat Putnam County, Maysville finishes #7
If Milan defeats Putnam County, and Putnam County defeats Maysville, Putnam County finishes #7
If Putnam County defeats Milan and Maysville, Milan finishes #7
If Putnam County defeats Milan, and Maysville defeats Putnam County, then Maysville, Milan and Putnam County finish in a 3-way tie for #6, #7 and #8*

#8 will play at GRC East #7
If Milan and Maysville defeat Putnam County, Putnam County finishes #8
If Putnam County defeats Maysville, Maysville finishes #8
If Putnam County defeats Milan, and Maysville defeats Putnam County, then Maysville, Milan and Putnam County finish in a 3-way tie for #6, #7 and #8*



Week 4 GRC Power Poll

by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com

Gallatin maintained the top spot in this week's 11-Man Poll.  North Andrew moves into the #1 position of the 8-Man Poll.  Albany and Maysville move up from last week's poll after key wins.

11-Man Power Poll

1. Gallatin (4-0; 2-0 GRC; Last Week #1; d. Polo 46-8; Week 5 - vs. Maysville)  Gallatin started quick with a TD by Feiden on their second play of the game.  They got out to a 27-0 lead in the second.  After a Polo TD, the Bulldogs fumbled into their own end zone giving Polo a safety to go into halftime up 27-8.  Gallatin scored twice again in the 3rd and finished the scoring in the 4th to win 46-8.

2. Trenton (4-0; 2-0 GRC; Last Week #2; d. Putnam County 42-20; Week 5 - vs. Milan) Trenton continued their string of strong starts behind the running of Quarterback Coleman Griffin who scored on a 43-yard touchdown run to open the scoring.  Their lead would increase to 26-0 in the second quarter before Putnam County scored to make it 26-6.  Both teams scored twice in the 2nd half to make the final 42-20 Trenton.  

3. Maysville (3-1; 2-0 GRC; Last Week #4; d. South Harrison 27-6; Week 5 - at Gallatin) After a scoreless first, the Wolverines fell behind 6-0 midway through the second half.  The Wolverines were unable to put any points on the board until 7 seconds left in the half when Gabbard connected with Kobyn Metzger on a 55-yard touchdown pass.  The Wolverines would blank the Bulldogs 21-0 in the second half to pull away 27-6.

4. Putnam County (3-1; 1-1 GRC; Last Week #3; Lost to Trenton 42-20; Week 5 - at Princeton) The Midgets fell behind 26-0 and were not able to get much closer in a loss to Trenton.  They did get score twice on passes from Trace Riediger to Vincent Jones sandwiched around a touchdown run by Blaine Perkins.  Ultimately, Putnam County fell 42-20 to the Bulldogs.

5. Milan (2-2; 1-1 GRC; Last Week #5; d. Princeton 34-14; Week 5 - at Trenton) Milan bounced back from a loss by knocking off Princeton.  Ahmet Niasse returned to help the Wildcats out to a 20-6 lead.  A strong possession to open the 2nd half helped Milan pull away and win 34-14.

6. Polo (2-2; 0-2 GRC; Last Week #6; lost to Gallatin 46-8; Week 5 - at South Harrison)  Polo once again got off to a slow start against Gallatin.  They were able to get onto the board with a 30-yard pass from Gentry to Owens with 2 min left in the half.  A safety would give them another 2 points before the half.  Unfortunately for the Panthers, Gallatin was able to score often and the Panthers fell 46-8.

7. South Harrison (0-4; 0-2 GRC; Last Week #7; lost to Maysville 27-6;  Week 5 - vs. Polo) After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs were able to get on the board first with 7:26 left in the 2nd when Jad Cornett ran it in from 15 yards.  The run was set up by an interception by Luke Sweat.  The Bulldogs threatened again, but were unable to score.  They led until late in the 1st half when Maysville tied it at 6-6.  Unfortunately for South Harrison, the second half was not as successful, and they fell to Maysville 27-6.

8. Princeton (0-4; 0-2 GRC; Last Week #8; lost to Milan 34-14; Week 5 - vs. Putnam County) Princeton stayed close early with a good running attack by Tyler Brown.  Ultimately, for the Tigers, they weren't able to keep up with the Wildcats and lost 34-14.

8-Man Power Poll

1. North Andrew (3-0; 2-0 GRC; Last Week #2; Bye; Week 5 - vs. St. Joseph Christian) North Andrew was scheduled to play Northland Christian during Week 4, but Northland Christian canceled the game due to low numbers.  North Andrew is ranked #1 in the state in 8-man.

2. Albany (4-0; 2-0 GRC; Last Week #3; d. Worth County 36-34; Week 5 - vs. Platte Valley) Albany traded scores early with Worth County converting two 4th downs for their first two touchdowns.  After falling behind 34-30 early in the 4th quarter, the Warriors were able to drive for the go-ahead touchdown to go ahead 36-34.  A Kemper Cline interception gave the ball back to Albany.  They were able to run down the clock behind a strong run game by Jerrid Bunton.

3. Worth County (3-1; 1-1 GRC; Last Week #1; lost to Albany 36-34; Week 5 - vs. King City) Worth County ran into a hot Albany team.  They matched them score for score all night.  The game was tied at 22 at half.  Worth County was down by 2 at the end of the 3rd, but they were able to take a 34-30 lead on a New to McIntyre 24-yard touchdown.  Unfortunately, for the Tigers, Albany was able to respond with the Tigers falling 36-34.

4. King City (3-1; 2-1 GRC; Last Week #4; d. Pattonsburg 92-36; Week 5 - at Worth County) King City scored early to take a 46-22 lead after the 1st quarter.  They would extend the lead 68-28 at halftime.  The Wildkats were led by 7 touchdowns by Ty Mooney on 189 yards rushing to knock off Pattonsburg 92-36.  

5. Stanberry (2-2; 1-2 GRC; Last Week #5; d. Knox County 72-38; Week 5 - vs. Pattonsburg) Stanberry got out to a 36-26 lead at halftime and pulled away for a 72-38 win over Knox County.  Tucker Schieber led the Bulldogs with 187 yards rushing and 3 TDs.

6. Pattonsburg (1-3; 0-2 GRC; Last Week #6; lost to King City 92-36; Week 5 - at Stanberry) Pattonsburg was able to score touchdowns on their first two possessions keyed by long passes from Gage Iddings to Samuel Coin.  However, they were to keep up with King City falling 92-36.

7. St. Joseph Christian (0-4; 0-2 GRC; Last Week #7; lost to Bishop LeBlond 66-12; Week 5 - at North Andrew) The Lions were able to move the ball, but had trouble sustaining drives.  LeBlond was able to score quickly on every possession.  The Lions were only outgained 326-213, but fell to the Eagles 66-12.

September 23-24 GRC Softball Tournament Schedules

10 GRC Schools will be participating in 5 Softball Tournaments on September 23-24.  Here is the schedule for each tournament:

September 23-24

Warrensburg (at UCM)


September 24

Nan Carter

North Andrew

North Harrison

West Platte