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Football | Homecoming | Softball | Cross Country | Golf | Volleyball | Tennis | Swim Team | Boys Soccer Fall Sports 2006-2007 | More Fall Sports Archives | Other Sports News | Fall Sports Schedule
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FOOTBALL Seven Hornets First-Team
All-MEC An even one dozen members of the 2007 Chillicothe High School football Hornets have been named to this year's all-Midland Empire Conference football team. Seven are first-team with one of those a 2-way choice and one an unanimous choice. Leading the CHS first-team selections are junior linebacker and fullback Kyle Dosterschill at those spots and senior defensive tackle Nathan Followwill. Unanimously chosen for his defensive play, Followwill also received honorable mention for his offensive line play. Other Hornets tabbed for first-team recognition in the vote by league coaches earlier this week are senior running back Clint Singleton, juniors Cory Lowe on the offensive line, Stephen Quinn for special teams kick coverage, and Clint Dysart as punter, and sophomore Bryce Young at defensive back. The eight first-team spots filled with seven CHS players was the most of any team. Joining their seven first-team mates were second-teamers Tommy Hargrave at linebacker, Lowe on the defensive line, and Young at end/wide receiver and honorable mention choices Josh Lewis and Followwill on the offensive line, Cayton Dahlbert on the defensive line, Colin Parker at end/wide receiver, and Tyson Blattner at defensive back. Blattner and Lewis are seniors; Hargrave, Dahlberg, and Parker juniors. Four
Football Hornets Northwest All-District Four members of the Chillicothe Hornets are among 18 players from C-T-area teams selected to the 2007 Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association all-northwest district high school football teams announced by the media group today. In addition to CHS seniors Nathan Followwill and Clint Singleton and juniors Cory Lowe and Kyle Dosterschill, a half-dozen standouts from the Class 2 state quarterfinalist Trenton Bulldogs, three Hamilton Hornets, two Polo Panthers, two Carrollton Trojans, and one Braymer Bobcats also were selected to the area squads for their respective classifications. Pigskin Hornets' '07 was
Mixed Bag C-T Photo / Butch Schaffer
The Chillicothe High School football Hornets had a hard-to-categorize season in 2007. About the most-accurate summary of their 6-4 campaign is that, in the words of head coach Phil Willard at Tuesday night's postseason awards event, it was “definitely one of ups and downs.” “We played very well at times,” the coach told the audience of players, families, and fans gathered in CHS' Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center, “and other times we either had a turnover, a penalty, or a missed kick which made the difference in the outcome of a game.” The final records of 6-4 overall, 4-3 in the Midland Empire Conference, and 2-1 in district play befit the uneven course the Hornets' season took. It was a year in which CHS took a step back toward the front of the pack in the MEC after a 2-5 showing in 2006 and finished with impressive wins in three of their last four games, but also was one in which the Hornets did not successfully defend their district championship and in which they could have ended up as conference champs. Chillicothe's league losses each were by one score or less and a total of 13 points, with a persistent failure to convert in the kicking game a key to each defeat. “The highlight of the year probably was our (33-15) Homecoming win against a talented Cameron team,” Willard recounted as he reflected on the varsity season. The season also was marked by “fairly consistent” ability to play strong defense and, on offense, produce big plays, he noted. The defense averaged yielding only 14-plus points and 225 yards per game with only Odessa really having a big offensive night. Meanwhile, the CHS offense and kick return teams had no less than 18 touchdown plays cover 20 or more yards and 12 that went 40-plus.
C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer Hornets Romp Too Late C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer
After a severe disappointment the previous Friday, the Chillicothe football Hornets did what they could to keep their 2007 state playoff hopes from flat-lining Friday night, and for a while their flickering chances seemed like they might grow to a steady flame. Finally, however, they were snuffed out. Needing to whip Richmond at home by up to 14 points and have Odessa either lose to Boon-ville or win by at most 12 points, Chillicothe bolted to a 28-0 halftime lead at Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium while Odessa reached intermission up only 14-13 over Boonville. However, while the Hornets went on to wallop punchless Richmond 49-0, Odessa woke up and ended up waxing Boonville 53-13 to eliminate Chillicothe from postseason contention. The Hornets cannot successfully defending their district title, no matter the outcome of Odessa's meeting with Richmond. Even with a CHS home victory over Boonville by 13 or more points this Thursday night and an Odessa loss by 13 or more points, the Hornets could do no better than tie the Bulldogs and Richmond, each with 2-1 district records. In that case, the points-system tiebreaker would come into play with Odessa and Chillicothe even at 13 points and Richmond with two. That would eliminate Richmond, leaving a 2-team tie in which Odessa would prevail by virtue of its win over the Hornets. Nevertheless, the Hornets' performance against Richmond clinched, on the heels of a 5-6 final mark in 2006, at least a break-even season as they won for the fifth time. Take care of Boonville and Chillicothe will enter a 6-4 record into the history books, its ninth in Phil Willard's 10 years as head coach. Pride And Joy - And A Message C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer CAPTION: Having hauled in an early-second-quarter slant pass from Tyson Blattner, Chillicothe Hornets On Homecoming night 2007, the Chillicothe High School football Hornets delivered a pride-and-joy victory over the Cameron Dragons Friday night. They also delivered a message to their next foe, perceived to be their chief competition for the Class 3 District 14 title, beginning this Friday. Displaying offensively both unexpected lightning and their traditional thunder and defensively producing disruptive heat on Dragons quarterback Sean Skilling, the Hornets impressively bounced back from a torpid 9-6 loss at Smithville the week before with a convincing 33-15 decision over Cameron Friday. Before shifting into district playoffs mode this Friday, the Hornets wrapped up a nice comeback season of Midland Empire Conference play with a 4-3 final league mark a year after struggling to 2-5. Cruisin' For Kicks
SMITHVILLE - Even though they blocked two second-half punts that gave them possession deep in Smithville territory with a great chance to take the lead, the Chillicothe High School football Hornets came home kicking themselves Friday night, having lost to the Warriors 9-6. A 28-yard Cruiser Nichols field goal late in the first quarter ended up being the difference. The Smithville Warriors' defense pushed the Hornets back 10 yards in denying a score after the Hornets took over at the SHS 21 early in the third quarter of a 3-0 game. Then, after CHS' Cory Lowe blocked his second Nichols punt with less than 41/2 minutes left to play and gave the Hornets' offense the ball at the Warriors' 15, the hosts' defense - with the inestimable aid of a CHS illegal procedure penalty and a missed call by the officials which led to a second penalty - preserved the 9-6 lead and victory by forcing a 33-yard field goal attempt which missed. Hornets' Quick Strikes Don't Spare Savages SAVANNAH - Chillicothe's football Hornets, in cinematic terms, played against type when visiting the Savannah Savages Friday night, but only to a degree. A trademark of the Hornets over the decades of the Bob Fairchild and Phil Willard head coaching eras has been the run-dominated, grind-it-out touchdown drive of 10 or more plays. Chillicothe had two nine-play drives which reached paydirt, but it was three one-play and one two-play lightning-strike scoring possessions which were the true story of the Hornets' 45-7 Midland Empire Conference victory. In a span of less than 51/2 minutes bridging the first and second quarters, the Hornets' offense snapped the ball three times and scored touchdowns on each play. A Tyler Trammell pass to Clint Singleton and runs by Bryce Young and Kyle Dosterschill covered 26, 57, and 16 yards, respectively, and turned a 6-0 CHS lead into a 26-0 cushion. Even though continued, exasperating difficulty with converting after touchdowns left the Hornets two points shy of being assured the “running clock” rule would be in effect from the outset of the second half, Willard's team again used a rapier strike, rather than a sledgehammer, to correct that. A 91-yard return for six points by senior Clint Singleton - his third touchdown of the game - put CHS on top 39-0 14 seconds into the final half. Hornets Can't Catch Lightning In Bottle C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer
It wasn't a perfect game by the Chillicothe High School football Hornets at home Friday night against the Platte County Pirates. It was close enough, however, to keep the outcome in doubt until the final possession. On a stormy night which included a nearly-90-minute delay in the game two plays into the second quarter, lightning didn't strike either figuratively or literally, but the potential was there until the final horn when unbeaten Platte County (4-0, 1-0 Midland Empire Conference) held off the Hornets 21-13 at Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium. "I was just proud as heck with as far as we came this week," CHS coach Phil Willard commented just after his post-game remarks to the squad. "Our kids showed a lot of heart. I think they really grew up a lot in practice this week." Chillicothe JV Gridders
Top Lafayette 20-6; Freshmen Fall by 14 C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer
The Chillicothe High School junior-varsity football Hornets picked up their first victory of the 2007 season last night, breaking a 6-6 tie after three quarters with a pair of touchdowns and a safety to defeat the visiting St. Joseph: Lafayette Fighting Irish 20-6. A 19-yard scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Jared McCauslin to junior Alex Singleton snapped the deadlock early in the final period. After failing to convert after Singleton's score, the JV Hornets picked up another two points on the ensuing kickoff when James “Bubba” Maxwell tackled the Irish returner in the end zone. With just over a minute to go, junior Spencer Burns went off tackle for 22 yards and the clinching CHS touchdown. “We improved in some areas and fell back in others this week,” Chillicothe coach Jeff Staton commented. “Not having a game last week really hurt us.” The JV Hornets (1-1) never trailed in the game. Workhose back LaQuinton “Quincy” Johnson put them on the board on an 8-yard run in the first quarter, a touchdown Lafayette matched on a short run in the second stanza. Neither side converted after its TDs Who Are You? C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer
ST. JOSEPH - High school football games don¹t come with a musical soundtrack, but Friday¹s 12-6 Chillicothe Hornets victory over the St. Joseph: Lafayette Fighting Irish easily could have been staged to hit songs of The Who. The score? "We¹re Not Gonna Take It" - Newly-resilient Lafayette shrugs off a pair of 12-play Hornets first-quarter marches and capitalizes on a CHS giveaway to tie the game 6-6 midway through the second period. "Who Are You?" Hornets and their fans wonder what has happened to the former pushover Irish. "Can't Explain" - In a still-tied game in the third quarter, in a three-play span, downfield blocking penalties truncate LHS gains that otherwise would have netted 47 and 41 yards deep into Chillicothe territory. "Pinball Wizard" - A would-be win-clinching Chillicothe pass completion in the final 95 seconds bounces off the receiver into the hands of free safety Bryce McCrary for his second interception of the game. "Won¹t Get Fooled Again" - After securing a nervous victory, Chillicothe head coach Phil Willard sings the praises of the resurrected Lafayette program under new coach Paul Woolard and sounds a warning for future Hornets teams and Irish opponents the rest of this year. "You Better You Bet" Future foes' scouts report back on whether their teams need to beware St. Joseph¹s northsiders. "I Can See For Miles" - The officiating fit right in, a torrent of 19 flags assessing 145 penalty yards and repeatedly thwarting long gains, first-down conversions, or third-and-short chances. In the end, the game went in the "win" column of Chillicothe, as expected, but not before many an anxious moment for the Hornets and their fans. Five CHS turnovers three pass interceptions and two fumbles undermined much of the advantage in play Chillicothe generally enjoyed. The Hornets outgained Lafayette 293-51 on the ground and had a 2-to-1 margin in total offense (307-152), yet put only two unconverted TDs on the Alumni Stadium scoreboard. The second and deciding touchdown wasn't produced until only 6:21 remained in the game. Junior fullback Kyle Dosterschill powered in from a yard out behind the blocks of brothers Nathan and Justin Followwill, tight end Brendan Pagliai, and lead back Clint Singleton. That capped an eight-play, 56-yard trek. With the ball at the Lafayette 47, Hornets junior defensive tackle Clayton Dahlberg sacked Irish quarterback Jake Davis for a 10-yard loss on first down. On second down, sophomore cornerback Bryce Young made a leaping interception of a slightly-underthrown pass just outside the CHS 30. With his second pickoff of the night and third of the season, Chillicothe could exhale. Victory No. 2 of 2007 was secure. Second Wind, First Win C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer
In a way, the Chillicothe High School football Hornets replayed their season opener in week 2 this past Friday. They just traded roles. Just as the Hornets had the week before against Maryville, St. Joseph: Benton fairly dominated the first quarter of Friday¹s Midland Empire Conference contest against Chillicothe. However, once the first 12 minutes were out of the way, the tables turned and, despite a second-half rally, the early leaders couldn¹t come back. Down 6-0 after one period at Sparks Stadium, Chillicothe used three long touchdown plays to surge into the lead and roll on to a 39-19 triumph. Clint Singleton burst through a hole off left tackle and made two nice downfield cuts to go 56 yards for the tying touchdown 37 seconds into quarter No. 2. When the Hornets regained possession 31/2 minutes later, with Casey Brock¹s conversion kick, Chillicothe had a 13-6 lead it would not relinquish. "I've got to give our offensive line credit," Chillicothe head coach Phil Willard reflected after the game, referring to the unit of center Joseph Stull, guards Cory Lowe and Joshua Lewis, brother tackles Nathan and Justin Followwill, and ends Tommy Hargrave and Brendan Pagliai, who subbed for injured Colin Parker. Although uncharacteristic Chillicothe largesse in holding onto the football in the second half gave Benton a chance to get to within 14 points at 33-19 with more than eight minutes left to go, the Hornets tucked away victory No. 1 for 2007. Frozen In Time C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer Time briefly stood still during the Chillicothe High School football Hornets 2007 season opener at home against the Maryville Spoofhounds Friday night. While it did, the 'Hounds took full advantage and ended a long Chillicothe streak. With the Hornets ahead 12-0 and seemingly on their way to an impressive season-opening victory, Maryville struck for a long touchdown on an untimed down that ended the first quarter and used that momentum-changer to catapult themselves to a 20-18 triumph over the Hornets. The loss was the first in a season opener for Chillicothe since 1987 when the Hornets fell to Springfield: Hillcrest. Because, by rule, a quarter cannot end on an enforced penalty, Maryville lined up - after a holding call against the Spoofhounds negated a first-down pickup on a third-and-1 play - for a third-and-12 play at its own 26 with no first-quarter time showing on the Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium scoreboard clock. Catching the Hornets' defense being too aggressive, MHS star running back Adam Mattson carried Andy Walter's screen pass 74 yards for a touchdown and, with his first of two point-after kicks - kicks which eventually made the difference in the contest, the Spoofhounds were behind only 12-7 after one quarter. By halftime, they were in front to stay, 13-12, adding a third-quarter touchdown and conversion for their final points. Chillicothe, blanked since the first stanza, scored a touchdown on quarterback Tyler Trammell's fourth-down sneak with just over five minutes left in the game to get within 20-18. Trammell tried to run for the tying 2-point conversion and was stopped well short. The Hornets then went four-and-out on a last-ditch possession in the final two minutes and absorbed a loss in a game they once led and controlled. Football Hornets Have
Good Time at ‘Jamboree'
C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer EXCELSIOR SPRINGS - Once again it took a little more time than anticipated, but, thanks to artificial turf, the Chillicothe High School football Hornets were able to get in some licks against someone from another school in their annual preseason interschool scrimmage "jamboree" Friday. Delayed for about an hour by a thunderstorm before even getting started at Excelsior Springs High School's Tiger Stadium a year ago, Phil Willard's 2007 Hornets got in their first defensive 12-play segment this year before a storm arrived at about 5:45 p.m. and delayed things for about 60 minutes again. Once the lightning portion of the storm and the rain moved past, Chillicothe, Richmond, Knob Noster, and Smithville resumed their scheduled 5:30 session at approximately 6:45. Both before and after the interruption, the Hornets varsity appeared to play well on both offense and defense, albeit against teams which figure to have tough years ahead in the Missouri River Valley Conference. Even with four projected starters or key reserves sitting out with health issues, Chillicothe's varsity dominated Richmond and then Knob Noster. The Hornets and fellow Midland Empire Conference member Smithville used their junior-varsities against each other in the middle of the three controlled-scrimmage, no-kicking-game segments. |
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Awards Banquet Wraps Up First Year of Boys' Soccer at CHS CAPTION: Five varsity and three junior-varsity players were presented special awards at last night's postseason awards event honoring the first-year Chillicothe High School boys' soccer team. From left on the front row, varsity award recipients included Wade Koehly, most improved player; Jacob Rockhold, Golden Boot Award for most goals scored; Zac Truesdell, 110 Percent Award; Weston Baker, Leadership Award; and Mahonri Reyes, Coaches' Award. From left on the back row, junior-varsity award winners were: Miles McLemore, Golden Boot Award for most goals scored; Taylor Lyons, most improved; and Quentin Mammen, Best Effort Award. C-T Photo / Paul Sturm An impressive first season of boys' soccer at Chillicothe High School officially concluded last night with the traditional postseason awards event. A large crowd was in attendance for the awards ceremony and Hy-Vee-catered meal in the CHS commons. Head coach Bill Allison and assistant Eric Niswonger introduced their players, recapped the 2007 season, announced postseason honors accorded to Hornets players, and presented a slew of awards. In their debut season, the varsity Hornets posted a 4-11 record, tying for fifth place in the Midland Empire Conference standings with a 3-4 mark. They scored an impressive (for a new program) 31 goals, producing more than fellow MEC members Cameron, which has had the sport for about seven years, and Savannah, which is in its second or third year, Allison related. The Hornets' head coach reported Moberly head coach Robbie Murray complimented the CHS squad after their strong 3-0 loss to state-ranked and top-seeded Hannibal in the district tournament at Moberly Oct. 27, calling Chillicothe one of best first-year teams he's seen. Earning spots on postseason honor teams were junior midfielder Colton Allen, chosen by district tournament coaches first-team all-district; junior goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster, honorable mention all-district; and forwards Jacob Rockhold and Zac Truesdell, back Weston Baker, and Allen, honorable mention all-MEC. Allison announced a series of awards, five entailing a plaque for the honoree. Getting the Leadership Award plaque was Baker, while Mahonri Reyes earned the Coaches' Award. Truesdell got the 110 Percent Award, Rockhold the Golden Boot Award for being the team's top goal scorer (15), and Wade Koehly was named most improved player. Selected for "hustle awards" were Jeff Bowman, Brady Sensenich, Zach Colvin, Co. Allen, and Truesdell. "Love of the Game" awards went to Buckmaster and Rockhold. In addition to the 17 full lettermen (Co. Allen, Baker, Levi Barton, Chase Bonderer, Bowman, Buckmaster, Zach Colvin, Koehly, Deryck Koenig, Miles McLemore, Reyes, Rockhold, Jarek Schmidt, Sensenich, Kevin Thomschke, Truesdell, and Colton Whiteside), three players (Clayton Allen, Lance Williams, and Chris Kleinschmidt, who suffered a broken leg in the first game of the season) who saw more-limited varsity action received provisional letters. Baker, Truesdell, and Bowman were the only three seniors on this year's Hornets. Junior-varsity coach Niswonger presented three special award medals: Best Effort Quentin Mammen; Golden Boot (top goal scorer) Miles McLemore; and Most Improved Taylor Lyons. Nine JV players received certificates of participation. CHS Harriers,
Kickers Set for District C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
One Chillicothe High School athlete hopes for a repeat of his postseason performance of a year ago Saturday while several others have realistic hope of making an initial postseason splash in their second opportunity. Meanwhile, a group makes their first-ever foray into high school postseason play. Late Saturday morning, the CHS cross country teams will compete in the Class 3 District 8 meet at Jesse James Park in Kearney. Then at 2 p.m. at Moberly, the first-year Chillicothe Hornets soccer team will have its opening-round game in the Class 2 District 7 tournament against No. 1 seed Hannibal. For the distance-running harriers, Saturday's race is an opportunity to send Chillicothe's largest contingent of individuals in recent years or the full team to state. Based on their performances this season, the all-underclassmen lineup coach Tim Riekena will put on the line for the boys' race has three strong contenders for state advancement (top-15 finish at district) and a fourth with an outside chance. That depth gives the Hornets a solid chance to nab one of the two team-qualifying spots for the Nov. 3 state race at Jefferson City. Junior Steven Taylor, who has led the Hornets across the finish line in each meet thus far this season, has been producing times that should give him a very good chance of being among the top 15 Saturday at Kearney. Sensational Senior Sendoff C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
A most-satisfying and fitting conclusion was provided to home play in the first season of Chillicothe High School boys' soccer yesterday at Daryl Danner Memorial Park. On Senior Day, the Hornets provided their own sunshine on an overcast afternoon when, after coming back to tie twice in the second half, senior Zac Truesdell's sliding drive from just outside the goal box right in front of the net blazed high past St. Joseph: Benton keeper Michael Weil for the game-winner with about 10 minutes to go for a 3-2 victory. That snapped a seven-game Hornets losing streak, produced their second Midland Empire Conference win, and moved their overall record to 3-12. It was the last home game for Weston Baker, Jeff Bowman, and Truesdell in the only season they'll get to play the sport at their alma mater. All three were prime contributors to the team's performance, which has seen Chillicothe win three times in its first 12 games. “It has been an honor to have these three on the team,” CHS head coach Bill Allison commented. “Their maturity and leadership has been unprecedented. Thank you, Weston, Jeff, and Zac.” Soccer Hornets
Beaten at Home C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer CAPTION:
Before Maur Hill Academy defenders can cut him off, Chillicothe junior forward Jacob Chillicothe High School's first-year soccer Hornets dropped a physical game to visiting Maur Hill Academy of Atchison, Kan., 6-2 yesterday. The Hornets' sixth loss in a row since a brief early-season two-game winning streak leaves the CHS club 2-8 with four games - all in the Midland Empire Conference remaining during the 2007 regular season. Junior Jacob Rockhold, the Hornets' top striker, knocked in both CHS goals - one in each half - to raise his season total to 14. His first goal of the day came as the result of hard work by Zac Truesdell and others tied the game in the 27th minute. According to CHS head coach Bill Allison, “The ball was initially sent to the goal area on a good pass from 35 yards out, That found Zac Truesdell, who took a shot that was blocked by the Ravens' goalkeeper and then went off the crossbar. (The ball) found Truesdell once again, who was able to find Rockhold, who touched it into the goal.” Soccer Hornets
Strike Early, but Then Get Silenced C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
Chillicothe High School's first-year soccer Hornets could hardly have gotten off to a better start against the Platte County Pirates yesterday, but they couldn't make it last. Hornets junior midfielder Colton Allen moved up and converted Chase Bonderer's right-side cross into his first-ever high school goal in the third minute of Monday's game, but the tide soon switched and Platte County's constant attack eventually produced a 9-1 Midland Empire Conference victory. On its way to out-shooting the Hornets 11-2 in the first half, Platte County tied the game in the 12th minute on a short-range soft header that caught CHS goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster coming out. It went ahead in the 33rd as, challenged by a Pirates forward for a high corner kick from his right, Buckmaster could only get a hand on it, not grab it. The ball dropped right at the feet of an uncovered Bobby Wilbur for PCHS, who put it in. Platte County then scored seven unanswered goals after intermission to make it a rout. “Falling behind once again, (the Hornets were) constantly playing defense against a team which was able to spread the field and open up scoring chances from its crosses,” summarized Hornets head coach Bill Allison. The Hornets (2-5, 1-1) got only one shot on goal the second half, while the Pirates had all the pressure on Buckmaster and substitute Lance Williams, who saw his first varsity action late in the game and had one save. Buckmaster stopped nine shots. “This team will rebound and gather its wits about it,” Allison reflected, “even though we are struggling through injuries that have hampered some of the players and their effectiveness. “The season is still young.” Last Gasp, Last Laugh C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
What could have been one of the Chillicothe High School soccer Hornets' landmark victories of their first year instead became one of their toughest-to-take defeats yesterday. Having come back from a slow start which left them behind 3-0 at halftime to tie the game 3-3 with just over 10 minutes to play, Chillicothe was stunned when - as the last few seconds ticked off the game clock - Maryville repulsed a Hornets offensive foray, booted the ball deep down the field, and, from the right of the net, the Spoofhounds' Klay Talmage won a race for it with CHS goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster to score the decisive goal, his second of the day, in a 4-3 Maryville victory. The final goal was so late in regulation time that the Hornets didn't even have time to start trying to line up quickly and kick off to resume play before the head referee whistled the game to an end. “This has definitely been the hardest loss to take after seeing this team pour its guts out on the field and battle back the way it did, this being the Hornets' fifth game of the first season and against a Maryville team that has already played 11 games and has a well established program,” Chillicothe coach Bill Allison reacted. “This team gives everything that is asked of them and then some. We will learn from our mistakes and build on them to improve our play.” Soccer Hornets
Strafe Cameron in First-Ever Win
C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer "Wow! What a night!" That was the justifiably-ecstatic reaction of head coach Bill Allison yesterday after his Chillicothe High School soccer Hornets registered their first-ever victory in their third-ever game, blasting visiting Cameron 7-2 at Daryl Danner Memorial Park. "This whole team played their hearts out to secure their first victory," lauded the coach. Being the only meeting between the Hornets and Dragons this season, the triumph also stands as Chillicothe¹s inaugural Midland Empire Conference victory in their first outing. Hornets
junior Jacob Rockhold followed a two-goal performance in Chillicothe's
first-ever home game Tuesday with a four-goal explosion yesterday. He
tallied twice on first-half free kicks after Cameron had scored first and
the Hornets never trailed again. They were in front 3-1 at intermission and
then netted the last four goals of the contest after the visiting Dragons
had pulled within 3-2. Also firing in goals for Chillicothe in the historic
victory were Zac Truesdell in the first half and Chase Bonderer and Zach
Colvin in the second. It was Colvin¹s first and Truesdell's and Bonderer's
second each. Rockhold now has six. About four minutes later, a near-replay of Chillicothe¹s first goal occurred. Sensenich again found Rockhold on the free kick and the Chillicothe forward again found the back of the net. The Hornets were not done. They kept putting constant pressure on the ball and playing it wide where midfielders were able to send great crosses to the goalmouth. One of these crosses, by Colton Allen, found Truesdell making a run and he was able to tally the Hornets' third goal. During halftime, Chillicothe coaches Allison and Eric Niswonger stressed that the Hornets could not let down any and had to keep working the ball with good passes and constantly challenge Cameron¹s attack. However, the second half started very similar to the first with Cameron's Tyler Whitaker converting a penalty kick to cut the Chillicothe margin to 3-2. Hornets senior Jeff Bowman was whistled for a foul in the penalty area on a good challenge, just using his arms just a little too much, Allison said. The rest of the half, however, was dominated by the Hornets on both sides of the ball. Chillicothe was able to find the net four more times on goals by Rockhold (twice), Bonderer and Colvin. Assists were produced by Truesdell and Rockhold and the two tallies were unassisted efforts. Allison didn't want the big "O" to overshadow a defensive performance which limited the Dragons to only two goals. "The defenders are really starting to work well together," the coach delineated. Senior Weston Baker, sophomore Mahonri Reyes, and junior Sensenich playing the full 80 minutes and Bowman was a big help when he was in there. "Our midfielders turned the corner some tonight," assessed the Chillicothe coach, "playing well in the attack and responding well on the defensive side." Hornets midfielders were Colvin, Bonderer, Allen and Levi Barton. Coming off the bench to contribute to the first-ever Hornets victory were Wade Koehly on defense and at midfield. Jarek Schmidt and Colton Whiteside added several valuable minutes, the coach said, and Austin Ireland and Taylor Lyons saw their first varsity action. Chillicothe junior goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster had to make only six saves. The Chillicothe junior-varsity did well, too, according to Allison, even though it lost. Quentin Mammen had a very strong game for the JV Hornets, as did Chris Kleinschmidt. Goalkeeper Lance Williams once again had a nice game with five very strong saves. The Chillicothe junior-varsity falls to 0-3, but gaining invaluable game experience. Kicking Back At Home
C-T Photo / Paul Sturm The first-year Chillicothe High School boys' soccer Hornets made their home debut yesterday and overcame a shaky start to hold their own in what proved to be a 4-2 loss to the St. Joseph: Lafayette Fighting Irish. After Lafayette, perhaps capitalizing on CHS nervousness or distraction from being the new team's first appearance in front of a home audience, struck for two quick goals, the Hornets played the St. Joseph team to a standoff over the last 80 minutes or so. “Going down by two goals in the first seven minutes was not the position the Hornets wanted to be in to start their very first home game,” reflected Bill Allison, the CHS head coach. “(Assistant coach Eric) Niswonger and I have coached these young players to never give up and keep battling. That is exactly what they did.” Junior Jacob Rockhold booted home a shot from in front about 15-20 minutes into the game, giving Chillicothe fans their first chance to celebrate a CHS home goal. After Lafayette's Nick Edwards - who later would leave the soccer match during the second half to go across town to run in the Chillicothe Invitational cross country meet - outran a Hornets defender and beat goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster with a rolling shot to the short side from the right side, Rockhold produced his and Chillicothe's second goal of the opening half with a high header which ricocheted off the crossbar to hit LHS goalkeeper Mitch Munson in the back and bounce into the net at about the 30-minute mark. That closed the gap to 3-2, but Munson and his teammates would keep Chillicothe off the scoreboard the rest of the match and Michael Westfall would net an insurance goal for the visitors, who won for the first time in three 2007 outings. A Promising Beginning ATCHISON, Kan. - Just as their female counterparts did last spring, the Chillicothe High School soccer Hornets scored the first goal of their first-ever game yesterday. In fact, they went the Lady Hornets one better, taking a 2-0 lead within the first 12 minutes before fading and falling to host Maur Hill Academy 6-3. Maur Hill rallied from the early deficit to lead 4-2 at halftime. Then, after Chillicothe improved its defensive marking and tamed the host's attack, the Hornets closed to within 4-3 before - gambling late for the tying goal - they saw the Kansas club fire in a couple of goals in the last three minutes. “The score does not reflect on how close the game was and how evenly matched the two teams were,” Chillicothe head coach Bill Allison remarked. The Hornets, according to their coach, “started off strong pushing the ball as planned,” a strategy which led to junior Levi Barton finding the back of the net with the first goal in Hornets soccer history, off an assist by senior Zac Truesdell, in the ninth minute. By the 11th minute, the Hornets had built a 2-0 margin with a cross from junior Zach Colvin finding classmate Chase Bonderer, who put the ball away for the second goal. Soccer Hornets Make Their Debut on Road Today
C-T Photo / Paul Sturm To get their first kicks, the inaugural Chillicothe High School soccer Hornets will head down “Route 36” today. The Hornets will travel U.S. Highway 36 to St. Joseph and then north to Atchison, Kan., this afternoon for a 4 p.m. match with Maur Hill Academy which will be the first-ever boys' soccer action in CHS history. Head coach Bill Allison, assistant Eric Niswonger, and a group of 29 players will make their home debut next Tuesday, Sept. 4, hosting St. Joseph: Lafayette in a 4 p.m. tilt. The introduction of boys' soccer to the Chillicothe athletics lineup follows the advent of girls' soccer last spring. The Lady Hornets produced a highly-respectable 6-10 record in their initial campaign. Chillicothe was the last Midland Empire Conference school to add the sport. The commencement of boys' soccer competition also means the school has begun three new sports programs in the past three years - the two soccer programs and boys' swimming. Each has come into existence after the school district's board adopted a policy allowing more sports if outside funding was privately arranged to cover all anticipated costs and provided to the district, which maintains full oversight and responsibility for the programs. The newest venture into the athletics unknown for CHS has received a good response, in terms of turnout for the team, which is now one of three fall sports (with football and cross country) available to male students at the school. The nearly-30-strong roster includes some athletes who have participated in the other two sports in previous years, but not many. “It is great that we have 30 players out and will be able to run a full varsity and junior-varsity schedule,” coach Allison comments. “This is the only way to build this program by giving each player the opportunity to learn on the field. My fear going into this was that we would not have good numbers.” Allison is a Meadville resident with 13 years of soccer coaching experience in recreational, competitive and premier/select outdoor leagues both locally and regionally, including the Kansas City metropolitan area. Starting lineup: Zac Truesdell, Jeff Bowman, Weston Baker, Jacob Rockhold, Zach Colvin, Levi Barton, Chase Bonderer, Brady Sensenich, Caleb Buckmaster, and Colton Allen. Others expected to see varsity action are Wade Koehly, Clayton Allen, and freshmen Chris Kleinschmidt and Miles McLemore. Kevin Thomschke, a foreign exchange student from Germany, joined the team only on August 22, so he does not meet conditioning eligiblity requirements yet, but he has added a new flair to the team with some of his play reported the coach. |
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CHS Has Seven
Softball, Three Volleyball All-Conference Choices C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
Ten Chillicothe High School athletes - seven in softball and three in volleyball - have been selected to their respective sport's all-Midland Empire Conference teams for 2007. Honored with first-team all-MEC inclusion are senior volleyballers Heidi McCoy and Holly Williams, senior softballers Sally Baldwin, Mallory Lowe, and Carole Myers, and junior softballer Heather Doss. Gaining second-team recognition in softball is CHS junior Chelsea Sturguess, while honorable mention goes to senior Meghan Perry in volleyball and senior Sara Mathew and sophomore Samantha Fender in softball. Lowe, who did all of the varsity softball team's pitching, was a first-team pick in the “utility” category as a way of honoring her for being (with Myers) one of the team's top two hitters. Then her pitching received the honorable mention salute. Both CHS teams finished in the middle of the MEC standings. CHS Softball
Awards, Honors, Season Recounted at Annual Postseason Ceremony C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
After spinning their wheels through nearly their entire regular season, the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets gained traction just in time to make a spirited run all the way to the Class 3 state tournament and a 17-8 final record. That season, along with the CHS junior varsity's 10-3-1 campaign, was celebrated and the Lady Hornets players recognized at the softball program's annual postseason awards event last week. Following a meal catered by Hy-Vee kitchen, Lady Hornets head coach Stan Baldwin, who has taken the CHS girls to state play and around 120 victories in six seasons at the helm, conducted the program. Included were some of Baldwin's and assistant/JV coach Jim Radel's reflections on the 2007 season, presentation of varsity letters and special awards, recognition of postseason honors accorded Chillicothe players, and good-natured camaraderie as the players gathered as a group one last time. Baldwin announced that six Lady Hornets received all-Midland Empire Conference honors and five gained all-district tournament laurels. Selected first-team all-MEC were senior outfielders Carole Myers and Sally Baldwin, junior infielder Heather Doss, and - as an at-large "utility" player, regardless of position - senior pitcher Mallory Lowe. Gaining a second-team all-league berth was junior catcher Chelsea Sturguess and honorable mention went to Lowe, specifically for her pitching this time, and sophomore outfielder Samantha Fender. Voted to the all-District 16 tournament squad by the coaches involved in the tourney Chillicothe won were Lowe, Baldwin, Myers, Doss, and Sturguess. Beyond that, on the all-region team encompassing teams from the tournaments for Districts 13-16, outfielder Myers was selected first-team and outfielder Baldwin and shortstop Doss second team. The Lady Hornets head coach then announced the players who had earned the team's special statistical awards. Lowe was named Most Valuable Player, Sally Baldwin received the Coaches' Award, and Fender was selected the Most Improved. Top Offensive Player was Myers, and Sara Mathew the best Defensive Lady Hornet. This year's softball Lady Hornets, with six seniors (multi-year letter-winners Lowe, Myers, Baldwin, Sara Mathew, and Brooklyn Shearer, and first-year member Stephanie Wiedmier) finished the season with a 17-8 record. Out In A Blaze Of Glory C-T Photo / Paul Sturm CAPTION: One pitch after wrenching her right knee as she checked her swing, an injury which PLATTE CITY - Raspy-voiced singing legend Kenny Rogers would have been proud of the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets last night in their Class 3 state tournament sectional game. In battling back time and again against favored Platte County on the Lady Pirates' field before succumbing 10-8, Chillicothe's girls lived up to the lyrics of Rogers' 1980s hit song. “Let's go out in a blaze of glory. “All good things must end.” The Lady Hornets saw their season end - with a 17-8 record and a third-consecutive trip to the state tournament, but - like Butch and Sundance - they did it guns blazing down to the final out. After taking a brief 1-0 lead with an unearned second-inning run the scored on a dropped, 2-out infield popup, the Lady Hornets saw Platte County take leads of 3-1, 9-3, and 10-5, yet never tossed in the towel against a pitcher who had thrown a 1-hitter at them earlier in the season. "I'm proud of them. I don't know what else to say,” coach Baldwin remarked after sharing his final post-game thoughts with his team. “They don't quit. What more can a coach ask for?" Number
One in Class 3 District 16 C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
Number one in Class 3 District 16 is what the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets were Saturday afternoon after defeating St. Joseph: Benton 6-4 at Heritage Park in St. Joseph. The Lady Hornets will begin a third-consecutive appearance in the state tournament at 6 o'clock tonight at Platte City against the Platte County Lady Pirates. Team members include, from left: Seated - Carole Myers, Brooklyn Shearer, Mallory Lowe, Sally Baldwin, Sara Mathew; Kneeling - Rochelle Gillilan, Samantha Fender, Bailey Keith, Kelsey Hicks, Heather Doss, Lindy Scott, Leanne Mathew, Chelsea Sturguess; Standing - assistant coach Lauren Way and head coach Stan Baldwin. Not present for the photo was assistant coach Jim Radel. Hitting The Trifecta C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
ST. JOSEPH - An early-inning long ball that wiped the slate clean kept the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets in the Class 3 District 16 championship game Saturday. Then "small ball" won it. Senior left fielder Sally Baldwin lofted a game-tying 3-run double over the head of St. Joseph: Benton's left fielder in the bottom of the second inning. Then, in the sixth, after classmate Brooklyn Shearer's second base hit and a sacrifice bunt, a wild throw to first on Baldwin's one-out ground ball allowed pinch runner Rochelle Gillilan to score from second base with the tiebreaking run as the Lady Hornets captured a third-straight district title and state tournament berth, 6-4. "It's a thrill," Lady Hornets coach Stan Baldwin declared after his team claimed its fourth district crown in his six years as head coach. Chillicothe will begin the state tournament with a sectional-round game at Platte County High School in Platte City Wednesday at 6 p.m. Platte County defeated Smithville 4-3 in eight innings in the District 15 title game Saturday. Lowe Riders ST. JOSEPH - Mallory Lowe has had some ups and downs as the Chillicothe softball Lady Hornets' pitcher this season, but she apparently has saved up her best for last. The senior righthander allowed only one hit in 12 innings of work yesterday in leading the Lady Hornets to the district tournament championship game for a fifth-consecutive year. Lowe followed a one-hitter in a five-inning, 12-1 quarterfinal-round victory over Savannah with a no-hitter - her first this season and third of her varsity career - in a 6-2 semifinal triumph over St. Joseph: Lafayette. That, combined with fourth-seeded St. Joseph: Benton's 3-0 surprise of No. 1 seed Maryville, means Chillicothe (16-7) and Benton will clash for the Class 3 District 16 championship at noon Saturday at Heritage Park. While it's Chillicothe's sixth-straight appearance in the district title game, it will be the first time they've squared off against Benton in the finals. In the teams' previous 2007 meeting, Stan Baldwin's Lady Hornets picked up a 6-2 home win Sept. 13 that was much tougher than the score shows. Benton ripped Lowe for 12 hits that day, but the CHS defense got her out of numerous jams. Softball Lady
Hornets Finish 4-3 in MEC Hitting and pitching struggles they'd hoped were behind them resurfaced for the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets at home yesterday. The Smithville Lady Warriors, tabbed by CHS head coach Stan Baldwin before the season began as one of the MEC's top teams, demonstrated why yesterday as it out-hit Chillicothe 10-3 and shut out the Lady Hornets 5-0 at Daryl Danner Memorial Park. “We didn't hit very well, we gave up too many hits, and our defense had an error that hurt us,” Baldwin summarized the defeat which dropped his 2007 club to 11-7 overall and left it with a final MEC mark of 4-3. The game was still to be had by either side after five of the seven innings as Smithville clung to a 1-0 lead it had taken in the third. The Lady Hornets then aided the Lady Warriors in putting the game away.
C-T Photo / Butch Shaffer CAPTION: Having fielded a grounder, Chillicothe shortstop Heather Doss prepares to fire to first for the out during Thursday's 6-2 win over St. Joseph: Benton. St. Joseph: Benton's softball Lady Cardinals flooded the diamond with base runners yesterday, but the Chillicothe High School Lady Hornets put up a defensive levee that held back the waters. Despite banging out 12 hits against CHS pitcher Mallory Lowe and receiving a couple of bases on balls, Benton could push only two runs across the plate, thanks to the Lady Hornets' defense. That allowed Chillicothe to get away with a 6-2 Midland Empire Conference home victory at Daryl Danner Memorial Park Thursday. “Our defense was awesome!” Chillicothe coach Stan Baldwin reacted. “It got us out of a lot of jams.” Benton had four multi-hit innings, including three safeties in the seventh and two each in the first, second, and fifth, but managed only single runs in the second and seventh. That wasn't enough as the Lady Hornets (8-5, 4-2 MEC) scored twice in the bottom of the first for a lead they kept and tacked on three in the fourth. Benton wasted leadoff doubles in the fourth and sixth, too. Lowe struck out the next three batters in the fourth and left the bags full in the fifth. She then got defensive help in the form of a double play in the sixth. First baseman Sara Mathew fired back across the diamond to her younger sister, third baseman Leanne Mathew, to cut down courtesy runner Felicia Geer, who tried to move up after shortstop Heather Doss fielded a grounder and threw to first for the first out. Lowe Zones in as
Softball Lady Hornets Win on Road CAPTION: Chillicothe softball Lady Hornets senior pitcher Mallory Lowe, seen whipping a pitch homeward during a game last week, struck out 11 yesterday as CHS won at Marceline 7-1. C-T File Photo / Butch Shaffer MARCELINE - With senior pitcher Mallory Lowe her sharpest so far this season, the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets picked up their sixth victory in their last seven games yesterday, hanging a 7-1 loss on the Marceline Lady Tigers. Confidently facing a team she no-hit last year, Lowe whiffed 11 Lady Tigers while not issuing a walk. She gave up one earned run and five hits. “Mallory pitched her best game of the year,” acknowledged CHS head coach Stan Baldwin. The only run the righthander yielded came in the bottom of the fourth inning, by which time she and her teammates had seized a 6-0 lead. In the Marceline fourth, Lowe was touched for a one-out single by Kaitlyn Cavanah and Casey Gladbach tripled to right-center field to score her. The single tally was of relatively-little concern because CHS (7-4) had posted single runs in the first and fourth innings and a four spot in the second. “We hit the ball very well all game long,” Baldwin assessed, noting that several well-hit balls were caught. Chillicothe finished with a modest six hits. Softball Lady Hornets
Climb Beat Cameron, Above .500 CAMERON - The Chillicothe High School softball lady Hornets climbed above the .500 mark for the first time in 2007 yesterday, thanks to their bats. Having struggled offensively at times in the first couple of weeks of the season, the Lady Hornets erupted for 17 hits at Cameron to pin a 10-4 defeat on the Lady Dragons Tuesday afternoon. “We hit the ball well,” Chillicothe head coach Stan Baldwin understated, “but left 13 runners on base.” The onslaught more than amply supported the pitching of senior righthander Mallory Lowe, who gave up three earned runs, six hits, and four walks. Chillicothe (4-3) jumped on top right from the outset with two first-inning runs. A three-spot in the third made it 5-0. However, the victory wasn't iced until a four-run top of the seventh changed the score from 6-4 to 10-4. Consolation for Softball Lady Hornets at Putnam County UNIONVILLE - The Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets limited their opposition to one run each in the final two rounds of Saturday's annual Putnam County Invitational tournament. However, because they were pummeled by their first foe, all those last two efforts got them was consolation. The Lady Hornets (3-3) brought home a trophy from the eight-team tournament by whipping Clark County 6-1 in the consolation finals Saturday afternoon. Before that, the CHS diamond girls had fallen, for a second time in as many meetings this season, to South Harrison 9-3 and defeated Brookfield 5-1. Having 2-for-3 contests for the Lady Hornets were right fielder Carole Myers and junior catcher Chelsea Sturguess, who was dropped down from cleanup to the No. 6 spot in a revamped batting order which had Lowe move from second to fourth and Sara Mathew jump from the bottom third to second. Run on a Walk Beats Lady Hornets
C-T Photo / Paul Sturm When the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets and visiting South Harrison Lady Bulldogs had finished their standard, low-scoring, one-run, first-week-of-the-season game at Daryl Danner Memorial Park yesterday (Tuesday), the score was just the same as a year ago, except the outcome was reversed. A bases-loaded walk to Lady Bulldogs shortstop Kelsey Butler in the top of the fifth inning forced in what would stand as the game's only run as South Harrison shaded Chillicothe 1-0 in a non-conference game. It was the varsity Lady Hornets' season opener. South Harrison - a 4-3 loser to Maryville on Monday - evened its mark at 1-1. Chillicothe was out-hit 5-3, made two errors to the Lady Bulldogs' one, and had senior pitcher Mallory Lowe walk seven as she struggled with her control all day. “Our bats were cold and our pitching was fair,” CHS head coach Stan Baldwin summarized. “It's early. I know both will come along.” Hornets
Seek to Sustain Excellence Senior pitcher Mallory Lowe, right, senior first baseman Sara Mathew (3), and sophomore Heather Doss, left, are among the six returning starters from last year's Class 3 state tournament quarterfinalists who will try to sustain the Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets' high level of success in 2007. Also back are outfielders Sally Baldwin and Carole Myers - both seniors - and junior catcher Chelsea Sturguess. Doss will shift to shortstop from third base for the 2007 campaign. C-T File Photo / Paul Sturm Last year's Chillicothe High School's softball Lady Hornets finally kicked down one door which had been shut to them the previous several years, but, while they wedged it open, couldn't quite fit through the next one. Now, with two-thirds of their starters back, the 2007 diamond Lady Hornets will give it another try. Barely denied their first-ever appearance in the state tournament's semifinals and finals by eventual champion Harrisonville last October, coach Stan Baldwin's 2007 team will hit the field at Daryl Danner Memorial Park in Chillicothe tomorrow afternoon against South Harrison hoping to get that opportunity once more. District champions three of the last four years and, at last, able to get by Kearney in the sectional round of the state tourney last year, the latest edition of the Lady Hornets should have a solid chance to scale those heights once more this fall. With its pitcher, catcher, two infielders, and two outfielders back from its best-ever 21-5 2006 season, Chillicothe should rank among the best teams in the area, although it will have some tough competition in the Midland Empire Conference from the likes of Platte County, Smithville, and St. Joseph: Lafayette. The prospects for maintaining the level of stellar play which has produced a couple of MEC titles, the three district championships, and 99 wins in 129 games over the past five years are enhanced by the presence of senior pitcher Mallory Lowe, senior first baseman Sara Mathew, senior corner outfielders Carole Myers and Sally Baldwin, junior catcher Chelsea Sturguess, and sophomore shortstop Heather Doss - all returning starters. |
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CHS Swimmers
Honored at Postseason Program Chillicothe High School's 3-year-old boys' swimming program will seek not only continued existence, but growth in participation in addition to improvement in potential performance during its off-season, first-year coach Barb Thurmon shared during the team's postseason awards program held at the school last night. Thurmon gave a brief review of the 2007 season, in which a mostly-underclassmen team showed both collective and individual improvement, and presented varsity letters to nine of the 11 team members. No special awards for achievement were handed out, but Thurmon created a lively, casual air for the event with presentation of “awards” based on each team member's behavior and personality, most drawing chuckles from the team and family members in attendance and a few drawing a groan from the recipient(s). “They did fantastic for being a ‘green' team,” she recapped her assessment of the Hornets' 2007 showing in the pool. “I'm very proud of them.” CHS Swimmers Had
Fine Day in Marshall Meet Friday MARSHALL - Chillicothe High School's swimming Hornets had eight medal-earning place finishes and came within one spot in the team standings of earning a trophy in last Friday's Marshall Owls Invitational Meet. Chillicothe had third places in the 200-yard medley relay (Joey Stagg, Ryan Wright, Eric Walker, Ari Coleman) and by Coleman in the 50-yard freestyle, reports Barb Thurmon, CHS coach. Bringing home fourth-place medals were Jacob Stull in the 500 freestyle and the 200-yard freestyle relay (same four as in the 200 medley). Placing fifth for Chillicothe were Walker in the 50 freestyle, Stull in the 200 freestyle, and Coleman in the 100 freestyle, while Wright claimed an individual sixth in the 100-yard butterfly. “WOW! What a night,” Thurmon reacted. “We did exceedingly well. “I am extremely proud of the team and their performances.” Swim Hornets Host Own Meet CAPTION: Chillicothe swim Hornets sophomore Jacob Stull on his way to a third-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle race during yesterday's home meet at the Grand River Area Family YMCA. A 17-second reduction from their previous-best time by the Chillicothe High School swimming Hornets' 200-yard freestyle relay team highlighted CHS' performance in its own second-annual meet yesterday. The quartet of leadoff man Ari Coleman, Ryan Wright, Joey Stagg, and Eric Walker was clocked in 1:52.25, far surpassing their previous-fastest time of 2:09.63, coach Barb Thurmon reports. “The 200 freestyle relay team did a tremendous drop in time,” she commented, also noting, “the 200 individual medley (IM) relay team (Stagg-backstroke, Jordan Schneider-breaststroke, Wright-butterfly, Coleman-freestyle) had a 7-second drop.” The third-place finish by the CHS 200-yard freestyle and 200 IM relay units behind both Marshall entries were two of four third-place Chillicothe showings in its own meet, which included teams from Hannibal, Marshall, and Harrisonville and again was held in the Grand River Area Family YMCA pool. Hannibal and Marshall each brought a high school state champion to the meet. CHS Swimmers Show
Virtually Complete Improvement in Meet at Liberty LIBERTY - Chillicothe High School swimmers produced faster times than their previous season bests in nearly every race Wednesday in a triangular meet at Liberty. Competing against Liberty and Lee's Summit, the third-year Chillicothe program had its full 11-member roster available to compete for the first time after completing eligibility requirements. The Hornets' highest finish in any of Wednesday's events was sophomore Ari Coleman's fourth-place in the 100-yard backstroke in 1:08.75. He also posted a fifth in the 50-yard freestyle and was on the sixth-place 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle CHS relay teams. Also producing a sixth-place finish was Hornets veteran Jacob Stull. The sophomore swam a 6:32.87 in the 500 freestyle. “Almost everyone dropped their time. Wow!” reacted CHS coach Barb Thurmon. “I was particularly pleased with Jacob, who has dropped his 500 time over 19 seconds in the last two meets.” The coach noted she entered Coleman and the team's third returnee - Joey Stagg - in the 50-yard freestyle to establish a “base” time from which they can start working toward a state-meet-qualifying time. Pool Cue C-T File Photo / Butch Shaffer CAPTION: Sophomore Ari Coleman is the most-experienced and most-versatile member of the 2007 Chillicothe Hornets swimming team which debuts today in a three-team meet at St. Joseph. Coleman currently is the only one of the 11 Hornets out for the program's third year accomplished enough in all four strokes to compete in any of them or the individual medley. With a new head coach and without its top would-be returnee, the Chillicothe High School boys' swimming team begins its third season of competition today, competing in a meet hosted by St. Joseph: Central. Barb Thurmon has succeeded Paulette Crawford as the water Hornets' coach. Crawford this summer accepted a post which includes being head coach of the women's swimming program at Louisiana Tech University. Although experienced in swimming, Thurmon has no background in competitive swimming nor coaching, but the CHS teacher stepped in to fill the gap when Crawford departed. She inherits a team which has three returnees among its all-time-high 11 swimmers, but lacks a competitor who had qualified for the high school state meet each of the past two years. Leading the Hornets' squad this year should be sophomore Ari Coleman, the second-best member of the 2006 team. He'd had previous competitive swimming experience in California. Also back are relative neophytes Joey Stagg, a senior, and Jacob Stull, a sophomore. Joining them are another senior, Jordan Schneider, juniors Ryan Wright, Eric Walker, and Dalton Boyd, sophomores Sean Hill, Kellin Ferguson, and Blake Reed, and freshman Bryce Hill. “I'm real excited, especially with our three returnees,” Thurmon stated. “Some of our new people are making great progress, as well.” Coleman's experience and talent will have him able to compete in any of the four styles (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, freestyle). He raced mostly in shorter-distance events last year and, initially, figures to be the Hornets' only entrant in individual medley (IM) races in which competitors use each of the four stroke styles in different segments. “Ryan Wright may do some IM races sometime,” the coach noted. Stagg's and Stull's 2006 season was their introduction to competitive swimming. Thurmon hopes each is ready to expand their repertoire of strokes in order to compete in more events. Stagg competed in three of the four stroke styles as a junior, while Stull swam freestyle almost exclusively. [Graduating seniors from the 2006-2007 team were Charles Greenlaw, Spencer Whiteside, and Jacob Fellhoelter. Multiple state-qualifier, Stephan Franke, now a junior, transferred to a private school in Kansas City over the summer.] “We're trying right now to get everybody's technique in their best events ready for competition,” Thurmon told the C-T yesterday. “Hopefully as the year goes along, we'll be able to get more and more of them” ready to race in more than one style. The first and only
home meet for 2007 is scheduled for Monday, October 1, at the Grand
River Area Family YMCA. Season two in our 2006-2007 Fall Sports... |
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Hornets Harriers
Honored with Eye Toward Promising 2008 Year C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
Sixteen young distance runners who had a fine 2007 season and hold promise of an even-better 2008 were honored last night at the Chillicothe High School cross country program's 2007 postseason awards event. First-year coach Tim Riekena presented letters to all of his runners, grade by grade, recounting their various performances and accomplishments, and commented on the recently-concluded season. With a boys' team which had no seniors, he also looked ahead to a promising future for the cross country Hornets, promise to which he hopes the athletes will dedicate themselves in the intervening months to turning to reality. “You need to be serious about what you want (to accomplish) next year,” he challenged the potential returnees. Highlighting the awards ceremony were the coach's announcement of the recipients of the two special awards he presented during the approximately 45-minute program held in the CHS media center (library). Senior Brittanee Jacobs, the only female harrier CHS had for 2 1/2 of her four years in the sport, was presented the Coach's Award. That was not only for her determination and commitment in remaining in the sport despite the lack of teammates with which to train and share her experiences, but also for her dedication to the betterment of the entire program through her support of the boys' team during its races and what Riekena likened to near-encyclopedic knowledge of the performance capabilities of runners on opposing teams. As a freshman, Jacobs was one of three CHS girls who competed. However, each of the next two seasons and the first half or more of this year, she was alone in the red and black when she raced. Late this season, after completing participation in tennis, freshman Mary Kate Taylor began running for the Lady Hornets too. The other special award, recognizing the "most improved" runner who had the largest reduction in their race time from last year to this, went to junior Justin Littrell. He cut more than 4 1/2 minutes off his time. Also getting special recognition were CHS two state-meet qualifiers, junior Steven Taylor and his younger sister, Mary Kate, and the four Chillicothe runners who earned all-Midland Empire Conference status at the league race - both Taylors and junior boys Ben Griffin and Casey Pryor. CHS Harriers Run
Mid-Pack at State JEFFERSON CITY - Chillicothe High School's Steven and Mary Kate Taylor finished in about the middle third of the approximately 160 runners in their respective gender divisions of the Class 3 state cross country meet Saturday. The brother-sister act, following in the state-qualifying footsteps of older sister Candice, ran well for their first exposure to the challenging, hilly Oak Hills Golf Center course, according to first-year CHS coach Tim Riekena. Freshman Mary Kate ran a 21:58 to be 89th among 165 girls' entrants and junior Steven 18:38 to finish 114th out of 169. “Mary Kate had a great outing for a freshman,” Riekena remarked. “She Šwas the 18th freshman to cross the (finish) line” in the girls' race. “Steven ran well the first two miles (of the 3.1-mile race). The pace was fast and course challenging. Steven has shown potential to have an outstanding senior year. Both Taylors have a lot to look forward to next year.” Riekena hopes to the all-underclassmen CHS boys' team, which had hopes of qualifying for state as a group this year, will reach that lofty goal. “The entire team is looking forward to the challenge of next season,” the coach related. Taylors Continue
Family Tradition in Cross Country C-T File Photo / Paul Sturm KEARNEY - As Chillicothe High School junior Steven Taylor and his freshman sister Mary Kate make their last-minute physical and mental preparations this week for Saturday's Class 3 state cross country meet at Jefferson City, they'll have a ready refererence handy. In house, you might say. The CHS siblings, who each finished 10th in this past Saturday's Class 3 District 8 meet at Jesse James Park to earn the right to compete at state, can simply consult with older sister Candice, a two-time state meet qualifier at CHS early this decade. “While we're disappointed the boys' team didn't qualify (as a whole), commented CHS first-year coach Tim Riekena, “it's great that Steven and Mary Kate did.” Cross
Country Hornets Place Second in MEC Meet PLATTE CITY - Finally having their full roster available for the first time all season and led - as they have been all season - by junior Steven Taylor, the Chillicothe High School cross country Hornets earned second place in yesterday's 2007 Midland Empire Conference meet. Paced by S. Taylor's fourth-place individual finish in 18:20, the Hornets compiled a fastest-five team score of 61 points for the race hosted by Platte County. That trailed champion Smithville, which had 48 points, but pushed Chillicothe past St. Joseph: Benton, which had 69, and Platte County, which had 72. Savannah was fifth with 130 and St. Joseph: Lafayette sixth and last with 133. “This was the first race of the year that we had all the runners (available),” Chillicothe coach Tim Riekena, who couldn't be present for family reasons, said of the conference race. “It was nice having (previously-injured) Tim Derrickson and John Riekena off the injured list.” John Riekena had been sidelined all season with a leg problem, while Derrickson had missed the past couple of weeks with a sore knee. Because of their situations, both of those ran in the junior-varsity race. Barring any health setback, Derrickson figures to rejoin the varsity for either tomorrow's scheduled race at Richmond or the Oct. 27 district meet. In the boys' varsity 5-kilometer (3.1 miles) run yesterday, S. Taylor's top-five finish earned him the distinction of being considered first-team all-MEC this year, reported coach Riekena. Sophomore Ben Barrows of Smithville was the boys' conference champion with a time of 17:53. In addition to S. Taylor's accomplishment, Chillicothe had three other runners earn second-team all-MEC status by placing in the top 12 of their respective varsity races ye | ||||||||||||
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Chosen by the coaching staff as the “most improved” Chillicothe High School football Hornets at their respective positions in 2007 were, from left: Front - Stephen Quinn, special teams; Tyson Blattner, offensive back; Tommy Hargrave, offensive lineman; Clayton Dahlberg, defensive lineman; Back - Kyle Dosterschill, offensive back; Connor Lindley, special teams; and Bryce Young, defensive back. Joseph Stull, who shared the offensive line award with Hargrave was not present for the photo.
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Eight members of the 2007 Chillicothe High School football Hornets shared in the top awards presented at last night's annual postseason awards banquet. In addition to senior Tyson Blattner (front row, second from left) receiving the Coaches' Award for dedication and team leadership, receiving recognition as the best at their respective offensive, defensive, or special teams positions were, from left: Front - Colin Parker, offensive end (shared); Cory Lowe, offensive lineman; Bryce Young, offensive end (shared); Back - Clint Singleton, best offensive back and special teams player (shared); Clint Dysart, special teams (shared); Kyle Dosterschill, linebacker/defensive back; and Nathan Followwill, defensive lineman. Of the eight, only Blattner, Singleton, and Followwill are seniors.
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With senior guard Josh Lewis (right) blasting open a lane, Chillicothe Hornets sophomore running back Bryce Young heads through the hole for big yardage in the first quarter of Friday night's 49-0 CHS win over the Richmond Spartans. Young scored touchdowns on three long first-half plays - runs of 27 and 29 yards in the opening quarter and then a 52-yard pass reception in the second stanza as the Hornets improved their record to 5-4.
running back Clint Singleton is past Cameron safety Sean Skilling and on his way to a 69-yard touchdown which gave Chillicothe the lead for good in their 33-15 Homecoming victory Friday. Singleton later had a 71-yard scoring reception, as well.
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Chillicothe Hornets senior defensive end Cory Lowe swats down the punt of Smithville's Cruiser Nichols with just over four minutes remaining in Friday's game at Smithville. His team trailing 9-6, Lowe's block - his second of the game - gave Chillicothe the ball at the Warriors' 15, but they couldn't convert the chance into points as Smithville held on to win.
CAPTION: Chillicothe Hornets junior lineman Clayton Dahlberg gets in to block Cole McCauley's second-quarter punt Friday night at Savannah. Back James “Bubba” Maxwell scooped up the loose ball and returned it seven yards to the Savannah 16 from where the Hornets scored on the next play, a Kyle Dosterschill run. That made the score 26-0, Chillicothe, and the Hornets went on to post a 45-7 victory over the Savages.
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Two Platte County defenders are unable to close off the lane down which Chillicothe's Clint Singleton is headed on his way to a 65-yard touchdown run Friday night. Providing a downfield block for Singleton is end Colin Parker. Although Singleton's scoring run pulled the Hornets within 14-13 in the fourth quarter, they lost
21-13.
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Junior running back Spencer Burns of the Chillicothe Hornets heads for the end zone with a pack of St. Joseph: Lafayette defenders in pursuit during last night's 20-6 CHS victory. Burns scampered in from 22 yards out.
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The Chillicothe Hornets¹ offensive line and lead blockers from left, Clint Dysart (33), Nathan Followwill (70), Brendan Pagliai (center background), Clint Singleton (helmet partially visible over left shoulder of quarterback Tyler Trammell (18), and Justin Followwill (75) created a crease through which ballcarrier Kyle Dosterschill (7) would score the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of Friday¹s 12-6 CHS victory at St. Joseph.
CAPTION: Chillicothe Hornets quarterback Tyler Trammell gets ready to fire a pass Friday at St. Joseph: Benton from behind the protection of tackle Justin Followwill (75), guard Joshua Lewis (extreme right), and the rest of the offensive line, while running back Clint Singleton (30) heads out into the pass pattern. Trammell had a sharp night throwing, going five for eight for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the first half before, with a big lead, Chillicothe attempted only one second-half pass. The Hornets won 39-19.
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Chillicothe's Warren Nichols (79) and Cory Lowe (54) drag down Maryville running back Adam Mattson as CHS linebacker Tommy Hargrave (15) moves in to apply the finishing touches during Friday's 20-18 Maryville victory in Chillicothe. Mattson's outstanding all-around play paced the MHS win.
A hit by Chillicothe Hornets senior defensive tackle Nathan Followwill (partially obscured) separates a Richmond ballcarrier trying to hurdle past him from the football during Friday's preseason scrimmage “jamboree” at Excelsior Springs. Hornets safety Colin Parker fell on the loose ball for one of CHS' three “stops” of the Richmond offense.
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Having concluded their first regular season, the 2007 Chillicothe High School soccer Hornets will play in their initial district tournament, starting Saturday afternoon, at Moberly. The Hornets (4-10) have been seeded last among the eight teams entered, putting them against top-seeded Hannibal in the opening round. That game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday. To have a chance of upsetting the Pirates, the Hornets will need strong, well-coordinated defensive play from the likes of Brady Sensenich (23) and Mahonri Reyes (25), stellar play from junior goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster (seen making a diving save in the recent victory over St. Joseph: Benton), and timely goal scoring.
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Having used great anticipation to slip into an opening at the edge of the goal area, Chillicothe's Colton Whiteside knocks home the Hornets' second goal of Monday's home game with St. Joseph: Benton. The goal, set up by Zac Truesdell's crossing pass, tied the game 2-2 in the 68th minute. Five minutes later, Truesdell booted home the game winner as the Hornets snapped a 7-game losing streak. Whiteside's goal not only was his first, but the first varsity goal by a freshman in this, Chillicothe's first season of soccer competition.
Rockhold boots home his 14th goal of the season during the second half of yesterday's home game. The visitors from Atchison, Kan., prevailed 6-2.
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Chillicothe soccer Hornets junior midfielder Colton Allen scores the
first goal of his high school career, beating both the Platte County
goalkeeper and a defender, three minutes into yesterday's game in
Chillicothe. Allen had settled a cross from Chase Bonderer, who earned his
third assist of the season, just in front of the net and then knocked it
home along the ground. Platte County blanked Chillicothe the rest of the way
and won 9-1.
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Leaping Chillicothe soccer Hornets junior goalkeeper Caleb Buckmaster bats a
high corner kick out of the goal mouth just before a Maryville player could
get a chance to head it in for a go-ahead goal late in the second half of
yesterday's game at Daryl Danner Memorial Park in Chillicothe. Although
Maryville couldn't cash in this chance to recapture the lead after a
Chillicothe second-half rally had erased a 3-0 halftime deficit, Maryville
would break the Hornets' heart with a game-winning goal with less than 10
seconeds to go in regulation time, winning 4-3.
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Just before a Cameron defender can get there to cut off his shooting
lane, Chillicothe soccer Hornets senior forward Zac Truesdell right-foots a
shot toward the net which produced his second goal of the season Thursday.
Truesdell¹s shot gave th Hornets a 3-1 halftime lead on their way to their
first-ever victory, 7-2. Truesdell added an assist in the second half,
setting up the last of Jacob Rockhold¹s four goals.
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Literally having taken one for the team, Chillicothe Hornets goalkeeper
Caleb Buckmaster has the shot of St. Joseph: Lafayette's Nick Edwards
ricochet off the left side of his head for a first-half save yesterday
during the first-year Hornets' first-ever home game. Despite a strong CHS
effort, Lafayette prevailed 4-2.
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A member of the Chillicothe soccer Hornets drives a short-range shot on goal
during the team's final preseason practice yesterday. The CHS kickers are
beginning their inaugural season today with a road match at Atchison, Kan.,
against Maur Hill. The soccer Hornets' first-ever home game is slated for
next Tuesday, Sept. 4, against St. Joseph: Lafayette.
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All-MEC softball selections from Chillicothe for 2007 include, from left: Sara Mathew, Samantha Fender, Carole Myers, Heather Doss, Mallory Lowe, Sally Baldwin, and Chelsea Sturguess. Lowe, Myers, Baldwin, and Doss were first team.
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Recipients last Tuesday of the special awards for the 2007 Chillicothe Lady Hornets softball team were, from left: Samantha Fender - most improved player; Carole Myers - top offensive player; Mallory Lowe - most valuable player; Sara Mathew - best defensive player; and Sally Baldwin - Coaches' Award for team leadership and dedication. Lowe did all of the pitching for this year's varsity team, posting a 17-8 record and 1.99 earned run average. Offensively, she paced the club in on-base percentage (.427), on-base-plus-slugging percentage (.859), and runs (28). Myers topped the Lady Hornets with 33 hits and a .393 batting average. First baseman Mathew made only two errors in 163 fielding chances.
threatened to force her from the game, the Chillicothe softball Lady Hornets' only varsity-experienced catcher rips a ground ball single to left field in the second inning last night in the team's Class 3 state tournament sectional game at Platte City. Despite soreness which lingered the rest of the night and the rigors of squatting behind the plate on every pitch defensively, Sturguess played the full distance and went three for four at the plate, including missing an over-the-fence solo home run in the final inning by only about three feet. Despite Sturguess' and her teammates' heroic efforts, Platte County was able to hold on for a 10-8 victory. Chillicothe's season ended with a 17-8 record and third-straight state appearance.
CAPTION: Senior left fielder Sally Baldwin of the Chillicothe Lady Hornets deservedly jumps for joy at second base Saturday after her two-out, bases-loaded double tied the Class 3 District 16 tournament title game 3-3. A throwing error on a Baldwin grounder in the bottom of the sixth inning allowed the tiebreaking run to score as Chillicothe prevailed over St. Joseph: Benton 6-4 to claim a third-straight district title and state tournament berth.
Lady
Hornets Leave Benton Stranded, Post MEC Win
Carole Myers' slide into first on her third-inning, two-out tap doesn't quite beat the throw to the South Harrison first baseman, but the ball squirted out of the fielder's glove, allowing Myers to be safe Tuesday. After stealing second, she was left on base and South Harrison went on to blank Chillicothe 1-0 in the Lady Hornets' 2007 season opener.
C-T Photo / Paul Sturm
CAPTION:
Those garnering special awards at last night's annual postseason recognition event for the Chillicothe High School cross country program were senior Brittanee Jacobs, right, who received the Coach's Award for dedication and team leadership and spirit, and junior Justin Littrell, who earned the most improved runner award.
Junior Steven Taylor will represent the Chillicothe cross country Hornets in this Saturday's state meet at Jefferson City.