High Plains Storm

Above- High Plains sophomore Taya Hans looks for the tip winner against the Dorchester defense.

Above- High Plains sophomore Taya Hans looks for the tip winner against the Dorchester defense.

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High Plains Has Busy Week-Goes 2-5

Beth Sparrow
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
High Plains Defeats Newman Grove /St. Ed and East ButlerThe Storm went 2-5 on the week after playing in two triangulars and a Saturday tournament. Their wins were against NG/SE and East Butler.They lost to Elba, Dorchester, Shelby-Rising City, Lincoln Christian and Lawrence Nelson.
High Plains senior Aaron Brown takes the hand-off from senior QB Carson Swedenburg. Brown ran for two scores, caught a TD pass and was named Homecoming King. PCN photo by Travis Lane

High Plains senior Aaron Brown takes the hand-off from senior QB Carson Swedenburg. Brown ran for two scores, caught a TD pass and was named Homecoming King. PCN photo by Travis Lane

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Storm Ropes in GI Lutheran Lightning in 48-6 Win

Ken Kush
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
CLARKS- Senior Aaron Brown ran for 126 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns and following the game was announced the High Plains 2026 Homecoming King as the Storm rolled over Grand Island Lutheran 44-8.High Plains improved to 3-1 with the win as they will travel next Friday night to Silver Lake...
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

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PCN Athletes of the Week for September 24, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors. Kyler HansStorm senior Kyler Hans was a thorn in the side of the Stuart Broncos pass defense last Friday afternoon.
Above- Polk County/Aquinas second baseman Kelsey Brehm can’t get to this blooper in the first inning that lands just in the grass behind second base. PCA lost their opener at the Fillmore Central Tri to Hastings St. Cecilia, but bounced back to top the host Fillmore Central Panthers 9-8. PCN photos by Ken Kush.

Above- Polk County/Aquinas second baseman Kelsey Brehm can’t get to this blooper in the first inning that lands just in the grass behind second base. PCA lost their opener at the Fillmore Central Tri to Hastings St. Cecilia, but bounced back to top the host Fillmore Central Panthers 9-8. PCN photos by Ken Kush.

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Polk County/ Aquinas Slammers See Most of Schedule Washed Out

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
GENEVA- The Polk County/ Aquinas Slammers traveled to Geneva on Thursday for triangular action against the host Fillmore Central Panthers and the Class C juggernaut Hastings St. Cecilia Bluehawks who are the defending Class C State Champions.The battle with the Bluehawks was an opportunity to...
Above- High Plains senior Kyler Hans (7) turns the corner and heads upfield in the Storm’s season opener at Elba three weeks ago. Hans had a huge game as he had nine receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns in High Plains 63-39 loss at No. 1 Stuart. PCN file photos by Ken Kush

Above- High Plains senior Kyler Hans (7) turns the corner and heads upfield in the Storm’s season opener at Elba three weeks ago. Hans had a huge game as he had nine receptions for 128 yards and three touchdowns in High Plains 63-39 loss at No. 1 Stuart. PCN file photos by Ken Kush

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No. 10 Storm Comes Up Short in D6 Ranked Battle at Stuart

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
STUART- It was like two heavyweight fighters matching each other blow for blow on Friday as the D-6 No. 10 High Plains Storm and the No. 1 Stuart Broncos met in Stuart on Friday afternoon.Through the first 20 minutes there was very little separating the two teams as they went to the break with the...
The Nebraska Christian attack is being defended by the Storm’s Josie Spurling (3) and Taya Hans (7) in Thursday’s Play for Payton game at High Plains. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

The Nebraska Christian attack is being defended by the Storm’s Josie Spurling (3) and Taya Hans (7) in Thursday’s Play for Payton game at High Plains. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Loses to Nebraska Christian, But Plays With Purpose

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
POLK - Thursday night was a tough game for the Storm, but not just for the opponent. After the death of Payton Ackerson, the team had to regroup and find their mojo. They adopted the theme of “play with purposes, play for Payton”.
The Polk County/Aquinas Slammers have molded into one of the top teams in Class B as they have opened the season with a 7-1 record. PCN Photo by Beth Sparrow.

The Polk County/Aquinas Slammers have molded into one of the top teams in Class B as they have opened the season with a 7-1 record. PCN Photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Slammers Continue Win Streak With 8-0 Win over Ord

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
STROMSBURG- This past week was supposed to be a busy week for the Polk County/Aquinas Slammers with games scheduled against Bishop Neumann, Twin River and Ord.Neumann and Twin River both got postponed, the Twin River game rescheduled for September 21 in Genoa, while the Bishop Neumann contest is...
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

For Subscribers

PCN Athletes of the Week for September 17, 2026

News Staff
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.HIGH PLAINS VOLLEYBALL The High Plains Storm Volleyball team took the floor Thursday night against Nebraska Christian on a night that was dedicated to teammate Payton Ackerson who lost her life...
Polk County/Aquinas pitcher Faith Samek went 4-0 this past week on the mound for the Slammers. She also went 9-13 at the plate, and drove in eight runs. PCN photos by Travis Lane

Polk County/Aquinas pitcher Faith Samek went 4-0 this past week on the mound for the Slammers. She also went 9-13 at the plate, and drove in eight runs. PCN photos by Travis Lane

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Slammers Post 4-0 Week- Win Boone Central Invite

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
STROMSBURG- The Polk County/ Aquinas Slammers were home for the first time this season on Tuesday night and they made the most of home cooking with a 12-4 win over the St. Paul Wildcats.The Slammers were in Albion over the weekend with games against Boone Central/ Central Valley and Pierce.The...
High Plains senior Aaron Brown keeps his feet long enough to dive over the goal line for six points in the Storm’s 62-0 win over Nebraska Lutheran this past Friday night. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains senior Aaron Brown keeps his feet long enough to dive over the goal line for six points in the Storm’s 62-0 win over Nebraska Lutheran this past Friday night. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Adds Another Big Win in 6-Man

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
CLARKS - On a muggy day, High Plains played Nebraska Lutheran in 6-man football. The kickoff was delayed an hour due to hot weather.