High Plains Storm

Polk County/Aquinas’ Chloe Schott doubles in a run during the Slammers 8-6 win over Raymond Central in Lincoln. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Polk County/Aquinas’ Chloe Schott doubles in a run during the Slammers 8-6 win over Raymond Central in Lincoln. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Polk County / Aquinas Puts Together 3-1 Week

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
LINCOLN- Polk County/Aquinas head softball coach Angie Schroetlin used one word to describe the 2026 season when asked about all the rainouts, postponements and cancellations.“It’s been insane.
High Plains quarterback Carson Swedenburg tries to escape the grasp of the Silver lake defender in Friday night prep gridiron action. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains quarterback Carson Swedenburg tries to escape the grasp of the Silver lake defender in Friday night prep gridiron action. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Football Hits Brick Wall in Silver Lake

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
BLADEN – The Silver Lake Mustangs won their homecoming game against the High Plains Storm 40-0. The field and ball seemed to be slippery, which gave both teams some trouble.The Storm were short a couple of players. The Storm kicked off, and the Mustangs returned.
Sophomore Taya Hans (7) is on the attack as the McCool Junction Mustangs employ a single block at the net. High Plains swept past McCool Junction in CRC regular season play. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

Sophomore Taya Hans (7) is on the attack as the McCool Junction Mustangs employ a single block at the net. High Plains swept past McCool Junction in CRC regular season play. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow

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Storm Volley Records CRC Win Over MCJ

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
MCCOOL JUNCTION The Storm had just one game last week, playing at McCool Junction.The Storm won in three sets, 25-10, 26-24 and 25-12.The first set the Storm took the lead and McCool called timeout at 9-3. High Plains won the set 25-10 after the Mustangs hit a kill in the net.
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...