Sports

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.

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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...
Above- Cross County sophomore Piyper Berggren (2) and senior Cortina Donnelly (12) combine on the block. Right- Cougars senior Ava Pruter attacks the Central City defense during Thursday’s match. PCN photos by Ken Kush

Above- Cross County sophomore Piyper Berggren (2) and senior Cortina Donnelly (12) combine on the block. Right- Cougars senior Ava Pruter attacks the Central City defense during Thursday’s match. PCN photos by Ken Kush

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Cross County Struggles at Central City/BDS

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
CENTRAL CITY- Adversity.The dictionary describes that as a “state of serious or persistent misfortune, hardship or distress.”It’s not always a bad thing as teams learn to grow and become better when they have to deal with things not always going right.All athletic teams deal with adversity at some...
Osceola’s Kolton Barr (12) blocks Leigh punt in fourth quarter to set up game winner for the Bulldogs. PCN photo by Blaine Winslow.

Osceola’s Kolton Barr (12) blocks Leigh punt in fourth quarter to set up game winner for the Bulldogs. PCN photo by Blaine Winslow.

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Bulldog’s Defense Slams the Door on Leigh, 22-16 Barr’s Punt Block Sets Up Game Winning TD

Trevor Blevins
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
LEIGH- The Osceola Bulldogs defense came up with the biggest play of the game midway through the fourth quarter when Kolton Barr blocked a Leigh punt setting up the Bulldogs for the game winning score.With 7:42 to play in the game, senior quarterback Jackson Winslow plunged in from a yard out three...

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From the Corn Rows/Stalks

News Staff
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Family Vacation/History Lesson/New CarThis weeks column. Is going to touch on a few different subjects.
Top-Shelby-RC sophomore Dylan Micek puts the stop on the Neligh-Oakdale ball carrier in the match-up of state rated schools in Shelby. PCN photos by Travis Lane.

Top-Shelby-RC sophomore Dylan Micek puts the stop on the Neligh-Oakdale ball carrier in the match-up of state rated schools in Shelby. PCN photos by Travis Lane.

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Huskies Win Gridiron Battle of Rated Teams

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
SHELBY – The #2 Huskies met the #3 Neligh-Oakdale Warriors at home on Friday and won 44-20.Neligh-Oakdale scored first on their second possession with a 28-yard running touchdown by Trevan Torres about halfway through the first quarter. The points after failed.

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Blue River Runs Win Streak to 10 Games

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
DAVID CITY- The Blue River Panthers were in the second game of a four-game home stand as Tekamah-Herman and Logan View Scribner Snyder were in town for triangular action on Tuesday.In there opening game the Panthers picked up their 11th win of the year as they toppled T-H 9-1 as they set the stage...
Top left- Kierslyn Cattaau hammers the attack against the Malcolm front line. Top right- Sophomore Hayden Hopwood keeps the ball in play during action against Malcolm. PCN photos by Ken Kush

Top left- Kierslyn Cattaau hammers the attack against the Malcolm front line. Top right- Sophomore Hayden Hopwood keeps the ball in play during action against Malcolm. PCN photos by Ken Kush

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Huskies Volleyball Battles Best of the Best in Lincoln

Ken Kush
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
LINCOLN- To say the Shelby- RC Huskies volleyball team had a busy week, would be an understatement.The Huskies who came into week as the No. 8 team in Class C2 according to the High School Volleyball coaches poll, opened with wins over East Butler, Palmer at the Tigers triangle and Cedar Bluffs all...
Osceola senior Bella Recker hammers the ball over the net in action against Cedar Bluffs last Thursday night in Osceola. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Osceola senior Bella Recker hammers the ball over the net in action against Cedar Bluffs last Thursday night in Osceola. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Osceola Picks up Two Wins to Move to 4-1

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Osceola moves to 4-1 on the season with two wins in the last week against Cedar Bluffs and GI Lutheran.