Sports - Pierce County Journal

Spring Valley’s returning quarterback Mason Winger rolls out to pass to receiver Jake Hannack.

It’s pad-crunching season: Football coaches ready for another fall of action

Summer is gone in a flash and football is back. The crisp fall air may still be taking its time to return, but that is not going to stop each of the five county football teams from taking the field … more

8/19/26

Ellsworth football received $5,000 from the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights, putting the Panthers in the running for the grand prize of $1 million.

Ellsworth in running for $1 million football field upgrade

ELLSWORTH — Ellsworth was selected for the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights $5,000 prize to make an upgrade to its football field. Being selected puts the school in the running for up to $1 million. … more

8/19/26

Shots from the Hip: Banana Ball is a headshaker

Head Football Coach Jordan Hansen and his players will travel to Osceola this Friday to participate in a four-team controlled scrimmage. The Cardinals will also line up against the Grantsburg Pirates … more

By Cripe Olson | 8/13/26

The Elmwood Expos are joined by the Plum City Blues and River Falls Fighting Fish in qualifying for the upcoming State Finals.

Elmwood, Plum City, RF make it through to State Finals bracket

From a manager tossing a complete game shutout to some absolutely smoking hot bats, Plum City, Elmwood and River Falls were the three teams from the county to push through to the State Finals bracket … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/26

River Falls American Legion Post 121 is the Legion ball State Champions, getting the job done in their home stadium.

Magical season ends in Legion State title on home turf

RIVER FALLS — The high school baseball season was already one to remember for River Falls, making it to State for the first time since 2015. Things only got sweeter, though, as the River Falls … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/26

Ellsworth pitcher Urban Broadway shined in the playoff opener against Tomahawk on Saturday in Osceola.

Hubbers come up just short of State in extra innings

OSCEOLA — The Hubbers started the playoffs with a clean 14-4 win over Tomahawk, putting Ellsworth one game away from playing in the State Finals bracket this weekend that will be hosted on their … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/26

Shortstop Trey Larson beats a pick-off throw to get back to first Sunday afternoon.

Fish make it look easy in pursuit of three-peat

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Fighting Fish hosted its Regional in pursuit of a third consecutive State title, and the team coasted to two wins to advance to the weekend’s final bracket in … more

By Andrew Harrngton | 8/13/26

The Ellsworth Hubbers spent the weekend preparing Bob Young Field to host the Division B State Finals bracket Aug. 14-16.

Everything to know ahead of the WBA playoffs

With the Wisconsin Baseball Association regular season wrapped up, all seven Pierce County teams made it through to the postseason. Now, the teams break into pools where they will battle for the top … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/5/26

Kam Diermeier leads off the bottom of the first inning with a monster home run to right field in Spring Valley’s game against Champlin on July 29.

SV eager to get back into State Finals in two long-time players’ final run

The town ball postseason is here, and it may be the last time Spring Valley Hawk veterans Scott Sayles and Steven Hensley take the field with the team. With Spring Valley having a lot of young … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/5/26

Shots From the Hip: Fall sports beginning practice

The 2026 Wisconsin high school football season begins this week. Coming off back-to-back playoff berths, the Cardinals and Head Coach Jordan Hansen are eyeing a top half finish in the always tough … more

By Cripe Olson | 8/5/26

Shots from the Hip: 2026 football season on the horizon

If the early signs are any indication, the Prescott football team is healthy and ready to start the 2026 season. Following the Cardinals' joint scrimmage with Holmen earlier this month, Head Coach … more

By Cripe Olson | 7/29/26

The Ellsworth Claybreakers wrapped up another great season with a trip to Nationals in Michigan.

Claybreakers finish season with trip to Nationals

The Ellsworth Claybreakers trap team made the trip to Mason, Mich., from July 8-12 to compete at the National Championship against the best of the best in the United States. The Claybreakers … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/29/26

Brady Block took over as manager of the Prescott Pirates after the departure of Billy Brookshaw.

National Champion pairs up with Hall of Fame grandpa to coach Pirates

PRESCOTT — Billy Brookshaw spent years managing the Prescott Pirates to winning seasons, but when it came time to move on, he wanted to leave the team in good hands. Brady Block had been playing … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/29/26

Logan Vogel and Carsten Meyer were the two pitchers to get the job done on the mound Friday night for Bay City.

Bay City claws to comeback victory one hit at a time

NEW RICHMOND — The Bay City Bombers struggled early on Friday night against a New Richmond Millers team in the top half of the St. Croix Valley League. The Millers doubled in a run in the first, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/29/26

Connor Ducklow got it done on both sides of the ball Sunday, pitching six shutout innings to go with a multi-hit game.

PC pulls out eventful rivalry win over Elmwood

ELMWOOD — It was a steamy morning UFO Days rivalry between Plum City and Elmwood Sunday, with the Blues picking up a road win after a game that included an ejection and a scary injury in the ninth … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/29/26

Prescott Pirates pitcher Dylan Gausman celebrates after a complete game shutout against Elmwood on Sunday.

Pirates, Expos fighting for positioning in tight league standings

PRESCOTT — The Prescott Pirates got a massive win in the team’s first league game after the Fourth of July break Saturday, beating the Elmwood Expos 3-0. It was Dylan Gausman who took the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/15/26

Lucas Luedtke celebrates on his way to the dugout after crushing a two-run homer to lead the Fighting Fish to a 6-0 win over the Ellsworth Hubbers.

Fish ready for Town Ball Tour appearance, Hubbers making push toward home State final

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls Fighting Fish’s usually unstoppable offense faced some friction against the Ellsworth Hubbers, but a two-man 6-0 shutout was enough to remain undefeated in league … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/15/26

Ellsworth 2019 graduate Logan Benson was approved for the Panthers’ girls basketball varsity head coaching position at the July 8 school board meeting.

Ellsworth alum takes over as varsity GBB coach

ELLSWORTH — Logan Benson, a Class of 2019 graduate from Ellsworth, was approved as the next varsity head coach for the school’s girls basketball program at the July 8 meeting. “I’m super … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/15/26

Shots from the Hip: Dog days of summer, MLB All-Star game

If you have already voted 47 times for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, well done. You have done your baseball civic duty. And by “civic duty,” I mean clicking on the name of your … more

By Cripe Olson | 7/8/26

Shortstop Brett Breidung steps up to the plate as Plum City’s leadoff hitter against Bloomer.

Blues narrowly fall short in Independence Day doubleheader

MENOMONIE — The Plum City Blues dropped a pair of close games on the Fourth of July in Menomonie 11-8 against Menomonie and 7-6 against Bloomer. The bats were hot at times but struggles defensively … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/8/26