Spring Valley - Pierce County Journal

Beaver Dam and River Falls clash at the goal line on third down. during Round 1 of the playoffs Oct. 24.

RF lone survivor of playoff football opening round

The WIAA football playoffs can be a buzzsaw, and it proved just that, knocking out three county teams in the opening round. The lone team to rise above the noise was the No. 1 seed River Falls … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

Prescott Head Coach Jordan Hansen encourages the Cardinals, who gave the Middle Border Conference Champion Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks a fight Friday, Oct. 17.

Around the County: Four more postseasons begin

Football Ellsworth got a massive win heading into the playoffs, beating a strong Osceola team on the road 31-20. Coincidentally, the Panthers hit the road to take on Osceola in the playoff … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Prescott’s All-Conference and medalist runners (from left): Addy Allsop, Amber Van Loon, Kyra Dix, Nolan Leask, Dawson Langer.

Top finishes galore at conference XC meets

The Middle Border, Big Rivers and Dunn-St. Croix conferences each held their championship meets over the last week. All-Conference runners were named around the county as the teams now enter the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Wildcat Nik Thomas earned the Garage Bikes + Brews player of the game on Thursday night vs Eau Claire North. Nik played with passion and determination, locking down the left side of our defensive line. He read the game well, stepping to deny Husky attackers and that helped lead to a strong counterattack.

Around the County: Conference title races taking shape

Football River Falls headed into the halftime break Friday, Oct. 10 tied with Menomonie at 14. The Wildcats must have heard a motivating halftime speech, though, bursting out of the half to a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/15/25

Sophomore Katie Matthys leaps to fire one across the net in a 3-0 win over Elmwood/Plum City.

Cardinals get a win over EPC in straight sets

SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley defended its home floor against Elmwood/Plum City on Thursday, winning 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-17). The Cardinals had firm control of all three sets, winning with … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/15/25

River Falls is continuing to find its footing in the back half of the season, taking care of business against Onalaska with a 5-0 win. The Wildcats lost 1-0 to Menomonie on a late goal to break the seal.

Around the County: The waning weeks of fall sports

Football No. 10 ranked River Falls beat No. 3 ranked, undefeated Rice Lake in a road matchup 40-28. The win moved River Falls to 6-1 and the Wildcats are now in a three-way tie at 4-1 atop the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/8/25

Spring Valley and Elmwood/Plum City line up in the trenches in a Sept. 26 in a 29-14 Spring Valley win.

SV spoils EPC rival’s Homecoming

ELMWOOD — Nearby rival Spring Valley came to town for Elmwood/Plum City’s Homecoming, looking to send their rivals a message in an important game for conference positioning. Although the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25

Ellsworth was no match for Baldwin-Woodville on the road, losing 48-8 to a team that is eyeing a State title.

Around the County: RF golf wins BRC Conference Tournament

Girls Golf After a year when Hudson had River Falls’ number throughout the conference meets, the Wildcats struck back at the right time by winning the Big Rivers Conference Tournament. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25

Around the County: RF football loses first game of season

Football Spring Valley got things cleaned up at the right time Friday, Sept. 19, beating Cadott 31-6 with two fourth quarter scores from Sam Schmitt to seal it. After an 0-2 start to the year, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/24/25

Quarterback Mason Winger tosses an out route to receiver Jake Hannack in a 36-28 win over Turtle Lake on Sept. 12.

Cardinal offense taking off at the right time

SPRING VALLEY — The Spring Valley Cardinals have found their groove with back-to-back wins to move to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play, most recently beating Turtle Lake 36-28 in a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

Senior Ella Stangl and the Spring Valley Cardinals are eyeing a great year, with sights set on contending for a conference title.

SV takes on full slate of action as conference schedule approaches

BALDWIN — Spring Valley volleyball capped off a busy week of matches with a quad in Baldwin on Thursday, taking on Baldwin-Woodville, Clear Lake and Spooner. The Cards got a 2-0 win over … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

Dawson Langer (9), Amber Van Loon (12), Kyra Dix (11), and Addy Allsop (12) (left to right) earned medals for Prescott at the Somerset Invitational.

Around the County: Golf teams still fighting for conference championships

Football Trailing 28-14 in the fourth, Spring Valley dug deep with some late touchdowns to win 36-28 over Turtle Lake Friday, Sept. 12. The Cardinals moved to 2-2 on the year and are 2-0 in … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/17/25

Elmwood/Plum City won its home tournament, marking steady improvement as conference play approaches.

Around the County: Tournament win, conference battles and seasons ramping up

Football The Prescott-Ellsworth Highway 10 rivalry lived up to the hype once again, with two teams with something to prove butting heads. Prescott improved to 1-2 with a 20-10 win after Wyatt … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/10/25

Mackenzie Hince placed seventh for the Ellsworth girls at Saint Croix Central.

Pierce County makes mark on SCC XC event

SAINT CROIX CENTRAL — Four top 10 finishes highlighted an eventful pair of races in Saint Croix Central that featured Spring Valley, Ellsworth and Elmwood/Plum City. Spring … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/10/25

Around the County: Fall sports back in full swing

Football Coming off an absolute domination over Wisconsin Rapids as the lone county win during the opening week, River Falls moved to 2-0 by beating D.C. Everest 54-21 on the road. Quarterback … more

By Andrew Harrington | 9/3/25

River Falls’ Charlie Cegielski pops it over the net to avoid the blockers against Hudson on Oct. 3.

Volleyball season is back in full swing

Volleyball season is back with some fierce competition in quads and tournaments. Hear what each coach is expecting as the year sees its first serves. What is the team’s biggest strength? … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Spring Valley senior lineman Maxx Wittmer committed to Minnesota State University-Moorhead over the summer.

Two small town linemen make it big time, committing to DII schools

Spring Valley senior lineman Maxx Wittmer and EPC senior lineman Brett Kopp have both taken pride in what it means to be small town football players, working hard to be recognized and committing to … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Junior Spring Valley running back Asher Turner shrugs off a tackle attempt.

Tough matchups get the best of Prescott, Spring Valley

Prescott and Spring Valley took the field Friday for their season openers. While both teams showed bright spots against teams expected to make deep runs this season, neither could stay tight till the … more

By Andrew Harrnington | 8/27/25

West Salem took home the paddle this year, beating out Ellsworth for the top spot in a contested competition.

Claybreakers host traveling trap event ‘Battle for the Paddle’

ELLSWORTH — Three of the valley’s teams duked it out against the area’s best in the Battle for the Paddle, a traveling event hosted at the Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club this year. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Football season is back, and the coaches are excited to see what their teams bring to the table in the opening week.

Coaches weigh in on football season’s return

With county football games already being played Thursday, football season is officially back. The busy summer may have caught the fans off guard, but the teams are all ready to go for that opening … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25