from the Hip

Posted 9/8/21

SHOTS from the Hip Prescott’s impressive victory over Somerset on Friday has Middle Border pigskin prognosticators adding the Cardinals to the mix of conference title contenders. The lethal …

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from the Hip

Posted

SHOTS from the Hip

Prescott’s impressive victory over Somerset on Friday has Middle Border pigskin prognosticators adding the Cardinals to the mix of conference title contenders. The lethal offensive combination of senior quarterback Grant Stanton and fellow senior Aiden Russell has people buzzing at cafe coffee tables and local watering holes about a potential WIAA playoff berth. Last Friday, Stanton completed all nine of his pass attempts, throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns one each to Aiden Russell and Phil Seifert. Speaking of Siefert, how about the catch the senior wideout made inside the ten yard line late in the first half half that set up another Cardinal touchdown? And when it comes to touchdowns, Aiden Russell has now scored eight this season and has rushed for nearly 400 yards after three games. The Spartan offense could do little against a Cardinal swarming defense led by the likes of junior Brady Block, senior Cole Dravis, and Aiden Russell. Senior defensive back Justin Syverson added an interception in the convincing win over the Spartans.

St. Croix Central travels to Prescott this Friday. The Panthers were humbled by Osceola by a score of 34-7. The Ellsworth Panthers continued to live up to their #2 ranked billing as they clobbered Baldwin- Woodville by a score of 58-7. In non conference action, Arcadia downed Amery by a score of 28-16.

Back in 2017 Running Back Sam Smith catapulted the Prescott Cardinals to their last victory over Somerset. The speedy running back who went on an impressive college track career at UW-Lacrosse led the Cardinals to a 25-12 victory over Spartans in Somerset. That win snapped an over decade long losing streak against the Spartans and their Hall of Fam Coach Bruce Larson.

The Prescott Boys Cross Country team finished second in last week’s 10 team St. Croix Central Invitational Tournament. Prescott’ Tyler Loucks finished 8th and led the Cardinals to a second place finish. Ryan Zerneke also finished in the top 20. The Prescott girls finished the day in 3rd place and were led by Junior Ella Johnson who finished with a time of 22.15, good for an 8th place finish. Teammate Amanda Auleciems finished 11th and sophomore Alee Warp also turned in a top 20 finish for the Cardinals.

The Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association released its first set of ranking last week. Area schools mentioned include Bloomer in Division 2, Fall Creek, Grantsburg, and Colfax in Division 3, and Turtle Lake in Division 4. And when it comes to volleyball, the WIAA also sponsors a state tournament for the boys. There are 64 boys volleyball teams in the state, none within 200 miles of Prescott. Years ago Prescott High School fielded a boy’s volleyball team that advanced in the state tournament. That team was coached by Prescott Hall of Famer Dick Hoffman. Kaukauna is currently the #1 ranked team in the state Prescott Hall of Fame tickets can be purchased at Prescott High School, Croix Insurance, City Hall, and Ptacek’s IGA. Tickets for the induction ceremony can also be purchased at the Prescott School District website. Cost of the banquet and induction ceremony is $25.00.

Among the fastest growing sports in Wisconsin is Lacrosse. Currently unsanctioned by the WIAA, there are 61 boys and 37 girls Lacrosse teams around the state. The Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation sponsors a state tournament with Waunakee winning the 2021 championship by defeating Hudson. The University School of Milwaukee was crowned the girls state champion.

All 100 baseballs have been sold for this Saturday’s CAB Company helicopter drop at 4:00 pm at Firehall Field. Grand Prize is $2,000 and with six prizes of $500 waiting to be won this weekend.

The 2021 Wisconsin Hunting season gets into high gear this month with bow hunters and bird hunters heading to the great outdoors in pursuit of all kinds of game. In America’s Dairyland, youngsters 12 years of age can hunt if they have successfully completed an approved Hunter’s Safety Course. Around the country age limits for carrying a gun vary from state to state with the vast majority of states allowing youngsters aged 10-12 to hunt with some form of mandatory adult supervision. In the state of Texas a 9 year old can carry a gun and hunt unsupervised if they have passed a Hunter’s Safety Course. The same holds true for 10 year olds in Alaska and the state of Washington.

Headshaker of the week. I just can’t get used to it and I blame White Sox Catcher Carlton Fisk. When the Boston signal caller played with the Red Sox he wore #27. When he began playing with Chicago he reversed his number and wore #72. Yes, I understand I am of a different sports fan generation. But 72 is not a number that should be worn on a baseball field. It is a number for an NFL Lineman or a Hockey Referee. Today, players abound sport numbers in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Yes, I understand some teams face number availability dilemmas like the New York Yankees, whose retired numbers make access to traditional numbers problematic. For me, someone who wears #77 should be donning a helmet and shoulder pads, not a baseball glove or a rosin bag. For me, it’s just a bridge too far for this baseball reactionary. Baseball players wearing numbers above 59? It’s a headshaker.