SHOTS from the Hip

By Cripe Olson

Hats off the Prescott boys’ cross country team who took home top honors in the 11team Boyceville Invitational last week. A top 20 finish for Cardinal harriers Tyler Loucks, Ryan Zernecke, Mathew Lynnes, Breckin Schommer, and Eric Korfhage allowed Prescott to finish atop the podium with Elk Mound and Glenwood City finishing second and third respectively. Loucks was Prescott’s top runner finishing with a 5K time of 17.46._The Prescott girls finished in fourth place behind the performances of Ella Johnson, Amanda Aulceims, Alee Warp, Abby Overland and Nicole Lynnes. Three other Middle Border Conference schools participated in the event with the Prescott girls finishing above their conference rivals._ After eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive week, Prescott senior running back Aiden Russell is averaging 7.2 yards a carry for the Cardinals._ The Middle Border Conference football teams finished last Friday with a record of 43. Prescott will travel to Somerset this Friday to take on the Spartans._Somerset is coming off a 33-14 loss to New Richmond, who incidentally is coached by Reggie Larson, the son of Somerset Head Coach Bruce Larson._In the loss to the Tigers, Spartans backs Rory Hoff and Jack Casey each ran for over 100 yards._ From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: The 2021 Wisconsin hunting seasons are fast approaching with Canada goose, teal, and mourning dove seasons opening this week. The following week bear hunting opens in a few zones, and deer archery and crossbow season begins on Sept. 18._And for crow enthusiasts, the season for North America’s smartest bird begins on Sept. 18 and ends on Nov. 18._For those wanting to eat crow in 2022, season two begins Jan. 28 to March 20._ The Wisconsin Sports Network released its first set of football rankings and the Ellsworth Panthers are ranked #2 in Division 4. Head Coach Rob Heller’s Panthers have won 10 consecutive games._ Other area teams ranked in the top 10 include Cumberland at #3 in Division 5 and Boyceville at #6 in Division 6. La Crosse Aquinas, who Prescott will play the second week in October, is ranked #6 in Division 5.__ Amery, New Richmond, and St. Croix Central will all have new head boys basketball coaches this year. And for the girls, there will also be three new head coaches this season: Prescott, New Richmond, and Baldwin-Woodville._ The Prescott CAB Company Helicopter Drop will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 11 at Firehall Field._Top prize is $2,000 with six prizes worth $500._All proceeds will be used to maintain the baseball and softball facilities in Prescott._ The WIAA Baseball Advisory Committee will be meeting next week to discuss a myriad of issues._High school coaches and WIAA board members will examine the tournament seeding process, post season schedules, rule changes, and sportsmanship issues specifically connected to coach ejections and player dugout behavior._ A reminder that Prescott Hall of Fame tickets can be purchased at Croix Insurance, Prescott High School, City Hall, and on the Prescott School District website. The Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 9 in the Prescott High School Commons. This year’s inductees are Roy Finley, Char Magee and Nick Schommer._Cost of the banquet is $25.

Headshaker of the week:

This week the NFL season begins. You would think otherwise, checking out various forms of social media._Zealous fans galore inundate internet analysis of preseason football games with post game analysis and commentary one usually reserves for the regular season. Furthermore, who would have thought that preseason game parties would also become a thing. NFL preseason game analysis and pre game parties? _Both are headshakers.