Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, September 27, 2012, Pages 1 & 7

Homecoming activities at Mount Ayr Community high school are in full swing this week, celebrating with the theme "Raider Games 2012."

Many of the traditional activities will be included such as tonight's supper, jersey auction, king and queen coronation, powder puff football game and skits.

Friday will include the parade,pep rally, Band Boosters cookout, football game and homecoming dance.

Events began Monday, Sept. 24, with the first of five dress updays. Monday was Toga Day, Tuesday was dress up day, Wednesday was training day with people encouraged to wear workout gear and today (Thursday) is fake an injury day with people to go all out with phony injuries. Friday will be spirit day with everyone encouraged to wear red, white and black to support the football team.

There will also be dress up days at the elementary school, sponsored by the elementary student council.

The high school student council is sponsoring a hall decorating contest during the week as well. Car window painting will be another homecoming week spirit activity.

Activities will continue today (Thursday) with a supper served by the Friends of Football at 5:30 p.m. in the high school commons. At 6:45 p.m. the football jersey auction will begin as activity moves into the high school gymnasium for the rest of the evening. Funds raised go to help the football program.

The queen coronation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Queen candidates include Hannah FLETCHALL, daughter of Jeff and Becky FLETCHALL of Mount Ayr; Caitlyn GILES, daughter of Scott and Tracey GILES of Mount Ayr; Madi HOSFIELD, daughter of Randy and Stephanie HOSFIELD of Mount Ayr; Maggie JENNETt, daughterof Steve and Chantelle JENNETT of Blockton; and April SHIELDS, daughter of Dave and Kim SHIELDS [Page 7] of Mount Ayr.

Following the queen coronation there will be a skit and the powderpuff football game between high school grades. The senior parents' skit will be followed by the king coronation.

King candidates include Levi MARTIN, son of Lee and Heather MARTIN of Mount Ayr; Braydee POORE, son of Clint and Pamella POORE of Mount Ayr; Zane SICKELS, son of Jeff and Amy SICKELS of Mount Ayr; Shane SWANK, son of Mike and Melinda SWANK of Benton, and Johnathan TRIGGS, son of Kevin and Kathy TRIGGS of Mount Ayr.

Prince and princess for the crowning ceremonies will be Brock SHAHA, son of Travis and Judi SHAHA of Mount Ayr; and Cortlynn HOLMES, daughter Travis and Cassie HOLMES of Kelleton.

Activities begin Friday with a pep rally for the elementary school with the band, cheerleaders and senior athletes.

The homecoming parade will be held at 1:30 p.m. The parade will organize one block north of the Pamida store on Fillmore Street and along Jefferson Street, come around the square and then head back to the school for the pep rally for the school and community, which will be held at the football field at 2:15 p.m.

As a new entry in this year's parade, the Mount Ayr Community FFA chapter is inviting all FFA alumni and their horses to join them in their "Ride for the Brand" entry. Participants are encouraged to brand their horses with "Go Raiders." Community entrants in the parade are asked to call the high school guidance office to make arrangements to participate.

School will be dismissed at 3:10 p.m. for the day.

A Mount Ayr Community Band Booster cookout will be held before the football game at 7 p.m. with Wayne. At halftime the Sparks drill team and the Mount Ayr Community high school marching band will be performing. The queen and court and parents will also be recognized as part of the halftime ceremonies.

Following the football game,a homecoming dance will be held in the high school commons with music by student council members serving as disc jockeys.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, September 20, 2012

Candidates have been named for homecoming royalty for the Mount Ayr Community school district when homecoming activities get underway Monday, Sept. 24.

  King candidates (left) include, from left: Shane SWANK, son of Mike and Melinda SWANK of Benton; Johnathan TRIGGS, son of Kevin and Kathy TrIGGS of Mount Ayr; Braydee POORE, son of Clint and Pamella POORE of Mount Ayr; Levi MARTIN, son of Lee and Heather MARTIN of Mount Ayr; and Zane SICKELS, son of Jeff and Amy SICKELS of Mount Ayr.

  Queen candidates (right) include, from left: Maggie JENNETT, daughter of Steve and Chantelle JENNETT of Blockton; Hannah FLETCHALL, daughter of Jeff and Becky FLETCHALL of Mount Ayr; Caitlyn GILES, daughter of Scott and Tracey GILES of Mount Ayr; Madi HOSFIELD, daughter of Randy and Stephanie HOSFIELD of Mount Ayr; and April SHIELDS, daughter of Dave and Kim SHIELDS of Mount Ayr.

  Prince and princess for the crowning ceremonies will be Brock SHAHA, son of Travis and Judi SHAHA of Mount Ayr, and Cortlynn HOLMES, daughter of Travis and Cassie HOLMES of Kellerton.

The kings and queens will be crowned during the activities at the school Thursday, Sept. 27.

The queen coronation will be held at 7:30 p.m., followed by a skit and powderpuff football game between high school grades and the senior parent's skit. After the kit, the king coronation will be held.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 04, 2012

Madison HOSFIELD was crowned queen and Zane SICKELS crowned king of the Mount Ayr Community high school homecoming activities this past week.

"Raider Games 2013" was the theme for the homecoming activities, which began with dress up days during the week and ended with the homecoming dance Friday night following the football victory over Van Meter.

Events began on Monday, Sept. 24, with the first of five dress up days. Monday was Toga Day in honor of the home of Greece, home of the Olympics. (School appropriate clothing was worn underneath.) Tuesday was dress up day in honor of the volleyball and cross country teams; Wednesday was training day with students encouraged to wear workout gear; Thursday was fake an injury day with people going all out with phony injuries. Friday was sprit day with people wearing red, white and black clothing in support of the football team.

Car window painting will be another homecoming week spirit activity.

Another spirit building event early in the week was the hall decoration contest, sponsored by the high school student council. Placings for this contest included first for the juniors, second for the freshmen, third for the sophomores and fourth for the seniors.

Following a meal served by the Friends of Football organization, the annual jersey auction held Thursday night beginning at 6:45 p.m. raised $3,690 for the high school football program. The highest bid for a single jersey was $200. The two commemorative 2013 jerseys went for $550 each.

In addition, a quilt in memory of June SMITH raised an additional $200. The quilt was donated by Stacey SHIELDS. Funds raised go to help the football program.

The queen coronation was then held where Madison HOSFIELD, daughter of Randy and Stephanie HOSFIELD of Mount Ayr, was crowned queen. Crowning the queen was last year's homecoming queen Claire ANDRESEN.

Following the queen coronation, the powder puff football teams played a game on the high school gymnasium floor. In some intense action, the team comprised of junior and sophomore girls defeated the senior/freshman team, 12-0.

The powder puff game was followed by the senior parents skit entitled Olympics 2063, which featured current Mount Ayr athletes as they might look 50 years in the future. One by one each sport team was called to the floor to show off its "athletic talents." One highlight of the skit was a tightly choreographed routine by the "oldie" drill team using walkers as props.

The evening was capped withthe coronation of Zane SICKELS, son of Jeff and Amy SICKELS of MountAyr, as homecoming king. Crowning the king was last year's homecoming king Alex SOBOTKA.

Prince and princess for the crowning ceremonies were Brock SHAHA, son of Travis and Judi SHAHA of Mount Ayr, and Cortlynn HOLMES, daughter of Travis and Cassie HOLMES of Kelleton.

Activities began Friday afternoon with the homecoming parade. Named as winners of the three divisions of the parade were: Class floats: 1. freshmen (Torch the Bulldogs); 2. juniors (He is Our Olympian - in honor of Konner Klommhaus); 3. sophomores (We're Faster, Higher, Stronger); 4. seniors.

Community: 1. Clearview Home and Estates; 2. US Bank; 3. tie between Great Western Bank and Lynn Rinehart.

The parade ended up back at the school football field for the pep rally for the school and community. The pep rally featured a pep talk by Raider co-head coach Derek LAMBERT, a performance by the Sparks drill team, and introduction of players and coaches.

A new highlight was a tug-of-war between male and female school faculty and staff. The ladies beat the out-numbered men in less than a minute.

At the end of the pep rally,members of the junior class released yellow and green balloons in honor of classmate Konner KLOMMHAS, who died in a traffic accident one year ago during homecoming week.

The Mount Ayr Community Band Booster cookout was held before the football game at 7 p.m.

At the high school football game halftime the Sparks drill team and the Mount Ayr Community high school marching band performed. The queen and court and parents were recognized also as a part of the halftime ceremonies.

Mount Ayr won the 2012 edition of homecoming football with a 25-13 victory over the visiting Van Meter Bulldogs on September 28.

"They have some outstanding athletes, and they definitely came to spoil our homecoming," said coach Derek LAMBERT. "We made some great plays on offense, but some critical miscues and penalties prevented us from turning our efforts into points."

"Our defense turned in another fine performance against a very good quarterback tonight," said coach Delwyn SHOWALTER. "The Bulldogs gave us a great test, and our defense rose to the challenge and shut them out in the second half."

The game did not start the way the Raiders and the large homecoming crowd would like as Mount Ayr found themselves looking at an early deficit. The Raiders forced the Bulldogs to punt on their first possession. The Raiders picked up a first down, but Van Meter's Tyger BOTTENFIELD intercepted a Jacob SOBOTKA pass near midfield and returned it 51 yards for the first score of the ball game.

Grant GORDON added the PAT and the Bulldogs led 7-0 with 9:17 left on the forst quarter clock.

Mount Ayr got good foeld position after the kickoff, starting their second possession at their own 43-yard line. Runs by Jacob SOBOTKA and Erik FREED moved the ball into Bulldog territory at the 38-yard line.

SOBOTKA then took to the air, completing passes to Cody STACKHOUSE and Braydee POORE and getting another first down at the Van Meter 24.

Braydee POORE ran an out-and up-route and gathered in SOBOTKA'S pass for the first touchdown of the night for the Raiders. Casey PAXSON added the PAT and the game was tied with just over six minutes left in the first quarter.

Van Meter started moving toward the go-ahead touchdown on their next drive. Brandon BRITTAIN completed a pass to Ben FLAHERTY for 21 yards and then executed a screen pass to Cody BLACKWELL for 30 more to give the Bulldogs a firstdown at the Raider 23.

Jacob SOBOTKA knocked the ball loose and Johnathan TRIGGS fell on the ball, stopping Van Meter at that point.

Penalties hurt the Raiders, and they had to punt the ball back to the Bulldogs as the first quarter ended all tied at 7-7.

Van Meter again began moving the ball through the air. BRITTAIN connected with FLAHERTY and BOTTENFIELD as the Bulldogs moved into the red zone. Mount Ayr again dodged a bullet as Lincoln MARTIN recovered a fumble at the Raider 10.

The Raiders then began a 10-play, 88-yard scoring drive. Erik FREED accounted for 54 yards on four carries and Jacob SOBOTKA had 27 yards on three carries in the drive. Jacob scored the touchdown from 14 yards away with 6:25 left in the second quarter. The PAT was no good, and the score remained 13-7.

The Bulldogs countered on their next possession. The big play in the 71-yard drive was a 45-yard pass from BRITTAIN to Jeremy HELMICK to give the Bulldogs a first down at the Raider six-yard line. Two plays later BRITTAIN scored the tying touchdown from the four-yard line. The PAT was missed twice to keep the score at 13-13 with 3:10 left in the first half.

After Mount Ayr failed to move the ball and Van Meter chose to run out the clock, and the teams went to their locker rooms for the halftime.

The Raiders received the second half kick-off, and Jacob SOBOTKA raced 66 yards to pay dirt onMount Ayr's first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. A bad snap prevented the Raiders from adding the PAT, keeping the margin at six points, 19-13.

Van Meter got one forst down and then punted the ball back to Mount Ayr. Mount Ayr began to move the ball well on the ground again. Riley WEEHLER got things started with a 12-yard burst and SOBOTKA, FREED, and Cody STACKHOUSE all had good runs as Mount Ayr got their fourth first down of the drive. At the Van Meter 20-yard line, Erik FREED took a short pass inside the 10 for another forst downat the Bulldog nine. The Raiders self-destructed as they fumbled, threw an incomplete pass and got sacked on fourth down to give the ball back to Van Meter on downs at the 13-yard line.

The Raider defense forced the Bulldogs to punt the ball back to the Raiders. Mount Ayr had great field position, but the Van Meter defense held.

Braydee POORE punted the ball back to the visitors. BOTTENFIELD lost the handle on the ball, and Zane SICKELS recovered for Mount Ayr at the Bulldog 30-yard line. Penalties again set the Raiders back.

Mount Ayr faced a third-and-15 situation as the third quarter came to a close with Mount Ayr clinging to a 19-13 lead.

Erik FREED made an outstanding grab over middle as he was able to hang on despite being hit hard by two defenders giving the Raiders a first down just out side the 10-yard line.

Jacob SOBOTKA carried it the final 10 yards for the fourth Raider touchdown with 11:27 left in the game. The PAT pass was no good, leaving the margin at 12 points, 25-13.

Penalties forced the Raiders to kickoff from their 25 to allow the Bulldogs to set up shop near the 50-yard line. Zane SICKELS came up with a big sack, but the Bulldogs completed a pass and Mount Ayr was penalized for a face mask to move the ball back into Raider territory.

Brandon BRITTAIN scrambled for another first down at the Raider 28-yard line. Noah LARSEN broke up a fourth down pass, and the Mount Ayr squad had the ball back again.

A motivated Raider offense started to move the ball down the field. Erik FREED reeled off a 13-yard gain, and later Zane SICKELS got a great block from Braydee POORE and rumbled to the Bulldog 32 for another first down.

Jacob SOBOTKA got the Raiders a first down at the Van Meter 15, but a holding penalty on the next run moved the ball back to the 22. Jacob SOBOTKA completed a pass to Braydee POORE, but the ball popped loose and rolled into the end zone where the Bulldogs recovered for a touchback.

Van Meter went to the air as time was running out in the final period. Lincoln MARTIN intercepted BRITTAIN'S pass, giving the Raiders the ball back at their own 34. Mount Ayr fumbled the ball back on their second play with senior Max BAUMAN falling on the ball at the 48-yard line.

The Raider defense forced BRITTAIN to hurry a throw and Zane SICKELS intercepted the ball.

The Raiders were then able to run out the clock and preserve a hard-fought homecoming win.

Jacob SOBOTKA and Erik FREED both rushed for over 100 yards on Friday. Jacob had 162 yards and Erik had 102 on 10 carries.

Cody STACKHOUSE had 37 yards, Zane SICKELS garnered 28, Riley WEEHLER 22, and Lincoln MARTIN two.

Jacob SOBOTKA was 12-18 passing with one interception and 117 yards.

Erik FREED caught four balls for 56 yards, Braydee had three catches for 44 yards, Zane SICKELS one catch for 13 yards, Cody STACKHOUSE one reception for six-yards, Dylan DOMAN two for one-yard, and Lincoln MARTIN one catch for a negative three yards.

Mason MERCER, Cody STACKHOUSE, Zane SICKELS, and Jacob SOBOTKA each recorded a sack on Friday.

Cody STACKHOUSE had a team-leading 11 tackles, Jacob SOBOTKA added nine, Mason MERCER seven, Shane SWANK six, Riley WEEHLER six, Joe RICKER six, Zane SICKELS five, Levi MARTIN four, Johnathan TRIGGS three, Braydee POORE three, Lincoln MARTIN two, Caleb SCHNOOR two, Noah LARSEN one, Quency VOS one, Zach VANDERFLUGHT one, Grant STAATS one and Erik FREED one.

Mount Ayr is still unbeaten this year.

The successful homecoming week drew an end with a Raider victory over Van Meter as the coaches met at midfield to shake hands. The Mount Ayr Community Raiders won the football game 25-13 over the Van Meter Bulldogs, who had entered the evening undefeated.

Mount Ayr stands alone at the top of the District 7 standings with a perfect 3-0 record, 6-0 overall. Van Meter slipped to second and Ogden moved up to third with their win over Pella Christian.

Following the football game, a homecoming dance was held in the high school commons with music by student council members serving as disc jockeys.

Photographs courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012