Spirit Lake kept its perfect record intact with a convincing win over OABCIG Friday, Sept. 23. The fourth-ranked Indians put the rest of Class 2A on notice with a 28-13 win over third-ranked — and previously unbeaten — OABCIG in a game that was never really close.

Spirit Lake coach Josh Bolluyt said Friday night’s performance began with a great week of preparation.

Okoboji fell behind early and could never quite find its footing in a loss to Unity Christian on homecoming night in Milford. The Knights jumped out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead in a 42-6 win over the Pioneers on Friday, Sept. 23.

Have a game, Caleb Hemphill.

Harris-Lake Park’s junior back scored in all three phases to lead the Wolves to a 38-14 district road win over Bishop Garrigan on Friday, Sept. 23. Playing without injured starting quarterback Tyce Gunderson, Hemphill caught three touchdown passes from fellow junior Lucas Ahrenstorff, returned an interception for a touchdown and returned a kickoff for another score in a lopsided Wolves win in Algona.

Spirit Lake’s volleyball squad squared off with Worthington in a border battle on Thursday, Sept. 22. The Indians fell to their Minnesota counterparts 3-1 in Spirit Lake.

Spirit Lake dropped the first two sets 25-23 before winning 25-23 in the third. Worthington closed the contest with a 25-12 win in the fourth and final set.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the sixth installment of a weekly series previewing prep football in Dickinson County. The rankings are according to the Associated Press.

No. 3 Spirit Lake (5-0, 2-0) vs. ELC (3-2, 2-0)

Okoboji’s boys cross country team ran away — literally — with the team title at a meet hosted by Algona on Monday, Sept. 26. The Pioneers totaled just 51 points to win the meet — less than half of the number posted by runner-up Algona (106). The girls squad placed fifth overall.

Spirit Lake’s Brandon Hughes, Katelyn Krieger and Damon VandenBerg shined once again at a meet hosted by Algona on Monday, Sept. 26. Hughes and VandenBerg both medaled for the boys cross country team while Krieger medaled for the Spirit Lake girls.

“It was a huge meet with 20 teams and we had some very good performances again,” Spirit Lake coach Tim Heinitz said.

Okoboji’s volleyball team went 1-3 at a tournament hosted by Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Saturday, Sept. 24. The Pioneers defeated HMS in straight sets but fell 2-0 to both Rock Valley and No. 7 (1A) Gehlen Catholic and 2-1 to South O’Brien on the day.

Okoboji’s volleyball team suffered a straight set sweep at the hands of Siouxland Conference foe West Lyon on Thursday, Sept. 22. The Wildcats topped the Pioneers 25-11, 25-14 and 25-14 in Inwood.

Okoboji’s boys cross country team dominated the field at a meet hosted by Sioux Center on Thursday, Sept. 22. The Pioneers placed three runners in the top 10 and every runner on the boys varsity roster finished in under 18 minutes at the meet.

Okoboji’s boys totaled 53 points to win the team title over runner-up Lennox.

Harris-Lake Park simply couldn’t match the firepower that seventh-ranked (3A) Unity Christian put on the court Tuesday, Sept. 20. The Wolves fell to the Knights in straight sets in Lake Park.

“All in all, we played very well considering the team we were up against,” Harris-Lake Park coach April Buss said. “I was proud that the girls kept their heads up and kept fighting the whole game.”

Powerhouse Western Christian was just too much for Spirit Lake in a nonconference volleyball matchup held Tuesday, Sept. 20. The second-ranked (2A) Wolfpack swept the Indians in straight sets in Spirit Lake.

Each year, upland game hunters wait in anticipation for the data collected during the annual DNR August roadside counts. I know that I can hardly wait to pour over the document.

As I have done over the past several years, I am going to use the 2022 Iowa August Roadside Survey compiled by Todd Bogenschutz, Upland Wildlife Research Biologist and Hallie Uhlig, Upland Wildlife Seasonal employee.