The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds lake property owners to check their boat and trailers, and docks and lifts, for aquatic invasive species before storing them for the winter.

Okoboji began homecoming night with a bang, as quarterback Landon Duvall hit Jase Jostand in stride for a 66-yard touchdown on the game’s first play, but Clarion-Goldfield-Dows pounded the Pioneers for 450 rushing yards in a lopsided loss Friday, Oct. 8. The Cowboys crushed Okoboji 55-27 in Milford.

Spirit Lake’s football team put on a dominant display against Garner-Hayfield-Ventura in the final home game of the regular season Friday, Oct. 6. The sixth-ranked (2A) Indians crushed the Cardinals 62-6 in Spirit Lake.

Spirit Lake coach Josh Bolluyt said Friday night’s performance began with an excellent week of practice.

Harris-Lake Park secured a playoff berth and kept its quest for a third straight district championship alive with a dominant home win over North Iowa on Friday, Oct. 6. The Wolves battered the Bison 49-8 in Lake Park.

Okoboji’s volleyball team earned a Siouxland Conference home victory over Sibley-Ocheyedan on Thursday, Oct. 5. The Pioneers defeated the Generals 3-2 in Milford.

Sibley-Ocheyedan opened with a 2-0 lead after winning the first set 25-23 and taking a 25-22 win in the second. Okoboji stormed back, winning three straight sets by scores of 25-20, 27-25 and 15-11 to salt away the victory on homecoming week.

Spirit Lake checked plenty of boxes last week with a win over Garner-Hayfield-Ventura.

A spot in the playoffs? Check.

A share of back-to-back district titles? Check.

This week, the fifth-ranked Indians will look to take the Class 2A District 2 title outright with a win over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows. The Cowboys are coming off of a 55-27 win over Okoboji on homecoming night in Milford and are looking to shore up their playoff position.

After suffering a loss last week, Okoboji will need a lot of things to break its way to earn a spot in the Class 2A playoffs, but the Pioneers still have a chance heading into a Week 8 matchup with Forest City.

The Indians are also coming off of a loss — a 35-14 home loss to Estherville Lincoln Central — and would like to end the regular season on a high note.

Last week’s Wolves win over North Iowa set up this matchup for the 8-Player District 2 championship. If Harris-Lake Park wins, it will earn a share of a third consecutive district title. If Bishop-Garrigan wins, the Golden Bears will take the championship outright.

What more could you want for the final game of the regular season?

Harris-Lake Park is 2-0 against Bishop Garrigan, winning last year’s meeting 38-14 after a 19-2 win in 2021.

Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team went 0-3 at the Wolves’ home tournament held Saturday, Oct. 7. The Wolves fell 2-0 to Rock Valley, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Kingsley-Pierson in Lake Park.

“We played really well, but the teams we played had some excellent hitters that we couldn't stop,” Harris-Lake Park coach April Buss said. “They were determined to win and gave amazing effort for all of the games. They just didn't end the way we wanted.”

Spirit Lake’s volleyball team battled but, ultimately, suffered a 3-0 sweep at the hands of Lakes Conference rival Estherville Lincoln Central on Thursday, Oct. 5. The Midgets defeated the Indians 25-21, 26-24 and 25-19 in Spirit Lake.

Okoboji’s cross country teams competed at a meet hosted by George-Little Rock/Central Lyon on Thursday, Oct. 5. Both the boys and girls teams earned runner-up finishes behind Sioux Center. The Okoboji girls totaled 61 points and the boys totaled 34 at Otter Valley Golf Course in George.

Harris-Lake Park senior Landon Greve medaled at a meet hosted by George-Little Rock/Central Lyon on Thursday, Oct. 5. Greve placed 14th, finishing in 19 minutes, 23.09 seconds at Otter Valley Golf Course in George.

“Considering the windy conditions last night, Landon looked smooth and ran hard,” Harris-Lake Park coach Rebecca Matthiesen said.

Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team dropped a War Eagle Conference road match to Akron-Westfield on Thursday, Oct. 5. The Westerners swept the Wolves 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-11) in Akron.

Harris-Lake Park’s volleyball team dropped a War Eagle Conference home match to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The Wolves fell 3-0 (25-17, 25-8, 25-13) to the Hawks in Lake Park.

“We were really determined and ready to play,” Harris-Lake Park coach April Buss said. “Their serving gave us more problems than we anticipated. We battled all night and came back a few times but couldn't capitalize on some free balls.”

Okoboji’s volleyball team suffered a Siouxland Conference road loss to 15th-ranked (3A) MOC-Floyd Valley on Tuesday, Oct. 3. The Dutchmen swept the Pioneers (25-16, 25-16, 25-14) in Orange City.