Drake controls its own destiny as the Bulldogs start the stretch run at home on Saturday against Marist. Drake is coming off a bye week and is 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the Pioneer Football League race.

That’s Drake coach Todd Stepsis who does not feel his team will get caught looking ahead to next week’s first place showdown at St. Thomas of Minnesota, especially after escaping a Marist upset bid in New York last season 10-3.

Stepsis hopes championship experience helps his team the final month. Drake has won 15 straight PFL games dating back to 2022.

With rain in the forecast Stepsis says the Bulldogs will practice with wet footballs this week as well as review their game operations.

Stepsis says the weather may force the Bulldogs to adjust their game plan.

…………

For the second time in three years the Riverside Bulldogs are heading to Coralville for the Iowa High School Volleyball State Championship Tournament at Xtreme Arena. Two teams came in with aspirations to make it to the state tournament, but it was Bulldogs that came through with a convincing 3-0 victory over the Akron-Westfield Westerners. Although sets one and three were close, it was a comeback from Riverside in set one that swung the momentum in the Bulldogs favor. A swing they would not relinquish for the rest of the night.

For as a dynamic team performance as it was for Riverside, set one did not start the way they wanted it. The senior experience of Akron-Westfield shone early as the young guns for the Bulldogs looked a little rattled. However, down 9-3 Head Coach Brooke Father’s called a timeout that helped settle down the bulldogs. After the timeout, Riverside flipped the switch and controlled play the rest of the set with help from Sophia Taylor who had 9 kills in the match. Once Riverside took the lead, they did not relinquish it taking set one 25-19.

Carrying over the momentum from their set one victory, the Bulldogs got off to a great start and dominated set two. Riverside went a 13-0 run to start the set. This was in large part due to the excellent service from Elly Henderson who had 5 aces in the match. Although the Westerners tried to quell the onslaught, the Bulldogs were relentless as Riverside took set two 25-9.

With their season on the line Akron-Westfield started to throw everything they had left at the Bulldogs. It seemed to work as the Westerners got ahead early building a modest lead. However, the story would end similarly to set one. Once Riverside got rolling Akron-Westfield couldn’t find an answer. Although the Westerners battled back late it was too little too late. In a fitting fashion Bentley Rone set up Henderson for the final kill as the Bulldogs took the set 25-19 to secure their spot in Coralville.

It was a truly team effort from the Bulldogs. No one player had more than 10 kills. In addition to Taylor, Henderson and Sydney Somers also had 9 kills while Rone factored in with 19 assists and 8 kills. Ashley Kelley was also a great distributor with 15 assists.

In a match that was largely controlled by Riverside, it was their ability to stay calm that flipped the script as Flathers commented on her team’s ability to battle back.

Flather was happy with the way her team used their energy and confidence to propel their big run.

The importance of effective serving is key in big game and it’s something that Flathers and her team put an emphasis on.

Flathers on the fitting ending to the match and the support her team received on Wednesday.

Riverside was in the same situation last season but were unable to pull it out. However, the emotions were at an all-time high this time around.

Riverside is scheduled to play their first match of the state tournament in Coralville on Tuesday.

Class 2A:

Region 1:

Denver 3, South Central Calhoun 0

Region 2:

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 3, Tri-Center 1

Region 3:

Beckman-Catholic 3,  West Burlington 0

Region 4: 

Dike-New Hartford 3, Wapsie Valley 0

Region 5:

Applington-Parkersburg 3, Sumner-Fredericksburg 0

Region 6:

South Hardin 3, Grundy Center 0

Region 7:

Boyden-Hull  3, Hinton 2

Region 8:

Iowa City 3, Pella 1

Class 1A 

Region 1:

Ankeny Christian 3, Southeast Warren 0

Region 2:

Holy Trinity Catholic 3, Calamus Wheatland 0

Region 3:

Saint Ansgar 3, North Iowa 0

Region 4: 

Riverside 3, Akron Westfield, 0

Region 5:

BCLUW 3, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 1

Region 6:

Janesville 3, Southwest Valley 0

Region 7:

North Tama 3, River Valley 1

Region 8: 

Don Bosco 3, Sidney 2

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Iowa State sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.

Momcilovic is one of five Big 12 players on the 20-member watch list.

In his rookie campaign, Momcilovic tied a school record for most starts and appearances in a season by starting all 37 games. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from downtown. Momcilovic was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, while also picking up Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team honors after helping the Cyclones to their fifth tournament championship in the last 10 seasons. Momcilovic hit four 3-pointers and scored 18 points in ISU’s 69-41 victory over No. 1 Houston in the Big 12 Championship game and followed that with 19 points on three 3-pointers against South Dakota State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Julius Erving Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.

The winner of the 2025 Erving Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center). Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey is also on the Bob Cousy Award Watch List.

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Award are Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (2024), Jalen Wilson, Kansas (2023), Wendell Moore Jr., Duke (2022), Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (2021), Saddiq Bey, Villanova (2020), Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (2019), Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016), and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior forward Payton Sandfort has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List, the announcement was made Wednesday by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

It is the second straight year Sandfort has been named to the preseason watch list for an award that recognizes the best small forwards in men’s college basketball.

He is one of four Big Ten players on the watch list along with Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako, Michigan State’s Frankie Fidler and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey. The list will be fluid throughout the season as players will have the ability to play themselves on and off the list.

Fans are encouraged to participate in fan voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds. In early February, the list will be narrowed down to 10 players, and it will be trimmed to five in March. The award recipient will be announced at the Final Four in San Antonio.

Leading into the 2024-25 season, Sandfort has also been named to the preseason All-Big Ten team by the league office and Blue Ribbon. He has been tabbed as one of the best seniors and sharp shooters in college basketball by Andy Katz on NCAA.com and is rated as the 47th-best player in the nation by ESPN.com.

The 6-foot-8, 215 pound forward put up career-best numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent from distance and 91.1 percent from the free throw stripe. He ranked second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, third in 3-point percentage, eighth in scoring, 12th in field goal percentage and 13th in rebounding en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors.

The Waukee, Iowa, native scored in double figures in 27 games and posted a team-best 11 20-point contests, including a career-best 30-point, 12-rebound outing in Iowa’s NIT First Round win over Kansas State. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers in the victory.

During the season, Sandfort was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, leading the league with 94 3-point field goals. He made two or more 3s in 27 games, three or more in 17 games and four or more 12 times. The 94 makes ranked in the top 40 nationally.

Sandfort, who became just the second Big Ten Player since 1992-92 to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals, made Iowa history during a Feb. 27 victory over Penn State. He recorded the first triple-double in program history, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in the game.

The Hawkeyes open the regular season Nov. 4, hosting Texas A&M Commerce as part of the Kenny Arnold Classic at 7 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be streamed live on B1G+.

Brendan Sullivan gets his first start at quarterback for Iowa Saturday night at home when the Hawkeyes host Wisconsin. Sullivan replaced the injured Cade McNamara in the second quarter against Northwestern and sparked the Hawkeyes to a 40-14 win.

Sullivan’s ability to run is an added weapon for the Hawkeyes, whether it is designed runs or pulling the ball down out of the pocket.

The Badger defense has been a tough one to solve for the Iowa offense in recent years and Sullivan says this will be no different.

Sullivan transferred from Northwestern and made his first appearance for the Wildcats two years ago in a 42-7 loss to Wisconsin. Hawkeye receiver Jacob Gill also transferred from Northwestern and says Sullivan is ready for the challenge.

Sullivan had mainly been used in short yardage and goal line situations and center Logan Jones feels he is ready to take the reigns of the offense.

Jones says Sullivan’s mobility gives the offense an added dimension.

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht says the Cyclones are ready for the stretch run. The 11th ranked Cyclones host Texas Tech Saturday afternoon and with a victory will be 8-0 for the first time in program history.

The Cyclones are coming off their second and final bye week after rallying for a last second win over Central Florida.

In back-to-back losses to Baylor and TCU the Texas Tech defense has been shredded for 94 points and 618 yards of passing but Becht says the Red Raiders have talent on defense.

Becht expects the Texas Tech defense to make adjustments.

ROSWELL, Ga. – Iowa State junior point guard Tamin Lipsey has been named to the 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club/Naismith Awards announced on Wednesday.

Lipsey is one of 12 players from the Big 12 named to the 50-member watch list. Earlier this week, Lipsey was named to the 20-person Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watch List.

A returning AP Honorable Mention All-American, Lipsey was a finalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year, the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year and the Lute Olson National Player of the Year awards last season.

Lipsey also got it done in the classroom, being named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team. He was also selected to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team after leading the Cyclones to their sixth Big 12 Championship. He was also named an NABC First Team All-District selection, named to the All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team last season.

Lipsey averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals in his sophomore campaign. He was one of 17 players in the country, and the first in Big 12 history, to average those numbers since 1996-97. Lipsey had a school-record steal streak of 34-straight games snapped this season. It was the second longest streak in the country. He has a steal in 66 of the 69 games he has played.

After a thrilling 67-64 win over the GTRA Titans the CAM Cougars Football Team is on the road again as travel to face the Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks in their second-round matchup this Friday. After dropping their opening game of the season, the Cougars have won seven of their last eight games and feel like they have something to prove. In a game that could’ve gone either way, Head Coach Barry Bower was happy with his team’s mentality last week.

Last week against GTRA there were a combined 18 touchdowns with neither team being able to take control of the game until a game-winning field goal from Kegan Croghan put the Cougars on top with two seconds left. Over the years Bower says there have been numerous exciting games, but this game was up there.

This week will be another tough challenge for CAM. They will take on a Remsen St. Mary’s team that has not lost a regular season game in the last three years. The Hawks were also state champions just two years ago. Despite this Bower is confident in his own team’s experience under the bright lights.

Remsen St. Mary’s brings a very experienced roster to the table. Offensively they are led by quarterback Landon Waldschmidt who like Paulsen has rushed for more than 20 touchdowns. Bower knows that the Hawks will be a tough opponent.

Although CAM is used to putting numbers on the scoreboard, the Remsen St. Mary’s defense will be challenge. Through nine games the Hawks defense has allowed just 8.4 points per game and are led by senior Braxton Kneip who has 46 total tackles. Bower says that finding the open space will be key.

Regardless of the challenge this CAM team is not phased. Their experience and attitude have helped them win ball games and after going the distance not along ago, they now feel like they are the ones with something to prove. Despite the bright lights, the Cougars are coming at this game with a just another game mentality.

Kickoff at Remsen St. Mary’s is schedule for 7 pm.

The Remsen St. Mary’s Football is back in the second round for the second consecutive year. Just two years ago, the Hawks were crowned state champions and are looking to return to the big stage. However, the CAM Cougars now stand in the Hawks’ way as CAM will make the trip to Remsen looking for another road playoff win. Remsen St. Mary’s is coming off their third consecutive undefeated regular season. They remained in the win column after defeating West Bend-Mallard 42-8 last week and head coach Tim Osterman was proud of how his team adjusted in the second half.

One of the things that makes this Remsen St. Mary’s team special is their seniors. The Hawks have 10 seniors on their roster that provide leadership and experience.  Although experience isn’t everything, it can make a difference. Osterman says that the experience mixed with their ability has been a big part of their success.

As good as Remsen St. Mary’s offense is, their defense has been a challenge for any team. Through nine games, the Hawks have allowed 12 points or less in eight of them. The only bump was a 46-30 win over Woodbine. They are led by senior Braxton Kneip, who has 46 total tackles and 4 tackles for loss. One word came to mind for Osterman when talking about the defense: Pride.

CAM will not be an easy out for the Hawks. The Cougars are led by quarterback Makade Paulsen who has rushed for over 1300 yards and has thrown for nearly 1,000. He factored in on all nine touchdowns last week in CAM’s victory over a good GTRA team. Osterman’s knows that pressuring him could help out his defense.

Kickoff from Remsen is at 7 pm.