PRESS & DAKOTAN ? PLAIN TALK FALL SPORTS 2015 ? PAGE 3 ‘14 Finish Drives Veteran Gazelles Soccer Squad Luken, who missed part of last season due to injury. “We gained a lot of experience last year,” said Yankton head coach Tyler EDITOR’S NOTE: This article origiSchuring. “We’re going to fill some nally ran in the Aug. 14 edition of the Girls’ Soccer (1-2) spots with other talented players.” 8/14 vs. Watertown L 1-6 Press & Dakotan. It has been updated to 8/18 vs. Brookings L 3-4 The Gazelles return their top two reflect the ongoing season. 8/21 at Mitchell W 4-1 scorers from a season ago, Benjamin 8/25 at S.F. Washington 8 p.m. 8/27 vs. O’Gorman 6 p.m. and junior Madason Tessier. A season ago the Yankton Gazelles 9/1 at Harrisburg 4 p.m. “Brianna Benjamin’s going to be big fell just short of making the post9/3 at S.F. Roosevelt 6 p.m. for us up top. Brianna and Madason season falling in what ended up being a 9/8 vs. Brandon Valley 4 p.m. 9/11 at Aberdeen Central 1 p.m. Tessier, our leading scorers from last win-or-go-home match against Pierre in 9/15 vs. Pierre 3:30 p.m. year, are both back,” Schuring said. the regular season finale. 9/22 vs. S.F. Lincoln 4 p.m. “We’ve got Sophie Bisgard back. BritWith that setback driving them, the 9/24 at Huron 3 p.m. 9/29 Playoffs First Round tany Bradwisch is back out this year. Gazelles have worked to prepare for 10/3 Playoffs Quarter?nals Erin Luken came back from injury, so the 2015 season, which began Aug. 14 10/6 Playoffs Semi?nals she’s going to help us in those offenat home against Watertown. 10/10 State Final at Mitchell sive positions.” “It’s motivated us a lot, having that Many of the Gazelles’ graduation heartbreak at the end of last season,” ADMIT ONE losses were on defense, meaning said senior striker Brianna Benjamin. Schuring will lean heavily on senior “We’ve all stepped up a lot.” Amanda Gravholt. While the Gazelles took some “Amanda Gravholt, she’s just a block back there. graduation hits, they return six seniors and 10 juniors, She’s going to have to be our defensive leader,” he many of which saw plenty of time on the field due to some key injuries. Yankton also returns senior Erin BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK YANKTON James.cimburek@yankton.net YHS SOCCER | PAGE 4 Haley Schild • Yankton Soccer: Young Bucks Look To Build On 2014 Success BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK James.cimburek@yankton.net EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally ran in the Aug. 14 edition of the Press & Dakotan. It has been updated to reflect the ongoing season. A year ago, a veteran Yankton boys’ soccer team made an undefeated run through the Eastern South Dakota Conference before falling in the state semifinals. This year a younger team will try to build on that success. Yankton boasts just three seniors as it began the 2015 season Aug. 14 at home against Watertown. “This year is going to be a little different from last year,” said Yankton head coach Warren Brenner. “This year is going to be year of change.” Yankton will start the season with just 12 players who will be considered just varsity players, as well as four who will play both varsity and JV. While this year’s squad does not have the depth of the 2014 team, they have plenty of talent. er Treyson Slate. “We really try to play a simpler, small-sided YANKTON style of play, not resort to anything that’s long balls over the top. It’s a smoother-looking Boys’ Soccer (1-2) style.” 8/14 vs. Watertown L 1-2 Brenner expects to start 8/18 vs. Brookings L 2-4 8/21 at Mitchell W 6-0 juniors Cole Lewno and Gabe 8/25 at S.F. Washington 8 p.m. Wenzlaff at strikers. Senior 8/27 vs. O’Gorman 4 p.m. Chase Huber, juniors Treyson 9/1 at Harrisburg 6 p.m. 9/3 at S.F. Roosevelt 8 p.m. Slate and Isaac Schulz, and 9/8 vs. Brandon Valley 6 p.m. sophomores Jack Wolfgram 9/11 at Aberdeen Central 3 p.m. and Evan Dvorak will anchor 9/15 vs. Pierre 5:30 p.m. 9/22 vs. S.F. Lincoln 6 p.m. the midfield. Seniors Jared 9/24 at Huron 5 p.m. Rafferty and Cody Perakslis, 9/29 Playoffs First Round and sophomore Cooper Kuchta 10/3 Playoffs Quarter?nals 10/6 Playoffs Semi?nals will start on defense, with 10/10 State Final at Mitchell sophomore Trevor Rafferty manning the goal. “There will be some big ADMIT ONE shoes to fill. We lost some quality players,” Brenner said. “But “What I see from the playwhat we’ve got back is a lot of ers that are playing varsity is talent, dedication and commitquality,” Brenner said. “Those ment. They’re putting in the 12 players can all step up and extra effort in order to be a play well and play together.” very competitive team.” Treyson Slate (16 in white) • Yankton One major change from a While the Bucks are young, season ago will be in strategy. their expectations have not Last year’s team won games Brenner said. “This year we’re has been placed on short, changed. by shutting down opposing of- going to be offensive-heavy. We sharp passing. “Our first goal is to win fenses. This year’s team is built hope our midfield to produce a “We’ve been pinpointing state,” Huber said. “To do that, on outscoring opponents. lot of shots and allow our strik- on possession, keeping the we need to stay focused, stay “Normally we’ve been a de- ers to be more open.” ball, because if the other team positive all the time.” fensive attacking team. We atIn order to better utilize doesn’t have the ball they can’t Jared Rafferty echoed that, tack out of the backfield quite a their talent, much emphasis hurt you,” said junior midfield- noting that the semifinal loss bit, and we defend really well,” to Sioux Falls Lincoln helped push the team through offseason training. “We had a really good season last year, but we also got so close to a state championship. It got away from us toward the end,” he said. “It hurt a lot of guys, and it made everybody work harder this off-season, that’s for sure.” An aggressive offensive mindset – and the talent to execute it – should make for some exciting action this season, Brenner noted. “Spectators are really going to enjoy watching this team play,” he said. “They should put on a very good show.” The Bucks have a 12-game regular season schedule, facing all eight of the other ESD schools, as well as all four Sioux Falls Class AA programs. Twelve teams will qualify for the post-season, which begins on Sept. 29 and concludes with the state finals on Oct. 10 in Mitchell. Through three matches, Yankton is 1-2 overall and in ESD play. Follow @JCimburek on Twitter. Young Yankton Boys’ Golf Squad Set For Season BY JEREMY HOECK YANKTON jeremy.hoeck@yankton.net EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally ran in the Aug. 17 edition of the Press & Dakotan. It has been updated to reflect the ongoing season. A new wave of golfers will hit the tee box this season for the Yankton Bucks. Having graduated a large group that led Yankton to a fourth-place finish at the conference meet and a fifth-place finish at the state tournament, the Bucks now turn to some new — and mostly young — faces this fall. “It’s a young team, but a team that when I look at it, shows some real promise,” said head coach Brett Sime, whose team opened the season earlier this week in Brandon. Just how young are the Bucks? Of the 17 golfers on the Bucks FROM PAGE 2 every game – a successful 2014 season should provide enough carryover to this fall, Savey said. “We have a lot tougher schedule this year, I feel like,” he said. “We have a lot of core guys back, so we think we can handle the schedule.” The Bucks will also welcome a group of newcomers, 8/17 8/25 8/28 9/1 9/3 9/11 9/12 9/17 Boys’ Golf Brandon Valley Tourn. ccd. at Brandon Valley 2 p.m. Huron Inv. 10 a.m. at Mitchell 2 p.m. at Lennox 2 p.m. Yankton Inv. (Hillcrest) 10 a.m. Brookings Inv. 8 a.m. vs. Sioux Falls Washington/ S.F. Lincoln (Fox Run) 2 p.m. 9/18 Mitchell Inv. 10:30 a.m. 9/26 ESD (Brookings) 9 a.m. 10/5-6 State AA (Rapid City) 9 a.m. ADMIT ONE roster, there are three seniors, three juniors, five freshmen, two 8th-graders and four 7thgraders. Put together, that means more than half the roster is barely out of middle school or still in middle school. “Are we going to compete at the level of the last few years? That’s yet to be seen,” who will all likely provide some help to both sides of the ball. And for newcomers, returners and new players to varsity, the experience of a pre-season 3-night stay at a team camp in Nebraska should translate to the field. “We’re all getting together after that team camp we had. We all got closer and closer,” Frick said. “I think that will help out a lot, because now we know we have each other’s backs.” Sime said. “That’s what we’re going to work for.” Senior Mason Sundleaf is the most seasoned player on the roster, with three state meet trips under his belt. Fellow senior Mat Jensen also returns with state tournament experience. They will be joined by A.J. Fernandez (Jr.) and Michael Frick (Fr.), while Chase Erickson, Chris Eilers (Sr.) and Jimmie Cunningham (7th) were battling for the last two spots for Monday’s opening lineup. “Mason has been playing really well early in the season, hopefully he’ll be a leader for us,” Sime said. “I’m looking for some senior leadership out of those guys because they’ve been there before.” Among the four seniors Yankton will look to replace are two college-bound golfers: Jace Guthmiller (Nebraska) and Mitch Schlingman (S.D. Mines). “It’s going to hurt losing the two seniors we did,” Sime said. “When you lose guys like that, it’s hard to fill those spots.” Not only on the scoreboard, FORDYCE, NE WYNOT, NE 402-357-3508 402-357-2324 HARTINGTON, NE 402-254-3983 FARMERS CO-OP ELEVATOR Avon, SD 119 N. Poplar St. Hours: 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Friday Locally Owned & Operated 102 N. Main, Avon, SD 286-3917 Fuel Service & Ranch Supply For All Your • Grain • Fertilizer • Feed • Chemical Needs AVON PIRATES 8/28 9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 Volleyball 8/27 9/1 9/3 at Scotland 7 p.m. at Tripp-Delmont-Armour (T) 7 p.m. vs. Gayville-Volin 7 p.m. at Corsica-Stickney (C) 7 p.m. vs. Colome 7 p.m. vs. Burke-South Central 7 p.m. at Marty 2 p.m. vs. Andes Central-Dakota Christian 7 p.m. at Bon Homme vs. Parkston 6:30 p.m. 6:15 p.m. vs. Andes Central-Dakota Christian 6:15 p.m. 9/8 at Tripp-Delmont-Armour (T) 6:30 p.m. 9/10 vs. Centerville 6:15 p.m. 9/15 vs. Wagner 6:15 p.m. 9/17 at Hanson 6:15 p.m. 9/19 Cavalier Clash (Tyndall) 8:30 a.m. 9/22 at Colome 6:30 p.m. 9/24 at Irene-Wakonda (W) 6:15 p.m. 9/29 vs. Scotland 6:15 p.m. 10/5 vs. Mitchell Christian 6:15 p.m. 10/6 at Burke-South Central (Bonesteel) 6:30 p.m. 10/8 at Bridgewater-Emery (E) 6:15 p.m. 10/15 at Freeman 6:15 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Volleyball 9/3 Wynot Quad 9/8 9/10 9/15 9/24 9/29 10/1 10/5 10/6 10/8 10/10 10/13 10/15 10/20 10/24-27 at Allen at Viborg-Hurley (V) vs. Hartington-Newcastle vs. Boyd County Ponca Inv. at Homer at Randolph at Emerson-Hubbard/vs. Walthill at Winside Wisner-Pilger Classic at Bloom?eld vs. Wausa at Osmond Lewis & Clark Conf. 2015 SEASON PASS • ADMIT ONE COMMUNITY BERNDT BANK FARM AVON, SD 286-3213 Member FDIC AVON, SD PH. 286-3297 Jim & Julie Jaeger and Chad Peters Football at Winside vs. Randolph at Humphrey St. Francis vs. Wausa at Emerson-Hubbard vs. Allen at Bancroft-Rosalie vs. Lyons-Decatur Northeast Member FDIC CROSBY-JAEGER Springfield, SD 604 8th St. 369-2488 WYNOT BLUE DEVILS 8/28 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/22 FUNERAL HOME INC. Wagner, SD 124 E. Hwy 50 384-3781 Mason Sundleaf • Yankton Follow @jhoeck on Twitter Football Follow @jhoeck on Twitter P.O. Box 326 115 Ohio St. Wakonda 267-2665 but on the leadership scale. To help give the younger golfers an early chance to play with veterans, Sime mixed up the foursomes — youth alongside experience — for pre-season qualifying rounds. “That way, those younger can see what it takes to get there,” Sime said. “If they have some questions while they’re out there, they’ve got those guys to ask.” That kind of mentorship should no doubt come in handy by the end of the season. The Eastern South Dakota Conference tournament will be held Sept. 26 in Brookings, while the S.D. State Class AA tournament will be Oct. 5-6 in Rapid City. “If we keep our goals reasonable, maybe the top half of the conference, you never know in golf what can happen,” Sime said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it goes our first time out at Brandon Valley.” EQUIPMENT Zetor Tractor • TYM Tractors And Repairs One mile west of Hwy 46 & 37 junction 286-3233 IRENE-WAKONDA EAGLES 10/19 10/20 10/23 10/26 vs. Ethan vs. Corsica-Stickney at Menno vs. Gayville-Volin Cross Country 8/29 9/9 9/16 9/19 9/21 9/26 9/30 10/8 Mitchell Inv. Freeman Academy Inv. Flyer Inv. (Freeman) Wagner Inv. Bon Homme Inv. Platte-Geddes Inv. Parker Inv. Ethan-Parkston Inv. 6:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 10 a.m. 3 p.m. 1 p.m. 9 a.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 2015 SEASON PASS • ADMIT ONE • FOLLOW YOUR TEAM AT WWW.YANKTON.NET Football 9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/16 10/22 (Home Games In Irene) at Viborg-Hurley (H) 7 p.m. vs. Parker 7 p.m. Mount Vernon-Plankinton Site TBD vs. Alcester-Hudsdon 7 p.m. at Centerville 7 p.m. at Garretson 7 p.m. vs. Chester 7 p.m. vs. Baltic 7 p.m. Cross Country 8/28 Beresford Inv. 10 a.m. 9/1 9/8 9/12 9/16 9/21 10/1 10/5 10/7 Dakota Valley Inv. 4:15 p.m. Scotland Inv. 4:15 p.m. Nike Heartland Preview (SF) 4 p.m. Flyer Inv. (Freeman) 1 p.m. Alcester-Hudson Inv. 4 p.m. Cougar Inv. (Burke) 2 p.m. Howard Inv. 3 p.m. TVC/Irene-Wakonda Inv. 3 p.m. Volleyball 8/27 8/29 9/1 (Home Matches at Wakonda) at Scotland vs. Parker vs. Freeman 6:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 9/8 9/10 9/15 9/17 9/22 9/24 9/28 10/1-3 10/6 10/8 10/10 10/13 10/15 10/20 10/26 vs. Beresford 5 p.m. vs. Bridgewater-Emery 6:15 p.m. at Freeman Academy 6:15 p.m. vs. Bon Homme 6:15 p.m. at Baltic 6:15 p.m. vs. Avon 6:15 p.m. vs. Canton 6:15 p.m. Tri-Valley Conf. TBA at Gayville-Volin 6:15 p.m. at Menno/vs. Gayville-Volin 6 p.m. Chester Classic TBA vs. Alcester-Hudson 6:15 p.m. vs. Centerville 6:15 p.m. at Viborg-Hurley (H) 6:15 p.m. at Marion 6:15 p.m. 2015 SEASON PASS • ADMIT ONE • FOLLOW YOUR TEAM AT WWW.YANKTON.NET