By Cyote Williams | Times Vedette
West Sioux’s record breaker
The ACGC football team plays in the quarterfinals for the third time in three seasons tonight, Friday, Nov. 7. Two seasons ago the Chargers ran into Madrid, falling 21-14. Last season, the team fell to eventual state champion, Tri-Center, 47-20. This time, ACGC goes up against West Sioux (9-1). Despite the fact the Chargers have not made it to the UNI dome during those three seasons, the teams that have won more overall games than them in the past three years is few and far between.
Speaking of West Sioux, a former Falcons WR name is in the record books. And, outside of wanting to see the Chargers get one step closer to a state championship, it gives me another reason to root against the Falcons. That seems like an odd thing to say, but I’ll give you my reasoning.
In 2019, West Sioux WR Kade Lynott had 342 receiving yards in a single game — and on only 12 catches. That is thoroughly impressive. Arguably, even more impressive. Lynott, and his QB that day, Hunter Dekkers (yes, that Hunter Dekkers), both went on to play at ISU at various times. (They are also cousins.) The record those two came together to break that day was set by a friend of mine, Logan Garrels. He and I were basketball teammates in middle school and high school. I just ran into him last weekend for the first time in years. He’s got a kid now. Am I getting old?
Garrels had 340 receiving yards against Hoover in 2014. He had 20 receptions that day (sixth most in a single game) from his QB, Will McElvain. Some might recognize his name, as he spent a few seasons as UNI’s starting QB.
I only just found out that Garrels’ record was broken thanks to an IA football video detailing Lynott’s incredible performance. He bested my friends record by two yards. Congrats to him, but it gives me another reason to root for ACGC tonight.
Winter sports are right around the corner
This week, I have been interviewing the head coaches of the winter sports teams across ACGC and Panorama. During my first interview, which was with Lane Rumelhart, ACGC’s wrestling coach, he said it felt strange that we were already talking about wrestling season while the football team still had least one more game to play.
I agree. Sure, early November typically means that winter is right around the corner. Thanksgiving is approaching, singling the start of the holiday season. And, in truth, I conduct these interviews a fair bit ahead of time so I have time to write the pieces. These teams are not even holding practices for another two weeks or so. But, nevertheless, winter sports for both ACGC and Panorama bring exciting times.
Last year, both boys wrestling programs tied or beat the school record for the most state qualifiers for a single season — six for ACGC and five for Panorama. The school’s coop for girls wrestling sent two athletes to the state tournament. A year after the Panorama girls basketball team dominated, reaching the state final, the girls managed an above .500 record despite losing their head coach and two of the best players in program history. Last season, the ACGC girls basketball team finished an incredible 22-2 and return all but one starter. ACGC boys basketball team also had an incredible campaign but lost the majority of its firepower. The Panorama boys will be looking to improve under its second year being led by Josh Beardsley. All in all, there will be a lot to watch, cover and root for in the coming months.
Reach out with comments, complaints, story ideas and more to cyote@dmcityview.com.