Mid America Live

Local Sports Roundup

By Cameron Hook

Are you keeping up with local high school sports? If so, glad to hear it, if not strap in and get ready. It is time for your weekly dose of sports for Butler and the surrounding area. That is right it is this week’s edition of the Sports Round-Up.

For the inaugural week of the Sports Round-Up, we will be keeping the focus on varsity football. Last week was a clinic in offense, as we witnessed a lot of points scored on Friday evening. To start off, your hometown Butler Bears traveled to El Dorado Springs and left with a 28-0 win over the Bulldogs. With this win the Bears advance to 8-0. Will they finish the regular season undefeated or will Lone Jack pull off the upset on the road this week? Only time will tell, but on the topic of undefeated teams, the Drexel Bobcats continue on their victory march.

Coach Dean and the Bobcats took the bus down to Jasper last week resulting in a cool 59-6 win for the #1 ranked 8-man team in the state. Leading the way was Junior signal caller Jacob Coffey who threw for 3 touchdowns and rushed for 3 more. This Drexel team has fully cemented themselves as the team to beat in Missouri 8-man football, and they are showing no signs of slowing down. This week the Bobcats travel to Concordia to try to continue their dominant season.

Speaking of hot 8-man teams, the Archie Whirlwinds left a path of destruction as they made their way through Lockwood Friday evening. The Tigers had no answer as the Whirlwinds started the game with 22 points in the first quarter. As the game continued on, the story did not change. Archie finished that one out with a win and final score of 61-26. The Whirlwinds move on to 7-1 on the year, their only loss being to the previously mentioned Bobcats. This Archie squad is ranked 7th in all of Missouri 8-man and it probably goes without saying that they have to be eager to get another shot at Drexel again, because this team is red hot at the moment.

Moving on to another local team, the Adrian Blackhawks came away with a victory against the Cass Midway Vikings. Adrian toppled the Vikings at home last week in a very impressive 41-12 showing. This puts Adrian at 6-2 this season, and in a good spot to compete with Wellington-Napoleon for the number one spot in the district. If Adrian can pull off the win on the road this week against Wellington-Napoleon, it will unseat the Tigers at the top of the food chain and put the Blackhawks in first place which could prove incredibly beneficial for playoff football.

Now let us shift our gaze west, across the border to the Prairie View Buffaloes who fell victim to the Frontenac Raiders. Despite defeat, let it be said the Buffaloes did not go down without a fight. In fact, they were able to put together quite an impressive highlight reel with two interceptions and a few big plays for large chunks of yardage. Both teams are very talented, but ultimately it was the home team that came away with victory in this bout, 26-12. After this Frontenac now sits at 6-1 and Prairie View at 5-2.

Back in the world of Missouri 8-man football, the Liberal Bulldogs hosted the Appleton City Bulldogs on Friday night. This game was the outlier in this week’s selection of games. There was no offensive showcase here, as this game was a defensive slugfest. Which came as a nice surprise as Appleton City and Liberal came into this matchup giving up an average of 49.8 and 41.8 points per game, respectively. Liberal not only gives up less points per game, they also came into this game averaging almost twice as many points scored per game than Appleton City. You know what they say, the numbers do not lie, and that proved true in this one. Liberal held down the fort at home, winning 16-8.

Finally, to finish off the Round Up this week, the Rich Hill Tigers and the Osceola Indians. These two teams took to the field in Rich Hill last week, one left victorious and the other left with a disappointing road loss. This matchup yielded the same results as the last time these two teams squared off. That last time being the 2019 playoffs in which Rich Hill barely squeaked by Osceola 30-28. This time was a little different though as Head Coach Brandon Liggins and the Tigers won this one by a much bigger margin. Instead of a two point game, this ended as a two possession game. The final in Rich Hill, 40-26. The Tigers finish the season off this Friday against Liberal at home.

The last thing on the agenda for this week is the game of the week. The Sports Round Up game of the week is going to have to go to Adrian at Wellington-Napoleon. This one has all the makings of a good game, and is one you do not want to miss.

Congratulations Ballard R-2 School District teacher Mrs. Sarah Russell

The Missouri Nu chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, a local teacher sorority, awarded their annual classroom grant to Mrs. Sarah Russell, Social Studies teacher at the Ballard R-II School District.

Mrs. Russell received a check for $300.00 to purchase much needed supplies for her classroom.

Representing the Missouri Nu chapter of ADK and presenting the award is Dr. Calee McElwain, fellow teacher at the Ballard R-II School District. Congratulations to Mrs. Russell on her award.

Inmate arrested for murder after assault in the Crawford County Jail

KBI agents are investigating the death of a 20-year-old inmate who was assaulted by another inmate while in custody at the Crawford County Jail.

By statute, the KBI investigates all in-custody deaths which occur in Kansas jails and prisons unless the inmate who dies is being regularly attended by a physician, or the death is ruled natural by autopsy. The Crawford County, Kansas Sheriff's Office asked the KBI to investigate on Saturday, Oct. 16, at approximately 2 p.m.

Preliminary information indicates that at around 1:15 p.m. on Oct. 16, corrections officers at the Jail were called to an injured inmate. When they arrived at the jail pod, a common area accessible to several inmates, they located Dante M. Martinez, 20, of Pittsburg. Martinez was suffering from severe injuries. EMS responded and provided medical aid. They transported Martinez to Girard Medical Center.

Following a review of video surveillance from the incident area, it was determined that 25-year-old Gavin P. Wood, of Arma, had attacked Martinez causing his injuries.

Martinez was later transported to Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. On Oct. 16, at 8:54 p.m. he was pronounced deceased from his injuries. An autopsy has been scheduled.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Wood was charged with second-degree murder, and arrested on the new charge.

This investigation is ongoing.

Lord's Acre Dinner October 25th

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Arrests made in El Dorado Springs murder

On September 17, 2021, officers responded to 215 West Hightower concerning a check the well being. Upon arrival officers located Johnnie D. Billings, 56, of El Dorado Springs, deceased inside the home.The investigation revealed the theft of a black 2006 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycle. Investigators of the Missouri State Highway Patrol are assisting in the investigation.

On September 18, 2021, officers recovered the motorcycle in rural El Dorado Springs with the assistance of concerned citizens. On October 14, investigators arrested Andrew Vessey for the probable cause of Murder 2nd Degree. He was transported to the Cedar County Jail. Officers completed probable cause statements concerning this investigation.

On October 15, 2021, officers received Cedar County Warrants for Alexander J. Masters, 22, and Andrew G. Vessey, 34, of El Dorado Springs, charging them with Murder 2nd Degree, Burglary 1st Degree, and Armed Criminal Action with a $500,000.00 bond. Masters and Vessey are being held at the Cedar County Jail pending bond and court appearances.

RELEASED BY:
JARROD D. SCHIERECK
Chief of Police of El Dorado Springs

Adrian Optimist Club is pleased to honor Students of the Month from the Miami, Ballard, and Adrian schools

The Adrian Optimist Club is pleased to honor Students of the Month from the Miami, Ballard, and Adrian schools. Criteria for this honor center on outstanding academic and civic achievement and school spirit. Staff at each of the schools make the selection, and their decision is based on expansion of these criteria. Selection is based on the criteria, but a student stepping up to a particular task will come to play in it. Each student is honored with a certificate of recognition from the Adrian Optimist Club and $20.00 in Adrian Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Bucks”

The Ballard Student of the Month for September is seventh grader Olivia Porter, the daughter of Jacque and Gary Hill and Jesse Porter. At school, Olivia enjoys being a part of the junior high volleyball team. Olivia’s outside activities are participating in the local 4H, riding in the Semi, working her cattle, and swimming at her grandma’s. Olivia’s plan for the future is to go to college at UCM to play volleyball.

The Ballard staff has said, “I have had the opportunity to see Olivia work and encourage her fellow classmates. The younger students look up to her for guidance and acceptance. She is a hard worker who always has a smile and shows kindness every day.” Olivia’s inspirational quote is, “Good job, great try, you are doing a good job.”

The Adrian Student of the Month is Christian Evans a Senior. Christian is the son of Anthony and Stacey Evans. In school he is in Football, Basketball, NHS, FBLA, and is President of Student Council.

Outside of school Christian is an artist, drone pilot, and amateur investor. Christian states, “Thank you to all who have supported me and gotten me to where I am today.” Christian plans to obtain a degree in engineering or architecture.

The Miami Student of the Month is Ethan West a Senior. Ethan is the son of Grant West. In school he works hard at Baseball. Outside of school he enjoys golf and his guitar. Ethan states, “Being a senior, I wish I could of appreciated my time here a little more and I encourage others below me to do so. “ Ethan plans to become a union carpenter. Angie Wiley of Miami staff states, “Ethan is kind to his peers and respectful to staff. He’s always willing to pitch in and help when something needs to be done. He always has a smile and a great sense of humor. If you’ve never had a chance to come watch him pitch a Eagles baseball game, you are missing out.”