Local Football Round-up by Cameron Hook

By Cameron Hook

Football season came winding down last week. With the regular season coming to a close, we will be going over the scores from quite a few local teams, and looking at how each finished their season. So without further ado, let us take a look at the Sports Round-Up.

As we did last week, we will start by looking at the hometown Butler Bears. The Bears have been incredibly successful all year. As a matter of fact, one could say they were as successful as possible, because they finished the season undefeated! That is right, your Butler Bears capped off the regular season with a win at home Friday night against Lone Jack. In what was a one-sided affair, the Bears ended their perfect regular season with a 53-6. Expect this squad to be heading into the Class 2 State Tournament with a killer mentality and a head full of steam.

Now it would be doing this next team a disservice to wait any longer to talk about their big win. The Drexel Bobcats who finished last season as District Champions, finished the regular season undefeated. They were unable to do so last season as they started the year off with a Forfeit Loss according to the MSHSAA website. This season Drexel started with a clean slate and took advantage of it, finishing 8-0. Now this team will be looking to not only repeat as District Champs, but they look to go even further. After beating St. Paul Lutheran 80-26, the Bobcats have to be brimming with confidence. Now just like every other football team they will be taking it one week at a time, but you have to think that each week they should be going into their matchup knowing that they can win. This is a spectacular 8-man team that just needs to stay focused and disciplined, if they can manage that, Coach Dean should be looking at nothing but more success with the Bobcats.

On the topic of 8-man, would it really be a local Sports Round-Up if the Whirlwinds were not covered? Archie traveled to Concordia for last week’s game and left with smiles on their faces. Archie came out on top with a final score of 84-42. It might have been nothing but offense, but the Whirlwinds finish the season 8-1. Now they shift their focus to their next game, which will be against Appleton City. Archie will host the Bulldogs on November 5th in their first game of the postseason. The last time these two squads faced off on the gridiron it was Archie who reigned victorious. Can Archie repeat their 60-8 win over Appleton or will the Bulldogs play spoiler on the Whirlwinds already impressive season?

For the game that many fans could not wait for, Adrian won on the road against Wellington-Napoleon. The Blackhawks got the win in a 41-15 outing. This is their fourth straight win, one that came on the back of some solid defensive play. Adrian gives up 17 points per game on average, but on Friday night they managed to keep the Tigers underneath that average. Adrian, who finished the regular season at 7-2 now must prepare for the Cass Midway Vikings who they play this Friday at home. Last week Adrain took care of Midway in a dominant win, can they repeat their success or will the Vikings be able to learn from their previous mistakes against the Blackhawks?

Let us talk about Kansas for a moment. Now they might have nice roads and bad college football teams, but we are taught to love our neighbors. So it is time to look at a good Kansas football team, and since that automatically disqualifies KU, it must be the Prairie View Buffaloes right? Right. The Buffaloes came away with a very nice victory over the Anderson County Bulldogs. The final score of this matchup was 35-7. The Buffaloes move to 6-2 on the season, and begin practice this week preparing to face off against the Parsons Vikings who happen to have the same record. The game is in Parsons and with the two teams being so evenly matched on paper, you can expect it to be entertaining for all.

For the last bit of 8-man news this week, Rich Hill defended their home turf this week as they held off the visiting Liberal Bulldogs, 46-12. The Tigers should be glad they ended the season on such a high note as there have not been too many of those this year. Both teams finish the regular season at 4-5. Now, Rich Hill will get their shot at redemption, as their next game is against a Jasper team that beat them earlier in the year. Can Rich Hill pull off the revenge game or will they fall short to the Eagles on the road? We will not be getting the answer to that question until November 5th when the Tigers go on the road.

For the Sports Round-Up Game of the Week, the Butler Bears have been chosen. While this seems like a bit of a cop out as the Bears first postseason game is still undecided, (according to the MSHSAA website,) it cannot go without saying how electric Butler is this year. Regardless of who they play, the undefeated Bears are a team you do not want to miss.

Obituary - Wesley Harley Dirks

Funeral services for Wesley Dirks will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at the Bethany Mennonite Church in Rich Hill, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Visitation 6:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 26 at the Bethany Mennonite Church in Rich Hill. Contributions to the Bethany Mennonite Church Benevolent Fund. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Wesley Harley Dirks was born to Henry and Sadie Smith Dirks on January 16, 1942 in Halstead, KS. He peacefully passed away on October 24, 2021 in Butler, MO at the age of 79 years due to complications from Covid. When he was a few months old, he moved with his family to Rich Hill, MO where he lived for the rest of his life.

He attended the little country school down the hill from his parents house. At the age of 13 he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized on March 27, 1955, by Minister Harvey Yost, remaining faithful to God and the Church till the end. His faith and trust in God was an encouragement to his family, often confessing his faults and teaching us to do the same.

On March 25, 1962, he was united to me, Donna Wadel, by Minister Carl Dirks. We enjoyed almost 60 years together. Into this home three sons were born.

On November 30, 1982, he was ordained to the deaconry by Minister Dennis Unruh. He faithfully served the Church until his retirement a year ago. He served on the CPS board for 10 years, making many lifelong friends. We also spent several years in Oroville, CA, under USA missions, leaving a part of our hearts there. He enjoyed being a part of the Yuma, AZ congregation during the winters that we spent there.

Dad was a farmer all his life and loved the outdoors, enjoying hunting with his grandsons and many fishing trips. In later years, many memories were made at his cabin in the woods. Dad was a friend to all and never knew a stranger. He loved to sing and enjoyed singing quartets with his sons. His grandchildren remember listening to his many stories.

Those left to cherish memories are his wife, Donna; three sons: Michael and Kimberly, Lance and Lenora, Brad and Della, all of Rich Hill, MO; seven grandsons, two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren; two brothers: Gerald and Evelyn, Moundridge, KS, Leland and Mary Lou, Montezuma, KS; one sister, Gloria Koehn of Moundridge, KS; one sister-in-law, Carrol Dirks of Rich Hill, MO. Preceding him in death were his parents, four sisters, one brother, and three brothers-in-law.

BCSO Beards for kids fundraiser

So it’s that time of year again. If you see a deputy and he or she looks like they need to borrow your razor to shave their face, it’s not because we slacked off on our requirements. We have officially kicked off our Beards for Kids fundraiser. 

Our fundraiser allows the deputies the opportunity to take youth from our community Christmas Shopping in December. 

Since the program kicked off we have served hundreds of kids at the greatest time of year for giving. We can’t do it without help from our community partners.

If you want to help grab a deputy, drop them a $5, $10, $20, $50 or even an $100. We also take checks but please make them out to the Bates County Sheriff’s Community Benefit Fund.

We are also working with a local youth that wants to put on a car and truck show soon to raise money for the program. Watch for information coming on that!

Louisburg Kansas man killed in Cass County Fatality accident on Missouri 2 Highway

On October 25th around 3:35 p.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County along with Cass County Sheriffs Deputies responded to a two vehicle accident on Missouri 2 Highway just west of Groh Rd. in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the westbound 2016 Ford F-150 driven by 21 year old Shawn M. Espey of Louisburg, Kansas attempted to overtake an unknown vehicle in oncoming traffic and was struck by the 2013 Volvo Semi Truck driven by 34 year old Matthew Harris of Harrisonville.

Mr. Espey was pronounced dead at the scene of this accident and he was transported to Frontier Forensics.

View crash report below:

https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/HP68/AccidentDetailsAction?ACC_RPT_NUM=210556806

Update: Shooting Investigation in Belton

On 10-25-2021 at approximately 5:15 PM, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of E Hargis on a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, officers located one victim who had been injured by gunfire. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The victim remains in the hospital in stable condition. The suspect is described as a black male 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, slender build and wearing a red hoodie. 

The suspect left the scene in a blue unknown make vehicle. Investigators are seeking any information from the public which may assist with identifying the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Hasch at 816-331-1500 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Obituary - Patsy Ann Vaughn

Patsy Ann Vaughn, age 84, a resident of Nevada, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021, at her home in Nevada. She was born September 5, 1937, in Ft. Scott, Kansas the daughter of Harold Sipe and Thelma Fitzgerald Sipe. Patsy spent her childhood on the farm on the banks of Mill Creek near Devon, Kansas. She attended the Crescent Rural School and went on to graduate from the Uniontown High School. She trained under the direction of Sister Mary Jude (Dietrich). Following her training with the sisters of Mercy, she moved to Nevada where she worked in Dr. Wray’s office. She later worked as a lab tech at the Nevada City Hospital and the Bates County Medical Clinic and the Nevada Medical Clinic. She retired from the Nevada Regional Medical Center at the age of 75. Pat felt she was put on this earth to help others, and that she did for the majority of her adult life. Pat enjoyed fishing, working in her yard and going to the casino with her friends. She absolutely loved to dance. She was never happier than when she was surrounded by her kids and grandkids at family holidays and backyard get-togethers.

Survivors include her children, Steven Michael Sipe (Becky) of Kincaid, Kansas, Mikki Gardner (Rocky) of Nevada, Douglas Duncan of Nevada, Missouri, Chadd Duncan of Walker, Missouri, Jana Vaughn of Nevada and D.J. Vaughn also of Nevada, Darlene Hallford (Dennis) of Eldorado Springs, Missouri and Melissa Smith (Paul), of Nevada; twenty grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a brother, John Sipe (Marilyn) of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and a sister in law, Joyce Sipe of rural Fort Scott, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her daughter Lisa Vaughn, a grandson, Tanner Duncan, a sister, Shirley Loubier and a brother, Bob Sipe.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be left in of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary - Kathleen Mary Brockway

Kathleen “Katy” Mary Brockway, age 70, of Nevada, MO, passed on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

Katy was born October 6, 1951, in Spirit Lake, IA to Jerry Myer and Agatha Mary (Theobald) Caviness. On June 23, 1981, she married Dewayne Marvin Brockway in Minnesota. She had worked and a CNA at nursing homes and attended Pine Street Baptist Church. She also enjoyed collecting dolls, attending auctions and going to garage sales, especially if she could beat her sister there. She loved her family and loved the Lord.

Survivors include two daughters, Tina (John) Gilmore, Milo, MO, and Stacie Stone, Nevada, MO; one brother, Joe (Dee) Caviness, Nevada, MO; one sister, Pat (Richard) Perkins, Spirit Lake, IA; grandchildren, Katlyn Greer, Zachary Gilmore, Dakota Stone, Dillon O’Neil and Darrin O’Neil; three great grandchildren, Kenneth Greer, Layne Greer, and Lawrence Greer to be born in December.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; a son, Carl Messer; nine brothers, David, John, Leroy, Jim, Dennis, Craig, Bob, and a set of twin boys and one sister, Carol.

The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Ferry Funeral Home. There will be a private family burial at Olive Branch Cemetery.

The family will receive friends, following the service, at the funeral home.

Adrian Lions Club Presents: Sight & Safety Night