EMF Bobcats continue to win in sub-districts against Archbishop Bergan

 The Bobcats didn't start off strong but gained strength and finished with a win against Archbishop Bergan 55-48 in sub-district action on Thursday.

EMF wins Sub-districts against GACC

 

EMF started sub-districts against Guardian Angels Central Catholic on Tuesday night in Friend.  The Bobcats dominated winning 53-30. 

Exeter-Milligan Update: World Read Aloud Day

World Read Aloud Day

By Madalynn Fousek, Exeter-Milligan K-12 Guidance Counselor

 

It was World Read Aloud Day on Wednesday! Principal Laura Kroll set up a great activity for the teachers and 6th-12th graders to sign up for a time to get into an elementary classroom to read a book aloud. I was able to get into the 5th-grade classroom and read a book about kindness.

 

Front Row: Knox Becker, Easton Schlegelmilch (seated), Kenan Petersen, and Wesley Hopkins

Back: Maizy Ogren, Layne Zelenka (partially hidden), William Lock, Ms. Fousek, and Avery Hankins.

EMF Boys Lose regular season closer

Friday nights regular season finale was a tough one for the Bobcats.  Cross County was ranked #4 in power points and the Bobcats were sitting at #5.  The Bobcats jumped out ahead to start the game but couldn't hold onto the lead and fell behind at half.  They came back out strong but just couldn't overcome the deficit losing 55-61.  They begin sub-district action on Tuesday.

 

Obituary James D. Morton

 James Douglas Morton was born to Joseph Bee Morton and Patricia Matilda (Garner) Morton on November 26, 1978, at Fayetteville, Arkansas, and passed away February 13, 2025, at The Willows in Gretna, Nebraska at the age of 46 years. He was one of 7 children in the family.

Jimmy lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas as an infant for a couple years until his family decided to move to Exeter, Nebraska in 1980. Jimmy graduated from Exeter-Milligan High School with the class of 1996. He married Jennifer Lynn Peters of Omaha, Nebraska on July 3, 2009 and they made their home in Fairmont, Nebraska. To this union, their daughter, Kaitlynn Nicole Morton, was born on November 9, 2009. Due to Jimmy’s medical condition they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in September of 2017. From 2019, until his passing, he had to have 24-hour care and resided in a nursing home facility.

Jimmy loved to watch movies, collected baseball cards and loved music. Of course, his daughter was his favorite hobby of all. Jimmy was a devoted husband and father and loved his family and friends very much.

James was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Bee Morton; mother, Patricia M. Morton and sisters, Teresa Frealy, Lorie Merrill and Patty Schiefelbein.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Morton of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter, Kaitlynn Morton of Lincoln, Nebraska; step-son and granddaughters, Tyler Bruhn and Mayze Wrey and Harley Wrey; brother, Larry Garner and many nieces and nephews.

Obituary: Keith Brandt

 Keith Brandt was born on December 14, 1959, to Lester and Verna (Horst) Brandt. He was the 4th of 5 sons in the family and passed away from a 6-year battle with prostate cancer on February 18, 2025. As a young boy, Keith attended Friend Public School at Friend, NE, and graduated with the class of 1978. After graduating from high school, he was united in marriage to Lori Crawford on June 23, 1979, and to this union three children were born: Nate, Dalton, and Morgan. He worked on the farm with his father-in-law and then settled at Horizontal Boring & Tunneling Co. until retiring one month ago due to health reasons. Keith was blessed with a second marriage to Miriam Mazurak on June 19, 2021.

Keith loved the outdoors, often hunting and fishing with his children and looked forward to every November to hunt deer with his brothers, nephews, and kids. He enjoyed porch beers, loud music, spending time at the lake, grilling, gardening, and camping. Keith was the hardest worker and was often seen showing some of the younger new guys how to crawl through holes. Keith cherished sharing experiences and outdoor adventures with his family and grandchildren for many years - his grandkids were his life.

He is survived by his wife Miriam Brandt, sons Nate (Kaci) Brandt, Dalton (Tonya) Brandt, and daughter Morgan Brandt; step son Benny Pecher and step daughter Shayleen (Josh) Harrington; grandkids: Brenson, Bowen, Norah, Milo, Bristol, and Wyatt; step grandchildren Karter, Karmelo, Calianna, Ellielynn, Benjamin, and Braxton; mother & father-in-law Joel and Janet Pospisil; brothers Richard (Janet) Brandt, Roger (Dianne) Brandt, Kenneth (Dee) Brandt, and Norman (Cindy) Brandt; brother-in-laws Dean (Judy) Crawford, John (Bonnie) Pospisil, and Alan (Sherri) Pospisil; special family friends: Paul & Becky Erdkamp and kids, Janey and Elliott, as well as Liz, Tony, and Sandy. Sister-in-laws Erika (Joe) Roy, Irene (Harold) Parker, Sonja Graham, Liz (Augie) Berhal, Gerdi (Rick) Mowery, Marion (Barr); and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lori Brandt; parents Lester & Verna Brandt; brother-in-law Mark Crawford; infant nephew Mark Rodney Crawford; grandparents William & Maggie Brandt and John & Marie Horst; and many aunts and uncles.

Visitation at the Lauber Friend Funeral Home starts Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 1:00 – 8:00pm with family greeting and receiving relatives and friends from 5:00-7:00pm, and one hour prior to services at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cordova, NE.

A Funeral Service takes place on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 10:30 am. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cordova, NE.

Graveside Services will follow the Funeral Service at the Exeter Cemetery, Exeter, NE.

The Funeral Service will be livestreamed via Facebook. Please visit the Lauber Funeral and Cremation Services Facebook page to tune in.

Memorials may be given to the family for a future designation.

Exeter-Milligan Update: EMF Esports

 EMF Esports

By Phyllis Severson, Exeter-Milligan Math Instructor and EMF eSports Sponsor

 

What is Esports? Esports is competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete against each other in various video games. In Nebraska, over 120 schools and growing currently compete in Esports.

 

Why Esports? Esports promotes STEM learning, improves critical thinking, enhances hand eye coordination, and encourages teamwork. Esports also encourages students engagement for those who may not have any other outlet to be involved in their school. There are many colleges who offer scholarships to play Esports at the college level where students can explore careers in IT and software development among others. In addition to exploring opportunities in college, students are sought out to use their skills in the military.

 

The EMF Esports team is competing in their second year with the Nebraska Esports Association. In the Fall season the team competed in Overwatch, SuperSmash Bros, and Chess. The EMF Chess team were state runners-up in their division. The Spring season consists of Fortnite, Rocket League, and Mario Kart the teams are all off to a good start with Fortnite placing second in their first match, Fortnite is played with all of the teams in the division. Mario Kart defeated Bancroft-Rosalie and Rocket League won by forfeit over Central Valley. Up next for the Bobcats is the second round of Fortnite, Rocket League and Mario Kart will both face off with Elba. This year we are also competing at the Middle School level in Mario Kart. Our first match is against Creek Valley followed by Hemmingford.

 

The team would like to thank the boosters for the awesome jerseys they purchased as well as the EM administration for all of the equipment that has been provided to make this a great experience

 

Front: Axel Erdkamp, Aiden Nichols, Boden Graham, and Archer Kanode

Middle: Crosby Oldehoeft, Brooklyn Lawson, Anton Classen, Jack Harrison, and Liberty Johnson

Back: Mikey Bartu, Tucker Svec, Carter Milton, Neal Scott, Bret Kallhoff, Aidan Vavra, RJ Clevenger, and Logan Johnson

 

eSports-action: Tucker Svec and Carter Milton practice while Neal Scott and Bret Kallhoff in the background

EMF Girls end season in sub-districts

EMF traveled to High Plains Community School to play McCool Junction in sub-district action despite having a snow day off of school.  The Bobcats had easily defeated the Mustangs the week before but the Mustangs suited up a player who had been previously sidelined.  Bobcats with the heartbreaking loss 29-32.  The Mustangs lost to High Plains on Thursday night (46-35)