Exeter-Milligan-Friend Loses to Thayer Central

The Bobcats started out on top with Christian Weber on the quarterback keeper after a huge Max Zeleny run.  With 8:37 left in the first quarter it was 6-0.

Unfortunately Thayer Central's quarterback connected multiple times to his receivers and by the end of the half they were up 14-28.

The second half of the came started out with the Bobcats on the move with Jackson Beethe catching a pass in the end zone and Jindra running in the extra points bringing the Bobcats within 6 with 8:58 left in the third quarter.

The Titans tacked on another touchdown and then it was Jindra's turn. Back and forth again until the score was tied 42 to 42 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The Titan's passing game was tough for the Bobcats to defend and pass interference was called on EMF.  Thayer Central switched it up and their quarter back kept the ball running in for 6 making the score 42-48. Thayer Central was back in the end zone in two more minutes making the score 42-54.

Thayer Central intercepted a Bobcat pass and two personal foul penalties on the Bobcats hurt their chances.  The Titans capitalized on them with 6:27 left in the game taking the score to 42-60 with Beethe batting down the pass for the two point try.

Jindra ran the ball in to the end zone for the Bobcats with 5:27 left in the game with Keegan Newsome the ball carrier for the conversion. Score was 50-60.

Thayer Central had one more stop in the end zone with the final score 50-68,  EMF Junior high and junior varsity teams will play Thayer Central in Hebron on Monday.  The Bobcats have a bye week and will meet Osceola High Plains in Clarks on Friday, October 4.

Exeter-Milligan School Board Meets

The Exeter Milligan school board opened their scheduled meeting with their annual budget hearing.  Superintendent Paul Sheffield explained some of the finer points of the budget.  

He noted that the last bond payment on the new addition was made in June so the district no longer needs to budget for the JPA.

Taking into account that change, the school board tax asking decreased by $402,000. Sheffield reported that the levy is projected to be a just under .62.

After a short discussion on valuations and tax requests the board closed the budget hearing at 8:05 p.m. and opened the levy request.

Sheffield continued speaking informing the board that they were asking the county for $429,000 but after the county takes one percent the district will end up with $425,000.

The board noted that property valuations are down 4.8%. The levy request hearing closed at 8:07 and the board opened the regular meeting.

Chairman Adam Erdkamp welcomed the visitors and encouraged questions from the audience.

After hearing the treasurer’s report the board approved the minutes from their August meeting along with the September invoices presented.

The curricular report was heard from the student government. Two seniors, Kayla Geiger, student body president and Caitlin Murphy, secretary treasurer, reported on some changes in homecoming royalty the student body wanted to make.  

Geiger explained that due to decreasing numbers, in a senior class with nine or less members the entire class will be eligible for king and queen.  They also want to eliminated the prince and princess and duke and duchess designations.

She added that if there are more than 10 in the class they will have three couples nominated to go on the field.

Erdkamp asked Geiger how the student body came to the decision and Geiger explained, “We talked about this in our government class and chose things we wanted to improve.  We brought it in to the student council and voted on it.”

Student body advisor and school counselor Denice Kovanda explained that the student council had discussed the issue at several meetings. The board was positive about the homecoming change.

After a brief discussion the board voted to sell the 2012 Chevrolet Express bus to A & M, Inc. for $12,000.

Sheffield informed the board that there was a new additional step in the budget process which was to approve the property tax resolution for Fillmore County School District 30-0001.  He read the resolution that was required before the board adopted the resolution along with several other budget related requirements.

Sheffield was approved by the board as the representative for all local, state and federal programs.

The board continued the discussion on the levy.  Sheffield noted, “Even though our tax request is going down our levy is going up.  Patrons will say our tax rate went up but our actual amount went down. On paper it looks like our rate is going up three percent but our tax asking is going down.”

Erdkamp added, “It’s a good point though because you will get questioned about it.”

Board member Eric Milton added, “It could mislead all of our patrons.”

The board discussed the renewal of the football coop with Friend for the 2020 and 2021 season which has to be determined by November 1. The board were positive about the coop and plan to vote next month.

Sheffield reported, “Every indication I have gotten from them (Friend) is that they intend to renew it.”

After attending the Crossroads Conference superintendents meeting Sheffield reported that Friend has again applied for membership to the Crossroads Conference.  This is the third time Friend has applied for membership.

The board briefly discussed the NASB State Convention in Omaha in November before setting the next meeting for Oct 16 at 8 p.m. in Milligan.

Exeter-Milligan Students Learn about Bike Safety

Nebraska State Trooper Jordan Pella spent part of one morning at Exeter-Milligan teaching the kindergarten, first and second graders all about bike safety.

Exeter-Milligan Elementary Students Sing National Anthem

Thirty-six Exeter-Milligan students in grades 1-6 performed the National Anthem before the volleyball triangular in Milligan on Tuesday, September 10.  Those participating were:  Row 1 (L-R) - Dahlia Zeher-Lewis, Brooklyn Lawson, Kora Havel, Gracelyn Becker, Piper Grummons, Crosby Oldehoeft, Axel Erdkamp, Braxton Harre, Kolt Songster, Anton Classen; Row 2 (L-R) - Hannah Petersen, Chezney Kanode, Mackenzie Jaeger, Kate Pribyl, Natalie Meyer, Ensley Stahl, Brogan Staskal, Scout Grummons, Braxton Saatmann, Joel Vossler, Gavin Mueller, Maddux Milton, Clayton Pribyl, Titus Petersen, Beau Becker; Row 3 (L-R) - Cheyenne Krupicka, Addison Foutch, Kaylie Schlueter, Selah Petersen, Kaydence Haase, Alexis Saatmann, Kiley Oldehoeft, Brooklyn Oldehoeft, Truman Milton, Adrien Mueller, and Tucker Svec.

Exeter-Milligan places fourth at Friend Tournament

Exeter-Milligan started off the day defeating Sutton in two sets 26-24 and 25-21.  The played Meridian next but fell 22-25 and 15-25.  They headed into the 3rd place bracket to play Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family but finished in fourth on the day losing to H/LHF 13-25 and 16-25. The Lady Timberwolves will meet Diller-Odell in the MUDECAS tournament in Beatrice on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Southeast Community College.

EMF picks up first win in Nebraska City

A full moon on Friday the 13^th seemed to be the good luck charm for the Exeter-Milligan-Friend Bobcats.

Although the game started out with Nebraska City Lourdes intercepting the Bobcats on the third down and scoring quickly, the Bobcats held their ground and denied the two point conversion.

After the kick off EMF benefited from several Knights penalties including a face mask and a helmet to head penalty.  Max Zeleny broke free and ran the ball into the end zone with 8:03 left in the quarter.  EMF didn’t make the two point either and the score was 6-6.

The penalities stacked up as EMF was called for pass interference and the Knights were penalized for an illegal substitution on 2^nd down and 20.  They came roaring back for a first down and on the third down fumbled the ball.  It was recovered by Keegan Newsome.

The Bobcats had their turn to fumble and it was recovered by the Knights at the Bobcat 35 yard line.  Before things could go too far Jackson Beethe intercepted a Lourdes pass but a block in the back penalty after the interception took the ball to the Bobcat four yard line.

Zeleny broke through the line and made it all the way to the end zone with a score of 12-6 with 4:08 left in the first quarter.

Lordes got loose from mid-field and slipped multiple tackles with 2:15 in the first quarter the score was tied 12-12.

EMF turned the ball over on downs and on the first down Aidan Aldana snuck through the Bobcats defense and tacked on six for the Knights.  PAT failed and the score was 12-18 with 7:44 left in the half.

The Bobcats had another pass intercepted but the interception was nullified by a roughing the passer call and with the penalty tacked on the Bobcats were at the forty yard line.  A targeting call on Lourdes tacked on 15 yards to the Bobcat progress leaving them at 1^st and 10 on the Lourdes 16. 

On fourth and just two to the end zone the Bobcats went for it and pushed into the end zone.  

Christian Weber’s pass to Casey Jindra was good for the two points with just 3:22 left in the half 20-18.

Second half Lourdes fumble was recovered by Nick Hayek on the 29 yard line.  Weber passed to Beethe and Beethe shrugged off tackles and into the end zone.  Now the Bobcats were up 26-18 with the two point attempt denied.  1:23 left in the quarter.

Lourdes fumbled and Dylan Bonds snatched it up. 

With 4:23 left in the third quarter the Knights found the end zone and tacked on six plus the two point. 26-26

The Bobcats jumped out on top with a Weber pass to Beethe and Zeleny ran in for the extra two. 34-26 with 11:49 in the fourth.

Lourdes tried to convert a fourth and one possession but fumbled and Jindra recovered.  The Bobcats marched down the field and tacked on 8 more with just 6:14 left in the game.  42-26

Lourdes got loose with 4:38 left in the game and tacked on six 42-32.  An onsite kick by Lourdes backfired when Zeleny picked it up on a hop.  The Bobcats had a few nervous moments as Damon Honeysuckle snatched an EMF fumbled and tacked on six for the Knights.  Lordes got the two points and were sitting 42-40 with 3:33 left in the game.  The Bobcats held on and ran the clock down to pick up their first win of the season. 

The Bobcats will meet Thayer Central in Milligan Friday night.  Homecoming court will be introduced on the field after the game and the Exeter-Milligan Booster club will have their Tailgate feed starting at 6 p.m. until halftime.