MONDAY, Sept. 13, 2021
ALTOONA-MIDWAY/YATES CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
MORAN – The scoreboard probably needed several bulbs replaced after Marmaton Valley Middle School hosted the Yates Center/Altoona-Midway football team here Thursday.
Both squads lit up the scoreboard, with YC-AM claiming a thrilling 62-60 victory in the high-scoring contest.
It marked the first win of the season for coop middle school squad and evened their record at 1-1 for the year.
“That was an exciting game, and we’re glad to get the victory,” said YC-AM head coach Ryan Panko. “It was a back-and-forth contest, but luckily we were able to come out on top.”
Colby Derrick was a human highlight reel for the Wildcats, rushing the ball 18 times and accumulating 226 yards and six touchdowns.
But it was far from a one-man show. Mason Collins picked up 44 yards on just four carries, and Jeremiah Jones finished with three carries for 17 yards.
Collins completed 2-of-5 passes for 38 yards, with both completions going for touchdowns. Evan McVey and Julian Griffith hauled in TD receptions of 18 and 20 yards, respectively.
Derrick and Collins each were credited with eight tackles on the evening, with Collins also getting a pass deflection. McVey and Jones had five tackles each. Jayda Rice, Taj O’Connor, Blake Morrison, Jordan Bishop and Colton Burkholder had three tackles apiece, while Griffith garnered two.
We gave up more points than I would have liked obviously, but I am proud of our kids for not giving up and their ability to keep fighting back,” Panko noted. “We have some things we need to work on, but we just hope that we can continue to get better and build for the future.”
YC-AM (1-1) will now play a home-and-home series with Crest Middle School over the next two weeks. Crest will travel to Yates Center this week for the game on Thursday, Sept. 16, and YC-AM will hit the road to Colony for a rematch on Thursday, Sept. 23. Kickoff both weeks is slated for 6 p.m.
Correction to events of the week. MS FB Thursday is in YC NOT Crest. 6:00 PM. Start time. Sorry for the error.
SUNDAY, Sept. 12, 2021
ALTOONA-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
YATES CENTER – The Yates Center Wildcats had their way with the Altoona Midway Jets here Friday night, cruising to a 60-0 victory in a Three Rivers League eight-man football contest.
Yates Center did all of its damage in the first two quarters, as the game was called at halftime due to the mercy rule.
Altoona-Midway, which carries only 13 players on its entire roster anyway, was able to suit up only nine of those squad members for Friday’s game.
“Yates Center has an excellent team, so there’s no way I’m making excuses,” said Jets head coach Chad Raida. “However, we are in a tough situation. We were down to nine players to start the game, one of which was Brandon Johnson, who was just getting over strep and hadn’t been at school all week. Between the injury bug and kids having to quarantine, our numbers were very low.”
Despite the lopsided loss, AMHS did have some bright spots. Kieran Foster, only a freshman, was the Jets’ leading ball carrier on the night, picking up 24 yards on five carries. Senior Terry Williamson contributed three rushes for 22 yards.
Two sophomores led the defense in tackles. Jacob Meigs pulled down seven Wildcat ball carriers, while Blaine Collins recorded four tackles on the evening.
Turnovers continue to keep AMHS from compiling much offensive punch.
“Once again we amassed a pile of turnovers, turning it over six times,” Raida said, noting that brings the Jets’ total to 11 turnovers in just two games. “We will have to clean that up if we want to be successful.”
Raida simply said the Jets will regroup and get ready for next week.
“We will see what Monday brings and how many able bodies we have to practice,” he noted.
AMHS, now 0-2 both overall and in the eight-man pool of the Three Rivers League, will finally get to play at home this Friday. The Jets will host Oswego in another TRL matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Frank Kennedy Field on the AMHS campus.

Reminder: Sports pictures will be taken tomorrow, 9/13/21. Be sure and bring your picture packets!
Events for the week of Sept. 13:
Monday: MS VB at Altamont 4:00.
Tuesday: HS VB at Marmaton Valley 5:00
Wednesday: None
Thursday: MS VB at Tyro 5:00 & MS FB at Crest 6:00
Friday: HS FB at Home vs. Oswego 7:00
Saturday: HS VB at Humboldt Tourney time TBD
Click on the link below for the USD #387 September 13, 2021 Board Meeting Agenda. As always, the public is encouraged to attend.
https://5il.co/ysh7
MS/HS football, volleyball, and cheerleaders were given their picture packets today. Fall sports pictures will be Monday, Sept 13th.
Attn. parents/guardians of Buffalo bus students. We are short a bus driver for tomorrow. Therefore, your students will be picked up 15-25 minutes late tomorrow morning, 9/10/21. We apologize for the inconvenience. Students will still get breakfast when they arrive.
WEDNESDAY, Sept. 8, 2021
ALTOONA-MIDWAY/YATES CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
YATES CENTER –For the third consecutive year, Altoona-Midway Middle School
has signed a coop agreement with Yates Center Middle School to combine forces for the
football season.
The 2021 edition of the Yates Center/Altoona-Midway grid squad made its debut
last Thursday, falling 56-24 to Southeast Middle School in a game played at Yates Center.
Colby Derrick was the leading offensive star for YC-AM, rushing for 121 yards on
13 carries. Derrick accounted for three of the four times the home team found paydirt,
scoring on runs of 45, 32 and 28 yards.
Mason Collins also reached the endzone for YC-AM, scoring on a 5-yard run.
All four conversion attempts failed.
Derrick and Collins also led the defensive stats for YC-AM, as Derrick finished with
nine tackles and Collins had seven. Evan McVey and Jeremiah Jones each recorded five
tackles, while Braxton Wittlake notched four tackles, while Jayda Rice, Taj O’Connor and
Blake Morrison all had three.
No statistics for Southeast were available.
Ryan Panko is the head coach for this year’s squad. His assistants are Jeremy
Neville, Chris Cavender, and Thayne Smith.
YC-AM (0-1) will try to bounce back and get on the winning side of the ledger
when they travel to Moran on Thursday, Sept. 9, to take on Marmaton Valley. Kickoff is
scheduled for 6 p.m.
TUESDAY, Sept. 7, 2021
ALTOONA-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
BUFFALO – Home sweet home.
Playing before the home crowd for the first time this season, the Altoona-Midway High School volleyball team snapped a 25-match losing streak, winning the nightcap of a triangular held at Milo Peterson Gymnasium.
After falling to Tyro Christian School in the opening match of the evening, the Lady Jets regrouped and came up with an exhilarating 25-23, 25-8 victory over Liberty Home School Academy.
Prior to the win, Altoona-Midway had dropped 25 consecutive varsity volleyball matches since defeating Central Heights 25-19, 25-22 on Sept. 21, 2019.
“This was a well-deserved win for these girls,” said an elated AMHS coach Michelle Morales. “I have five seniors, and this was the first (home) varsity win they have had in their entire high school careers. That's something to be proud of - and I'm so beyond proud.
“The captions tonight, Alyssa (Relph) and Mariah (Stackhouse) kept in good spirits throughout the matches and that made a huge difference in the outcome of the game,” Morales added. “Tiffany Kuhn, a senior, came in the second set of our Liberty match and had some important passes. They all did such a wonderful job.”
AMHS vs. Tyro
Tyro Christian School posted a 25-18, 25-19 win in the opening match. Stackhouse recorded seven kills and five aces, while Bailey Graham handed out 14 assists. Autumn Raymond finished with five kills and Alyssa Relph added two. Relph and Emmalynn Pupanek also recorded one ace apiece for the Lady Jets.
“Tonight we had a slow start in our first game against Tyro,” Morales said. “We were second guessing ourselves and hesitant to make the plays we know to make.”
AMHS vs. Liberty
Bouncing back in a big way, the Lady Jets squeezed past Liberty Home School Academy 25-23 in the opening set, and then roared to a 25-8 triumph to claim the victory.
“We got out there and played to win in our second match against Liberty,” Morales said. “The girls played to have fun and to win and it showed. Communication was key in our win tonight. They played as a team.”
Morales said her squad played hard, and played smart.
“We moved our feet and made smart moves. It's so exciting to see them move on the court and follow the game,” Morales said. “They are improving every day and I can't wait to see where this season takes us.”
Stackhouse led the offense with nine kills and four aces, while Graham offered up another 16 assists. Also smashing aces were Summer Raymond with two, and Autumn Raymond and Pupanek with one apiece.
AMHS got nine serves from Summer Raymond, seven each from Stackhouse and Pupanek, five from Relph and four from Graham and Autumn Raymond.
Altoona-Midway, now 1-6 overall on the season, will now attempt to string together some wins when they participate Saturday in the Flinthills Tournament.
TUESDAY, Sept. 7, 2020
ALTOONA-MIDWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
THAYER – Thayer Middle School proved to be too much to handle for
AltoonaMidway as the Lady Flyers defeated the Lady Jets 25-5, 25-9 in volleyball action
here Tuesday afternoon at the Thayer gymnasium.
It was the opening match of the new campaign for the Lady Jets, who finished 6-6
during their Covid-shortened 2020 fall season. However, AMMS has only three returnees
from that squad, and only seven girls total out for volleyball this year.
“It has definitely been a challenging start for our middle school Lady Jets,” noted
AMMS head coach Nikki Almond. “Four out of our seven girls have never played
volleyball before, so obviously we have been working hard on fundamentals.
“But we have already seen an improvement from the first day of practice to today,
and that is encouraging,” Almond said. “I can't wait to see how much these girls improve
this season.”
Altoona-Midway did not record any kills or aces during the match. However, Alexis
Foudray, Chantal Morales, Hadlee Pupanek and Harmony McFarland all served at 100
percent for the match. Foudray was also credited with four quality hits, while Abby Relph
and Sandra Morales registered two each.
Altoona-Midway (0-1) will travel to Altamont on Monday, Sept. 13, facing Elk
Valley and Altamont in a triangular. Matches get under way at 4 p.m.
Events for the week of Sept 6
Tuesday- MS VB @ Thayer 4:00 PM. HS VB Tri @ Home 5:00 PM.
Wednesday- None
Thursday- MS FB @ Marmaton Valley 6:00 PM
Friday- AMES Grandparents Day 7:30 AM
Friday- HS FB @ Yates Center 7:00 PM
Saturday- HS VB @ Flinthills Tournament 9:00 AM
TUESDAY, Aug. 31, 2021
ALTOONA-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UNIONTOWN – Even though there were no victories to show for its efforts, the
Altoona-Midway High School volleyball team is happy just to be back on the court after
last year’s shortened season.
The Lady Jets, forced to cancel their 2020 schedule after just four matches due to
Covid, opened this year’s fall campaign by participating in the Three Rivers League
Preseason Tournament Saturday at Uniontown.
Altoona-Midway went 0-5 on the day, falling in successive matches to Oswego,
Northeast, Yates Center, Crest and Uniontown.
But despite losing in straight sets in all but the opener against Oswego, where
AMHS forced a deciding third set, Lady Jets head coach Michelle Morales was not
discouraged with her troops.
“We had no match wins and our second set victory against Oswego was our only
win for the day. But that being said, we played really hard this weekend,” Morales said.
“The girls played smart and made smart moves on the court. I’m so impressed with how
much improvement we already have shown this season compared to last season.
“I’m looking forward to a fun and successful season with these girls.”
AMHS vs. Oswego
Oswego won the opening set 25-12, but Altoona-Midway rallied to win 25-22 to
force a deciding third set, which went to the Lady Indians 25-12.
Individual leaders for the Lady Jets were Abi Elsesser with 11 serves; Bailey
Graham and Summer Raymond with 15 and 13 assists, respectively; Mariah Stackhouse
with 11 kills and Alyssa Relph with eight kills. Passing leaders were Relph, Stackhouse
and Autumn Raymond.
AMHS vs. Northeast
Northeast won 25-11, 25-11. Stackhouse led Altoona-Midway with eight kills, eight
serves, an ace, and 17 successful passes. Graham had 12 assists while Summer Raymond
notches seven, while Relph and Emmalynn Pupanek each recorded three blocks. Relph
also had four kills.
AMHS vs. Yates Center
Altoona-Midway played some of its best volleyball against Yates Center, which
won the six-team pool with a perfect 5-0 record. YCHS squeezed out a 26-24 win in the
opening set and finished off the match 25-17. Relph paced the Lady Jets with nine kills
while Stackhouse had seven and Elsesser have five. Graham and Summer Raymond
handed out 16 and 12 assists, respectively, while Autumn Raymond garnered nine serves
and three aces.
AMHS vs. Crest
Crest defeated the Lady Jets 25-20, 25-15. Stackhouse recorded six kills, nine serves
and an ace. Relph finished with four kills, five serves and nine passes, Pupanek notched
six serves and a block, and Summer Raymond had 14 assists.
AMHS vs. Uniontown
Uniontown won 25-22, 25-15. Graham handed out a whopping 23 assists and added
seven serves for Altoona-Midway. Stackhouse blasted nine kills and added an ace.
Summer Raymond recorded 14 assists, Autumn Raymond had six serves, Pupanek
slammed four kills, and Relph had an ace.
Next action for the Lady Jets will be Sept. 7, when they host a triangular at Milo
Peterson Gymnasium.
September lunch and breakfast menu. Please note that the menu is subject to change & national supply shortages are an increasing issue that could lead to menu changes.

21st Century Grant Activities today after school. (Games)

The HS VB Tourney scheduled for Saturday has been moved. All of our games will be played Uniontown H.S. Our first game begins at 9:00 AM. Masks are NOT required at this time.

Here is the schedule for the Three Rivers League Tournament this Saturday, 8/28/21 at Jayhawk Linn, (Mound City),. The Lady Jets begin play at 9:00. Go Jets!

We would like to remind parents that while we are not currently under a mask mandate, if your child properly wears a mask throughout the day, or brings a vaccination card to the school office-they will not be required to quarantine. This is under the guidance of the Wilson County health department.
USD #387 is accepting application for the following 3 positions:
MS Cheer Coach
MS FB Coach or driver. (no coaching needed for the driver)
HS Asst. VB Coach
Please send email of interest to jalmond@usd387.org
Please see attached for an important update regarding a positive Covid case within the district.

