If the Jefferson High volleyball squad needed a tune-up for the upcoming conference tournament, the Butter Central Blockbuster tournament fit the bill nicely: 25 schools participated including all Class A teams but one and three Class B teams.
In other words, a tough crowd.
The Lady Panthers won this tournament last year, and they were coming off a win over Whitehall on Oct. 13. In Friday’s opener, they took down Hardin, 25-14, 20-25, 15-7. They then got past Laurel, 25-19, 17-25, 15-10. That put them into the championship bracket against Stevensville.
In the championship, the Panthers built a 10-3 lead on a put down by Arena Faler, an ace by Emma McCauley, and a hard kill by Cameron Toney. MacKenzie Layng made it 11-5, Jessie Harris sent over an ace for a 21-10 lead, and the Panthers took the first set, 25-14.
The teams stayed close in the second, tied at 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9. But the fans cheered as Jefferson went on a run to take a 15-10 lead. Stevensville came back and pulled to within 18-17, but the Panthers closed it out with a 7-2 run to take the set, 25-19, and the championship.
It was a great tournament that will prepare the Panthers for rest of the season. They were scheduled to host Park High on Tuesday and Manhattan on Thursday, Senior Night. The district tournament, at Manhattan, is Oct. 27 and 28.
Football
The Panther football team blasted Columbus, 48-12 on the road Friday night. Dylan Root turned on the speed with 189 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while quarterback Luke Oxarart racked up 105 rushing yards and four touchdowns – three rushing and one receiving (from Zach Zody). Jack Johnson added a final score on the ground.
This Friday, Jefferson hosts Three Forks in its regular season finale. A win will ensure the Panthers second place and a home playoff game. Go Panthers!
Cross Country
The Jefferson “hoofers” did well at the Townsend meet last Saturday in the last regular season meet of the year.
For the varsity girls Hanna Stevens finished in 21:56, Meredith Rieder in 23:56, Michaela Morris in 24:51, and Austie May in 25:44. Luke Mest and Dominic Hurlbert led the varsity boys, both finishing in 17:13; Logan Hornung came in at 18:06, Mack Boyd at 18:40, Christian Gillmore at 18:45, Dylan Mikesell at 19:07, and Matt Zelenka at 20:37. For the JV boys Lane Phillips finished in 24:57.
The state cross country championship is this Saturday, at the University of Montana golf course in Missoula. Class B girls will run at 1:10 p.m., and Class B boys at 2:20 p.m. Good luck!
