We begin our chronological look back at last year for area sports at Hillcrest, Highland, Sigourney and Keota in the fall under the Friday night lights.

The Sigourney-Keota football team made their sixth straight postseason appearance. After a tough start to the year that saw them fall in three non-district contests against Prairie City Monroe, Wilton and Mid-Prairie, the Cobras flipped the switch in district play. SK finished runner-up in Class 1A District 6 with a 4-1 mark, outscoring Eddyville-Blakesburg, Louisa Muscatine, Durant and Cardinal 193-14 in their district wins. The only blemish, a 41-7 setback against State runner-up Iowa City Regina. In the playoffs, the Cobras rolled to a 45-0 opening round win over I-35 before a second round loss at Dyersville-Beckman 35-0 ended their year at 5-5. Brayden Wood led SK through the air at 19 of 38 for 254 yards and five touchdowns. Ike Molyneux paced the ground game with 146 carries, 938 yards and a dozen touchdowns, all top five numbers in district. Top receiver was Hunter Sellers with 10 catches, 94 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Clarahan led the defense with 45 tackles, fifth in district. Nineteen Cobras were named All-District including first-teamers Owen Menke, Jacob Libe, Ike Molyneux, Graham Moore, Wells Clark, John Berg, Chase Clarahan, Carson O’Rourke, Blake Baker and Owen Clark. Menke and Clarahan were voted All-State by the Iowa Football Coaches Association, Iowa Grandstand Sports and Iowa Print Sports Writer’s Association. Sigourney-Keota assistant Bronson McCulley was named District Assistant Coach of the Year.

The Highland Huskies began their season with a 13-0 loss to Martensdale-St. Marys and a 40-7 loss at Wapello before canceling the rest of the year due to injury and numbers concerns.

The Hillcrest Academy Ravens had several athletes see the field as part of their co-op agreement with Williamsburg. The Raiders finished the year shy of the playoffs at 5-4 overall, but on the wrong end of a three-way 4-1 tie for the 3A District 5 title. Hillcrest junior Kale Bailey led the Raiders with 441 receiving yards on 24 catches with three touchdowns. Gibson Scott contributed in all phases for Williamsburg. Scott averaged five and a half yards per carry in the backfield and caught a touchdown pass. Defenively he finished with 22 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Scott was a kick returner on special teams.

Tuesday’s Year in Review will shine a spotlight on local volleyball.