By John Rittenhouse
In what was expected to be an entertaining game that lived up to its billing, the Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth Patriots nipped Sioux Valley-Round Lake-Brewster 21-20 in a classic nine-man football game played in Hills Friday.

The clash pitted two teams that were ranked in the top 10 of the state's nine-man poll.

The seventh-ranked Patriots lost what was a nine-advantage earlier in the game when second-ranked SV-RL-B moved in front 20-15 with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

H-BC-E, however, regained the lead at 21-20 with 4:30 left and used an interception in the final seconds to preserve a one-point victory.

According to Patriot coach Dan Ellingson, who couldn't remember the last time H-BC-E won a game as big this one, the victory should improve his team's standing in the state poll.

Not only that, the win should give the Patriots some confidence heading into tomorrow's game against defending state champion Westbrook-Walnut Grove in Westbrook.

"It was a great game," Ellingson admitted. "It was a game that was expected to be close, and it ended up being a one-point game that wasnÕt decided until we intercepted a pass on the second to the last play. It was a big win for us both in the conference race and for the upcoming section seedings."

The contest featured a number of big plays, and SV-RL-B produced two of them early in the first quarter while opening a 6-0 lead.

H-BC-E received the kick to start the game, but what would turn into a big night for Patriot tailback Chris Reid didn't start that way as his fumble on the first play from scrimmage was recovered by the Raiders.

Moments later, SV-RL-B tailback Paul Paplow dashed 35 yards for a touchdown. A failed conversion run followed the touchdown.

The score remained 6-0 until the second quarter, when the Patriots scored 15 straight points to take a nine-point advantage before the intermission.

Chris Tiesler tied the game at six with a four-yard run that capped a long drive early in the second period. Tyler Bush added the extra point to give the Patriots a 7-6 edge.

Reid, who ran the ball 22 times for 230 yards in the game, gained some redemption for his early fumble during H-BC-E's next offensive possession. Displaying his ability to strike from anywhere on the field, Reid dashed through the SV-RL-B defense for a 63-yard touchdown run. Tiesler carried in the conversion to make it a 15-6 game after the touchdown.

According to Ellingson, good blocking from his H-BC-E teammates allowed Reid to terrorize the Raider defense throughout the night.

"We ran the ball very well against them. It seemed like we got a good surge from our offensive line. Reid was able to get past the line of scrimmage and make his cuts down field. Our linemen did a great job, and so did (fullback) Lyle DeBoer with his lead blocks," Ellingson said.

The momentum shifted into SV-RL-B's favor after halftime.

After the teams exchanged punts to start the third quarter, Raider reserve fullback Corey Place rumbled 30 yards for a touchdown to cap his team's second possession of the half. A failed conversion run left the Raiders facing a three-point deficit at 15-12.

Place came up big for the Raiders again when he scored from seven yards away before running in the two-point conversion during the first minute of the fourth quarter to give the Raiders a 20-15 advantage.

H-BC-E, which turned the ball over five times in the game, had a halfback pass intercepted to end the possession following Place's second touchdown run.

The Patriot defense forced the Raiders to punt moments later, giving the H-BC-E offense the ball at its own 33-yard line. From there the Patriots went on a 67-yard, six-play drive that ended with Reid scoring on a 38-yard scamper with 4:30 left to play. A run for a conversion came up short, leaving H-BC-E with a 21-20 edge.

SV-RL-B got the ball back twice in the gameÕs final minutes but couldn't produce the winning points.

The Raiders did advance the ball to the H-BC-E 35 with 23 seconds remaining, but a third-and-13 pass was picked off by Patriot Brad Haak at the five-yard line to secure the victory.

"Our defense played very well," Ellingson said. "They had 62 offensive plays in the game. Other than a couple of big runs, we held them in check. Our linebackers (Curt Schilling, Jesse Leuthold and Reid) had a combined 51 tackles, so they were outstanding. We did a great job of gang-tackling."

The Patriots will need another solid defensive effort tomorrow in Westbrook, where they face a 5-1 Charger team that is on a five-game winning streak.

"They lost their first game of the year to SV-RL-B, but they had a bunch of young kids who were starting for the first time then. They have their starting quarterback coming back from a state championship team. They have a good tailback, a load of a fullback who started at guard for them last season, and the fastest receiver we've faced this year. It will be a big test for us," Ellingson said.

Team statistics
H-BC-E: 302 rushing yards, zero passing yards, 302 total yards, 12 first downs, four penalties for 35 yards, five turnovers.

SV-RL-B: 260 rushing yards, 23 passing yards, 283 total yards, nine first downs, five penalties (yards were unavailable), two turnovers.

Individual statistics
Rushing: Reid 22-230, DeBoer 15-63, Tiesler 3-11, David Top 3-minus 2.

Passing: Top 0-5 for zero yards, DeBoer 0-1 for zero yards.

Defense: Schilling 25 tackles, Leuthold 14 tackles, Reid 12 tackles, Kyle Braun 11 tackles, Haak nine tackles and two interceptions, Lee Walraven one sack.

By John Rittenhouse
Hills-Beaver Creek snapped a two-match losing skid in Red Rock Conference volleyball play by sweeping a three-game match from Southwest Star Concept in Hills Tuesday.

By turning in a sound defensive performance and playing well through all three games, the Patriots showed some positive signs that could lead to some big things when post-season play begins.

"The girls played really well defensively," said H-BC coach Nicole Fey. "We dug up just about all of their hits. We also played three consistent games, and consistency is something we have struggled with this year."

Along with posting a three-game win, the Patriots more than doubled SSCÕs offensive production by outscoring it 45-22 in the match.

The Patriots prevailed 15-10 in Game 1, which proved to be the most competitive match of the night.

H-BC controlled play while notching 15-5 and 15-7 wins in Games 2 and 3 respectively.

Leading the charge for the winners was Erin Boeve with 24 kills and 18 digs.

LaDonna Sandstede recorded 25 set assists in the match.

Jody Rentschler and Tonya Leenderts charted 12 digs each. Leenderts served 16 points to set the pace at the line.

The 8-10 Patriots will try to win their third straight match for the first time this season when they play in Fulda tonight. H-BC hosts Murray County Central Tuesday.

By Jolene Farley
At Monday night's meeting, the Hills-Beaver Creek School Board unanimously ratified the superintendent's contract with Dave Deragisch.

"We have to be kind of proud how the superintendent search went," said board member Alan Harnack. "I think we made a good choice."

The two-and-one-half-year contract allows 20 vacation days, 15 sick days and paid health and dental insurance with 220 work days per year. The contract is effective Jan. 1 and expires June 30, 2004.

Bus replacement
Interim Superintendent Darold Williams advised the board they needed to plan the purchase of one or more new buses, either this year or in the next few years.

Williams provided statistics about the model year, make, mileage and repair bills on each bus in the fleet to the board.

Many buses have high mileage or cost the district an excessive amount in repair bills, Williams said.
The board instructed Williams to begin shopping for a bus to purchase.

"If we are having this much trouble going into winter it's going to continue," said board member Gary Esselink.

Class size concern
Elementary district administrator Jil Vaughn asked the board to consider hiring additional help at the elementary school.

Vaughn recently observed some of the elementary classrooms with higher student numbers and said a lot of teacher time is spent redirecting students.

Board member Ann Boeve said a parent approached her with concerns about class sizes.

The teachers need help during reading, math, language and writing classes in the different grade levels, according to Vaughn.

"In my opinion, that's an administrative call. I'm not there every day," said Board Chair Roland Crawford.

"We need to be good stewards of the fund balance, but we don't want to slip backwards," Williams said.

In other board business:
The board agreed to hire an extracurricular event supervisor at $25 per event.

The event supervisor would prepare money for ticket takers, distribute money for officials and monitor halls.

Ann Boeve was appointed acting School Board clerk, taking over duties for Dave Roozenboom while he is hospitalized and during his recovery.

The board canceled meetings scheduled for Monday, Oct. 22, and Monday, Nov. 12. The board will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m. to canvass the School Board election.

By Jolene Farley
Two Hills residents attended Tuesday's City Council meeting to voice concerns about Rock County Law Enforcement.

They said a neighbor threatened them and their family members. In addition, the same neighbor allegedly painted obscenities on his own house.

Four calls were placed to Rock County authorities on Tuesday, Oct. 2, concerning the incidents, according to dispatch records.

At 3:49 p.m. the first call was made. A Hills resident called in upset because of "big rocks on his lawn."

Soon after, a second and third call reported, "A man painted obscenities in big red letters on both sides of his house."

A fourth call at 7:15 p.m. reported a man "threatening people in the neighborhood about the rock incident."

Residents say numerous phone calls were made to the Rock County Sheriff's Department concerning the incidents, messages were left but phone calls were never returned.

The residents were sent forms to write out their complaints. "The deputy told me I should run it (the form) to Luverne," said one of the residents.

"ThatÕs what we get from the sheriff's department, absolutely nothing," said one of the residents.

The council agreed to call the sheriff's department and ask a representative to talk with the individuals. "The law enforcement canÕt ignore it, not with threats made," Langford said.

In other council business:
Clinton Township representatives were present to clarify the Legion Hall agreement before they sign it.

Council members said they have no plans to sell or tear down the Legion building.

"I have been talking to many of the older Legion members," said Mayor George Langford. "There is a lot of sentimental value in the Legion. We have full intentions of doing repairs on it."

Council member and Tuff Home Administrator Dana Dahlquist questioned the council about fire protection behind the new assisted living facility Tuff Village when fire trucks have no access to the back of the building.

The council suggested showing the fire department members the drawings to see if they had a suggestion about adding a hookup for their hoses.

The council agreed to match the combined donations made to the summer recreation program by Beaver Creek and Steen.

The council will not offer open gym on Sundays until a supervisor is found. "If they want the service, let's have some volunteers from the people whose kids use it," said council member Wendell Bengtson.

Hills Fire Department members are (back row, from left) Stan Van Wyhe (left), Jeff Bass, Jared Rozeboom, Derek Bundesen, Dana Dahlquist, Jim Jellema, Assistant Fire Chief Doug Chapman, Mark Raymon, (middle row) Brian Kraayenhof, Steve Fagerness, Pete Hoff, Larry Leuthold, Mark Top, (front row) Fire Chief Allan Top, Larry Haak, Ron Behr, Tim DeHaan, Mark DeBoer and Tom Bush. Not pictured are Ron Arp, Arlen Leenderts, Stacen Burgers, Tim Durst, Jack Paulsen and Steve Wiertzema.

(Below) Beaver Creek Fire Department members are (front row, from left) Assistant Fire Chief Rick Rauk (left), Roger Van Roekel, Ron Rauk, Chris Harnack, Fire Chief Rick Tatge, (middle row) Daryl Fuerstenburg, Shannon Tatge, Ryan Rauk, Dave Anderson, (back row) Chad Rauk, Jim Sammons, Jason Rauk, Rex Tollefson, Arnie Brondsema. Not pictured are Lloyd DeBoer and Jim Vanderburg.

Photos by Jolene Farley

Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth defenders Darin DeBoer (88) and Curt Schilling (11) punish a Sioux Vally-Round Lake-Brewster runner during Friday's football game in Hills. In a clash featuring two teams ranked in the top 10 of the Minnesota nine-man football poll, the No. 7 upset No. 2 SV-RL-B 21-20.

William Colwell, 85, Magnolia, died Saturday, Oct. 6, 2001, at Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center in Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, Oct. 10, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery, Luverne.

William Charles Colwell was born to William W. and Grace (Nelson) Colwell on the family farm near Ellsworth. As a child they moved to a farm near Kanaranzi where he was raised and attended the Mossy Meadow country school. In 1932 they moved to a farm near Magnolia where he helped on the farm. Following his education he helped on the family farm which he later took over from his father. He farmed until his retirement in spring 1981. He moved to Luverne where he lived the past 20 years. On Aug. 29, 2001, he entered Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center.

Mr. Colwell was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne where he was a member of Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming and visiting with friends and family. He also enjoyed bowling.
Survivors include one sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Dan Heimer, Merriam, Kan.; 19 nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Mr. Colwell was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Leslie and Lowell Colwell, and two sisters, Ruth Strassburg and Rose Mary Aanenson.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Dries G. Bosch, 80, Valley Springs, S.D., died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills.

Services were Monday, Oct. 8, at Valley Springs Reformed Church in Valley Springs. Burial was in Pleasant View Cemetery, Valley Springs.

Dries G. Bosch was born to Gerrit and Jennie (Ten Haken) Bosch on Jan. 10, 1921, on a farm near Steen. In March 1921 he moved with his parents to a farm near Luverne where he grew up. He entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 15, 1942, and served overseas in the European Theatre. He was involved in the invasion of Normandy. He was discharged on Nov. 21, 1945.

He married Jennie Elzinga on Dec. 18, 1945, in her home. The couple farmed near Valley Springs for two years. They later farmed north of Beaver Creek until 1979. They then moved to Valley Springs. He worked at the stockyards for five yards before retiring.

Mr. Bosch was a member of Valley Springs Reformed Church where he served as a deacon for three years and as an elder for 36 years. He also served on the Beaver Creek Elevator Board for 24 years. He was a member of the American Legion in Valley Springs where he served as chaplain for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Jennie Bosch, Valley Springs; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dale and Karen Bosch, Beaver Creek, and Merlyn and Kathi Bosch, Valley Springs; one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Denny Van Den Berg, Sioux Center, Iowa; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, William (Bertha) Bosch, Steen, Gerald and (Vivian) Bosch, Valley Springs, and Arthur and (Dottie) Bosch, Pella, Iowa; one sister, Grace Wassenaar, Hills; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Bosch was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Marvin Bosch.

George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, S.D., was in charge of arrangements.

Dianne Greenfield, 60, Hills, died Saturday, Oct. 13 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. Services will be Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hills, with Rev. Lowell Berg officiating. Burial will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fulda. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 16 from 2 to 8:30 p.m. with family present from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Roste Funeral Home, Hills.