The Caney Valley High School volleyball program is ready for its season opener next Tuesday, Sept. 9, said first-year head coach Sam Wyrick.

The Bullpups will host Fredonia and Coffeyville in the season opener.

“We’ve got a good group of girls this season,” said Wyrick. “They’ve been working hard, and I believe we’ll be ready for our opener on September 9th.”

The Bullpup roster has four seniors and two juniors. The seniors, all returning players, include Allison Davis, Caitlin Estes, Jessica Larkin and Alyssa Whitman. The two juniors are Dusti Doub and Jessica Robertson.
A large corps of sophomores dominate this year’s squad. They include Molly Freisberg, Jessica Wyrick, Kati Hiner, Melanie Davis, Katilyn Daniels, Madison Bush, Caitlin Shepard, Katie Kahre, Holly Barks, Laynee Davidson, Kyla Ellison, and Jessica Stevens.

Freshmen members of the team include Kayla Clapp, Emmeline Kinder, Amber Benning, Jessica Wells, Melanie Lee, Taylor Crowe, Calyn Brown, Jessica Dressler, Madison Nunneley, Monya Palmer and Shelby Howard.

Wyrick said the Lady Bullpups have set a goal of improving on their 14-18 finish in the 2007 season.

“Our strengths will be in defense and not making mistakes, and hopefully getting other teams out of system.  I think we’ll be pretty competitive this season,” he said.

Caney Valley cross country team hopes to defend TVL title

CANEY — The Caney Valley High School cross country team is ready to defend its Tri-Valley League title when the Bullpups open the 2008 season today (Thursday) at Labette County.

This year’s cross country team is an all men’s club with seven runners on the roster. They include returning runners James Albee, Casey McCammon, Luke DeWitt, James Gray, Quint Lockwood, Kurt Lockwood and Cash Stotts. New to the program is freshman Caleb McIntosh.

Following today’s season opener at Labette County, Bullpup runners will be on the road next Thursday, Sept. 11 at Girard before competing at Big Hill Lake on Sept. 18. That Big Hill Lake tournament, which is hosted by Parsons High School, is regarded as one of the toughest courses in the state because of the winding course that forces runners to climb the steep dam face and make a fast trek downhill and along the lake’s spillway.

Coaching this year’s squad is Dan DeWitt.

CANEY — The 2008 version of the Caney Valley High School football team is 24 hours away from its season opener at Neodesha on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

CVHS head coach Criss Davis said this year’s squad was ready for the season opener, even though the squad had less than two weeks of practice in full pads.

“The amount of time we spent in full pads and full contact is about 10 to 12 days,” he said. “It seems like the past two weeks have flown by. But, our guys are ready to see some game action.”

After viewing the team scrimmage last Thursday night, Davis said the Bullpups will be a faster team than in previous seasons. Being fast footed will be a bonus for the team, considering that the squad’s aggressiveness off the ball has been slow during the early weeks of practice.

“If we have a challenge, it is that we need to be more aggressive off the ball,” said Davis. “We’ve got to be able to fire off the line and hit or block people when the ball is hiked.”

Davis said it was too early to determine the starting lineup for Friday’s season opener. And, he noted that the weekly lineup could change as the season progresses.

“We’ve got 38 on the team roster, and I know they would all like to see some game time,” said Davis, whose team finished with a 6-4 record in 2007. “There will be a lot of guys fighting for some starting spots during the season.”

The senior class of Bullpups includes Kyler Waggoner, Branden Stephens, Tyler Garton, Brandon Layton, Brad Terry, Kyle Kuehn, Jakob Price and Joel Nunneley.

Juniors on the squad include Gable LaForge, Matt Barlow, Brycen Thornton, Bryce Brown, Dillon Barton, Aaron Elliot, Chad Reeder, Dustin Artherton, Tyler Ellison, Ethan Smith and Chad Dick.

Sophomores on the roster include Dalton Lockwood, David Munday, Dakota Denny, Casey Melander, Dustin Bayless, Zach Boatman, Tim Shamblin, Gage Billingsley, and Skye Richey.

Getting their first taste of high school football will be freshmen Dustin Mullinax, Nick Newton, Sam Watt, Eric Mason, Tyler Wood, Corey Allen, Daniel Negru, John Rodriguez, Mitchell Simmons and Gage Griffin.

CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale High School’s volleyball program will open the 2008 season next Tuesday, Sept. 9 with a home match against Independence (best out of five games). Action starts at 5 p.m., in the CHS Gymnasium.

Charger volleyball head coach Mike Lewis said this year’s team has hopes of improving on last year’s 15-17 finish. However, key to achieving a winning season is finding people to fill the shoes left by departing senior Katie DeTar, who was a first-team all league player and led Cherryvale in kills (192) and aces (75).

“We have a lot of sophomores who are really pushing our juniors to step up and compete for the varsity positions,” said Lewis. “We are returning five players that played significant varsity time last year and are looking for a couple of players to step up and fill the holes created by graduation.”

Those five returning players include the two seniors on the roster: Sarah Schwaninger and Alex  Hugo. The other returning players include junior Brianne Smedley and sophomores Karly Snider and Amy Hougardy.

The sophomore class dominates this year’s roster with 11 total players, more than the freshmen, juniors and senior classes combined.

“As for how we are going to do this year as a team we have the potential to do really well in our league and at the tournaments we attend, we just need to stay healthy, play smart, and do the things we need to do to be successful,” said Lewis.

On the roster are:

• Seniors: Alex Hugo and Sara Schwaninger.

• Juniors: Jennifer Clark, Maren Morschhaeuser, Brianne Smedley, Shannon Blaes, Kylie Paine and Jillian Erskin.

• Sophomores: Morgan Martin, Myranda Prather, Camden Blaes, Taylor Cunningham, Hallie Davis, Katie Russell, Mary Reilly, Amy Hougardy, Taylor Westhoff, Karly Snider and Rebekah Doncouse.

• Freshmen: Andrea Hucke, Cheyenne Trout.

CHERRYVALE — The Cherryvale High School football program is under new management for 2008.

Harry Hester, who served as a CHS assistant coach from 1999 to 2003, returns to Cherryvale after several years of varsity-level coaching experience at McLouth High School. He said he was excited to return to the Charger Nation to lead a team that opens the 2008 campaign at home against the Fredonia Yellowjackets on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., at the Logan Park Stadium.

“A new commitment to Cherryvale football awaits our community and our oponents as well,” said Hester, who inherits a program that finished 3-6 in 2007.

“The seniors are poised for a big year and look for support from a very talented junior class. The sophomores and freshmen will have a great opportunity to find the field to fill any holes.”

Hester said the 2008 Chargers will see the return of 100 percent of its offensive production, including senior Brandon Blackburn at quarterback. Blackburn, an all-league pick in 2007, will be in his fourth year as the Chargers’ signal caller.

Blackburn passed for 1,362 yards and 12 touchdowns during his junior campaign. He also rushed for 561 yards on 108 totes and recorded seven rushing touchdowns.

Senior runningback Robert Lane will carry the pigskin for the Chargers. Lane rushed for 520 yards and recorded five touchdowns last season.
Joining Lane in the backfield will be runningback/wide receiver Ryan Studebaker, a senior who logged 169 yards on 55 carries and four touchdowns in 2007.

On the wings of the offense will be senior wide receiver/tight end Chance Baker, senior wide receivers Kenan Booe and Dennon Windsor, and junior wide receiver Roman Lopez. That foursome logged a total of 12 touchdowns and more than 1,280 receiving yards in 2007.

On the defensive side of the ball, returning playmakers include Windsor at the outside linebacker position and Blackburn in the free safety post. Mike Bolinger is anticipated to return to the cornerback slot while Ryan Studebaker and Dillon Blake will fill the inside linebacker positions.

Hester said the offensive and defensive lines could see the likes of Brett Thornton, Tony Cruz, Dillon Blake, Cody Seifert, Kendall Beye, Cody Linnebur, Micah Booe and Joe Johnston.

On the Chargers’ special forces will be returning kicker Shane Hammer, a junior, while senior Kenan Booe will be handling punt duties. Kick/punt returners include Brandon Blackburn, Chance Baker and Gavin Thorenson.

Following Friday’s season opener at home, Cherryvale will be on the road for a Sept. 12 game at Humboldt, the 2007 Tri-Valley League champion. The Chargers will then return home on Sept. 19 for a battle against rival Neodesha.

Back-to-back road trips to Yates Center (Sept. 26) and Burlington (Oct. 3) will catch the Chargers in the middle of the season while the team returns to its home turf for a pair of home games, including an Oct. 10 date against Eureka and an Oct. 17 game against Erie in the opener for the class 3A district playoffs.

Cherryvale will play at Frontenac on Oct. 24, and return home for the district playoff finale on Thursday, Oct. 30.

This week’s edition of the Montgomery County Chronicle includes the 2008 edition of “Paydirt Payday” — the Chronicle’s annual football contest for readers and gridiron fans.

The contest, found on pages 10-11, will publish each week during the high school regular season.

Chronicle editor Andy Taylor said the football contest has been an annual tradition for many years and is open to readers and any football fan.

“It’s a fun way to enjoy the football season,” he said. “People always like to predict which team will win upcoming games. Now, you can predict those winners and win cash for your correct picks.”

Taylor said there were several changes to this year’s contest:

• Each week’s contest will have 16 games. New to this year’s contest are NFL games. Those games are denoted with “NFL.” Otherwise, all other contest picks are junior college and college games.

• Each week’s contest will have two “Games of the Weeks,” which will serve as a tie breaker. Whereas past years’ contests asked readers to pick the winner of those games and provide the predicted score, this year’s contest will ask readers to provide the total points scored by both teams. The prediction of a winner of those Games of the Week is not needed.

For example, if you predict Team A will score 21 points and Team B will score 14 points, then the combined total points will be 35.

“This is a much better cleaner method for determining a tie breaker,” said Taylor. “Should the Games of the Week #1 be needed to break a tie, then the entrant who chooses the total points that is closest to the actual combined points in that game will be the winner. The Game of the Week #2 will serve as an additional tie breaker if a tie still exists after the Game of the Week #1 combined score.”

Taylor said all entries must be delivered to the Montgomery County Chronicle offices by 10 p.m., Friday or postmarked no later than Friday.

BY KATHY  TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

A number of merchants from southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma are combining forces to come up with ways for local and area residents to save on gasoline by shopping at home and nearby towns while having fun at the same time.

These merchants, including several in Caney, invite everyone to be a part of the 1st Annual 100 Mile Treasure Hunt Drive to take place Sept. 12, 13 and 14. Organizers say that many different kinds of treasures will be found such as collectibles, candles, knickknacks, used furniture, jewelry, toys and much more which will include garage sales, antique shops and malls, quilt shops, local unique eateries and speciality businesses from floor coverings, gifts, health and home decor items.

Maps for the treasure hunt will be available in every town. Also listed on the maps will be historical sites, museums and activities to enjoy along the 100 mile drive. Many of the businesses will offer extended shopping hours until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14.

The towns along Highway 166 that will be a part of the 100 Mile Treasure Hunt Drive include Sedan housing the Yellow Brick Road, an open air flea market, along with bed and breakfast locations; Caney which will offer the Caney Speedway races on Saturday night, the Caney Valley Historical Museum Complex and the Safari Zoological Park (call ahead for information); the Tyro area offers the Little House on the Prairie Complex, plus the Tyro Christian Church Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 13, and a bed and breakfast offering an open house showing off its antiques and western decor. On Friday night the Kings Coffee Company in Dearing will showcase live Christian music and delectable food selections while an antique store will offer late night shopping.

Visit Coffeyville to see the recovery from the 2007 flood, along with the Dalton Museum, Brown Mansion, Country Music Theater with a Mel and Pam Tillis salute program on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Also stop by the Aviation Museum and eat with the restaurants and clubs in South Coffeyville.

Edna features the Edna City Lake and Chetopa is known as the “Catfish and Pecan Capital.”

Along Highway 75 visit in Independence touring the “American Roots Music” Smithsonian Museum exhibit at the Independence Museum; live music will be offered Saturday at Uncle Jack’s Restaurant and there will be lots to do and see for all ages at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo and Park.

Going south on Highway 75 will take you to the Copan Lake nestled at Copan, Okla., and the Dewey Hotel, Tom Mix Museum, Prairie Song which is a one-of-a-kind handmade replica of a western town will all be found in the Dewey, Okla., area.

All along the way on the Highway 75 and 166 will be garage sales held during the three-day event.

On Sunday, Sept. 14, churches in the above towns invite everyone to attend their Sunday services.

Organizers of the 1st Annual 100 Mile Treasure Hunt Drive are hoping for a large turnout to these various towns to shop, visit, eat and get acquainted, and at the same time save gas by not driving to the big towns for shopping and entertainment.

For more information about setting up a garage sale along this drive or other questions about the event should call Jana Nunneley at J’s Corner Store, Tyro,  620-515-9502.

Maps showing all information about the 100 Mile Treasure Hunt Drive can be found at G&G Thrift Store, Caney Antique Mall, Of the Beadin Path, Gabbie’s Flea Market and Scimeca’s Antiques and Big G’s Burgers in Caney.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CHERRYVALE — Cherryvale water customers will soon get the opportunity to have their water and sewer bills debited from their checking accounts.

City councilors on Tuesday learned that city staff was upgrading its collection of water and sewer payments by allowing any customer to have their payments deducted from their checking accounts.

Currently, only patrons of Community National Bank and Peoples State Bank are allowed such privilege, but under a new system that will go into effect later this month, any person with a Federal Reserve System-recognized bank account can have water/sewer payments debited each month. The first debit transaction will take place in early October.
Trey Cocking, city administrator, emphasized that the payment deduction system is totally voluntary. Persons can still pay their water and sewer bills by conventional means at City Hall.

He also said all water customers, regardless of their payment preference, will still receive a monthly water bill to show their monthly water usage.

Cocking said the new payment debit system will lower the time for city staff to prepare and receive water/sewer payments.

Should a customer who uses the payment debit system default on their payment, the city will impose a $35 fee, and the customer will no longer be allowed to use the payment system.

In other business transacted at Tuesday’s meeting, councilors named Mayor John Wright to be the city’s voting delegate to the League of Kansas Municipalities convention to be held in October. City administrator Trey Cocking will serve as the alternate voting delegate.

BY ANDY TAYLOR
Montgomery County Chronicle

CANEY — A proposal to build a new fire station in Caney cleared its first hurdle last week when the Kansas Department of Commerce gave city officials the green light to find an architect for the station’s construction.

The City of Caney has applied for the KAN STEP program, which is a grant program administered through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The program provides state funds for the purchase of construction materials provided that communities provide volunteer labor for the construction of public facilities, such as fire stations.

After a community meeting was held on Aug. 26 to determine the available pool of volunteers for the fire station project, KDOC officials agreed that the City of Caney can proceed with the next stage in the program.

“This is really positive news for Caney, and even though it’s still early in the process, we’re now able to move this project into a new phase,” said city administrator Don Whitman.

The Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission is assisting the City of Caney in sending proposals to area architects for the design of the fire station, which will be built on city-owned land at the southwest corner of West Third and North Spring streets (the site of the former Big Valley Lumber Company). When an architect is procured for this project, the architect will have until Jan. 1, 2009 to develop a building plan that demonstrates a 40 percent cost savings through volunteer labor. Should that endeavor be proven, then KDOC officials will determine if the community is worthy of the final grant award, Whitman said.