Montezuma's Broox Stockman goes yards during the home game against Moravia on Friday, Sept. 6. Stockman finished the game with 90-yards on 7 carries. Montezuma won the game, 80-8.

        Poweshiek County Whitetails Unlimited Chapter committee members join representatives of the Montezuma Trap Team during the organization's annual meeting in Malcom on Saturday, Aug. 24. Pictured, from left, front row: Peyton Tindle, Jacob Meyer and Jodi Meyer with the shooting sports team. Back row: Drew Buckley, Jeff Herman, Chad Sutfin, Jose Fragoso, Jason Meyer, Josh Gregson and Eric Hodina. The organization donated $2,500 to the Montezuma Trap Team.

​           The entire reason for the local chapters of Whitetails Unlimited is to raise money to ensure the future of hunting within our counties, states and nation. The vast majority of the money our specific chapter raises is donated back to the communities that we’re a part of.  Every year, the Poweshiek County Whitetails Unlimited Chapter, give scholarships to select graduating seniors that have applied. And the organization donates to the local shooting sports teams in Grinnell, Montezuma and Brooklyn, as well as the 4-H shooting club.
        "We will also donate to benefits within Poweshiek County," noted Eric Hodina, president of the local chapter. "And we are currently in discussions to start a youth hunting/shooting mentorship program for kids that may have interest in hunting or shooting that don’t have anyone to teach them about it or potentially can’t afford to do so."

       The Poweshiek County Whitetails Unlimited Chapter donated $2,500 to the Brooklyn Trap Team at the organizations annual banquet on Saturday, Aug. 24. Committee members are show with representatives of the Brooklyn shooters. They are, from left: Drew Buckley, Jeff Herman, Chad Sutfin, Jason Meyer, Jose Fragoso, front; Josh Gregson, in back; and Eric Hodina.

          It's Homecoming week at Montezuma High School. Pictured is the homecoming court. Front row, from left: Ellen Cook, Shiressa Wetering, Emily Jo James, Elizabeth DeJong and Kylee Larmore. Back row: Bryson Stockman, Jusiah Wetering, Spencer Ross, Peyton Minner and Kohen Holland. The King and Queen will be crowned during Braves Night on Thursday, Sept. 12 in the high school gym at 6:30 p.m.

by Ryan Stonebraker

        WILLIAMSBURG - The Montezuma cross-country teams began their seasons on Tuesday, September 3 at the Williamsburg Raider cross-country Invitational. There, the girl’s team placed 10th and the boy’s team placed 11th.  Montezuma ran at the Pekin Panther Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 5, and will be back in action on Tuesday, September 10 at the Grinnell Tiger Invitational at Ahrens Park.
      On the girl’s side, the Braves placed 10th with 263 points.  Mid-Prairie won the girl’s team race with 32 points.  Williamsburg was the runner-up with 54 points and PCM was third with 71 points.  Fellow SICL teams Belle Plaine, HLV, and Iowa Valley were also at the meet.
      Brooklyn Stutzman from Mid-Prairie was the overall female winner in a time of 19:52. Williamsburg’s Channing Becker was the runner-up in a time of 20:12.  Montezuma’s top runner was Ellen Cook who placed 29th in 23:48.  Other Brave finishers were Alexa Rose 49th, Claire Erselius 51st, Sophia Semprini 65th, and Hialeah Eichenberger 69th.
       On the boy’s side, Montezuma placed 11th with 327 points. Mid-Prairie won the meet with a team score of 38 while Grinnell was the team runner-up with 65 points.  Emmet Swartzentruber from Mid-Prairie was the overall winner in 16:56 while Will Schmidgall from Mediapolis was the runner-up in a time of 17:00.  HLV finished one team ahead of the Braves in 10th place with 297 points.
       Dayton Reif led Montezuma runners with a 62nd place finish in 21:24. Other Montezuma finishers were Cael Cheney 68th, Cade Lowry 71st, Jusiah Wetering 72nd, Bryson Stockman 79th, and Linkyn Bru 80th.

Williamsburg Raider Invitational - Girl's Team Scores
Tuesday, Sept. 3
At Williamsburg
Girl’s Team Scores: 1. Mid-Prairie 32, 2. Williamsburg 54, 3. PCM 71, 4. Oskaloosa 103, 5. Davis County 164, 6. Newton 171, 7. Grinnell 192, 8. Benton Community 193, 9. Mediapolis 227, 10. Montezuma 263, 11. Waterloo Christian 321.  No Team Scores: Waterloo Christian, Belle Plaine, HLV, Iowa Valley.
Top-10 Finishers: 1. Brooklyn Stutzman (MP) 19:52, 2. Channing Becker (Williamsburg) 20:12, 3. Rachel Hostetler (MP) 20:23, 4. Kendal Landstrum (MP) 20:36, 5. Kyliee Zylstra (Grinnell) 20:58, 6. Tierney Carter (Oskaloosa) 21:05, 7. Abi Teeter (PCM) 21:24, 8. Lila Milani (PCM) 21:25, 9. Edie Axmear (Williamsburg) 21:36, 10. Audrey Muckler (Newton) 21:40.
Individual Team Results: 
MONTEZUMA (263): 29. Ellen Cook 23:48, 49. Alexa Rose 25:40, 51. Claire Erselius 25:45, 65. Sophia Semprini 28:08, 69. Hialeah Eichenberger 29:44.

Williamsburg Raider Invitational - Boy's Team Scores 
Tuesday, Sept. 3
At Williamsburg
Boy’s Team Scores: 1. Mid-Prairie 38, 2. Grinnell 65, 3. Williamsburg 99, 4. Newton 120, 5. Mediapolis 139, 6. PCM 144, 7. Oskaloosa 157, 8. Benton 214, 9. Davis County 234, 10. HLV 297, 11. Montezuma 327, 12. Waterloo Christian 342, 13. Belle Plaine 380.  No Team Scores: Iowa Valley.
Top-10 Finishers: 1. Emmet Swartzentruber (MP) 16:56, 2. Will Schmidgall (Mediapolis) 17:00, 3. Preston Yutzy (MP) 17:10, 4. Barrett Jesina (South Tama) 17:11, 5. Cadel Conner (Grinnell) 17:17, 6. Simon Wendel (Mediapolis) 17:23, 7. Jayse Yoder (MP) 17:24, 8. Colin Reed (Williamsburg) 17:52, 9. Aden Wolfe (Grinnell) 17:53, 10. Maxon Swartzentruber (MP) 17:55.
Individual Team Results: 
MONTEZUMA (327): 62. Dayton Reif 21:24, 68. Cael Cheney 21:42, 71. Cade Lowry 21:57, 72. Jusiah Wetering 21:59, 79. Bryson Stockman 22:39, 80. Linkyn Bru 23:03.

by Ryan Stonebraker

        LIBERTY CENTER - The Montezuma Braves' week two match-up with Southeast Warren turned into a shootout as the game came down to the team with the football last. Unfortunately for Braves fans, it was SE Warren who had the ball last.  The Warhawks came back from down eight points in the fourth quarter to beat Montezuma 50-44. The loss drops the Braves record to 1-1 while SE Warren won their season opener.
       SE Warren scored as time ran out in the game as quarterback Cam Seuferer crossed the goal line from two yards out for the winning score.  Seuferer had three touchdown passes and two rushing scores in the game.
      “Our defense broke down on some assignments and that was trouble for us.  We contained their run game well. We didn’t adjust to their RPO plays against us and we needed to adjust to that better,” said Montezuma coach Jon Beck.
      Beck said the the Warhawks are a good football team and though this loss stings, the closeness and toughness of the game was needed for his team.
       “This will be a good week down the road.  These are the games that we need in the non-district.  It will prepare us for district play.  They are very physical and we want to play that way too,” he said.             
        SE Warren scored the first points of the game with 8:22 left in the first quarter.  A 6-yard touchdown pass from Cam Seuferer to Jamison Ewing was followed by a successful 2-point conversion run to make the score 8-0. On the ensuing drive, the Braves drove into the red zone only to see the Warhawks intercept Brady Boulton at the goal line. The Braves would force a Warhawk punt to avoid trouble.  The Braves got into Warhawk territory, but couldn’t convert on a key fourth and short, turning the football over to SE Warren late in the first quarter.
       Early in the second quarter, the Braves held the Warhawks out of the end zone after they had penetrated the red zone taking over the football on downs. The Braves would then put together a 75-yard drive ending in a 6-yard Brett Plants touchdown run to cut the SE Warren lead to 8-6.  The Warhawks answered the Braves score with one of their own.  Marching down the field, SE Warren would extend their lead to 16-6 after a Terry Fisher 4-yard run and Cam Seuferer conversion run.  Montezuma would answer right back, getting closer on a Broox Stockman 1-yard touchdown run.  A Brady Boulton conversion run did no good but the Braves trailed only 16-12.  That would be the score at the halftime break.
      On their first drive of the second half, Montezuma took their first lead of the game.  A score to take the lead came in the form of a Lars Taylor 7-yard pass from Brady Boulton to set the score at 18-16 Montezuma.  A Brady Boulton conversion run is no good.
       SE Warren would re-take the lead on their next drive on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Seuferer.  The two-point try was no good, but SE Warren led 22-18. Montezuma again marched down the field and answered the Warhawk's score with one of their own.  The Braves got a big play from Boulton who connected on a 33-yard scoring pass to David Rose to give the Braves a 24-22 lead.
       The Warhawks took a lead of 28-24 on a Trey Fisher 3-yard run, followed by the Braves taking the lead, 30-28 on a Brett Plants scoring run, his second of the game. Right before the quarter ended, SE Warren would take the lead one final time in the quarter.  A 51-yard big play pass from Seuferer to Jamison Ewing set the score at 36-30 after three quarters.
      Montezuma tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a Broox Stockman 2-yard run at 36.  Later the Braves took a 44-36 lead after a Boulton 8-yard run and two-point conversion pass from Boulton to Rose.
      SE Warren tied the game on a 27-yard pass from Seuferer to Brogan Ewing and a Seuferer conversion run to knot the score at 44.  The back-and-forth of the second half ended when SE Warren came up with a big defensive stop of the Braves forcing them to punt late in the game.  The Warhawks would march down the field getting a first and goal at the seven-yard line with 14 seconds left in the game.  The Warhawks would score the winning points with no time left in the game on a 2-yard run by Seuferer.
      The Braves had nearly 400 yards of total offense with 395 yards with 125 passing and 270 rushing yards.
    Brady Boulton passed for 125 yards on 13-of-24 attempts with two touchdowns and one interception.  Boulton rushed for 77 yards on 12 carries with a touchdown.  Brett Plants led Brave rushers with 143 yards on 24 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Broox Stockman rushed for 50 yards on 14 carries with a pair of touchdown runs.  Carter Michalek was the top Montezuma receiver with seven receptions for 44 yards.  David Rose and Lars Taylor each caught a touchdown pass.
     Defensively, Montezuma was led in tackling by Luke Erselius with eight and Broox Stockman with six.  David Rose and Stockman each had interceptions in the game.
     SE Warren quarterback Cam Seuferer passed for 311 yards on 26-of-35 completions with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Seuferer also rushed for 15 yards and two touchdowns. Trey Fisher led SE Warren in rushing with 90 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns. The Warhawks had 311 passing and 122 rushing yards.  The War Hawks had two players with over 100 yards receiving. Brogan Ewing led with 12 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown while Jamison Ewing had seven catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns.  Defensively, SE Warren was led by Jamison Ewing with 13.5 tackles, Seuferer with 12 tackles, and Fisher with 11.5 tackles.
       The Braves will return home Friday to play Moravia in the first of back-to-back weeks with home games.  The Mohawks come into the game 0-2 after losing 54-21 in week zero to Boyer Valley and last week, 58-0 to 2023 8-man state runner-up Bedford.
      Moravia has used two quarterbacks this season, a sophomore and a freshman.  Sophomore Kale Moore has the best stats with 51 passing yards on 11-for-24 attempts. He has not thrown a touchdown pass but has three interceptions.  Moravia’s top rusher is sophomore Blake Ewing who has 123 yards on 34 carries and three touchdowns.  Senior Jesse Myhr is next with 81 yards on 24 carries.  Junior Declan DeJong is Moravia’s top receiver with six catches for 45 yards.  Defensively, Moravia’s top tackler is DeJong with eight and senior Isaac Messsamaker with seven.
       “Moravia is a dive and speed option running team. They look to be physical on the line and we will have to accept that challenge,” said Beck.

       Harry Smith, retired CBS and NBC television journalist, will be the headline speaker at the 2024 All-Iowa Writers’ Conference on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Montezuma.
       The conference, which is in its 12th year, is hosted by J.O. and Debbie Parker with Our Front Porch Books. The event will be held at Community Hope Church, 501 N. Front St., Montezuma. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and pre-registration is encouraged. The all-day conference includes lunch from Pagliai’s of Grinnell and is $40 in advance or $50 at the door. 
       And for the first time, attendees have the option of pre-registering for a half-day session. Space is limited and you must pre-register by September 19. The price is $25 to attend either the morning or afternoon session. This price does not include lunch.
      Smith, who is teaching a course this fall on curiosity at his alma mater, Central College, will present on his journalism career and writing. Also leading presentations will be author, playwright and national commentator, Zachary Michael Jack; Leigh Michaels, award-winning author of more than 100 books; Misty Urban, editor and author; Jackie Haley, national recognized speaker and entrepreneur and comic book writer and artist, Phil Hester.
    Attendees can pre-register by downloading a form at www.ourfrontporchbooks.com. If you have any questions or would like a pre-registration form emailed to you, please contact Debbie at [email protected]or call J.O. at  641-990-8026.

        Members of the Bear Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited committee are shown with the Tindle family of Montezuma at the chapter’s annual banquet held in Malcom on Saturday, Aug. 24. Each year at the annual banquet, the chapter holds a special auction for a family in need. This year it was Peyton Tindle, a junior at Montezuma High School, who just learned this month that his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is in remission after four rounds (given in eight doses) of chemotherapy. Pictured are, from left: Debbie Parker, aunt; Abree Kemerling, friend; Jeff, Dad; Sawyer, brother; Peyton; Megan, Mom; and committee members, Josh Gregson, Jason Meyer, Drew Buckley, Eric Hodina, Chad Sutfin and Jose Fragoso. Peyton’s brother, Gavin, was unable to attend the banquet.

By J.O. Parker
 
        The Bear Creek Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited is a lot more than a deer conservation organization. They are a group of men and women who support their communities.
And that was evident at the chapter’s annual meeting on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Malcom American Legion Hall.
       Each year the chapter holds a special auction raising funds for an area family in need and this year it was for Peyton Tindle, 16, of Montezuma.
       Peyton, son of Jeff and Megan Tindle, was diagnosed this spring with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Stage 2.
     “Peyton started his treatments on May 1, and promptly had a severe reaction to the first medicine they gave him,” said his dad, Jeff. “After that, each treatment had challenges that Peyton persevered through.”
   Peyton just completed his fourth and final round of chemotherapy (eight treatments in total) on Wednesday, Aug. 7. On Aug. 23, Peyton found out the treatments had been successful and that he is in remission.
      Eric Hodina, president of the local chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, said the chapter has done a benefit for a family in need (typically due to medical reasons) within Poweshiek County, this being the 17th year.
     “Now after 17 years on the committee and three years into being president of the chapter, I want to be sure we continue this tradition for as long as the chapter exists,” noted Hodina. “With everything that is going on in this world, I want to be sure that we set as an example as Americans, as Iowans and members of the small-town community’s we live in that we have each other’s backs when it comes right down to it.”
      Hodina said when someone in these small towns (in Poweshiek County) is affected by something, it doesn't just affect that family, it affects the community. 
      Peyton’s cancer journey began innocent enough. In late March, he noticed his lymph nodes on the left side of his neck were larger than normal.
       “We assumed he had a cold or virus,” said Jeff. “After a few days, with no symptoms of sickness, the lymph nodes were still swollen and we decided to take him to the doctor.”
        Peyton’s doctor did a blood test and treated him with antibiotics followed by a re-check.
     "Five days later, the antibiotics had made no improvement in his condition,” Jeff said of his son. “The doctor told us he should have a CT scan - “just in case.” A few hours later, the doctor received the results. She immediately referred us to an oncology doctor at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.”
        Over the next few days, Peyton underwent many tests to rule out any cause other than cancer.
“They all came back negative,” noted his mom, Megan. “Next, they did a biopsy of his lymph node. It was positive for cancer.”
        Installation of a port was the next step. Apparently, standard procedure is to place the port on the right-hand side. Peyton’s favorite sport is trap shooting with Montezuma Scholastic Shooting Sports. He is a right-handed shooter. But with persistent advocating from Peyton, his parents and the oncology doctor, he managed to get his port installed on the left side so he could continue to shoot.
        After his first PET scan, doctors suspected Peyton also had cancer in his bone marrow.
        “However, another biopsy proved that not to be the case,” said Jeff.
         Doctors and his family and friends were amazed how Peyton persevered through it all.  
        “During his treatments, he continued to shoot, including state trap,” said his dad. “He showed livestock at the Poweshiek County Fair and attended FFA practice with his Ag Communications Team, which will be competing at the National FFA Competition in Indianapolis in October.”
       Peyton’s parents said that the past several months have been challenging, but both are so thankful for the support of family, friends and the community.
       “It has been truly amazing and makes you appreciate where you live,” said Jeff.
       “And the community will always come together to support and help when and where it’s possible,” noted Hodina.
         Peyton is a junior at Montezuma High School this fall.