Sports

On Monday, Oct. 6, the North Woods gym was filled with flamboyant shades of pink and creative costumes as the volleyball teams hosted the Nashwauk-Keewatin Spartans for their annual “Dig Pink” event raising money and awareness for those suffering from breast cancer. As the games got underway, fans could vie for a number of incredible raffle prizes thanks to this year’s organizer, Allison Thiel, and her team of amazing volunteers. At the end of the night when asked about how the event had gone, Thiel responded, “Each year we have tremendous support from local businesses and our community. Each year we have new people come up and say, ‘Please add me to the list for a donation next year.’ And for that, I am very thankful.”

October 2 – It has been a strange season in terms of weather, with each home football game feeling warmer than the last. Last Thursday night was no exception as the teams took the field with temperatures in the 80s. It didn’t stop the Grizzlies who won 30-26 over the Blackduck Drakes. The distant thunder added to the momentous occasion as it was the last home game of the season, Homecoming and Senior Night. The seniors were given an opportunity to reflect on their high school careers and thanked for their dedication to the sport.

September 22 –- As the second half of the season gets underway, the Grizzlies volleyball teams went up against the Littlefork-Big Falls Vikings. The junior high games went well for the Grizzlies with the 7th grade winning 2-1 (25-8, 22-25,15-4) and the 8th grade winning 2-0 (25-14, 25-18).

September 18 – It was a disappointing night for the Grizzlies as they lost to Littlefork-Big Falls 8-26, with 220 total yards and scoring just one touchdown. Fumbles were a huge issue on the Grizzlies team and Coach Anderson commented, “We work hard and preach ball security. In [this] game, we had some issues with ball security, as we fumbled way too many times. We will go back to the basics in practice this week and make sure that our guys hold on to the ball.”

September 25 – North Woods hosted the Northeast Range Nighthawks tonight for their volleyball matchup. Northeast Range came with just one Junior High team and so the Grizzlies’ 7th and 8th graders teamed up and won 2-0 (25-22, 25-16). The 7th graders played the first set and the 8th graders, the second. After the win, the coaches agreed to play a friendly set to give their girls more playing experience. The two Grizzlies teams mixed together to pull off an exciting 28-26 win.

September 12- Tonight the Grizzlies football team beat the Kelliher-Northome Mustangs 26-12. Rain before the game added drama for the fans as players were tackled with spectacular splashes and the fog rolled in for a beautiful backdrop to the action.

September 11 - It was wins all around for the North Woods volleyball teams at home as they battled the Greenway Raiders. The 7th grade won with a score of 2-0 (25-19, 26-24). The 8th grade team followed with their own win of 2-0 (25-8, 25-10). Meanwhile, the JV pulled out a 2-0 (25-11, 25-22) win. Finally, fans saw the Varsity beat the undefeated Raiders with a score of 3-2 (21-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-23, 15-13).

On Sept. 8, Grizzlies Volleyball faced the Deer River Warriors. The Grizzlies’ 7th grade team, 8th grade team, and JV team all won in straight sets, playing best 2-of-3. The varsity also won, but dropped one set for a final of 3-1 (25-13, 23-25, 25-10, 25-10). This is the first set lost by the undefeated Grizzlies who now have a season record of 5-0.

September 4 - Tonight as the North Woods Grizzlies faced the Mesabi East Giants, the 7th grade team got their first home game win with a score of 2-1 having won the first and third sets. The 8th grade also took home a victory two sets to none.

September 2 - Tonight, the North Woods varsity volleyball team beat the Bigfork Huskies in straight sets with a score of 25-7, 25-10, 25-7 for their first home game of the season. This brings their season record to 3-0. Coach Kaileen Redmond, assisted by Coach Lappi, Coach Sandberg, and Coach LaPatka, begins her second year as head coach after five years assisting Coach Olson.