Colton's Football Prowess

Last week Colton was chosen as one of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier's Preps to Watch.

We are proud of the way he has played this season so far and look forward to advancing in the State Playoffs.

I have copied and pasted the article from the October 18, 2018 edition of the Grundy Register.

Rebels down Cougars for district title

 The Grundy Register ACKLEY – The Gladbrook-Reinbeck football program is no stranger to big games late in the season. This year’s 8-man Rebel group feels different, though, perhaps precisely because of their lack of varsity experience coming into 2018. G-R fought off a second-half charge from AGWSR, putting some distance on the Cougars in a 44-19 win in Ackley that clinched the district title and a postseason spot for the Rebels in their first season of 8-player football. This season has also been the first taste of varsity football for many of the Rebels. “This means a whole lot,” G-R quarterback Jackson Kiburis said. “We come up as underclassmen, and we watch the classes that have graduated before us in the past and it means so much to carry on that tradition for us and for our coaches. It’s great to play Rebel football.” Kiburis finished with 15 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown and also completed four catches for 141 yards and a score on a 60-yard touchdown pass to Aiden Wyatt in the first quarter. Colton Clark was the standout in the ground attack, running the ball 24 times for 175 yards and four touchdowns, including two touchdowns in the second half that scuttled AGWSR’s hopes of a second-half comeback. The Cougars had a large hill to climb, falling behind 28-0 in the second quarter but getting a bit of relief when Brody Roder picked off a busted G-R pass play and returned it for a touchdown to cut G-R’s lead to 28-6 with 42 seconds left in the half. AGWSR football head coach James Koop laid it out for his players in the locker room. “’If you’re going to play like [the first half], just stay in the locker room,’” Koop said. “’If you’re going to play like the team I coached for the last five weeks, that got better every week, then let’s go.’ … That was the worst first half we’ve played all year.” The Cougars came out with some fire as Titan Opperman connected with Chase Harms for a 34-yard pass play that set up an Opperman touchdown run three plays later to narrow G-R’s lead to 28-13 with 9:42 left in the third quarter. G-R punted away after a three-and-out on the next drive, but got a huge stop on 4th-and-1 from G-R’s own 10-yard line to keep AGWSR from driving near the Rebel endzone once again. The Rebels were backed up, though, and G-R couldn’t find a first down and this time the Cougars came up with a block on the punt attempt, recovering the ball near where they had turned it over on downs moments earlier. “They came out with some energy,” Olson said of AGWSR. “And when the field position is bad. as a playcaller you start to [overthink]. I’m new to this game, too. We could’ve done some things a lot better.” Opperman didn’t let this opportunity pass by, running in a 2-yard touchdown with 2:41 left in the third quarter. The two-point run attempt to make it a one score game was stopped by the Rebels, however, keeping the score at 28-19. Kiburis immediately broke off a 45-yard run on the first play of the next G-R drive, setting up Clark’s third touchdown of the night in a Rebel response that took exactly 60 seconds to push the lead back up to 36-19 with 1:41 left in the third. G-R’s defense adjusted for AGWSR’s next drive, and a combination of that and penalties against AGWSR prevented a response as the Cougars had to punt before the end of the third quarter. “Our defensive coordinator Brett Bengen did a good job of making adjustments,” Olson said. “We had five guys basically banged up in this game, knee issue here, shoulder issue there, and the guys sucked it up. … It came down to Bengen adjusting, maybe a bit of luck and just the physicality of making [AGWSR] earn some of those drives.” The Rebels burned four minutes of clock to start the fourth quarter and punted the ball back to AGWSR. Once again, G-R’s defense came up with a stop to take over on downs, and this time Clark got open in the run game, streaking across the field for a 37-yard touchdown run and the final score of the night for the Rebels. “Our line was able to block the defense and give Jackson time to get passes out or block so that I could get out running,” Clark said. “Without them, that wouldn’t have happened. … Once we were working as a team to get the ball moving we figured that we could get this going.” “The guys have stepped up,” Olson added. “Kiburis has stepped up, Aidan Walters is doing a great job making calls with the O-line, Tyler Beenken hasn’t said a word all year but he shows up and does a great job, Sam Mussig at center, Kale Hasslemann, Jace Petersen, they’re all getting it done up front, and Colton Clark’s a really special player.” AGWSR’s Zach Crain and Jacob Haley both left the game with injuries in the second half and Koop indicated that there may be some reorganization in the lineup for the Week 9 game against Twin Cedars. The Cougars can still qualify for the playoffs with a win at Twin Cedars and a Colo-NESCO upset of G-R in Week 9, which would make AGWSR and G-R co-district champions and both automatic qualifiers. Otherwise, it’s unlikely that AGWSR would be able to get a postseason spot based on the new Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) that was introduced this season by the IHSAA to deterRebels down Cougars for district title AGWSR's Chase Harms tries to make the catch, battling with Gladbrook-Reinbeck's Keagan Giesking during last Friday's game in Ackley. (Jake Ryder photo) G-R 14 14 8 8 — 44 AGWSR 0 6 13 0 — 19 Scoring summary G-R – Jackson Kiburis 13 run (run failed) G-R – Aiden Wyatt 60 pass from Kiburis (Keagan Giesking run) G-R – Colton Clark 26 run (Giesking run) G-R – Clark 9 run (Giesking run) AGWSR – Brody Roder interception return (kick missed) AGWSR – Titan Opperman 4 run (Christoffer Hansen kick) AGWSR –  Opperman 3 run (run failed) G-R – Clark 13 run (Giesking run) G-R –  Clark 37 run (Wyatt pass from Kiburis) Rushing G-R – Clark 24-175, 4 TD; Kiburis 15-84, TD; Eli Thede 1-25; Giesking 10-23. AGWSR –  Opperman 20-91, 2 TD; Jaden Penning 15-46; Cale Culver 2-(-4); Chase Harms 2-(-4); Roder 1-0. Passing G-R – Kiburis 4-6, 141 yards, TD; Giesking 0-1-1, 0 yards. AGWSR – Titan Opperman 5-21- 1, 68 yards. Receiving G-R – Clark 3-81, Wyatt 1-60, TD. AGWSR – Harms 3-58; Penning 2-10. Tackle leaders (solo-ast-total) G-R – Giesking 4-7-7.5; Kale Hasselmann 3-7-6.5; Sam Mussig 4-5-6.5; Jace Petersen 4-4-6; Thede 4-4-6. AGWSR – Tanner Weichers 8-5- 10.5; Opperman 7-7-10.5; Zach Crain 5-8-9; Harms 7-3-8.5; Roder 5-6-8. Interceptions: G-R (Kiburis); AGWSR (Roder, TD). Fumble recoveries: G-R (Thede). mine at-large postseason qualifiers. All of those factors, plus a chance to finish 2018 with one more win than last season, should be used as motivation for the Cougars next Friday, Koop said. “I told the kids that if they didn’t like losing district title games, that should motivate you in the weight room in the offseason. … But we responded in that second half, and we have to build on that,” Koop said. “We have to get back to what we do best. We might have to figure out some different positions for people due to injury, but that’s part of football, too.” Kiburis and the Rebels will have a chance to make it an outright claim to the district title on Friday in Gladbrook. “We need to focus on Colo-NESCO, and that’s all the next four days of practice should be about,” Kiburis said. “We need to keep getting better every game.” 

And here is a link to the news coverage from KWWL

https://kwwl.com/sport/friday-night-heroes/2018/10/12/gladbrook-reinbeck-wins-44-19-against-agwsr/

"Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go;
Keep her, for she is your life." ~Proverbs 12:13

2018 HOMECOMING

Homecoming Week was the same as most years.  The high school and elementary school each assigned dress up days for the students to participate in.  Colton and Katie dressed up for a few.  Katie wore this one day.  I think it was Decade Day, and she was dressing as a toddler.

Thursday evening was Homecoming Happenings.  Colton was selected to the Homecoming Court.  Although he was not selected as King, we are still proud of him and the effort he made to get Dakota on the Court.

I'm pretty sure he had the biggest fan club in attendance.

Shannon got to be a troll in the parent skit.

The football game on Friday against Melcher-Dallas was a complete blowout.  Colton scored three touchdowns and had two fumble recoveries in the first quarter.

Saturday night was the Homecoming Dance.  Colton and Ingrid went together. 

Katie and Drake were a couple, and traveled in a group of several teens.  They went to Peppers for dinner before the dance, and afterwards, came back to our house to have a bonfire. Brooke's sil did their hair and makeup before the dance.

"For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck."  Proverbs 1:8

Homecoming 2018 Prep

Homecoming 2018 is approaching quickly.  

Colton was selected to the Homecoming Court.  The King and Queen will be announced next Thursday at Homecoming Happenings.

Colton asked Ingrid, G-R's new foreign exchange student from Norway, to be his date for the homecoming dance.

Today Katie was asked to the homecoming dance by Drake. The really exciting part?  She gets to keep the soccer ball!

"A faithful man will abound with blessings,

but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."

Proverbs 28:20

Game Day Breakfast

We hosted the G-R Rebel football team at our home this morning for breakfast.  They have a game tonight, but no school today, so the coaches like them to get up and not lie in bed all day.  

We made scrambled eggs with sausage and ham, cinnamon rolls, and chocolate milk, white milk, and orange juice.  

We were hoping to have them eat outside on the deck, but it was kind of windy and rainy-ish, so they stayed indoors. 

We're hoping for our first 8-man win tonight vs. Turkey Valley.

  Do not eat the bread of a miser,

Nor desire his delicacies;

Proverbs 23:6

       

Changes

It occurred to me last night that with the start of the new school year and Colton, my favorite middle child, being a senior, our parenting gig is halfway over.  

The kids have been enjoying reading back through the old blog posts from years ago, and I don't want to have that end.  Facebook kind of took over as my go-to daily recorder of things going on in our lives, but it makes me sad that I've missed several years here on the blog.  I'm hoping to get back into posting things here so we have a record of events to look back upon in years to come.  

To start us off, I'll post our First Day of School picture.  Colton is a Senior, Katie a Freshman, Naomi is in 8th grade, Hudson is in 5th grade, and Macklin is in 2nd grade.  

Colton also played his first football game of the season last week.  Our district dropped down to 8-man football this year due to low enrollment.  We were scheduled to play Don Bosco, the defending 2-time State Champions.  It wasn't a pretty game, but with a few tweaks and position changes, and a whole lot more experience, I'm confident that if we meet up with the Dons again at the end of the season, we will look like a totally different team.  Colton's fan club consisted of Alex, Katie, Naomi, and Hudson.  Shannon and I were also there.  Shannon has been taking stats for the team for a couple years, and I make sure the refs make the right calls throughout the game.

Until next time...

Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares. Proverbs 1:20

Leaving

This evening Shannon, Chase, Bryce, Colton and I left Iowa for a mission trip to Canada.

We began planning this trip months ago. I have been going back and forth deciding whether or not I was going along. The original group was around 20 people interested, but as the date arrived, our number decreased to just 10.

We planned ahead and got passport cards for the kids. We made arrangements for the little kids while we would be gone. Everything seemed to fall into place.

And then I got cold feet. Could I really leave the country for nine days and leave my littles behind?

Yesterday I was ready to stay home. There seemed to be just too much to get done, and not enough hours in the day to complete each of the tasks.

It just didn't seem like it would be worth the hassle.

But we are on the road.

Katie, Naomi, Hudson and Macklin are at Grandma and Grandpa's house this weekend, and will be with Alex and Moriah the rest of the week. Although there were tears last night, our hugs goodbye this afternoon were handled pretty well.




Nine days.

These are the things moms long for. Peace and quiet. No cooking or cleaning or laundry. Beautiful scenery. Time to recharge and refocus.

And yet I miss them.

We won't have phone or internet service at the camp we will be working at. That worries me.

Nine days.

I won't hear Katie chatting incessantly. I won't get to brush Naomi's hair. I won't get to see the evidence of Hudson's imagination, whether it be a new game he has invented, or a picture he has drawn. And Macklin. EVERY morning he climbs in bed with me and snuggles. We sing 'our song' to each other.

Nine days with no Mommy-Macklin day.

Chase's car broke down and he is thinking of transferring colleges. Bryce was at camp. Our car needed to get to the body shop for repairs. Jackson rented a house and is moving out this weekend. So many things are going on.

And I am leaving the country.

I am confident that big changes will happen this week. I pray that I will be a blessing to others. I pray that I will come back a better mom than the cranky, harried one that left. I pray that I will come back a better wife, because Shannon deserves better than what he has been getting.

Nine days.

Please pray that lives will be changed. Pray for my babies, both those that are with me and those at home. Pray for those caring for my babies. They have a lot of fun things planned, and the kids will likely wish we would go away more often.

See you in nine days.

"For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:2-4




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Last Day of School

Is it just me, or did this school year go by REALLY FAST?!?

This is our first day of school picture.

And here is our last day of school picture.




Yesterday afternoon I received a call from the Middle School.  My heart usually skips a beat when I see the caller ID from the school.  I'm not sure why, because I've never gotten a call saying my kid was in trouble.  Actually, my first thought yesterday was that someone must have gotten hurt during Track/Field day.

The middle school and elementary school secretaries and I speak often.  I have them on my 'favorites' list in my cell phone.  Each day it seems someone needs to go a different direction after school for practice or to a friend's house.  I think Angie and Joan would be pretty disappointed if they didn't get to speak to me each week.

The reason I got a call yesterday was to let me know that Colton would be receiving a special award at their end of the year ceremony and we were invited to attend.  Although Shannon had to work, Grandma Shirley and Papa Ken were able to come with Macklin and I.

Both Katie and Colton were recognized for their service on Student Council and for having grade point averages over 3.5. Katie also participated in Battle of the Books.






Colton received the Gladbrook American Legion Auxiliary Citizenship Award for the Middle School. We are very proud of him.




Naomi and Hudson also had an awards ceremony today.  Naomi received recognition for being the student who has learned by Leaps and Bounds (along with a frog beanie baby), a certificate for being 100% all Three Trimesters, and a Certificate of Participation in the IFAW Animal Action Art & Writing Contest. 




Hudson received The Baby Ruth Award for being a team leader inside the classroom and out.




Shannon and I have a bunch of pretty awesome children, and we are proud of each and every one of them!

"To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion—A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel," Proverbs 1:2-5

Papa Joe Turns 90 Years Old

On Wednesday Papa Joe turned 90 years old. We celebrated by having dinner with the family. Shannon's brother John flew in from Virginia, but the rest of his family were not able to come along.

Today we had cake and ice cream at Papa Joe's house. Several of Papa Joe's nephews and their wives visited, as well as my parents. I did not get a photo of the entire group, but did get one with the great-grandkids.










Papa Joe passed his driver's exam,so he is legal to drive for the next two years. We're trying to convince him to stay within city limits.










Jackson was in charge of cousin patrol. What could possibly go wrong?

Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. ". Proverbs 8:18


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

COLTON IS 14!!

Today is Colton's 14th birthday.  It has been a memorable day for him...but not in a good way.

Early this morning he missed the bus.  Shannon had the honor of driving him to school.  Then he got a crappy grade on his algebra test...along with the rest of his class.

We brought him home some leftover pancakes, but Macklin ate them.

We made the MONUMENTAL decision to get him a puppy, but the one we were interested in was not available by the time we pulled the trigger and made the call.

We pulled him out of school early so we could go get his driver's permit.  Then I remembered that we do not have his birth certificate because we had to mail it in with his passport application.  There was a chance that we could get a copy of his BC at the Grundy County courthouse, but then discovered that it has to be done at the original county of birth.  So he was not able to take his permit test.

No one baked him a birthday cake.  Katie is I am now in the process of mixing up a pan of brownies. Maybe that can salvage a little bit of his day.  

We have a substate soccer game tonight for the Rebels, then we'll decide if he wants to go out for dinner after that.  He mentioned something about Hickory Park.  I'm not sure we are up to that this evening.  We'll see.  

Colton is so much fun to have around.  He is funny.  He has a great personality.  He does a great job in school (despite his algebra test).  He is great with his little brothers, and has fun hanging out with the older brothers.  He is having an awesome soccer season. 

He enjoys serving in our church, and is looking forward to the planned mission trip this summer (thus the passport application).  He's going to do great things in high school this fall!

Being stuck smack dab in the middle of our large family is not always easy, but it's not often that Colton doesn't have a smile on his face.  I know that I can depend on him to help me out when needed.  Despite his crappo birthday, I suspect if you see him yet today, he's gonna be smiling.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CO-CO BEANS!!!!

"My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands."  Proverbs 3:1

So Many Things...

This time of year we have so many different things going on.

Of course, it's FOOTBALL season.  Jackson and Chase play on Fridays.  Bryce plays on Mondays and Thursdays.  Colton plays on Sundays. Whatever day they're not playing, they're practicing.  I'm helping out with the Varsity Spaghetti Dinners each Friday afternoon.  The Rebels have qualified for the State Playoffs, and have one more district game this week before Playoffs begin on the 24th.  Jackson has had a short season due to knee surgery last month.  He only played in 3 games, but has done very well.  He had his first college recruiter come to his game last Friday night.  Chase has had a successful year.  He's within striking distance of the school record in rushing yards, despite a burst bursa sac in his right arm which has caused him some grief.  Bryce just played his last JV game last night.  His team won all but one game this season.  He will continue to practice with the Varsity team until the season ends.  Colton played his last game on Sunday at Wartburg College.  He did a great job as running back, too.

 It's also SOCCER season.  The girls are on separate teams this year, so we have different schedules and games for them.  They practice twice a week and play on Saturdays.  Colton also practices each week and plays on Saturdays. We will finish up games and practice within the next week.

Oh, and there's school, too.  The public school group seems to be enjoying it and they are all doing very well.  I miss my time with them, though.  My home schoolers are doing a great job this year, too.  Several people have asked me how the transition to public school has been.  I like to think of it in terms of childbirth.  I delivered two babies by c-section.  I delivered five babies naturally with no medications.  I delivered two babies with epidurals.  All of the babies were healthy, perfect little creations.  Same result, different means to the end.  The no-med deliveries, much like home schooling, is difficult and hard work, takes a lot of discipline and self-control, but is very rewarding.  My epidural deliveries, much like sending the kids to public school, is less painful, easier on the mom, a bit selfish, but still results in the desired outcome.  Clear as mud, right?

Sunday was Jackson's 18th birthday.  We celebrated with our friend Conrad.  He turned 21 on the 12th, and is an avid COD player.  The boys like to have COD marathons on the weekends and waste tons of time and miss out on their beauty sleep.  After Colton's football game and Naomi's soccer game, we finally got the opportunity to bake a cake.  It's not much for decoration, but it tasted good!  We took Jackson out for dinner Sunday evening for his birthday dinner.  We also did a quick shopping trip to get him some new clothes for his senior pictures, which he had taken on Monday.  It was a beautiful Fall day, and like Jackson says, how could they possibly turn out bad when he's in them?  I'll post some as soon as I get permission from our photographer to do so.

Alex and Moriah spent the day with us on Sunday.  Aren't they cute?  We enjoyed the time with them, and they were good sports about sitting out in the rain and cold through both Colton and Naomi's games.  It meant a lot to the littles for Alex to be there and see them play.  Alex continues to play soccer at Faith and will be competing in his conference tournament this week in Kansas City.   Regionals are next week north of Minneapolis, and if they continue on, nationals will be in Florida.  We've not been to as many of his games this year, but have still seen the majority of his home games. 

As our sports schedules wind down a bit, we've had the opportunity to get up on the roof and we are just about finished shingling.  Yesterday was a perfect day to be up there working.  I wish July and August had been so nice!

Yesterday was the anniversary of Alex and Hudson's car accident and subsequent air flight trip to Iowa City.  We continue to thank God for the blessings He has given us, and are thankful for the complete healing for both of our boys.   I read through the post regarding all that happened last year, and I am so humbled.  What a difference a year makes!

  

"The man's heart plans his ways, but the LORD directs his steps."  Proverbs 16:9

First Day of School

Today was Jackson, Chase, Colton and Katie's first day of school.  We made the decision to send them to public school this year.  Bryce and Naomi opted to stay home with me.

Jackson is a senior

Chase is a junior

Colton is in 6th grade

Katie is in 3rd grade

Jack and Chase left home about 5:30AM so they could pick up a friend on the way and make it to the weight room by 6:00AM.  Yikes.  It was still dark.

Praying while waiting for the school bus.

 Colton and Katie get on the bus at 7:14AM.  They both ride the bus to Gladbrook, where Colton gets off, and then Katie and the other 3rd & 4th graders go to Reinbeck.

Happy to be home at the end of the day! 

 

 And a cake to celebrate their first day of public school.

Bryce, Naomi and I are not starting school until next week.  It has been such an ordeal getting the others scheduled for classes that I haven't spent any time getting their classes ready.  It's not going to be too difficult.  I have all of the curriculum I need.  

Hudson and Macklin are going to hang out while we do school.  Macklin is in a rather challenging stage of life, so pray for us!  

"A wise son makes a glad father," Provers 10:1