On Friday, Aug. 27, the prep football season kicked off across the state of Wisconsin. The Prairie du Chien Blackhawks opened up the 2010 campaign by hosting the Viroqua Blackhawks. Prairie used a quick strike offense to counter Viroqua's deliberate grind-it-out style, and the hometown Hawks pulled out a 29-16 victory.

Prairie du Chien stuck first with 4:13 in the first quarter when senior quarterback Kevin Aspenson found Tanner Roach in the end zone from two yards out. Roach made a diving catch for the score. Aspenson kicked the extra-point to stake the Hawks to a 7-0 lead.

Aspenson and Roach connected again in the second quarter for a 16-yard touchdown pass. Aspenson's kick pushed the score to 14-0 with 6:03 left in the first half.

Viroqua took the next possession and marched their way down the field. Jesse Sheldon broke loose for a 32-yard score. The two-point conversion was good, and Viroqua closed the gap to 14-8.

It did not take long for the Prairie Hawks to respond. Tanner Roach took the ensuing kickoff to the house for an 84-yard touchdown. On the extra-point attempt, Aspenson found a wide-open Cody Key for the two-point conversion.

Prairie headed to the locker room with a 22-8 halftime lead.

Viroqua received the second half kickoff, and once again put together an impressive drive. The visiting Hawks used up nearly seven minutes and pulled within 22-16 when Brandon Howell scored on a one-yard run.

The Hawk's lead had shrunk to just one score and the Prairie offense needed an answer. Junior running back Zach Thornton responded with a nine-yard score with 2:12 left in the third quarter. Aspenson finished the night three for three on extra points as he connected on another attempt. The Hawks now led 29-16.

Prairie du Chien's defense controlled the rest of the game, and the Hawk offense was able to run out the clock to secure a 29-16 victory.

Viroqua's rushing offense racked up 238 yards, while Prairie ground out 158 yards. Prairie enjoyed a big advantage through the air as they outgained Viroqua by a 197-27 margin. Prairie totaled 355 yards overall, while Viroqua managed 265 yards.

Zach Thornton led all rushers with 125 yards on 14 attempts. Fellow junior running back Collin Roach had just two carries, but still rushed for 24 yards. Brandon Howell led Viroqua with 112 yards.

Tanner Roach grabbed five passes and totaled 97 yards through the air. Senior split end Brian Gasser had three catches for 34 yards, and Cooper Long had two receptions for 51 yards.

Quarterback Kevin Aspenson connected on 11 passes out of 17 attempts. Aspenson's passes were good for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

Much like the Hawk offense, the Prairie defense had many contributors and was led by Cooper Long. The senior had six solo tackles and seven assisted tackles. Junior Collin Roach also had six tackles and five assists. Senior Tony Skemp notched three solo tackles and helped out on another eight tackles. Mike Garrity had a strong showing with three solos and three assists. Cody Key recorded two tackles and hustled for another eight assists. Defensive back Jeff Strandlie chipped in with two solo tackles and six assists.

River Ridge defeated Kickapoo three games to one in high school volleyball action Thursday.
The Lady Timberwolves won by scores of 20-25, 25-10, 25-12 and 25-15.
The River Ridge junior varsity defeated the Kickapoo junior varsity two games to one.

The Prairie du Chien volleyball team won the Boscobel Tournament with a 5-0 record this past weekend. Wauzeka-Steuben finished at 0-5.
The River Valley junior varsity was 3-2, Bangor 3-2, Boscobel 3-2, and Pardeeville 1-4.
In the first round, Prairie defeated Pardeeville 25-18, 25-20, 15-11. River Valley topped W-S 25-22, 25-20 and 15-4.
In the second round, Prairie du Chien beat River Valley 25-9, 27-25 and 10-15. Boscobel defeated Wauzeka-Steuben 25-23, 25-23, 8-15.
In round three, Bangor defeated W-S 25-19, 25-15, 21-19. Prairie defeated Boscobel 25-15, 25-8, 15-9.
In round four, Prairie du Chien defeated Wauzeka-Steuben 25-16, 25-22, 15-13.
In round five, Prairie defeated Bangor 25-20, 10-25, 17-15. Pardeeville topped W-S 10-25, 25-20, 15-10.
Jamie Wilkinson, Taylor White and Morgan Banasik were each named to the All-Tournament Team for Prairie du Chien. Kaci George of Wauzeka-Steuben was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Seneca trounced host Port Edwards 46-20 in non-conference football Friday night.
Seneca built a 16-6 first-quarter lead and increased the margin to 34-6 at the half.
The Indians scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and Port Edwards scored 14 to make the final score 46-20.
John Alanis rushed for 130 yards on 19 carries to help lead the Indians. Dylan Lessard gained 101 yards on 12 carries. Lessard was 8 for 9 passing for 110 yards. Alanis caught 3 passes for 60 yards. Justin Redman caught 2 passes for 44 yards.

Prairie du Chien's boy's soccer team opened the SWC conference season with a trip to Richland Center.
The Blackhawks shut out the Hornets in an exciting battle, 3-0. Strong defenses by both teams were dominant through most of the game. In the 18th minute Senior Bryce Pellock fed a cross pass to Andrew Kordus who drove it in to give PdC a 1-0 lead. The lead held through the remainder of the first half.
Richland Center cranked up the offense the second half but Prairie's defense held strong with outstanding stops by goalie Max Luster. The physical battle continued and in the 66th minute Center was penalized with a hand ball in the goal box. Cole Pattison fired the penalty kick past RC's goalie to increase the lead to 2-0.
Richland Center repeatedly assaulted Prairie's D but the line stood strong. Finally in the 75th minute, Derek Dressler stole the ball at midfield and in a outstanding show of speed and ball handling out-maneuvered two Richland Center defenders and the keeper to seal the game 3-0.

The Wauzeka-Steuben football team leveled host Fall River 42-6 to open the 2010 season.
The Hornets led 14-0 after the first quarter and increased the margin to 21-6 at halftime.
Wauzeka-Steuben led 42-6 after three quarters and at the end of the game.
Josh Emery rushed 8 times for 87 yards and a touchdown. Mike Molini rushed 7 times for 86 yards and 2 TDs. Brett McCullick was 4 of 10 passing for 134 yards and 2 TDs. Christopher McCullick caught 3 passes for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Prairie du Chien girls golf team took seventh out of eight teams in the Small Schools Division of the Westby/Viroqua Invitational Saturday at Viroqua Hills Golf Course.
Lancaster won with a total of 380. Arcadia/C-FC had 398, Darlington/Cuba City 398, Westby/Viroqua Red 411, G-E-T 464, Aquinas 471, Prairie du Chien 501, and Westby Viroqua White 510.
Prairie du Chien will host Lancaster at Prairie du Chien Country Club Sept. 7. Tee time is 4 p.m.