Check out these Bison dates to break from studies
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McCOOK, Neb. — Woo-hoo! Today marks the final Friday of 2024 summer vacation for all those McCook students craving for more and more and more education.
Yes, they’ll be back inside the school buildings next week where they can stay cool while visiting various libraries throughout these fine insitutions.
Brilliant young minds really shouldn’t need anything else — but there are other activities again scheduled just to help them recharge before those next all-important academic pursits.
Even the top scholars can only nap at their desks in front of video screens so many hours during a typical day.
They’ll enjoy checking the big dates on McCook High’s 2024 fall sports schedule:
Saturday, Aug. 17 — The opening McCook High football scrimmage at Weiland Field.
What are the Bison bringing for their return to Class B football? Fans can get a look if they can awaken and venture into Weiland Field before this 9 a.m. event is completed.
Thursday, Aug. 22 — A first McCook Bison varsity doubleheader.
The Bison girls’ golf team hosts a quad at 2 p.m. in their first competition since last year’s Class B state tourney.
It was their first state appearance since 2017. Meanwhile, the Bison girls softball team hosts a 6:30 p.m. opener with Gothenburg which resumes a quest for the first state tourney action since...tah dah! 2017.
Thursday, Aug. 29 — McCook High volleyball returns in this season and home debut against familiar foe Lexington. Varsity match is set for 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 30 — The McCook golf girls are back at Heritage Hills to play their invitational. Cambridge, Southwest, Holdrege, Minden and Ogallala are among the teams joining those Bison as they tee off at 9 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31 — The new Bison red-and-gray tennis courts will be busy as McCook host its annual invitational starting at 9:30 a.m. North Platte, Scottsbluff, Holdrege and Gering will get an early look at this new color scheme besides coach Matt Wiemers’ newest talented boys team.
Tuesday, Sept. 3 — Defending state champion Minden swings into the Graff Events Center where McCook and Chase County await to play this annual early-season volleyball triangular.
Start time is 5 p.m., leading into a 6:30 p.m. Bison varsity home softball game vs. Cozad.
Friday, Sept. 6 — Who won’t be fired up about the Aurora Huskies and McCook Bison resuming their football rivalry at Weiland Field?
While McCook might be Class B again, everyone knows those C-1 feisty Huskies will be more than a tough handful.
Saturday, Sept. 7 — Bison softball takes over all day or at least until the Nebraska-Colorado primetime football showdown.
Those dangerous senior-dominated Bison host North Platte, Gering and Gothenburg among others in a Jaycees Complex annual event starting at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 10 and Thursday, Sept. 12 — Bison volleyball plays home matches both evenings. Ogallala visits Tuesday and Holdrege ventures into the MHS gym Thursday evening.
Friday, Sept. 13 — Hopefully, Friday the 13th won’t get real scary when McCook visits Class B football powerhouse Waverly. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 19 — Finally, cross country takes the spotlight with both Bison girls and boys running their home invitational at Heritage Hills. More than 20 schools are expected for races beginning at 5 p.m.
Oh by the way, Bison fans can follow cross country with more softball home action. The Wray, Colo., Eagles make a rare visit to play at 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 20 — The Crete Cardinals are Class B home foe No. 2 on McCook’s 2024 football schedule.
Saturday, Sept. 21 — An 11 a.m. first serve ignites McCook High’s annual volleyball invitational. Area foes like Cambridge and Southwest have been tough for McCook during recent invites. In fact, both those teams reached the Class D-1 state tournament one year ago.
Alliance returns as well for the Bison Invitational.
Tuesday, Sept. 24 — McCook softball girls make a can’t miss trip to play northern nemesis North Platte.
Tuesday, Oct. 1 — McCook High’s golf girls pursue a Southwest Conference championship at Crandall Creek Golf Course in Ogallala. Opening tee time is 10 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 7 — McCook High softball starts its state quest with Class B subdistricts at a site to be determined.
Thursday, Oct. 10 — Another varsity doubleheader: North Platte-Bison tennis at 4 p.m.; Gothenburg-Bison volleyball set for 7.
Friday, Oct. 11 — Ogallala zooms into Weiland Field where the McCook football boys will try to avenge last year’s 34-14 defeat.
Saturday, Oct. 12 — McCook High’s tennis boys will likely be playing state tennis duals at Kearney. A good preview for the Class B meet one week later.
Monday, Oct. 14 — Class B state golf begins at Monument Shadows Golf Course in Gering. The Bison plan to be teeing off.
Wednesday, Oct. 16 — State softball starts at Hastings where the McCook girls would love to be playing until Class B finals on Friday, Oct. 18.
Thursday, Oct. 17 — The Class B state tennis officially begins and all Bison eyes will see if another Class B high team finish is within reach.
Meanwhile, McCook’s cross country athletes will be running B-6 district at Ogallala. The Bison girls qualified their entire varsity lineup for Class B state one year ago.
Friday, Oct. 18 — McCook High football at Scottsbluff, resuming another super football series as Class B rivals. Kickoff is 8 p.m. central time.
Friday, Oct. 25 — The Class B state cross country meet at Kearney Country Club. Get ready to watch those Bison again with hopes that temperatures don’t climb above 80 degrees for a change.
The McCook High volleyball team will also be playing SWC volleyball on this day at Broken Bow.
Saturday, Nov. 2 — District volleyball finals will be played across Nebraska. The Bison certainly hope they’ll be serving and swinging.
State volleyball and football playoffs continue deep into November if all goes well. Watch for results.