GRANT - The Cambridge football team had worked to establish itself as a physical, running-first squad over the last half of the season. Hitting the road for Perkins County Thursday in its Class D1 State Playoffs opener, the Trojans found someone who was able to do that better than they could.

SOUTHERN VALLEY - The Arapahoe volleyball team saw its season come to a close Monday night at the D1-10 Subdistrict Tournament. The Warriors had chances in each of the first three sets against fourth-seeded Alma (19-13), but ultimately dropped a 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-16 decision to the Cardinals to see their season end at 7-17.

Southwest’s football team secured a first round home game in the Class D6 playoffs with a 50-35 win over Paxton last week. The Roughriders finished the regular season with a 6-2 record and were runners up in District 4.

Three area teams have advanced to district finals on Saturday by virtue of winning Subdistrict championships Tuesday night. Southwest (28-3), hosting the D1-11, swept its way past Maywood-Hayes Center to claim the title and will battle 15th-seeded Plainview (19-14) Saturday in the district final for a State Tournament berth.

ARAPAHOE - For a few moments, things got a bit uneasy in the first half of Arapahoe’s opening round playoff game against visiting Hemingford. The fourth-seeded Warriors had jumped on the 13th-seeded Bobcats 12-0, but Hemingford had countered with consecutive scores to lead 14-12 and were again on the move, threatening to take a two-score lead.

Ten area athletes competed in the Class D State Cross Country Championships last Friday in Kearney. The Lady Trojans placed seventeenth as a team and Kael Garrett of Medicine Valley placed sixteenth individually in the boys’ race.

CAMBRIDGE - In the opening round of the RPAC Volleyball Tournament, the action from Cambridge began with third-seeded Southern Valley dismissing sixth-seeded Medicine Valley in straightsets, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19. The Raiders had their moments, but Southern Valley largely led the match throughout behind steady offense from the pins and a dominant match from the middle.

CAMBRIDGE - To cap the opening night from Cambridge, the second-seeded Trojans improved to 22-3 with a 25-19, 25-19, 25-15 victory over third-seeded Southern Valley (15-9). Cambridge used its serve and block to build leads each set on the Eagles, who battled, but couldn't quite keep pace.

CAMBRIDGE - The D-5 District Cross Country meet took place in Cambridge last Thursday. The whole Cambridge girls team qualified as District Runner-Ups. Hi-Line, Southern Valley, Arapahoe, and Southwest also competed.

SOUTHERN VALLEY The Southern Valley football team was shut out in its final football contest of the season, dropping the finale 46-0 to Alma Friday night. The Eagles finished the season 2-6 and were the first team out of the Class D1 playoff s, thanks in part to a daunting schedule that featured seven playoff teams, including six of the top 10 seeds in the West half of the playoff draw.