By Brad Ziegler
Football
The Pirates football team opened their season on Friday at home, defeating Excelsior Springs 41 – 22.
New Head Coach Jason Feeback is taking over a team that finished 4-6 last season, falling in the playoffs to the eventual state championship runner up team from Webb City. He said, “I am fired up to be at Belton and give back to the town that meant everything to me growing up.”
The Pirates have eighty players out for football this year, led by 17 seniors. “Cooper Shrum returns at QB for his senior season,” explained Coach Feeback. “He threw for over 2000 yards last year. Running back Aaden Hall is also poised to have a breakout season.” Their success will depend, in large part, on the success of the team’s offensive line, led by Henry Tye and Alonzo Hinojos. On defense, Coach Feeback is looking to James Graham, Quinton Attebury, Tytan Thurston and KeAndre Mattocks to lead the way. He is looking forward to getting the season underway and is excited about what the team can accomplish. “These young men have been working hard and growing,” he said. “We expect to have a team that makes our school and community proud.”
Softball
The Lady Pirates softball team was the first team to take the field, facing off against Harrisonville at their softball jamboree last week. The team is coming off a tremendous 2024 season, when they finished the season with a record of 25-10 and a second place finish in the Missouri Class 4 state championship tournament. Head coach Brandi Thomsen will be leading the team to the Kansas City Suburban Softball Invitational this weekend.
Volleyball
The girls volleyball team started their season on August 28 at the Pleasant Hill Jamboree, where they faced the host school and Raymore-Peculiar. The 2024 team also had an outstanding season, finishing undefeated in conference play and 33-4-1 overall before falling to Notre Dame De Sion in the Class 4 District 7 finals.
Coach Eric Scherfenberg is back for his 20th season and has high hopes for his 2025 team. “I believe this team has a target on their back and a goal in mind and is primed to have an outstanding year.” This year’s team will be led by All State seniors Phoenix Fogel and Bella Scherfenberg, who have both verbally committed to play NCAA Division I volleyball after graduation.
Cross Country
The boys and girls cross country teams open their 2025 season on September 6 when they host the Belton Invitational at Southwick Stadium. This year’s team will be young, with 16 of the team’s 25 runners being freshmen and sophomores. Coach Chandler Smith is looking to seniors Sydney Stifter and Violet Clutter to provide leadership of the girls team and sophomore Cameron McGuire is back to lead the boys team. “We are approaching this season with the mindset that we are building for the future,” said Coach Smith. “Our runners are enthusiastic, and there is lot of room for growth this season.”
Golf
The girls golf team opened the season last week with a match against North Kansas City at Drumm Farm. Coach Chase Nugen’s team is primarily composed of juniors and seniors.
Soccer
The Pirates boys soccer team opened their season this week. Coach Jared Smith’s squad finished 9-14 last season after starting out 8-7.
Tennis
The girls tennis team returns an experienced squad, led by four of the top five players on last year’s team – Victoria Ladd, Brielle Walker, Natalie Lewis and Lucinda Comstock. The 2023 team’s number 2 player, Nora Irvin, will also figure in the mix after returning from an injury that kept her out all last season. The Lady Pirates seek to build on the success they achieved in 2024, and Coach Greg Martin says that the team is focusing on a conference title this year.
“We should be a very feisty team looking to improve on last year’s 7-6 record with a focus on a conference title. This is a team that, with a little luck, can make a deep run in the district tournament and advance to state.”
Swimming
The boys swimming and diving team will start their season today when they host a quad meet with Grain Valley, Raytown and Raytown South. Coach Martijn Keltner is going to be leaning on returning lettermen Moises Fiallos, Braeden Hill, Brayden Hohenfeldt, and Aidan McAdams to provide leadership this season.
Hill and McAdams were members of the school record-breaking and All State Honorable Mention 200 medley relay team. He said that “our three freshmen will also have an opportunity to make a huge impact for our team and contribute valuable team points at each meet.” The Pirates will host the Belton Invitational meet on September 13.