The Hillcrest boys overwhelmed the Pirates 14-0 behind a relentless attack that produced 28 shots, while the girls broke through a stubborn Crookston defense late for a 2-0 victory. When the final whistle sounded, both Hillcrest teams had improved to 3-0 on the young season.

Behind deep defensive digs, controlled first passes, and precise setting from Stella Moline, Hillcrest’s hitters spent much of the night soaring above the net as the Comets powered past Rothsay 3–1 for their first victory of the 2026 season.

The Comets left Newfolden Friday night with a 14–8 victory over Northern Freeze, using 174 passing yards, four defensive sacks and a second-half defensive stand to survive a physical season opener.

The Comets’ 6-3 road win was impressive, in a match that was more competitive than the final score might suggest. Walker challenged Hillcrest through the midfield and stayed within striking distance for much of the first half, but the Comets kept finding ways to break through.

The Comets are not simply filling holes left by last year’s leaders. Players are stepping into those spaces and making them their own. Roles are getting bigger. Expectations are getting heavier. And through two games, Hillcrest is showing that it has players willing to carry both.

Hillcrest Lutheran Academy came out flying against Pelican Rapids over the weekend, scoring four goals from four different players, forcing turnovers across the field, and carrying a 2-0 halftime lead into a convincing 4-1 season-opening victory.

That tone was set on December 18 in Hancock, when Hillcrest opened what would become the toughest three-week stretch of the season with a hard-fought 60–57 road win. In a gym where every possession mattered and every rebound was contested, the Comets showed early signs of the toughness they knew would be required moving forward.

To this team, thank you for the resolve to elevate your family, faith, and your sport and bring us on an unforgettable journey.

To God be the glory.

This Saturday, the Comets will carry that legacy with them — stepping onto the field not only to chase a championship, but to continue a story that began long before them and, with God’s guidance, will continue long after.

great wins always come with drama. In the fourth quarter, Kittson County Central mounted a furious comeback, cutting the lead to six and bringing the stadium to a roar. The Comet rallied and played their most poised football of the season. As the Bearcats pushed one last time, optimistic they could charge for a decisive score that would bring them to the championship game, Berge stepped in front of a sideline pass and snatched the interception that sealed the game and sent the offense to the field to run out the clock.

Hillcrest’s serving was once again a major factor, as the Comets delivered 15 ace serves and kept constant pressure on the Raiders’ back row. Elsa Retzlaff opened the night with an 8-point serving run in the first set, setting the tone for an energetic and balanced performance.

“The gym was packed, and the Underwood pep band added so much to that playoff atmosphere, it was electric! The Rockets are a tough, well-coached team, and we have tremendous respect for how hard they competed,” Foss shared. “We were able to run our game plan, attack aggressively, and finish strong in three competitive sets.”

With their Blocktoberfest experience behind them and a week of focused preparation ahead, the Comets are eager to bring their home crowd to life when playoff action begins. Fans are encouraged to fill the stands at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, as Hillcrest hosts its first postseason matchup.

With the victory, Hillcrest secures the No. 1 seed in the section playoffs and will host the winner of Rothsay and Underwood next Saturday at 2 p.m. on John Luckey Field.

Just four minutes into the game, senior captain Lincoln Nash pushed the ball wide from midfield to Pedro Pereira on the left sideline. Pereira connected with senior captain Zane Holmquist, who skillfully chipped a shot over the Pirate keeper to put the Comets on the board early.

Knutson hits milestone of 1000 digs as Comets close regular season.

With this win, the Comets not only secured sole possession of the Lakes to Prairie Conference title but also earned the #1 seed in their subsection—a fitting conclusion to a season that saw them defeat teams they hadn’t beaten in decades. Along the way, Head Coach Rod Jensen captured his 300th career win, etching his name even deeper into Hillcrest’s storied athletics legacy.

The Comets launched onto the scoreboard early. On the opening drive, quarterback Ethan Swedberg sliced through the defense for a 15-yard touchdown, setting the tone for what would become a first-half clinic in balanced, disciplined play. Swedberg followed his rushing score with pinpoint passes to Isaac Blaskowski, Drew Fischer, Sean Berge, and Maverick Peterson, giving Hillcrest a 34–0 halftime lead.

The final scores told the story of a battle: 25–22, 21–25, 14–25, 25–10, 15–9. Each set carried its own momentum shifts, forcing Hillcrest to dig deep when the match seemed to tilt out of their favor.

The 1-0 victory was more than just another win. It was a statement. It was proof that this Comet team has the same hunger and heart that made 2015 so special, but with their own identity and fire. The defense absorbed every Lumberjack attack, battling for loose balls and staying composed under duress.