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.

The highlight of the night was the Pumpkin Carving Contest, where creativity reigned. From intricately carved faces to comical designs, students worked side-by-side, celebrating the simple joy of creating together.

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.

For those gathered, it was more than an event, it was a reminder. A reminder that God’s work at Hillcrest spans decades and continues in the lives of staff young and old. As alumni, parents, and students left the Castle that evening, one truth was clear: Hillcrest’s legacy isn’t a building, it’s a people. Generations of believers, worshiping together, bearing witness to the same faithful God who continues to write new stories of grace in this sacred place.

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.

Together, these seniors have helped shape one of the best seasons in Hillcrest memory. Their faith, discipline, and unity have built a team that plays for each other and for Christ. As the Comets look toward the playoffs with hopes of a state run, they do so on the shoulders of a senior class that has set the standard for what it means to be resilient, joyful, and dedicated.

Tonight, when the Hillcrest volleyball team faces CGB, the gym will be filled not only with cheers for the Comets but also with gratitude and celebration for the seniors who have carried this team with resilience and steady leadership. Senior Night is always a bittersweet milestone, but for this group it is a reminder of how discipline, character, and identity in Christ have defined their journey.

Tonight, as the Hillcrest girls soccer team takes the field against Pelican Rapids, the spotlight shines not only on the game but on the remarkable seniors who have poured heart, resilience, and faith into this program. Senior Night is more than a farewell; it is a celebration of the friendships forged, the lessons learned, and the leadership that has shaped this year’s team.

It’s been a dominant week for the Hillcrest Comets volleyball team, as they put together three straight-set victories that showcase not only their depth but also their growing cohesion as they head toward a crucial playoff stretch this fall.

For nearly a decade, Wheaton had been the Comets’ graveyard. Trips to face the Warriors and now the Border West co-op over the years ended in heartbreak. But Friday night, the Comets stormed in with command, composure, and poise, delivering a 28–6 victory that lifted them to 4–0 and made a loud statement about where this team is headed.

The Comets, fueled by Fischer’s early strike, Selvig’s steady hands, and the tireless midfield work showed that success isn’t always about style points. It’s about resilience, unity, and trusting a process that has produced generations of Comet soccer players molded by Jensen’s steady leadership.

President Luke Fiskness offered three principles that act like anchors to steady the classroom in Monday’s inservice. The first is to make room for rest; the pace of modern schooling can feel like a factory conveyor belt, but scholé insists on space to savor ideas. The second is to aim every lesson at what is truly worthwhile: the goodness of creation, the beauty of art, the truth of Scripture, and the wisdom of history. The third is to remember that people are not machines; we are created to worship and to wonder, not merely to produce. Those principles are simple enough to write on a sticky note and profound enough to change a culture.

The Comets’ offense rolled up 388 yards, spreading the ball effectively with 137 yards on the ground and 251 through the air. Swedberg completed 16 of 26 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 18 times for 108 yards and four scores.

In the House System at Hillcrest, students are learning to name and celebrate the design of each other, their character, habits, strengths, and stories. Today, they discovered that God’s creation is full of clues pointing to His order, His strength, and His beauty, and how they can reflect that by recognizing, celebrating, and promoting his work in their hearts and in the community of Hillcrest.

“I was pleased with the opportunities the Comets created offensivel,” Coach Rod Jensen noted. “We must continue to work on finding the back of the net with the opportunities created!  We have some areas of defensive improvements we can work on.  We did have excellent efforts from midfielder Ben Hordnes and defenders Caleb Holm, Charlie Eggiman, and Silas Haugstvedt.