The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

The student news site of Pleasant Valley High School

Spartan Shield

Austin Bullock (#8) punts the ball in pregame warmups before the Liberty high school vs. Pleasant valley high school game.

The advancements of college recruiting in high school sports

Alex Lokenvitz, Sports Information Manager September 21, 2023

Many high school athletes aspire to continue their career on scholarship at the highest level of competition: division one athletics. The world of college recruiting began with coaches searching for players,...

Fans are excited for the start of the NFL season

Top moments from the NFL’s first two weeks

Nikhil Behere, Opinion Editor September 20, 2023

On Sept. 7, the NFL kicked off its season with a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions. Almost 27 million fans tuned in to watch the first game of the season, and it was not a disappointment,...

PV football plays against CR Prairie on the new turf at Spartan Stadium

New turf in Spartan Stadium protects athletes

Henry Gannaway, Copy Editor September 20, 2023

The turf in Spartan Stadium was infamous for its tendency to cause injuries. Many who played on it complained about its lack of padding and overall roughness. Finally, this past summer, Pleasant Valley...

The Varsity Line-up for the Pleasant Valley Boys Cross Country Team
Photo Credit to: Erik Belby

Increase in Iowa High School Cross Country Competition

Luke Eckman, Photo Manager September 19, 2023

In recent years, the level of competition in Iowa high school cross country has drastically increased. This year, Pleasant Valley has one of its best cross country teams in recent history. However, the...

Fantasy football’s popularity is on the rise among high school students at PV

Fantasy football provides high school fans a way to dive deeper into the game

Owen Stoltz, Copy Editor September 19, 2023

Many sports fans are satisfied by just catching the game on the weekend. However, for some, this is simply not enough. Fantasy sports, especially fantasy football, provide die-hard fans a way to go deeper...

PV girls state trophy case located outside the pool lobby.

High school sports: Then vs now

Jessie Clemons, Sports Editor September 19, 2023

Between 1980 and 2023, high school sports have changed drastically. In the 80s, safety protocols in high contact sports were insufficient, and womens sports were merely an afterthought. Today, both men’s...

PV powderpuff teams competing in a game on Sept. 16.

Pleasant Valley girls tackle powderpuff football

Ellie Samec, Copy Editor September 15, 2023

As September rolls around again, the Lady Spartans fire up for powderpuff football: a fun tradition dating back decades. On Sept. 16, 8 Spartan teams competed for the powderpuff title, ultimately ending...

Iron Tree Golf’s netting stands tall in the Bettendorf sky.

Iron Tree Golf fuels growing golf culture in the Quad Cities

Ashwin Parab, News Editor September 12, 2023

Iron Tee Golf, the Quad Cities’ brand-new golf entertainment center, is expected to open in the spring of 2024 at the intersection of Middle Road and Forest Grove Drive. Situated between the TBK Sports...

David Gorsline and Tate Lyon playing against Cedar Rapids Kennedy at the Spartan Stadium.

High school sports injuries damage student-athlete college aspirations

Johnny Ziegelbein, PV Only Editor September 11, 2023

From 2015 to 2019, around 5,228,791 high school sports injuries occurred across the United States. 20.9% of these injuries prevented athletes from returning before the end of their season, and in some...

Head cross country coach Jane Wheeler cheers on Josie Case as she approaches the finish line of the Spartan Challenge XC invite.

The importance of friendships in sports

Hannah McVey, Business Manager September 11, 2023

Every varsity athlete has dreamt of earning a state title. Every coach strives to prepare their athletes to excel at state and each season is centered around one goal: win the championship. All sports...

The class of 2024 cross country athletes pose at the Spartan Challenge for their last home race.

The Spartan Challenge: Conquering one last time around

Timothy Ku, Business Manager September 11, 2023

The Spartan Challenge, hosted at Crow Creek Park, is regarded as Iowa's most challenging cross-country race. The race attracts competitors from Iowa to Minnesota, creating a highly competitive event. What...

Cross Country athletes running at night after practice was rescheduled. 

Photo credit to Nick Sacco

Pleasant Valley sports power through extreme heatwave

Alex Lokenvitz, Sports Information Manager September 11, 2023

Fall high school sports in Iowa experience extreme heat and extreme cold. The current heat wave sweeping over the midwest has caused multiple fall sports at PV to prepare for their seasons differently. At...

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