by Madie Loomis

On June 25, five South linemen took to the Derby football field to test their strength against athletes from 26 other schools at the annual Big Uglies competition. Linemen who battled it out included Joe Hobert, Tanner Ricke, Zac Tilson, Cody Weston, all 12, and Nevada Harlan, 11.

“Showing the other teams that Maize South is no joke was my favorite part about ‘Big Uglies’ competition,” Weston said  

The one-day competition consisted of two events, culminating in a final tug of war. While the team took first in the tug of war, their overall points merited them a second place finish at the competition.

“I was really proud. The guys have put in a lot of effort into the weight program, and I think it’s working,” Brent Pfeifer, football coach, said.