Storm warning in Everly

The old gridiron in Everly will soon become a field of dreams for one upstart football team.

Believe it or not, competitive sports are returning to the small Clay County community thanks to the Northwest Iowa Lightning. The new amateur 9-man football team will call the old field at the former Clay Central/Everly High School home this season, with the inaugural kickoff slated for Saturday, May 11.

For team co-owner Dylan Brands, it's been a dream come true.

"I don't think a lot of people realize how much it means to us to be able to continue to play tackle football as adults," he said. "Once they see the passion and energy guys in this league play with, it'll absolutely be a hit."

The Lightning rose from the ashes of another semi-pro football team, the Tri-State Buffaloes out of Sioux Falls, which folded after last season. Brands, of Hospers, and fellow teammate Riley Vis, of Boyden, decided they needed to either find a new team or create their own. They chose the latter.

"We have brought a good number of guys to the Lightning with us that we'd played with in Sioux Falls, and also loaded up the roster with local talent and guys who have wanted to get back into the game," Brands said. "Wearing 'Northwest Iowa' on our chests is something that was very important to me, as I have an immense amount of pride in the area I grew up and reside in. I wanted to be inclusive in the sense that everyone in our area feels like they can get behind us, not just a certain town or county."

But of all places in northwest Iowa, why is Everly home base for the Lightning?

Brands said fate played a role. After scouring the area looking for a quality field with adequate amenities, the grassy expanses in Everly crossed his radar.

"After countless calls, emails and meetings, we were still unhappy with our options," he said. "Riley ended up reaching out and just so happened to hear that the owners of the old high school in Everly were actually looking for a semi-pro team to come play there. After meeting with them and coming to a lease agreement, they allowed us to modify the field as we saw fit to make it the home of the Lightning."

The field is owned by Guardian Education & Athletic Services, Inc. (GEAS), which has owned the former school property since 2020 when it purchased the 10.84-acre lot from CC/E. The district closed the facility in 2019 when it ceased offering grades 7-12 due to low enrollment.

The area where Lightning games will be played was used as a practice field and also served as the baseball outfield when the Mavericks still suited up. Brands said the team this spring has been working to prep the grounds for game day and has dubbed it "Lightning Field At the Old Ball Stadium."

"We've removed much of the original baseball fencing and filled the holes that the poles used to reside in," he said. "We emptied out a dugout to make into our own concession stand. We've cleaned up a lot of old stuff that was unattended, and we're making it a place everyone can come enjoy."

The Lightning will play in the Southern Plains Football League, which is comprised of 12 teams split into two divisions – the Eastern Conference, where the Lightning reside, and the Western Conference.

Brands said his team is comprised of former high school and college football players who possess a deep love of the game. Offensive lineman Dalton Lode, a Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn alumnus, and linebacker Cadence Hofmeyer, who played at CC/E, are names local fans might remember.

"A lot of guys find out about it and tell their buddies, who tell theirs...word of mouth is a very large part of finding enough guys willing and able to come compete," Brands said. "Outside of that, social media presence and sponsorships are probably the biggest ways we've gotten our name out there to people who want to be a part of what we're building."

Founded last fall, the Lightning started holding optional practices in October. Since then, the team has been alternating weekly practices between Hull and Sioux Falls as weather allows.

Brands noted the regional response to the Lightning has been electric, albeit somewhat surreal and stressful.

"Many people that hear about it are pretty surprised and intrigued, but also very excited," he said. "I'm very thankful for Riley and our captains' help with keeping things moving. Seeing everything come together and the way all these guys have bonded and become a true team has absolutely made every meeting, stressful moment, and everything in between all worth it."

As far as the coaching staff, the team is led by Kanthony Fletcher as head coach and offensive coordinator, Greg Gainey as defensive coordinator, and Kam Clark as special teams coordinator. All three have logged extensive college and semi-pro careers. Brands said the team still has open coaching and player positions available.

The Lightning open the season Saturday, May 4, in Albert Lea, Minn., and then return to home the next weekend to cut the ribbon in Everly against the Midwest Rampage. Other home games are scheduled for May 18, June 15 and June 29.

Brands hoped the community and region would embrace the team during its inaugural season.

"Seeing the joy on these men's faces when they get to play a kids game is priceless," he said. "Seeing that all while representing who we are as a community is not only the reason for starting a team, but also what makes it so worth it."