KILJ — It’s really here, the start of the Iowa High School football season gets underway with several teams in action.
In our featured matchup, Mount Pleasant will host Fairfield at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
Coverage on FM 105.5 and kilj.com will begin at 7:00 p.m. with the Panther Tailgate Show.
It will be a different cast of characters for the Panthers this year, after graduating several seniors from last year’s squad especially up front along the offensive line.
Head coach Shawn Striegel is taking a chameleon approach to offensive playcalling, primarily focusing on what the defense is giving. Striegel says that approach will allow him to cater the offense specific to the opponent each week.
“I tell you what, it depends on the team we are playing. We are going to take what the defense is going to give us. We have different skillsets at quarterback and running back — and that’s not even getting into our wide receivers who are [multiple] as well. It’s going to be interesting because there’s so many different things we can do as well” Striegel said.
In other area games tonight, which there are many, the New London football team will start their quest ranked inside the top-10 in some 8-man polls across the state.
The Tigers, under veteran head coach Mark McSorely, are poised to make more noise this year after falling in the second round of the playoffs one year ago.
They’ll open up with a matchup with Calamus-Wheatland at New London tonight, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.
Dominic Lopez is expected to make the start at quarterback for the Tigers.
WACO will hit the road tonight, under long time head coach Chad Edeker. The Warriors will take on Springville in Springville, with kick set for 7:00 p.m. — in what should be a great early season litmus test for the Warriors.
Other area matchups tonight:
- West Burlington/Notre Dame at Mid-Prairie
- Central Lee at Van Buren County
- Mediapolis at Wapello
- Moravia at Winfield-Mount Union
- Washington at Burlington
- Keokuk at Fort Madison