Prep Football: Friday Football Feast Commences Tonight:
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
College Football: Wesleyan Ready to Take Flight Tomorrow:
The Iowa Wesleyan football team is ready to take flight tomorrow afternoon when they travel to take on Saint Ambrose in the season opener for both squads.
Head coach M.D. Daniels is ready to see more fireworks from his offense, who looks more in-sync in year two of the installation of offensive coordinator Kiefer Price’s Air Raid attack — which was popularized in Mount Pleasant by Hal Mumme and Mike Leach.
“A lot smoother, Gavin Esquivel is coming back, he’s super sharp, he’s in shape and he’s been nominated a team captain. The guys’ we brought have clicked” Daniels said.
“During camp it was great to see how explosive our offense was.”
Saint Ambrose has won the last four meetings between the two schools, most recently in 2012, which was a 23-14 Fighting Bees triumph.
Saturday’s contest will kick at 1:00 p.m., the Tiger Tailgate Show will begin at 12:45 p.m.
Prep Volleyball: W-MU Wins, Panthers Split:
W-MU 3, Keokuk 1
Bradie Buffington poured in 14 kills as the Winfield-Mount Union Lady Wolves won in four sets over Keokuk last night in nonconference season opener for both squads.
Melina Oepping chipped in with eight kills, while Keely Malone provided the service with 19 assists.
Keetyn Townsley was sublime in the back row with 31 digs.
Now 1-0, the Lady Wolves will be off tonight but back at it tomorrow in the ever popular West Branch tournament.
Ottumwa 2, Mount Pleasant 0
Mount Pleasant 2, Davis County 1
The Mount Pleasant volleyball split two matches in a varsity triangular at Ottumwa last night, falling to the host 2-0, while defeating Davis County 2-1.
Kenna Lamm was a maestro from the front row, pacing the Panthers in kills — Raylyn Seberg provided the service.
Mount Pleasant, now 2-2, will play in the Grinnell Tournament on Saturday.