Looking Ahead To Week 5 In North Central Action
We inch closer and closer to the start of postseason as teams try to remain healthy and eligible to play. Week 5 has arrived and with it some very interesting matchups around north-central Iowa. One of the big games takes…
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Continue ReadingWe inch closer and closer to the start of postseason as teams try to remain healthy and eligible to play.
Week 5 has arrived and with it some very interesting matchups around north-central Iowa.
One of the big games takes place in Lake City as South Central Calhoun welcomes in Southeast Valley.
The two are separated by just 24 miles and include a number of area communities around the two towns.
On the football field, both are 4-0 and looking for big things this year.
The Titans control the series, having won each of the past four meetings including a 38-7 triumph last year. They won in 2018 by a score of 49-6 and again in 2017 by a final of 28-0.
Southeast Valey made it close in 2016, but South Central Calhoun pulled out a 16-14 victory.
Both have opened the 2020 campaign with convincing win after convincing win.
Bryan Case and SCC are coming off a 40-7 triumph over previously-unbeaten Pocahontas Area, while also having scored wins over Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (49-13), Greene County (34-7) and Carroll Kuemper (14-0).
On the flipside, the Jaguars topped Eagle Grove last week, 60-0, with victories over Belmond-Klemme (36-20), IKM-Manning (32-22) and Clarke (54-0).
A key for Southeast Valley will be quarterback Kolson Kruse. The dual-threat junior is gifted with a talented offensive line held by Class of 2022 prospect and University of Iowa commit Aaron Graves Aaron Graves 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA up front.
Kruse has thrown for 467 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing for another 205 and two scores. Lathe Muench supports him in the backfield, adding 287 yards and eight rushing touchdowns with Colton Brant a top receiver at 126 yards and two scores.
For South Central Calhoun, a balanced offense is led by junior Blake McAlister. On the year, McAlister has 513 yards rushing on just 58 attempts, scoring six times. He also has 122 yards receiving and five more touchdowns.
Lynx Face Another Unbeaten Opponent
Each week that Webster City has stepped on the field, an unbeaten opponent has awaited them.
The Lynx welcome in Mason City this Friday, making it 5-for-5 facing teams with matching perfect records.
Head coach Bob Howard has turned Webster City into a constant contender, and this season is no different. Running back Trey Mathis has racked up 607 yards on the ground with a team-high 25 tackles.
Chase Rattenborg directs the offense, having produced six touchdowns so far with sophomore CJ Hisler turning into a threat in the passing game with 148 yards and four scores.
Many expected big things out of the Lynx, but Mason City is a surprise at 2-0. The Mohawks have been sidelined due to the coronavirus pandemic, but sophomore Kale Hobart has 227 yards passing and senior Connor Dalen has 202 yards and four touchdowns rushing.
Gaels Look To Bounce Back
It was a tough Week 4 for St. Edmond, as they found out hours before kickoff that several players would be forced to miss the contest at West Hancock due to exposure to COVID-19.
Coupled with facing the defending Class A state champions on their home field, it was a long night for the Gaels, who suffered their first loss.
St. Edmond welcomes in Highway 7 rival Manson Northwest Webster this week. The Cougars are coming off a two-week quarantine, having returned on Saturday to play North Union with virtually no practice beforehand.
Senior Drew Schaeffer anchors the Gael attack, having thrown fro 937 yards with nine touchdowns. Parker Oswald has 15 receptions for 342 yards and a pair of scores, coming off back-to-back big games.
For the Cougars, junior Shawn Kenyon has 272 yards passing and four TDs with Brayden Johll adding 150 yards rushing and Tate Bianchi 163 yards receiving.
St. Edmond won six in a row in the series from 2010-16, but they have exchanged wins since, with Manson Northwest Webster leading 3-2 during that stretch including a 36-0 victory last year.