Looking Ahead To Week 7 In North Central Iowa
Normally, the intensity of this upcoming final week would be off the charts. But with everyone – eligible and playing, of course – making the playoffs this year, there is a little less stress around camps in the state. That…
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Continue ReadingNormally, the intensity of this upcoming final week would be off the charts.
But with everyone – eligible and playing, of course – making the playoffs this year, there is a little less stress around camps in the state.
That doesn’t mean it isn’t an important week. District titles can still be secured and how everything shakes out in the postseason is up for grabs.
One of the key games around northcentral Iowa will take place from the Pocahontas Area Athletic Complex as the Indians host Southeast Valley.
The lone loss for Pocahontas Area this year came to South Central Calhoun in district play, while the Jaguars topped the Titans. These three have really put together fine seasons on the gridiron and it will be interesting to see what they can do in the playoffs.
But first, the Indians will try to protect their home turf and earn a win over their Twin Lakes Conference rivals for the first time in three meetings. They played last year, with Southeast Valley posting an 18-7 victory and the season before, with the contest going in favor of the Jaguars, 48-14.
Trey Oehlertz leads a balanced offensive attack for Pocahontas Area. The senior quarterback has thrown for 1,085 yards and rushed for 452, totaling 17 touchdowns. Cole Runneberg has 644 yards rushing and 11 scores, with Luke Crosgrove having caught 27 passes for 507 and five TDs.
Just like the Indians, Southeast Valley is very run-pass balanced. Junior Kolson Kruse has shined in his first season leading the offense, racking up 752 yards passing and 10 TDs. He also has 345 yards rushing and five more scores.
Lathe Muench has continued to find success since replacing current University of Iowa Hawkeye Kyler Fisher at running back. The junior has 450 yards and 11 scores, with Kaleb Scott providing big play after big play with 218 yards receiving and four total TDs.
One very important key to how the game gets decided will be what Pocahontas Area can do to control Aaron Graves Aaron Graves 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA . The future Hawkeye has 7.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.
Old Rivals Garrigan, St. Edmond Collide
One of the oldest rivalries in football will take place Friday night as Bishop Garrigan takes on St. Edmond inside Dodger Stadium.
The two first played in 1959 with the Gaels earning a 26-7 victory. They have met 59 times since, as the Golden Bears won for the 40th time in the series last year.
St. Edmond is coming off a tough 43-22 loss to Alta-Aurelia on the road, but the Gaels are unbeaten at home this season including wins over Manson Northwest Webster, North Union and Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.
Bishop Garrigan, meanwhile, has picked up two consecutive victories after starting the year 0-4.
The Gaels are led by quarterback Drew Schaeffer, as the senior has thrown for 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns. Schaeffer ranks ninth in the state in yards passing.
For the Golden Bears, Kellen Murphy has 536 yards rushing and five touchdowns, and future Augustana basketball player Angelo Winkel provides a big target threat on offense.
Emmetsburg, Webster City Look To Stay Unbeaten
A pair of teams will play to finish out the regular season perfect as Emmetsburg hosts Western Christian and Webster City entertains Boone.
Emmetsburg and Western Christian have played seven times since 2012 with The Wolfpack winning four including 28-7 a year ago.
The 6-0 Lynx have won each of the past nine meetings with Boone, including a 34-0 victory last year. Trey Mathis is closing in on a 1,000 yard season with 985 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns.