March 29, 2024

Area football preview: Lenox faces toughest test, East Union back in action

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TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Lenox

RECORDS: CAM (4-0), Lenox (4-0)

LAST MATCHUP (2017): CAM 70, Lenox 36

OVERVIEW: Lenox enters Friday's game feeling good with a blowout win in the "Back Forty Battle" that showed the development of quarterback Cullen Wood and the ability for the offensive and defensive lines to make adjustments during the game. Now, Lenox faces its toughest test yet in 8-man No. 4 CAM.

Wood and the Tigers' offense played well, balancing the run and pass. Lenox used the run game with Brad Larson and Isaac Grundman to set up play-action passes down the field to tall mismatches in Larson (6-3 170 pounds) and Keegan Christensen (6-5 180 pounds).

State-ranked CAM enters with wins over Griswold, East Union, Bedford and East Mills – all teams Lenox has beat as well. CAM's 42-24 win over East Mills was more decisive than Lenox's last-second win. The Cougars favor the run game, rushing for 1,225 yards on the season.

Lenox is going to have to find a way to stop leading passer and rusher Lane Spieker. He has 163 passing yards and 706 rushing yards with 16 total touchdowns. The Tigers defense allowed a few big plays last week, and the offense put the ball on the ground. Lenox will have to play its best game yet.

CAM PLAYERS TO WATCH: Spieker has been the focal point of CAM's offensive attack that puts up 55.5 points per game. He'll again be a major factor, controlling the offense through the air and on the ground. Joe Kauffman and Cade Ticknor have been dominant defensively. Expect to hear their names called.

LENOX PLAYERS TO WATCH: Wood, Larson, Grundman and Christensen were a powerful attack for Lenox last week, and all throughout the season. They'll again be a major piece in keeping up with a scoring attack. The offense is going to have to avoid from turning the ball over after two fumbles last week.

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Griswold

RECORDS: East Union (0-3), Griswold (0-4)

LAST MATCHUP (2019): East Union 54, Griswold 26

OVERVIEW: East Union's game against Fremont-Mills last week was canceled due to COVID-19, giving the Eagles more time to prepare and recover for Griswold.

The Eagles have had a tough season so far, but have a chance to pick up a big win against another struggling district team in Griswold. East Union's gameplan needs to remain the same, move the ball down the field against a Tigers defense that allows 66 points per game.

Griswold's offense has been able to find a way into the end zone against tough Lenox and CAM teams. The offense has been turnover prone, however. Quarterback Lane Mueller has five interceptions on the season as the offense has combined for 799 total offensive yards.

If East Union can figure out the offensive side of the football this week, the Eagles will be in a good spot. Scoring early and putting pressure on Griswold would give East Union the confidence it needs to bounce back for its first win of the season.

EAST UNION PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gus McNeill leads the offense for East Union. He'll have to make sure he doesn't allow any turnovers and finds a way to get things rolling early. Emmet Long has been the leading rusher for East Union, so expect him to see the bulk of the work.

GRISWOLD PLAYERS TO WATCH: Mueller has passed for 240 yards and three touchdowns, but has been turnover-prone. Look for East Union to try and capitalize on Mueller's 44.8% completion percentage by putting pressure on him.

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Murray

RECORDS: Mormon Trail (2-2), Murray (2-2)

LAST MATCHUP (2019): Murray 40, Mormon Trail 7

OVERVIEW: Coming off a late-game loss to a tough Lamoni team, Murray looks to get back in the win column against Mormon Trail in a recent series that has gone back-and-forth through recent years.

The Mustangs' offense has been playing well, but last week, the special teams made big plays. As the season progresses, Murray is continuing to figure out each facet of the game and continuing to improve. The offense has been the mainstay in the success, finding relative balance in the passing and rushing game.

Mormon Trail edged out a 26-25 win at Homecoming a week ago. The Saints could enter riding high off the close win or with a little less emotion. The Saints' offense has been slow and will have to have to keep up with Murray's high-powered offense.

Murray seems to be in a good position to get back in the win column Friday. The offense has been playing extremely well with a solid quarterback leading the group. Expect Murray to jump out early and keep things rolling.

MORMON TRAIL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gabe Stripe has been the Saints' consistent running back, rushing for 298 yards and six touchdowns. Mormon Trail hasn't had one quarterback, splitting time sophomore Ty Hysell and Remington Newton.

MURRAY PLAYERS TO WATCH: Zack Belden has taken over the offense, becoming a strength of the team through the air and on the ground. Colton Siefkas has become Belden's top target, catching 15 passes for 238 yards.

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Neola

RECORDS: Southwest Valley (4-1), Tri-Center (2-2)

LAST MATCHUP: First meeting

OVERVIEW: Southwest Valley suffered its first loss of the season last week against a strong St. Albert team. Now, the Timberwolves face Tri-Center as the Trojans come off a 27-22 loss to Riverside.

The Timberwolves' rush-heavy attack that put up over 300 yards on the ground in Week 3 struggled last week. Southwest Valley put up 134 yards on the ground and passed 21 times, the most this season in a single game. The defense allowed 31 points, the most this season as well.

Tri-Center enters with a passing attack that has nearly racked up 1,00 yards this season. The Trojans focus on three receivers, tallying 54 of the team's 67 catches. With a passing game that has racked up 133 attempts this season, turnovers have been a major problem with quarterback Jaxon Johnson throwing 11 interceptions.

Southwest Valley struggled to move the ball last week. Expect the Timberwolves to get back to its running ways this week with a strong performance on the ground, trying to avoid passing the ball as much as a week ago.

SOUTHWEST VALLEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: Brendan Knapp has been the catalyst for the offense all season. Southwest Valley's offense goes as far as he does, so expect he'll have a bounce-back game after the St. Albert loss.

TRI-CENTER PLAYERS TO WATCH: Johnson, like Knapp at quarterback, has been the mainstay of the offense. Johnson has passed for nearly 1,000 yards this season but is prone to giving the ball up. Expect Southwest Valley to take advantage of potential turnovers.

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Corydon

RECORDS: Nodaway Valley (1-4), Wayne (0-2)

LAST MATCHUP (2011): Nodaway Valley 57, Wayne 7

OVERVIEW: Nodaway Valley enters Friday's game knowing who they are after five games, unlike Wayne, who has only played two games this season.

The Wolverines fell just shy against Class 2A Greene County last week, missing out on an opportunity to take a win against a larger school. Nodaway Valley has played well at times this season but has hurt itself with turnovers when games were close.

Wayne's two games this year were both double-digit losses. The Falcons haven't played since Sept. 4 against Cardinal. The rust is going to be something Wayne has to knock off this week. The run game was key early in the year and will likely continue to be the same after such a large break between games.

Expect Nodaway Valley to take advantage of Wayne's lack of experience this season. The Wolverines need a win to get back to winning ways with one game remaining on the schedule after Friday.

NODAWAY VALLEY PLAYERS TO WATCH: Nate Russell and Tony Ayase have been mainstays in the offense throughout the year. Expect those two to continue up the success, but watch for Caelen Devault and Boston Devault to find success as well, taking advantage of Wayne's missed games.

WAYNE PLAYERS TO WATCH: The Falcons haven't seen much game time this year, but Dayton Jacobsen racked up 147 yards on 25 carries. Strait Jacobsen was also a strong option for Wayne, rushing for 118 yards on 27 carries. The Falcons will look to use the run game often.

TIME AND SITE: 7 p.m. in Mount Ayr

RECORDS: Pella Christian (2-2), Mount Ayr (3-1)

LAST MATCHUP (2017): Pella Christian 56, Mount Ayr 14

OVERVIEW: Mount Ayr got back to its winning ways last week, routing Colfax-Mingo 57-8. This week, Mount Ayr's challenge is a Pella Christian team that edged out a field goal over Interstate 35 last week.

Mount Ayr's attack has been reliable, keeping the ball on the ground. With Jaixen Frost back at quarterback, the Raiders ran for 375 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense has played well every week, not allowing more than two touchdowns in any game.

Pella Christian is led by a balance of rushing and passing, with success through the air as the bright spot. Six touchdowns to two interceptions have been a strong ratio for success for quarterback Isaac Kacmarynski.

Expect the Raiders' defense to step up and find a way to stop a strong passing attack the same way it did when facing Nodaway Valley – holding the Wolverines to 159 passing yards, -18 rushing yards and 13 points.

PELLA CHRISTIAN PLAYERS TO WATCH: Kacmarynski has been the focal point of the offense, passing to Eric Mulder and Bennett Spronk often. Look for Caden Van Dyke to be the big-play target. He leads the team in receiving yards with 243, despite only having seven catches for third on the team.

MOUNT AYR PLAYERS TO WATCH: Payton Weehler, Dawson Swank and Frost have been the strong options for the Raiders on the ground. Look for the trio to keep things going well offensively. Expect Erik Trujillo, Rhett Larson and Weehler to be the key leaders on defense as well.