Several district titles will be determined during tonight’s high school football action. In class A, eighth-ranked Riceville attempts to lock up the district five title at home against Valley of Elgin. The race in this district has been a scramble and Riceville coach Warren Haake says his team has been able to stay above the fray. He says some kids have come to the front and played hard when needed. With Valley then Postville next week Riceville closes with a difficult schedule but Haake says the Wildcats control their own destiny. He says it’s better to be in a position to control what happens, rather than needing help to make the playoffs and having to wait for someone else.In eight-man football fifth-ranked Harmony of Farmington looks to take another step toward the district-five title with a visit to second-place Melcher-Dallas. Harmony has never been in the post-season playoffs and coach Ed Koser says this is a new experience for the players. He says most of the kids are baseball players and have done well, and he says they’re trying to put the situation into baseball terms.Koser says there is still a lot of work to be done beginning with tonight’s game against Melcher-Dallas.He says they’re big and fast and should probably be undefeated going into the game. In class 3A, the championship in district one is on the line as seventh-ranked LeMars hosts ninth rated M-O-C/Floyd Valley. Even with a loss Le Mars still would have a shot at the playoffs but coach Jim Boyd’s team needs a victory to claim the district title. He says he doesn’t talk to the team about it and tries to keep the one-game-at-a-time attitude.Boyd talks about the keys for the Bulldogs this season. M-O-C has already locked up a playoff spot but coach Dave Pfaffle says the Dutchmen want to finish strong. He says they’ve created a good environment at the school and playing for a district title means a lot.Pfaffle is concerned about LeMars’ ability to make big plays, as he says they have good speed and his team has to worry about overpursuing.Also in 3A, fifth-ranked South Tama looks to clinch the district five title with a visit to a Mount Vernon team that is still in the playoff hunt. Mount Vernon has long been a class 2A power but South Tama coach Jim Plantz says the Mustangs have made the transition to 3A.Plantz says Mount Vernon is strong in three areas, blocking, tackling and running.
