Eighty teams take to the field tonight looking to advance in the state high school football playoffs. Pekin spent most of the season top ranked in class 1A but after a loss to Iowa City Regina in their regular season finale the Panthers take the number seven ranking on the road to play third rated Northeast (Goose Lake).
Pekin coach Tom Stone says there’s really something special about a great team, it’s the idea that they are all one and sacrifice to put the team above themselves. Stone says they have not changed anything as they get ready for a post season run. He says they are not going try to get more physical, they’re just going to tell the kids what they expect to see and try to prepare them for it.
There are several rematches in the opening round and one takes place in class A when seventh rated West Hancock visits Alta. These teams met in week two with West Hancock coming away with the win but coach Bob Sanger says the concerns he has with the Cyclones remains the same as they are big and physical.
Sanger says Alta has a number of weapons with speed size and he says they just have to prepare and be ready for them.