Eight-man football finding its niche

In high school football, Sentral of Fenton is nearing a playoff berth and running back Kellen Madison is nearing a record. The Spartans are second ranked in the Radio Iowa eight-man poll and play Remsen St. Mary’s tonight. Madison needs 229-yards to break the eight-man single season record for rushing but says his immediate focus is on the team goals. He says he’ll think about it after the season, but now he wants to win a state title.Madison says his yardage has piled up because the Spartans have a number of weapons on offense. He says the senior laden offensive line does a great job, as does his quarterback.While many people in Iowa have not been exposed to the eight-man version Madison says it has been enjoyable for all the players. He says it’s not too much different from the 11-man version.In class 2A, ninth ranked Dyersville Beckman hosts Maquoketa Valley. Both teams are unbeaten in district five and Beckman coach Brian Woodley says the winner not only takes sole possession of the lead but owns the tiebreaker as well. He says it’s very important when you can beat somebody head-to-head. Woodley says the key will be slowing down Maquoketa Valley quarterback Corey DeShaw, who has thrown ten touchdown passes this season.In class 4A, Burlington has been one of the surprise teams. The Greyhounds are 5-0 and 10th ranked in the Radio Iowa poll heading into tonight’s game at home against Clinton. Coach Tom Plein installed a new offense this season, a jet series he got from a coach in West Virginia, and the Hounds are putting up big numbers. He says they had a lot of questions once they started it, but he says the kids have really taken to it.Plein says their success to this point is due to tremendous leadership from the senior class.