Playoff positioning is on the line in Class 1A District 5 tonight as ninth ranked and unbeaten district leader Wapsie Valley hosts Turkey Valley, one of three teams sitting a game out of the top of the standings.
Wapsie coach Tony Foster says that each of the teams currently in line for a playoff spot in D-5 have the talent to be the district’s champion.
While the Warriors pride themselves as a running team, they’ve put the ball in the air a little more this season. Quarterback Mitch Boevers leads the district in completion percentage and Foster says he’s playing exceptionally well for being out all last season with an injury where he dislocated his shoulder.
Foster says they like to say they don’t throw it unless it’s open, and stick mainly with the option attack. Turkey Valley is also very much a running ball club. The Trojans have completed just eleven passes all season while they’ve rushed for around 260 yards per game. But Foster says that when T-V does air it out, their pass plays usually go for big plays as they have three running threats.
Foster says that he likes his team’s chances if the game turns into a defensive struggle. He says when good teams play, defenses seem to dominate. He says his defense has been the savior at times as the offense has been inconsistent and this will be the best team they’ve played all year.
A win would give the Warriors a share of the district championship. To win it outright, they’ll need to win tonight and again next week when they face Starmont.
By Jesse Gavin, KCNZ, Cedar Falls