Warriors need win for playoff berth

The Van Buren football team needed a huge win, and it got one Friday when it beat Winfield-Mount Union 32-22 in Keosauqua.

?My hat goes off to the assistant coaches,? head coach Mike Hurley said. ?They have done a great job preparing these kids all year. For us to have a chance to be in the playoffs is a great feeling.?

Van Buren (4-4) controlled the football and only needed to attempt eight passes. Quarterback Garrett Saunders and running back Aaron Clemons each rushed for over 160 yards. Clemons scored three touchdowns.

Brandon Pleckler returned an interception for a 40-yard touchdown. Brayden Starnes and Dakota Larue forced turnovers as well. Larue also led the team in tackles with 12

The Warriors finish their regular season by traveling to Danville, who is only 2-6 on the season. With a win, they automatically make the playoffs. The winner of the Highland and WACO game will join them in the postseason. If Van Buren were to lose, it would not make it because it wouldn?t win the tiebreaker against Highland or WACO. Highland beat Van Buren head-to-head and WACO would have a better district record.

Essentially, it?s win or go home for the Warriors.

Class A District 5 did not have a great showing in the playoffs last season. Highland, WACO and Lone Tree all lost in the first round. Lisbon beat Pekin before losing to BGM in the second round, despite finishing the regular season with an 8-1 record.

District Look

Lisbon and Lone Tree are the only two teams guaranteed playoff spots coming out of Class A District 5, and they will play each other Friday night.

Team, Overall Record, District Record

Lisbon 6-2 6-0

Lone Tree 6-2 5-1

Highland (Riverside) 4-4 3-3

Van Buren 4-4 3-3

WACO 4-4 4-2

New London 2-6 1-5

Danville 2-6 1-5

Winfield-Mount Union 2-6 1-5

Class A District 5 Games (10/18)

Van Buren 32, Winfield-Mount Union 22

Lisbon 55, Highland 21

WACO 53, New London 14

Lone Tree 37, Danville 7

Class A District 5 Games (10/25)

Van Buren @ Danville

Highland @ WACO

Lone Tree @ Lisbon

Winfield-Mount Union @ New London