Area small schools: Happy Homecoming

Toilet paper is lining the trees in Southeast Iowa, as a very popular Homecoming week sees a lot of our area teams playing against what should be packed crowds this week.

Among the big games is a battle between surging Columbus and Highland, and the return of New London after one week away from playing.

Columbus (2-2) at Highland (0-4)

The Wildcats look to stay hot and the Huskies aim for their first win as Highland hosts Columbus on Homecoming.

The last two matchups between the teams have been blowouts, as Highland won the game 48-0 in 2021, but Columbus won 55-0 last season.

Columbus’ Kaden Amigon has rushed for 774 yards and 10 scores this season. Highland’s Sage Hartley-Norman has 528 all purpose yards and three passing touchdowns.

New London (0-4) at HLV (0-5)

The Tigers return to action after having to forfeit last week’s game due to a lack of healthy players. The Tigers will travel to take on the Warriors in a battle of winless teams.

Despite the slow start, New London’s Gavin Menke-Bailey has had a nice start to the year. Menke-Bailey has racked up over 600 all-purpose yards and four total touchdowns, and he also leads the team with 26 tackles.

HLV’s Cael Weisskopf leads the team in rushing yards, receiving yards and tackles in just his freshman season.

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Easton Valley (2-2) at WACO (3-1)

WACO hosts Easton Valley on homecoming, as the Warriors look to move to 4-1.

The two schools haven’t met since the 2017 season, when WACO beat Easton Valley 64-42. The year before, the River Hawks hung 98 points on the Warriors.

WACO’s staunch defense will have to try and slow down Easton Valley quarterback Keagan Lee, who has thrown for a ridiculous 1,220 yards and 20 touchdowns so far this season.

English Valleys (2-2) at No. 2 (8-Player) Winfield-Mount Union (4-0)

The hottest team in the Union coverage area hosts the Bears one year after beating them 71-0 in their last matchup.

WMU quarterback Jake Edwards has thrown for 802 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Seven of those were to Cam Buffington, who has already eclipsed 1,000 all purpose yards, and scored 17 touchdowns.

English Valleys quarterback Myles Grove has thrown for eight touchdowns and rushed for eight touchdowns so far this season.

No. 7 Lisbon (4-0) at Pekin (3-1)

One week after falling to Columbus, Pekin faces more stiff competition in Lisbon.

Pekin hopes to hold off a Lisbon running game that has went for 960 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. The Panthers’ Will Adam has over 1,000 all purpose yards so far this year. He has thrown for six touchdowns and ran for four.

Van Buren County (2-2) vs. Louisa-Muscatine (0-4)

Izaak Loeffler’s game-winning touchdown run in the final 15 seconds last week brought the Warriors to 2-2. Van Buren County hopes to keep Louisa-Muscatine winless and roll to a winning record itself.

Loeffler has thrown for 633 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Lucas Fett has went for 329 yards receiving, and he’s got all seven of those touchdown passes.

Colfax-Mingo (1-3) at Cardinal (0-4)

The Comets look to use the magic of homecoming to scoop up their first win of the season against a Colfax-Mingo team that defeated Saydel two weeks ago for its only victory.

Cardinal’s Alec Rachford has amazingly led the Comet offense in passing, rushing and receiving during the four games. His main weapon has been his legs, which have run for 118 yards and one score.

Colfax-Mingo’s Cael Bracewell is a tough quarterback to deal with, having thrown for over 600 yards, rushed for 200 and scored seven touchdowns.

No. 8 Sigourney-Keota (3-1) at Pleasantville (2-2)

Sigourney-Keota will be a road team in a homecoming game this week, as they try to avoid an upset against a tough Pleasantville squad.

It’s a battle of a couple of tough lead running backs, as Sigourney-Keota’s Kale Clarahan has run for 507 yards and seven scores, but Pleasantville’s Caleb Cook has rumbled for 655 yards and nine touchdowns.

Mid-Prairie (1-3) at Davis County (2-2)

The Golden Hawks look to roll into Davis County and pick up a road win after thumping West Burlington last week.

Mid-Prairie’s Brady Weber has been slinging the ball all over this season, throwing for 614 yards and six scores. Hudson Ehrenfelt has kept the offense balanced by rushing for 422 yards and five scores.