Comets taking on Sigourney-Keota

If the Comets are going to grab a win in the brutal Class 1A District 6, now is the time to do it.

Despite losing the first four games in district play, Cardinal (3-4, 0-4 District 6) still has an outside shot at making the playoffs. It?ll require a few big wins, and quite possibly, a little bit of luck.

The Comets open their final stretch of the season against Sigourney-Keota (3-4, 2-2). They then host West Branch (5-2, 2-2) for another must-win game in the regular season finale.

?If we want to finish at .500, we need this one to have a chance,? said Cardinal head coach Adam Hadenfelt.

In order to get the first of two big wins, Hadenfelt will be looking for his team to come out a lot quicker Friday than previous weeks. Last week, the Comets fell into a 22-0 hole before the second quarter in a 36-3 loss to Wapello.

?We?ve got to quit shooting ourselves in the foot,? said Hadenfelt. ?The biggest key for us this week is to get off to a good start. We need to be ready from the opening whistle.?

The Comet coach also expects his offense to establish its ground game from the very first possession. Running back Jonathan Pedersen is coming off an 83-yard performance in last week?s game.

The Comets? success or failure also will depend on keeping the Savage Cobras? infamous single-wing offense in check. Hadenfelt has been preparing his players all week for the unique formation, which attempts to trick the defense rather than overpower it.

?Our job is to play assignment football and for each one of us to do our jobs. The offense is impossible to simulate with our scout team, but we?ll try,? Hadenfelt said. ?I know the guys are looking forward to it.?

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Sigourney.