Golden Hawks host Raiders

This Class 2A District 6 tilt between Mid-Prairie (1-4) and Williamsburg (2-3) features two traditional powers that have losing records coming into Friday's game at Wellman.

'Of course blocking and tackling are the keys to any game, but especially this game,” Mid-Prairie head coach Pete Cavanaugh said.

Both started the season 0-3. The Raiders have won their last two while Mid-Prairie got its first win last week.

'Mid-Prairie has made improvements throughout the season,” Williamsburg head coach Curt Ritchie said. 'You can tell that the last two weeks. They played very well versus Liberty and then followed that up with a great performance versus Central Lee. They seem to be playing with much more confidence.”

Mid-Prairie has found its offense the last two weeks. The Golden Hawks had scored just 25 points total in the first three games combined, then totaled 22 against Iowa City Liberty before unloading 56 last week.

'They have a good rushing attack on offense, led by an athletic quarterback,” Ritchie said. 'We are going to have things in place to control the line of scrimmage.”

Justin Schwartz has carried 99 times for 450 yards and four scores for the Golden Hawks.

'Our offense has to be good on first down and put us in position to play ball control,” Cavanaugh said.

Mid-Prairie quarterback Brad Tornow has thrown for 383 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions.

'They may be a little inexperienced at spots, but we don't change too many things with what we do, based on the opponent,” Ritchie said. 'We just try to utilize the talents we have on our football team and will continue to try and get better this week.”

Jordan Martin has thrown three INTs and four TDs on 48 of 88 passing for the Raiders while Gage Hazen-Fabor has rushed 131 times for 896 yards and nine TDs.

'Williamsburg does not have very many weaknesses,” Cavanaugh said. ‘They have an outstanding running game with a strong offensive line. We will have to play fundamental sound football to have a chance to win.”

The two schools are only 24 miles apart and know each other well.

'They always play extremely hard and driven against us,” Ritchie said. 'We have to match Mid-Prairie's level of competition. We are preparing to match that and be our best.”