Sigourney-Keota maintains proud tradition

If Sigourney-Keota is on a football team's schedule, it is usually a loss for that team.

Sigourney won a state championship in Class 2A in 1979 under coach Chuck Henry and was second in 1976. The combined Sigourney-Keota program had an undefeated season in 1995 that resulted in a 2A championship under Bob Howard. Howard and Sigourney-Keota accomplished the incredible feat of undefeated state champion again in 2001 and 2005.

Last season, SK was 5-4 and didn't have a playoff game for the first time since 2013. SK was 5-5 in 2017 and 8-2 in 2016 with a playoff loss to Pella Christian both years. The Cobras were 6-4 in 2015, 5-5 in 2014, 5-4 in 2013. The 2012 season was the last losing season at 4-6, but there was still a playoff game. The 2011 season was 4-5 with no playoff, but 2010 was an 11-1 year.

Last year was the first year of play in Class 1A District 5, so this season slate of games are the same with the home fields reversed.

Last year's season-opening 31-12 home loss to Pekin will have to be avenged at Pekin this year.

The Cobras get Lynville-Sully at home the second week after defeating the Hawks 44-18 last year on the road.

SK will have to travel to Albia after taking a 22-14 home win last season.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont will come to town after losing its home game with the Cobras last year, 48-34. It was the third straight win for SK last season.

SK opened district play at ranked Wilton with a 35-0 loss, but get that game at home this year, then travel to Van Buren, a 46-8 victory last year.

The October 11 game against Columbus is the date of Homecoming. The Cobras stung the Wildcats 48-12 last year to get to 5-2.

Last season ended with two losses, 24-14 at home to Wapello and a barnburner of a game at Mediapolis, 41-33.

Mediapolis, with a 4-1 district record, and Wilton at 5-0, both made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

Wapello was third at 3-2 and SK was fourth at 2-3. Van Buren was fifth at 1-4. Columbus was last at 0-5.