Small school football preview: High stakes for WACO, WMU

The playoff picture is starting to clear up as the Union area teams try and do what they need to do to make the postseason, which begins in just two weeks for the small school classes.

Winfield-Mount Union (5-2, 3-2) at No. 3 WACO (7-0, 5-0)

The Warriors look to warp up the Class 8-Player District 6 championship, while Winfield-Mount Union could take a huge step toward a playoff berth with an upset of their rivals.

WACO’s Isaac Oswals has thrown for 1,009 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Simeon Reichenbach has run for 743 yards and 16 scores. WMU star Cam Buffinton will likely hit triple digits in rushing in the game, as he enters with 999 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, and six touchdown receptions as well.

Lone Tree (3-3, 3-2) at New London (4-3, 4-1)

New London currently sits in second place in Class 8-Player District 6, so a win over Lone Tree would all but guarantee the Tigers a playoff berth.

New London’s Dom Lopez looks to continue his success both on the ground and threw the air. The Tiger quarterback has just shy of 1,100 all purpose yards and 19 total touchdowns. Blaise Porter has racked up just under 700 total yards and 11 scores.

Central Decatur (4-2, 3-0) at Sigourney-Keota (4-2, 3-0)

First place in Class 1A District 6 is on the line as Sigourney-Keota looks to win its fifth game in a row after starting the season 0-2.

The Cobras look to continue to use their rushing attack, which has been spearheaded by Cole Clarahan’s 684 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. The Cobra defense has allowed just nine points per game in district play.

Cardinal (0-6, 0-3) at Pella Christian (5-1, 2-1)

It would take a lot for Cardinal to upset a stacked Pella Christian team on the road. The Comets have yet to win a game this season, and it won’t be easy against one of Class 1A’s best.

Cardinal running back Craig Miller has been a consistent force for the Comets so far this season, rushing for 349 yards and one score, while collecting 36 yards through the air.

Pleasantville (2-4, 0-3) at Van Buren County (3-3, 1-2)

The Warriors can jump into fourth place in the district and earn a playoff spot if they can knock off Pleasantville on the road.

The Warriors have risen to .500 this season on the back of a balanced offense. Jackson Manning has thrown for 793 yards and four touchdowns, 550 yards and three of those touchdowns going to Anthony Duncan. Sam Warth has rushed for 381 yards and seven scores.

Columbus (6-0, 4-0) at North Cedar (1-5, 1-3)

Columbus takes its unbeaten streak into North Cedar, where a struggling Knight defense will try to slow down a Wildcat rushing attack that has yet to let up.

The Wildcats have scored 39 or more points in every single game this season, including 71 last week against North Mahaska. Columbus junior Kaden Amigon has run for 1,203 yards and 18 touchdowns, and Triston Miller has scampered for 679 yards and nine scores.

Lisbon (3-3, 3-2) at Highland (0-6, 0-4)

The Huskies continue to search for their first win, and it won’t be easy against a Lisbon team that has averaged 47.5 points per game in the final two contests.

Highland quarterback Sage Hartley-Norman has been heavily relied upon so far this season. He has passed for 516 yards and five touchdowns, and rushed for 363 yards and three scores as well.

Belle Plaine (3-3, 3-2) at Pekin (2-4, 1-4)

The Panthers play a rare October non-district game against Belle Plaine. Pekin looks to bounce back from three-straight losses against some of its district’s best teams.

The Panthers continue to ride workhorse quarterback Luke Long, who has rushed for 380 yards and four scores, and threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns as well.

Mid-Prairie (4-2, 2-1) at Centerville (4-2, 2-1)

The Golden Hawks and Big Reds are set to play what could very well be the closest Union area game of the weekend as Mid-Prairie hopes to lock up a second-place finish in the district.

Mid-Prairie running back Braden Hartley is approaching quadruple digits in rushing, as he currently sits at 867 yards and 11 touchdowns. Cain Brown has caught 14 passes for 239 yards and two scores.

Mid-Prairie’s defense hopes to slow down Centerville quarterback Brody Tuttle, who has piled up just under 1,200 yards in total offense, and has thrown six touchdown passes and ran in six more.