Tigers-Warriors set to clash

NEW LONDON - The 2019 matchup between New London and WACO was one of the best games of the year in Southeast Iowa. On WACO's homecoming night, the Warriors nearly upset the defending Class 8-Player champion New London, taking the Tigers to three overtimes before New London won 56-50 in triple overtime.

Tiger running back Blaise Porter scored the game-winning touchdown for the Tigers in that game. One possession after breaking up WACO's fourth-down throw to the end zone, Porter finished off New London's drive with a touchdown run that ended the marathon with New London on top.

Porter, now a sophomore, comes into Friday night's game after a huge Week 1 performance. Porter went for 155 yards and three touchdowns on the ground last week in a 32-13 over Moravia. Senior Caydin Wahls ran for 60 yards. The Tigers had zero yards passing, getting all their work done on the ground.

WACO had a huge game from senior quarterback Will Edeker, who was making his first start under center. Edeker threw for 124 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 101 yards and four scores. Juniors Jonah Clark and John Rice ran for 63 yards and 62 yards respectively. Junior receiver Zach Schmitz finished the day with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.

The two teams could be fighting for a spot in the Associated Press Top-10 rankings. WACO and New London were both just a handful of votes away from the rankings in the AP Class 8-Player poll, although neither team picked up any votes in the Cedar Rapids Gazette poll.

No matter what happens, the winner of the game will go into Week 3 with a 2-0 record and a ton of momentum after winning this Henry County battle.