Van Buren back at it vs. Winfield-Mt. Union

Van Buren was beat up in a 38-6 loss to Wapello to open the season last week, but now hope that game experience will pay dividends in week two.

After all, it had been since 2009 since the Warriors had played a varsity contest and even longer since they recorded a win. A chance for both of those is present again with a trip to Winfield-Mount Union Friday night.

The Wolves were 2-6 a season ago, but were still able to put up more than 22 points per game and return both quarterbacks who split time last fall.

Senior Derek Dedic and sophomore Max Fricke may be in the same timeshare again in 2011, but Van Buren may be more concerned about the running game. If the Warriors are able to slow down the ground game ? something they were unable to do last week vs. Wapello ?they will counter with a passing attack that has shown flashes of potency.

Quarterback Colin Weaver has a stable of athletic receivers and put the ball up 30 times in the season debut in Keosauqua. It may just come down to whether or not the inexperienced line can give the signal-caller enough time to get the ball out of his hands.

Van Buren will hope to break its losing streak that now sits at 18 games in Friday?s non-district contest set to kickoff at 7 p.m. in Winfield.