Winfield-Mt. Union one win away from the UNI Dome

No. 1 Winfield-Mt. Union has had quite the dominant run through 2023.

On Thursday night, the Wolves will look to continue that narrative in their highest stakes game thus far.

That contest being the Class 8-Player quarterfinal against No. 8 Don Bosco, in which a trip to the UNI Dome is on the line.

Despite completing the regular season as the No. 1 team in the class with a perfect 10-0 record and an district title, WMU will be on the road for this 8-Player quarterfinal.

Don Bosco were district champions as well finishing with a 9-1 overall record. The Dons only loss came against then No. 1 Gladbrook-Greinbeck in the first game of the season, 34-24.

Due to both teams going unbeaten in district play and Don Bosco appearing first alphabetically, Thursday’s Class 8-Player quarterfinal will take place at Don Bosco beginning at 7 p.m.

  Buy Photo

Winfield-Mt. Union enters the matchup after dismantling Moravia in the second round of postseason action, 34-6.

The Wolves gave up the first points in that matchup, but scored 34 unanswered the rest of the way.

As for Don Bosco, the Dons come in off a narrow 28-20 victory over No. 10 WACO.

WACO and Don Bosco were tied at 14-14 heading into the fourth in that one, but the Dons went on to outscore the Warriors 14-6 in the fourth, the 14 of which was unanswered.

WACO is the only common opponent for the two squads. Winfield-Mt. Union topped the Warriors 34-8 in the third game of the season.

Leading Winfield-Mt. Union this season is senior Cam Buffington.

Buffington has been huge for the Wolves, tallying 1,280 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

Along with the ground game, Buffington has 564 yards receiving on 20 catches for 11 scores.

Defensively, he’s got 89 total tackles, 67 of which are solo, 16 tackles for a loss and four sacks.

That is far from the only weapon the Wolves bring to the table.

Junior quarterback Jake Edwards enters with 1,247 yards, 22 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He’s completing 59.4% of his passes.

On the ground, Cole Milks has been stellar. The senior has rushed 65 times for 478 yards and 13 touchdowns. Fellow senior Eli Miller has 185 rushing as well with three touchdowns. Junior Lane Genkinger follows with 130 yards rushing and two scores.

On the receiving end, senior Carter Loyd has 12 receptions for 260 yards and five touchdowns. Loyd is averaging 21.7 yards per catch.

Senior Abram Edwards has 237 yards with four touchdowns on 15 catches and Milks has 171 yards receiving as well.

WMU’s defense is as stout as it comes, forcing 19 turnovers.

Cooper Buffington has been one of the top defensive lineman in the area. He’s got 34 total tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks to lead the Wolves.

Cole Milks is the Wolves second leading tackler, entering with 41.5 total and 33 solo. He’s also tallied a team-high three interceptions.

Genkinger has notched four fumble recoveries, with senior Kael Johnson’s totaling three.

For Don Bosco, Kaiden Knaack is under center. Knaack has thrown for 617 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions, but does most of his damage on the ground.

He’s rushed for 1,586 yards and 32 touchdowns. Ty Christensen (787 yards) and Kyler Knaack (537 yards) follow in the ground attack.

Ben Belew is the Dons leading receiver, coming in with 14 catches for 322 yards and six touchdowns. Christensen and Knaack both have two touchdown catches as well.

Defensively, Kyler Knaack leads in tackling with 62.5 tackles, 38 solo and 8.5 tackles for a loss.

Zach Belew has a team-high 14.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.

In total, the Dons have forced 25 turnovers, 14 fumbles and 11 interceptions.