The Columbus Junction football team has moved down to 1A this year, but that doesn’t mean it got any easier for them.

The Wildcats won only their first game last year against WACO, and lost their top returning quarterback in Ethan Leyden, so they will look to Carter Colby or elsewhere for a new arm. Running wise they bring Mauricio Ramirez back into the lineup with 1,185 yards last year and 10 touchdowns, but will need to find a backup or at least an effective second runner. The receiving core will be led by Chase Finke who had a touchdown and 312 yards.

Defensively, Columbus loses a lot of top tacklers , but do bring back Finke who had 47 tackles last year, as well as DJ Beechum who had 46 tackles.

Columbus kicks off the season with WACO this Friday, before hosting New London. They travel to Highland and Wapello, host West Marshall, and then go to Regina and Pella Christian. The Wildcats wrap the season up with Sigourney Keota and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Freemont.