Outside of the state champion Iowa City Regina Regals, no one rushed for more yards per carry or scored more rushing touchdowns in the Class 1A District 6 pool than the Sigourney-Keota Cobras last season. The team’s 6.1 yards per rush average was a yard and a half less than the Regals and their 31 touchdowns were 19 fewer than the Class 1A champs, but the potent rushing attack helped the Cobras clinch a playoff berth last season.

Head coach Jared Jensen say several starters are returning on offense to help improve on a 5-5 record from 2014, “We have our backfield back with two returning running backs, three offensive linemen, and one tight end returning.” Jensen said

The district’s offensive most valuable player, Peyton Crawford, returns to the Cobra backfield. Crawford rushed for a district leading 1,708 yards and tallied 22 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 225 yards and three additional touchdowns.

Jensen says he will look for senior Nate Sieren to be another focal point in his offense. Sieren was the team’s second leading rusher last season, collecting 570 yards on the ground and scored six touchdowns.

The three returning offensive linemen including all district honorable mentions Zeb Webb and Noah Boender, along with Lane Boender. Isaiah Hahn is also back for Sigourney-Keota as a starting tight end and Blane Gretter is set to return as the Cobras’ starting quarterback.

Jensen adds his returners will help with a tough early season football schedule. “It is one of those things were it’s good to have guys who have experience in those early games just because our first six games are probably our toughest six.” Jensen said, “Having guys who have played before understand the speed of the game, is going to be huge for us.”

Sigourney-Keota’s first six games are all against playoff teams from last season, including at home versus BGM in week one, at Pekin in week two, home against Iowa City Regina week three, on the road versus Pella Christian week four, hosting Mid-Prairie week five, and at Eddyville-Blakesburg week six.

Hear a full interview with Jensen about the Cobras’ projected 2015 offense on the Jet Physical Therapy Radio Coaches Corner this morning at 9 a.m. on AM and FM KCII and KCIIRadio.com.