The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk football team is in their final days of preparation for the 2017 opener.

On the offensive side of the football the Golden Hawks return some key pieces from a 5-4 season in 2016. Mid-Prairie quarterback Karson Gingerich returns for his senior season after 2016 where he finished 48 of 100 through the air for 651 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Mid-Prairie all-district running back Ricky Vargas has departed through graduation but the Golden Hawks do return Keaton Duwa who split time in the backfield with Vargas a season ago. Duwa ended 2016 with 629 yards on 68 carries and 10 touchdowns. His 9.3 yard per carry average led the district for backs with more than 20 total carries. Through the air the Golden Hawks return their top two targets from last season in wide outs Terrhyn Jacoby and Justin Schwartz who combined for 22 catches, 353 yards and four touchdowns.

Up front Mid-Prairie also returns key pieces including Jason Tew, Josh Slaubaugh, Josiah Meader, Scott Winborn and full back Rex Peck.

Mid-Prairie opens their season Friday when they travel to Louisa-Muscatine. You can hear all of the action live on AM 1380, FM 102.5 and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the KCII Football Friday pregame show at 6p.m.