Time to bring your lunch pail and get to work because smash-mouth football returns to Southeast Iowa on Friday night when Sigourney-Keota and Pekin meet up for another edition of the Backyard Brawl.

The Keokuk County rivalry has been full of great finishes over the years and in 2019 revenge is on the Cobras’ minds after dropping the last two. Last season the Panthers got the best of the Cobras in a 31-12 affair. Head Coach of Sigourney-Keota Jared Jensen tells KCII Sports you are always in for a battle when you face Pekin. “You know you are going to face athletes that understand how to win. This game is usually close and comes down to the last possession of the game. You have to play them to a close one and find a way to win the fourth quarter.”

The season opener was supposed to be in Pekin, but due to severe weather causing damage at the field last week the game will be played in Ottumwa starting at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.