One of the best rivalries in the area is set for another chapter on the gridiron Friday when the Sigourney-Keota Cobras meet Pekin in Packwood for the Backyard Brawl. SK comes in riding high with an overall record of 4-0 after a 48-13 Homecoming win last week over Van Buren. The Cobras are ranked No. 5 in class 1A in this week’s poll from the Associated Press. On the season, the Cobras are led by Cade Molyneux through the air at 13 of 16 for 223 yards and five touchdowns. His favorite target is Brady Duwa with seven grabs for 113 yards and three scores. On the ground Molyneux and Sam Sieren lead the single wing attack. The two have combined for 443 yards and eight touchdowns on 68 carries. Jack Clarahan is the enforcer on the SK defense with 24 tackles, they have forced nine turnovers.

Pekin comes in with an overall record of 1-2. They were beaten last week by Mediapolis 20-3. For the year, the Panthers are led by Caleb Comstock through the air at six of 19 for 41 yards and an interception. Mason Juhl has three catches for 23 yards. On the ground, it’s Michael Jones with 45 carries for 257 yards. Defensively Cael Baker has the team lead with 19 tackles. This week, Cobra head coach Jared Jensen talked about preparing for Pekin. “After the game last week we talked in the locker room and it came up. It’s Pekin week. The guys said, it’s Pekin week, we’re ready now. Not a lot of motivation is needed for that game. It’s always a tough game, big rivalry, and a majority of the time it’s a tight ballgame. You can throw the records and stats out the window. It’s going to be a battle all night long. We have to keep doing what we’re doing. It doesn’t matter who we are playing. We know how good we can be, what our potential is. So we’re playing against that potential every time we step on the field.”

These teams have met every year since 2011, with the Cobras going 5-4 in those games, including a 34-14 victory last season. Action starts at 7p.m. tonight at Pekin High School on Senior Night.