In late March most people are thinking track and field, soccer and golf with the spring sports season ready to begin in southeast Iowa, but high school football jumped back into the spotlight recently.
Last week the Iowa High School Athletic Association released district assignments for the upcoming 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Mid-Prairie will be a member of class 2A district six. There aren’t many opponent changes with the new redistricting as the Hawks will again be grouped with Central Lee, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg and Williamsburg as they have been for the previous three seasons. The newcomer to the district is Centerville, who replaces West Burlington. The Falcons have moved up a class to 3A while Centerville remains in 2A and the Big Reds move east.
By matchup here is a look at the all-time series for the Golden Hawks against each district opponent.
Mid-Prairie is 10-2 all-time against Central Lee including four straight wins, two of which came last year, a regular season victory 49-0 and a 49-7 first round playoff win.
The Golden Hawks are 5-2 all-time against Davis County, winning the last four times they have met the Mustangs. These two teams were scheduled to play in 2020, but the game was cancelled because of COVID concerns. The last time they met was 2019, a 63-6 Golden Hawk victory.
Mid-Prairie is 10-1 all-time against Eddyville-Blakesburg, winning back-to-back games against the Rockets in the series, including a 55-0 shut out win in 2020.
The Golden Hawks are 4-14 all-time against Williamsburg. The Raiders beat Mid-Prairie 28-6 last season to claim the district title. Williamsburg has won seven straight in the series with the Hawks last victory over the Raiders 21-19 in 2009.
This year will be the first ever meeting between the Mid-Prairie and Centerville football programs.
Mid-Prairie ended last season with a 4-4 record overall and a 4-1 mark in district play, finishing as runners-up. The Golden Hawks were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by Tipton 18-15 in Wellman.