Photo Courtesy of Mid-Prairie CSD Social Media (Dain Jeppson)

Homefield advantage in the opening round of the playoffs is on the line tonight in Wellman, when the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks host the Albia Blue Demons, in a key Class 2A District 5 clash for Senior Night. The Hawks are 3-4 on the year, 3-1 in district play, after a playoff clinching 33-13 week seven win at Central Lee. The Golden Hawks piled up 400 total yards to just 273 for Central Lee, including 154 to 45 through the air, to pull away for the win. Hudson Ehrenfelt had 242 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns. Brady Weber was eight of 12 through the air for 154 yards, and a 41 yard touchdown to Kaden Kos. Kos also led the defense with 11 tackles. Landon Sullivan grabbed his first interception of the year, Dylan Henry recovered a fumble and the Golden Hawk pressure came alive with six sacks. On the year, Mid-Prairie scores and gives up an equal 26 points per game. They post 327 yards per night, 171 on the ground. The Mid-Prairie defense has six takeaways on the season. Individual leaders include; Ehrenfelt with 1,390 all-purpose yards, including 870 on the ground, with 141 carries, and 10 scores He has a total of 12 touchdowns this year. Weber is 83 of 141 through the air, for 1,036 yards, nine touchdowns and five picks. Ehrenfelt has 19 grabs for 287 yards and a score. Kos leads the defense with 55 tackles on the year.

Albia is 4-3 on the year, 2-2 in 2A District 5. They were upset last week on their home field by West Burlington 19-8. The Blue Demons were outgained nearly two to one, 356-180 in total. The Demons also turned the ball over five times. On the year, Albia scores 21 per game and gives up 14, averaging 285 yards per night, 146 on the ground. Defensively, they have eight takeaways. Individual leaders include quarterback Luke Wynn with 1,144 all-purpose yards, including 826 through the air, on 72 of 113 passing, seven touchdowns and three picks. He has rushed for seven more scores. Wynn is third in 2A with a 64% completion percentage. On the ground, running back Spencer Maddison has 100 carries for 463 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Top receiver is Connor Fisher with 31 catches for 428 yards and six touchdowns. Lance Helm is the leader on defense with 73 stops. This week, Mid-Prairie head coach Daren Lambert talked about his team’s bounce back win at Central Lee, his group of seniors, and the challenges Albia presents. He said, “Last week at Central Lee, the offensive line did a phenomenal job. (Kaden) Kos catching a touchdown, Hudson (Ehrenfelt) out of the backfield and moving the sticks with Grady Miller in the pass game. We were balanced. Getting turnovers is huge. We limited them throughout the game which allowed us to pin our ears back on those third and longs. It was complimentary football. We got the ball from the defense and then we put it in on offense. You want to control what you can control. We know if we take care of business Friday, we can be at home in that first round playoff game. We have to win this week to make sure that happens. Last week I think Albia may have faced some injuries, they rotated some guys into spots. Their formations are similar to ours, so it’s things we’ve seen. They have guys who can make plays. One of their middle linebackers is close to leading the state in tackles, so we’ll have our hands full on that side of the ball. You always have to put it on the seniors to lead the team, and they have done a great job this year. There’s a lot of energy guys, but also guys that lead by example, so there’s a nice mix. Hopefully Friday we’re celebrating a great senior night win and getting ready for the playoffs!”

The Golden Hawks are 5-6 all-time against Albia. They beat the Blue Demons 77-13 in their last meeting in 2019, setting a school record for points in a game. Mid-Prairie will honor 12 seniors tonight including Landon Sullivan, Landon Fox, Dylan Henry, Lukin Rediger, Jarron Thomas, Case Whetstine, Jack Greiner, Kurt Schneider, Parker Ehrenfelt, Jackson Miller, Grady Miller and Beau Flynn. You can catch all of the action between the Golden Hawks and Blue Demons live on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII 2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Mid-Prairie Football Pregame Show at 7p.m. and kickoff at 7:30 from Dwight G. Sattler Field in Wellman.