The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves are in the midst of one of the best football seasons in school history, and while one big goal has been attained, WMU is closing in on the ultimate prize. The undefeated Wolves have earned their way to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, and tomorrow morning, number-one-ranked Winfield-Mount Union will meet Bishop Garrigan of Algona just two wins away from a championship as the 8-man state semifinals come your way on KCII.
WMU has reached 11-0 behind one of the state’s best defenses, giving up less than 180 yards and just over 14 points per game. Senior linebacker Cam Buffington has piled up 94 total tackles and 18 tackles for loss to lead the charge, while senior defensive lineman Abram Edwards has dominated opponents at the line of scrimmage with 21-and-a-half tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
Juniors Cooper Buffington and Lane Genkinger have also been excellent on defense, combining for 27.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. On offense, Cam Buffington has racked up almost 1,900 yards from scrimmage and scored 34 total touchdowns, while junior quarterback Jake Edwards stepped up in a big way in a 34-29 victory over Don Bosco in the state quarterfinals by throwing for 214 yards and three TDs.
Whether it’s the big plays in the passing game from senior receivers Abram Edwards and Carter Loyd or the sturdy play of seniors Eli Miller and Kael Johnson at linebacker, Winfield-Mount Union head coach Scott McCarty tells KCII Sports that everyone shows up ready to make an impact.
“We’ve talked about that with our kids,” McCarty says. “You’ve got to be prepared physically and mentally. A great example of that would be Eli Miller. We haven’t asked Eli to play middle linebacker for us at all this year, [but] we had an adjustment to something Bosco did [last week], and he made that adjustment without even being told. He was paying attention and [understood] what we wanted as a team. That just kind of epitomizes what we have as a group right now. Guys that understand our gameplans and, not only what they are supposed to do, but what their teammates are going to do, so if things like that happen, we’re somewhat prepared.”
To reach the state title game, the Wolves will need to take down a perennial powerhouse in Bishop Garrigan. In addition to beating the defending state champion Remsen Saint Mary’s, senior running back Caden Roethler’s 1,000 yards on the ground have been key to the Golden Bears going 11-1, as has a defense that gives up only 17 points per contest and has piled up 34 sacks.
In their previous three trips to the Dome, WMU has reached the state championships game once. Winfield-Mount Union will look to move one step away from a title when they face Bishop Garrigan in the 8-man semifinals, and you can hear all the action tomorrow morning on all KCII stations and streaming on KCIIradio.com. Join us for coverage beginning with a special playoff edition of the KCII Football Friday Preview Show at 8:30 leading into pregame from Cedar Falls one hour later.