Graphic Courtesy of SK Football Social Media
The Snake Pit at Sigourney High School will be rocking Friday for a clash between the Sigourney-Keota Cobras and Prairie City Monroe Mustangs. SK comes into the year after an 8-2 season that saw them take home the title in Class 1A District 6, their fourth straight championship. Sigourney-Keota averaged 43 points per game last year, giving up 15 per night. They posted 363 yards per game, 295 of that on the ground.The Cobras had 20 All-District selections last year, eight of which return including Isaac Bruns, Caden Clarahan, Billie Kindred, Owen Menke, Ashton Shwab, Brady Clark, Jace Chalupa and Brody Greiner. With the high number of All-District performers, there is still a lot to replace for the Snakes this fall. They lost their leaders in passing with Sawyer Stout and his 660 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions, rushing in Kale Clarahan and his 994 yards and 14 touchdowns on 123 carries, receiving with Cole Kindred and his 14 grabs for 547 yards and five scores, and top defenders with Aiden McGuire, Jake Moore and Evan Vittetoe combining for 123 stops, 27 tackles for loss and seven sacks, and Cole Kindred with four picks. The Cobras are receiving votes in the first Class 1A poll of the year.
Prairie City Monroe starts the season after an 8-3 2023 that saw them as undefeated district champs, fall one step shy of the Dome. The Mustangs scored 37 per game last year while giving up just 15. They averaged 411 total yards per night, 289 on the ground. The Mustangs start the year ranked No. 3 in Class 2A. They return a pair of their big offensive weapons including quarterback Gavin VanGorp, who was 77 of 128 for 1,347 yards, 18 touchdowns and three picks as a junior. In the backfield, Adrien Robbins put up 283 carries, 2,182 yards and 24 touchdowns as a freshman. PCM will have to find new playmakers on the outside with their top two receivers graduating, leaving Robbins with his 10 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown the top numbers returning. The Mustang’s top two tacklers return led by Finn Wilson’s 81 stops and four TFLs. This week, SK head coach Jared Jensen joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner to talk about PCM and what has him excited about this year’s edition of the Cobras.
Jensen said, “I think the unknown is exciting. There’s going to be a lot of people out there that saw what we lost and think that we’re going to be down a little bit. I can tell you, we’re going to look different, but it’s going to be the same mentality, mantra, same expectations. Those guys are really excited to finally get their opportunity. They’ve been waiting for three years and now they’re going to have their shot. That’s what sticks out most to me. The guys that put in their time, have not quit, had to play JV to get reps. Those guys finally have their opportunity to shine!”
In this game a year ago, the Cobras jumped out to a 15-0 lead, only to see the Mustangs rally in the second half for a 22-15 win. Action between SK and PCM starts Friday at 7:30p.m. at the Snake Pit in Sigourney.