The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk football team starts 2024 with a road trip tonight when they travel to Wilton to face the Beavers. The Hawks begin the year ranked No. 6 in the Class 2A preseason poll from Radio Iowa. The Golden Hawks went 5-5 last year, including a first round playoff win over Northeast Goose Lake 49-18. The Hawks were 4-1, runners-up in Class 2A District 5. Mid-Prairie averaged 30 points per game last year while giving up 24 with 346 yards of offense per night, 174 on the ground. Top performers who return from last year include Brady Weber who was the leader under center, going 117 of 196 for 1,497 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. His top target was Cobi Hershberger with 27 grabs for 316 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Hudson Ehfenfelt had 189 carries for 1,178 yards and 12 touchdowns, and finished with 1,813 all-purpose yards. On defense, Kaden Kos led Mid-Prairie with 66.5 tackles. Mid-Prairie finished in the top 10 of Class 2A in 21 different individual and team categories including team passing touchdowns, rushing attempts, sacks, total completions, 1,566 passing yards, total yards, touchdowns and passing attempts. Individually Weber was there in pass completions, total touchdowns, pass yards, pass touchdowns and completion percentage. Ehrenfelt was top ten in all-purpose yards, carries and rush yards. Kos’ led 2A with 114 tackles and was top ten in sacks and touchdown catches . Ten Mid-Prairie players were selected All-District including returners Weber, Landon Kos and Kaden Kos, Conner Wiles, and Ehrenfelt who was also offensive MVP.

Wilton was 8-2 overall last season. They begin the season ranked No. 4 in the Class 1A preseason poll from Radio Iowa.  They were runners-up in Class 1A District 5 with a 4-1 record. The Beavers scored 27 points per game and gave up 14 per night, averaging 306 yards of offense per night, 186 on the ground. They return leading rusher Owen Hassell who went for 1,060 yards and 20 touchdowns on 211 carries last year. Wilton’s top three receivers are back, the group of Hassel, Jordan Dusenberry and Kale McQuillen combined for 45 catches 448 yards and three touchdowns last year, as is signal caller Drew Keith who was 109 of 189 through the air for 1,200 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven picks. The Beaver Seven of their eight top tacklers return from last year, led by Owen Milder’s 62 and a half stops. Kane Willey returns after leading the team with 16 tackles for loss. The Beavers were top 10 in 1A in 14 team and individual categories, including team tackles for loss, sacks, interceptions, rushing scores, pass touchdowns, total carries and kick return yards. Individually, Hassel led 1A in rushing scores, and was top 10 in carries, total touchdowns and all-purpose yards. Wilton had 10 players in total named All-District. Hassel, Cade Souhrada, Carter Hull, Carter Drake-Metzger, Damian Pestle, Willey, Jordan Dusenberry, Blaine Dohrmann, and Owen Milder all return. This week, Golden Hawk head coach Daren Lambert talked with KCII Sports about what Wilton brings to the table and his keys to the game.

Lambert said, “They are a great football team, very similar to us in that they return a lot of guys, in a lot of key positions on both sides of the ball. I think last year they were a step ahead because a lot of those kids were starting as juniors played as sophomores, where we were in a different situation with a lot of firsts for us. We were putting in a new offense and new defense with a lot of new guys. So this year, it’s a different feeling going in. I think we’re a lot further ahead, but we know that it’s going to be a challenge. Our constant message is ‘Don’t flinch in the moments of greatness and adversity’. Go out and play with relentless effort, discipline and do your job. If we take care of those things and everyone is on the same page, we’re going to like where we’re at Friday night!”

The Hawks had a scrimmage last Friday against West Liberty where they were 30-12 winners. The Beavers met Burlington, West Burlington and Pekin for a scrimmage last week. The Beavers shut out the Hawks 13-0 last season. You can hear all of the action between the Hawks and Beavers live tonight on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Golden Hawk football Pregame Show at 6:30p.m. and the Yotty’s Incorporated kickoff at 7p.m.