Photo Courtesy of Clint Dye (Tag Team Photography) Social Media
The Sigourney-Keota Cobra football team begins the playoffs tonight with a perennial power, when the West Branch Bears visit the Snake Pit. SK comes into the night at 7-1 on the season, winners of seven straight, and unbeaten champions of Class 1A, District 6 after a 79-6 smackdown of Eddyville-Blakesburg last week. Against the Rockets, SK put up 46 points in the first quarter, won the total yards battle 667 to 95, including 478-48 on the ground, winning turnovers 3-0, and eight different Cobras scored touchdowns. Individually, Isaac Bruns had seven rushes for 192 yards and three touchdowns. Brayden Wood chipped in with a pair of ground scores and Aydin Flowers, Brady Clark and Blake Baker each had rushing touchdowns. Through the air, Wood and Jacob Libe combined to go three of four for 189 yards and three touchdowns with Clark, Aydin Galindo and Caden Clarahan each catching a score. Chase Clarahan and Aidan Greiner had five tackles each, Clark and Chase Haifley each picked off a pass, Clark’s a pick six, and Mison Milam recovered a fumble. The Cobras come into this week ranked No. 7 in Class 1A in the latest poll from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. This season, SK scores 42 points per night and gives up 17, outscoring their district opponents 276-60. The Cobras average 377 yards per night, 313 on the ground. Individually, Bruns has 140 carries for 1,285 yards and 21 touchdowns to lead on the ground. Nine other Cobras have rushing scores this year. Wood is 15 of 24 throwing for 343 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions with the top receiver Bruns at five grabs for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Five different Cobras have caught a touchdown. Ashton Schwab has 29 tackles. Nine different Cobras have a takeaway. SK ranks in the top 10 of 1A in 14 different team and individual categories.
West Branch is 2-6 this year, they finished fourth in Class 1A District 5, at 1-4. The Bears were beaten 13-6 at Durant last week. They were outgained 248-143 in total, including 119-22 on the ground and lost the turnover battle 2-1. Brennen Dale was 13 of 28 throwing for 121 yards and a pick. Cooper Gates had 12 rushes for 24 yards. Nathan Hills caught a pass for 48 yards. Reese Gingerich hit two field goals including a 49 yarder. Conner Capper had six tackles, and Keaton Gates picked off a pass. This year, West Branch averages 18 points per game while giving up 28. The Bears post 232 yards per night, 133 through the air. Connor Rios is 54 of 105 passing for 676 yards, four touchdowns and seven interceptions, linking up with Capper 24 times for 212 yards. Brandon Pedersen has all five touchdown catches. Gates has 85 rushes, 492 yards and five touchdowns. Five other Bears have rushing scores. Gates has 48 stops, 11 for loss and seven sacks. Nine different Bears have a takeaway. West Branch is ranked in the top 10 of 1A in five different team and individual categories. This week, SK head coach Jared Jensen joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner to talk about the keys against the Bears.
Jensen said, “From the beginning of the year to now, our offensive line has grown a ton. The playoffs is about physically winning matchups. Leadership will be key. Our seniors have been through this all. They have seen the guys in front of them be successful, understand what success looks like, and what success takes. We don’t have a lot of vocal leaders, but we have a lot of guys that lead by example. That’s what you need. You have to have guys out there willing to step up. We’re going to rely on those older guys to get us to the promised land.”
West Branch has won three-in-a-row in the series, with the most recent a 49-22 meeting in 2014. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. at the Snake Pit in Sigourney.