Friday serves as a big night for many reasons for the WACO Warrior football team. WACO will celebrate Homecoming and Senior Night on the same evening at Roth Field while entertaining the top five ranked Montezuma Braves. The Warriors come into the game with an overall record of 3-2 on the season, winners of two straight including a 32-0 shut out win in just a half over Tri-County last week. On the year, WACO is led by Will Edeker through the air at 27 of 70 for 332 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He also leads the way on the ground with 59 carries, 374 yards and seven touchdowns. His favorite target through the air is Zach Schmitz with 11 catches for 199 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively the Warriors are led by Simeon Reichenbach with 30 tackles. Tyler Sutton has two fumble recoveries and Reichenbach, Edeker and Mason Miller all have one interception each.

Montezuma comes into the contest with a perfect 5-0 record. The Braves are ranked No. 4 in class 8-man in this week’s poll from the Iowa Associated Press. Last time on the field they handled Moravia 71-7. On the season, the Braves are led by all-stater Eddie Burgess under center at 74 of 118 for 1,377 yards, 22 touchdowns and two interceptions. His yards total is best in the state in 8-man while his completion and touchdown totals are second most. Cole Watts is the leading weapon in the passing game with 23 catches for 532 yards and eight touchdowns. Burgess is also best on the ground with 70 carries for 612 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Brian Diaz has a team best 36 and a half tackles. The Braves have forced 13 takeaways this year, in the top eight in the state with Diaz and Matt Karadios each picking up two fumbles and Watts and Kodie Strong each with two interceptions. This week, WACO head coach Chad Edeker talked about the challenges of facing Montezuma. “We played them last year and it was a shoot out in the 60s or 70s. We’ve got to not give them 70 points. It’s easy to say that but you look at the scores this year and no one has been able to do it. Defensively, we are flowing to the ball and gang tackling better. We have to guard against big plays and make them drive the field for their scores.”

These two teams met a season ago with the Braves getting by the Warriors 62-57. Action begins Friday at 7p.m. at Roth Field in Wayland.