The playoff scenarios are thick tonight in Alburnett on Senior Night when the Columbus Wildcats make the long road trip north to meet the Pirates. With what is on the line for making the postseason in class A district five, just putting this in the win column won’t be enough, the margin of victory will decide who advances and who is left at home.
The Wildcats are 3-4 on the year, 2-3 in district, tied with the Highland Huskies for the fourth spot. Columbus was a winner last week over North Cedar 35-16, putting up 284 rushing yards, 237 of that and four touchdowns on 24 carries from Kaden Amigon. Amigon, Triston Miller, Trent Hoback, and Logan Bright all had four tackles, Amigon and Hoback recovered fumbles. On the season, the Wildcats are posting 272 total yards per game, 252 of that on the ground. They average 20 points per game while giving up 27 and have a turnover margin of +1 and have five takeaways on the year. Individually, the Cats are led by Hoback at 16 of 28 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. His favorite target is Amigon with eight catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Amigon is also the leader on the ground with 126 carries for 1,014 yards, an eight yard per carry clip with nine touchdowns. He’s the leading tackler with 42 and a half stops.
Alburnett enters action with a record of 3-4 overall and 3-2 in district play. The Pirates lost at Wapello last week 48-12. They average 223 yards per game including 128 through the air and 95 on the ground. The Pirates put up 17 points per game while giving up 27. They are -2 in turnover margin this season. Individually they are led by Connor Rock in the passing game at 74 of 130 for 795 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Gavin Soukup has caught 30 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns this year. On the ground, Carson Klostermann had 143 carries for 489 yards and four scores. Brody Neighbor has 52 and a half stops on the season. This week, Wildcat head coach Dave Lekwa broke down what’s on the line for his team’s postseason chances in the contest. “That’s where you want to be. It would be nice to be a little more comfortable position, or maybe even be locked into the playoffs. I think if you talked to anyone here before the season and told them that you’re going to go into that last game of the year against Alburnett with the potential of a playoff spot on the line they would have signed up for that. We didn’t want to make a long trip up there in a lame duck situation. I would love nothing more than to help get these kids into the playoffs and I’m sure they feel the same way.”
This is the first all-time meeting between the two schools. If the Wildcats win by 13 or more, they force their way into the playoffs. A win by 12 or less, or a loss and the Wildcats eliminated from the postseason chase. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. for Senior Night at the Martin Athletic Complex in Alburnett.