Photo Courtesy of SK Football Social Media
The Sigourney-Keota Cobra football team begins the new season with a road-trip west to take on the Prairie City Monroe Mustangs.
In 2022, SK was 8-2 overall, district champions with a 5-0 mark, advancing to the quarterfinal round of the 1A playoffs. The Cobras collected 36 points per game and gave up just 18, averaging 351 yards per night, 283 of that on the ground. SK ranked in the top 10 of 1A in 12 categories. Fifth in yards per completion, sixth in quarterback rating, second most carries, seventh most rush yards, seventh most rushing scores, sixth most interceptions, with 21 total turnovers forced. Individually, Cole Clarahan had the third most touchdowns, fifth most carries, and eight most rushing yards. Sawyer Stout led the state in yards per pass completion. An astonishing 19 Cobras were All-District selections including Jack Clarahan, Jake Moore, Reid Molyneux, Karson Weber, Cole Kindred, Kale Clarahan, Cole Clarahan, Dylan Renner, Evan Vittetoe, Conner Strand, Isaac Bruns, Sawyer Stout, Clay Morse, Aidan Anderson, Caden Clarahan, Brock Alderson, Aiden McGuire and Carter McCoid. Moore, Molyneux, Kindred, Kale Clarahan, Renner, Vittetoe, Strand, Bruns, Stout, Caden Clarahan, Alderson, and McGuire all return. Nine seniors graduated. Statistical leaders returning include Stout at 28 of 54 for 620 yards, nine scores and four picks. The Cobras top two receivers are gone with Kindred the best man back at 10 catches for 171 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground, SK’s top rusher is gone with Bruns the leading returner at 61 carries for 500 yards and four scores. On defense, two of the top three tacklers depart with Molyneux the top returner with 55.5 tackles, five for loss. Moore led the defense with three turnovers last year.
PCM was 5-4 last season, dropping a first round playoff game to Clear Lake to close 2022. The Mustangs scored 29 per game and gave up 16, averaging 287 yards per game, 212 on the ground. They made the top 10 of 2A last season with six fumble recoveries. PCM lost 13 seniors to graduation. Gavin VanGorp is back after going 25 of 41 through the air as a sophomore for 320 yards, five touchdowns and two picks. His top target August Stock graduated after 10 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown. Back are his next three favorites, Adrien Robbins, Griffin Olson and Gabe Hobbs who combined for 16 catches, 238 yards and three scores. Leading rusher Robbins is back after 128 totes for 867 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore. The top tackler is gone but back is number two Finn Wilson with 39.5 stops as a sophomore.
This week, Sigourney-Keota head football coach Jared Jensen talked with KCII Sports about his keys to a win Friday. Jensen said, “Execution and physicality. Last year we came into the season with one returning lineman. So we were trying to play catch-up with the other guys. Coming into this year, we only lost one, and we’ve got four back. That’s going to set the tone for us in most games. We need to be focused, know your assignment and do your job. We’re not going to do anything different than we typically do and what we work on in practice. Our guys need to understand what we do, not have to think, and be able to just go out and play.”
You can hear all of the action live tonight between the Cobras and Mustangs as part of our KCII Area Game of the Week on the KCII3 Stream available only at KCIIradio.com. Coverage begins with the Football Friday Preview Show at 6p.m., the Game of the Week Pregame Show at 7 and kickoff between SK and PCM at 7:30p.m. in Monroe.