There is a new top-ranked team in the state in 8-man football, and it’s the Winfield-Mount Union Wolves. The first-ever state rankings from the Iowa High School Athletics Association put WMU at number one, and the Wolves will try to live up to that billing when they battle Iowa Valley for first place in their district tonight.

As part of their first 5-0 start in eight years, Winfield-Mount Union has won each of the last four games by at least 26 points. The headliner is all-state senior Cam Buffington, who has piled up a whopping 1,157 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. Senior Cole Milks has also been a threat with 388 total yards and 10 TDs, and seniors Carter Loyd and Abram Edwards each have at least seven catches for 110 yards and a score.

While Buffington also leads the defense with 51 total tackles and nine tackles for loss, getting to the ball in a hurry is another big reason the Wolves give up only 17 points per game. Edwards has teamed up with juniors Cooper Buffington and Lane Genkinger to put up 20-and-a-half tackles for loss and 12 sacks, a consistent pressure that has helped force 10 takeaways.

WMU has already beaten three teams that went to the state playoffs last season, and they’ll get another strong test on the road against Iowa Valley. The Tigers are 4-1 and averaging 49 points per contest, thanks in part to new quarterback Nolan Kriegel. The freshman has nearly 600 yards passing and 555 yards rushing while accounting for 16 touchdowns.

Winfield-Mount Union had won back-to-back battles with Iowa Valley before losing a 68-52 shootout last season. The Wolves try to tame the Tigers and stay in first place in District 6 starting this evening at 7.