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The WACO football team will cross state lines to begin play in 2019 Friday when they travel to Shelbyville, Missouri to meet the North Shelby Raiders. The Warriors were 6-3 in 2018, finishing by taking four of their last five games. The Warriors put up 3,136 total yards last year including 1,837 on the ground and 48 total touchdowns. WACO returns their signal caller Nik Coble for his senior season. Coble was 85 of 188 for 1,154 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions last year. On the ground, WACO has to replace their leading rusher, Colton Horak, who moved on through graduation after a season of 133 carries, 1,190 yards and 20 touchdowns. Horak was also the team leader with 40 catches, 624 yards and seven scores. The Warriors have their number two receiver Drew Kissel back after his 12 catch 204 yard and four touchdown season last year. Defensively it was also Horak with his team best 88.5 tackles that led the way. Braden Hammond was second on the team last season with 69.5 tackles and he returns.

North Shelby was 7-4 last season in 8-man Missouri football, advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. Shelby put up 3,714 yards and 60 touchdowns last season, including 3,120 yards and 47 scores on the ground. The Raiders return their quarterback for his sophomore year in Cale Stoneburner. He was 27 of 41 through the air for 324 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions a season ago. Their top rusher is also back for another year with senior Dayton Mettes putting up 845 yards and 10 touchdowns on 91 carries in his junior campaign. The Raiders will have to replace their leading receiver Mason Uhlmeyer who moved on through graduation after posting 16 catches 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns last year. Carson Orr is back to lead the Raider defense after 72 tackles in his freshman season. This week, WACO head coach Chad Edeker talked about his team going into week one.

Chad

The Warriors and the Raiders kick off the season at 7p.m. Friday at North Shelby High School in Shelbyville, Missouri.