Louisa County bragging rights are on the line Friday in Wapello when the Columbus Wildcats travel to meet the Wapello Indians.

Columbus comes into the night with a 2-3 overall record and 2-1 mark in league play. They were off last week after receiving a forfeit from New London who canceled their season. In their last live action two weeks ago they were beaten at North Linn 54-7. This year, the Wildcats score 16 points per game and give up 28, while averaging 176 yards per game, 116 rushing and 60 passing. The Wildcats are +3 in turnovers. Individually, Trevor Phillips is 35 of 61 passing for 301 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Elliot Wessley has 12 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. Angel Ineichen has 76 carries for 406 yards and four touchdowns. Drew Totemeier is the leader with 23 tackles, seven different Wildcats have a takeaway. Columbus is in the top 10 of Class A in nine categories.

Wapello is 4-1 this year, 2-1 in district after a 43-0 win over North Cedar last week. The Indians won total yards 393-161 including 209-100 on the ground. They also took turnovers 3-1. Rowen Atkinson was seven of 12 for 184 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Justyn Faulkner caught five passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. Edgar Vazquez had 15 carries 146 yards and two rushing scores. Atkinson had a scoring run. Defensively, Kendyn Lanz had eight tackles and an interception. Atkinson had a pick. This year, Wapello scores 30 points per game and gives up 19 with 339 yards per night, 173 through the air and 166 rushing. They are +8 in turnover margin. Individually, Atkinson is 55 of 101 through the air for 865 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Faulkner is the leading receiver with 18 grabs, 333 yards and four touchdowns. Rushing, Vazquez has 336 yards and four touchdowns on 54 carries. Defensively, Lanz has 33 tackles, six Indians have multiple takeaways. Wapello is in the top 10 of Class A football in 17 categories. This week, Wildcat head coach Dave Lekwa talked with KCII Sports about his team getting back on the field with this week’s rivalry. “They have a new head coach down there (at Wapello), so things are a little different. When we got the news about New London last week, the next day practice started out with Wapello film. Wapello has had some success this year. They got some wins early in the season. I know our boys will be chomping at the bit to get out on the field again, Wapello is a close rival. We can’t replace those game reps that we lost last week. This week should be a fun atmosphere.”

Wapello has won 13 of the last 17 in the series, but the Wildcats have taken three straight including a 51-14 win a year ago. The last win for the Indians came in 2021. Action starts Friday at 7p.m. At the McGill Athletic Complex in Wapello.