The WACO Warrior football team returns to the friendly confines of Roth Field tonight as they entertain the English Valleys Bears. The Warriors are 3-2 this year and 2-1 in district play after a 34-24 loss at Belle Plaine last week. WACO was outgained 295-254 in total, including 180-148 on the ground. The Plainesmen won turnovers 3-1. The Warriors were led by Hayden Shelman’s eight of 17 night passing for 106 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Casey Coakley caught three passes for 61 yards and a score. On the ground, Shelman was also the leader with 18 carries and 88 yards. Trey Edeker added two touchdowns. Sam Meyer and Niles Reichenbach had nine tackles each, Meyer an interception. This season the Warriors average 35 points per game and give up 24 with 310 yards per night, 229 rushing and 81 passing. Individually, Shelman is 30 of 48 passing for 302 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions, connecting with Teage Pepper eight times for 82 yards. Levi Brown and Kellen Shelman each have two touchdown catches. Shelman is the leading ground gainer with 93 carries 727 yards and a dozen touchdowns. Meyer’s 26 tackles are best and six different Warriors have a takeaway. This year, WACO is in the top 10 of eight man football in nine categories.

English Valleys is 3-2 this year, 1-2 in district after a 60-8 win over Sidney a week ago. The Bears finished with 329 total yards, 219 on the ground and forced a turnover. Individually, EV got a six of six night passing with 74 yards and two touchdowns from Drew Fisher. Braydon Anderson had 176 yards and four touchdowns on nine carries. Colton Mikesell and Christian Tripses each caught a touchdown. Owen Mather had seven tackles and Everett Bender an interception. On the year, the Bears score 50 points per game and give up 28 with 429 yards per night, 295 rushing and 134 passing with a negative turnover margin. Individually, Fisher is 38 of 76 passing for 634 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions. Bender has 16 catches, 317 yards and six touchdowns. Anderson has 65 carries, 701 yards and nine touchdowns. Cael Grove has 28 tackles on defense and four different Bears have a takeaway. This year EV is in the top 10 of eight man football in 13 categories. This week, Warrior head coach Chad Edeker talked with KCII Sports about week six for his team. “For us now, it’s just a matter of learning how to finish games. I know this team is not young, we’re through week five already, but a lot of these guys don’t have experience in close games, and what it takes to finish. We just have to get after it again. We’ll practice and we’ll be ready to go. We’re back at home finally. We haven’t had a lot of home stuff. We’ll have a great crowd and the kids will enjoy it again.”

WACO has won 11 straight in the series by a combined 563-133 score, including a 60-12 win last year. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. At Roth Field in Wayland.