Photo Courtesy of Reel Smart Highlights Social Media

The WACO Warrior football team faced a win-and-in scenario Friday night when they traveled to undefeated Iowa Valley. The Tigers defended their home field on Senior Night 60-20. Iowa Valley sprinted to an early lead, up 20-0 after one and 41-0 at half. They would make it 53-0 through three before the Warriors got on the board with 20 in the final frame and the Tigers added one more touchdown. WACO head coach Chad Edeker joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner Saturday to break down the action. “Iowa Valley is a really solid team. They do a nice job of getting where they are supposed to be and doing their jobs. We had some chances early where we could move the ball a little bit. We blocked things right and they just had kids make really good plays. We gave them a couple of short fields with turnovers. You can’t do that with a team that’s as good as them. I felt that we did a nice job adapting. Nick (West) and Hayden (Shelman) both did a nice job throwing the ball. I thought Niles Reichenbach and Raefe Davison our outside linebackers did a really nice job for us getting to the ball. They were in on a lot of tackles.”

The Tigers outgained the Warriors 423-248 in total yards including 245-79 on the ground. They also won turnovers 2-0. Nolan Kriegel led Iowa Valley with 213 all-purpose yards, accounting for four touchdowns, including 149 yards and three scores on the ground. Hayden Shelman was the individual leader for WACO with 74 yards on 15 carries. Niles Reichenbach had a rushing score. Nick West and Jonah Miller each threw a touchdown pass and Casey Coakley and Rydge Sterna each caught one. Reichenbach and Sam Meyer each had three tackles. With the loss, the Warriors end the regular season 3-5, 2-3 in District 5, and with the results of other games Friday, will advance to the 8-man playoffs to take on unbeaten Edgewood-Colesburg in the opening round Friday. Iowa Valley is now 8-0. They start the postseason host Moravia Friday.