OTTUMWA —
If you’re an area prep football fan who is itching to get an early look at the 2012 high school season, this is your weekend.
While the Ottumwa Bulldogs open play at home tonight against defending Class 4A state champion West Des Moines Valley, three area teams in the Eight-Player Class and one team in Class A will also open the season in what has come to be called “Week Zero.”
The Moravia Mohawks will host the closest football action outside of Ottumwa tonight, as they’ll be taking on District 5 rival Lamoni for fans of the eight-player football format. Meanwhile, Seymour will travel to Mormon Trail in another District 5 game tonight. On Saturday, Twin Cedars travels to Essex.
None of these teams was originally scheduled to play an early game this season, but all were supposed to play Harmony as a part of their Eight-Player, District 5 schedule, and earlier this month, Harmony cancelled its varsity season.
The school had just 11 players attend the first practice on Aug. 6, so the district decided to seek a two-year sharing agreement for football only with Central Lee, beginning this season. Harmony will provide transportation for the players to and from practice at Central Lee — longtime rivals of Harmony in the Southeast Iowa SuperConference.
The Harmony players will have to make the adjustment from eight-player football to the traditional 11-player game. Central Lee will remain in Class 2A and will be eligible for the playoffs. The school currently has an enrollment of 241 students entering grades 10-12, while Harmony is at 66. That puts Central Lee at 307 with the sharing agreement, making it the second-largest Class 2A football school in the state.
The decision to merge left the other eight teams in the district scrambling to fill an open date with the loss of Harmony. Games this weekend are the result of that scrambling.
Moravia finished 8-1 last season and the Mohawks were second in district play on the heels of an unbeaten regular season in 2010, when the Mohawks claimed the district crown. Moravia, coached by Denny Whitlow, graduated several key players from that squad and will need to rebuild quickly to make a fourth straight playoff appearance this year.
Seniors Dylan Conley (OL/DL), Donavan Beaty (DL), Jon Eastlick (TE) and Spenser Stufflebeem (DB) all return, as do junior Seth Gray (WR) and sophomores Gunnar Miller (FB/LB), Scott Close (OL/LB) and Tyler Knapp (QB/DB). Visiting Lamoni was 3-6 in 2011.
In tonight’s other Eight-Player, District 5 game, Seymour will be looking to get into the win column after an 0-9 record last season. Mormon Trail was 4-6 overall in 2011.
Twin Cedars’ game at Essex Saturday is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. The Sabers earned a playoff spot with a 4-5 overall record last season while Essex was 2-7. Key losses from last year include running back Jared Stephens and wide receiver Colton Bonnett. Stephens rushed for over 1700 yards and scored 30 touchdowns last season. He also led the team in tackles with 105. Bonnett was the second leading tackler, with 88.
Returning starters include seniors Dylan Roberts (WR-DB) and Josh Davis (C-DT) and juniors Brent Parker (QB-DB) and Hunter Embray (TE-LB). Other returning letter winners include juniors Drew Carlson (FB-LB) and Dalton Garcia (OT-DT). Parker threw for 861 yards and nine touchdowns. Embray had 13 catches for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Roberts hauled in 19 passes for 215 yards and three scores.
In Class A play tonight, North Mahaska will travel to Belle Plaine to open the 2012 campaign. Both teams are coming off 3-6 seasons in 2011.
The Warhawks are led by third-year quarterback Beau Freeborn, a 6-foot-2, 162-pound senior. Coach Steve Ehret — in his 32nd year at the helm — is looking for leadership to come from his six seniors and five juniors with the underclassmen stepping into various roles.
Alex Dawley, a 6-1, 182-pound senior, who played on the offensive and defensive lines last season, will move to linebacker on defense this season. John Collier could see action at various positions as the season progresses. The 5-10, 200-pound senior will be seen as a lineman, at linebacker and in the backfield. Brock Pollpeter will also be in at linebacker.
Sports
August 16, 2012
Action abounds in ‘Week Zero’
Harmony drops football, forces area Eight-Player teams to add early games
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