SSI Football: Gameday Preview! #8 Sioux City East (0-0) @ Sioux City North (0-0)

GAMEDAY: AUGUST 28TH

KICKOFF: 7:00 PM

GAMETIME TEMP: 80* WIND 14-MPH GUST 23-MPH

WHERE: OLSEN STADIUM

STREAMING: www.midwestsports.com

The Black Raiders of head coach Mike Winklepleck is a team that has the talent to be playing under the U.N.I. Dome in November for all the marbles. Last year's team proved they could go on the road to Des Moines and win in a playoff atmosphere when they defeated Johnston back on October 10th (21-17) and then achieved new heights by reaching the quarterfinal game losing to Waukee NW to finish (9-2). Last year set the table for what can be an incredible run in 2026.

The Black Raiders will turn the offense over to talented junior multi-sport athlete Callan Koch 6-3 (210) who has a good handle on the offense. Koch has some high end athletes on the outside to get the ball too. Junior WR Isaiah Grant 6-3 (190) is ranked the #20 receiver in the country and has been offered by Oregon, Oklahoma and Iowa to name a few will be a handful to deal with coming off a team leading (47) receptions for (734) yards and (8) touchdowns. Senior U.S.D. commit Chris Ford 5-10 (175) is a deep threat who hauled in (39) catches for (661) yards and (4) touchdowns. Senior TE Kason Clayborne 6-3 (230) a Minnesota Gopher commit is another weapon coming off a (27) catch season a year ago. Clayborne is a true red-zone target with (6) touchdowns. The rushing attack will be led by senior RB Amos Collins 6-1 (200).

The North Stars of head coach Mitch Mohr bring back some senior experience on both sides of the football and need some good mojo when it comes to the health of the roster. Junior QB Trey Henry 5-9 (175) returns following a season ending injury in game one last fall. Henry brings some athleticism to the position that the Stars have been missing. Henry is a threat with his legs and can pull up and throw effectively in a mid-range passing game.

The offensive weapons for the Stars include senior TE Zach Hagan 6-4 (220) who has committed to Morningside University. Junior Finn Kuehl 6-0 (185) will be an underneath target for Henry. Junior Devin Worden 6-1 (175) will be another contributor on the outside. The running game will be led by senior RB Ian Lofflin 5-8 (165) who is receiving interest from some D3 schools has a good feel for the inside run game for the Stars. The offensive line is anchored by senior Gio Verzani 6-1 (295) and senior Trezdyn Swanson 6-3 (260). The defense will need good production from linebackers senior Liam Beacom 5-9 (185) and sophomore Daylen Fredrickson 5-9 (170) a transfer from Sioux City East.

SSI GAME PLAN : There is no secret here. The Black Raiders can strike quickly on offense and has the weapons to do so. The Stars will need to be able to run the ball and squeeze the clock down and shorten the game to stay within reach. The Stars will need to attack on the edges with their option game and force the Black Raider defenders to commit and then drop back and take a few shots downfield to keep the linebackers and secondary from playing downhill and attacking the running game. This will be a good game film for both teams to learn from as they head to week two.