SSI Football: Week #3 Friday Night Lights Recap!

Is your team Heating Up or Cooling down? Thanks to O'Connor Heating & Cooling for their support of SSI high school football. Let's check in on week two and see who lit the scoreboard up! Here are my current thoughts of the state of NW Iowa HS Football.

The 4A #2 ranked SBL Warriors are off to a (3-0) start with a 49-0 victory over Council Bluffs TJ but the wins have come with a high cost. In the last three weeks, the Warriors have lost their top two running backs to season ending injuries. Senior Beckett Verros was lost in week one and fellow senior Ryan Husen who returned from an injury shortened season a year ago has seen his season come to a close with an ACL tear here in week three. I feel horrible for these kids and their Warrior teammates. If you follow football like I do, it is hard to find a high school football team across the state that had a better one-two punch like these kids in their ofensive backfield. This is a great coaching staff led by head coach Justin Smith and they will keep their kids focused as there is a big game at home this Friday 9/18 versus #5 Glenwood (3-0). I look forward to watching this game in person for Prep Redzone Iowa!

The Wildcats of head coach Kurt Bremer are off to a quick (3-0) start and #1 ranking in Class A in the Radio Iowa Poll. The Wildcats have outscored their opponents 126-13 through the first three games. Senior QB Jackson Verschoor has been steady with (449) yards passing while completing (68.2 %) of his passes and throwing for (4) scores. Senior WR Jaylen Lloyd has been streaking through opponents secondary's to the tune of (13) receptions for (152) yards and (2) receiving touchdowns. The defense is led by senior LB Holden Koele who is off to a fast start with (24.5) tackles. The Wildcats travel to IKM-Manning (0-3) this Friday night 9/18 or a 7:00 PM kickoff.

The Warriors have quietly climbed the Radio Iowa Poll rankings and sit at #3 heading into a home game vs Spencer (2-1) this Friday 9/18. The Warriors are led by senior QB Ezra Hibma a Dordt football commit. Hibma has passed for (495) yards and (4) touchdowns. Hibma has shown his versatility in the run game with (334) yards on the ground and (5) scores. Senior Tate Swager has rushed for (137) yards and (2) touchdowns. Junior WR Parker Smit has been a big play receiver with (12) catches for (330) yards and (4) scores. Senior linebacker Ethan Bosma 6-2 (195) leads the team with (18.5) tackles and (3.5) TFL. The Warriors host Spencer (2-1) this Friday 9/18 7:00 PM.