LAST MEETING — A 21-yard touchdown pass was the only touchdown of the game, with both teams each recording a safety in an 8-2 Roadrunner win in Woodward last year. Most of the damage done by the I-35 offense came from players who have since graduated, with W-G’s Tanner Vermaas carrying 30 times for 101 yards in the loss.
ABOUT THE HAWKS — W-G has bounced back nicely after losses to a No. 5 Madrid (47-12) and No. 7 Van Meter (52-0) to open the season. The Hawks have definitely rediscovered their offense, particularly on the ground, and have churned out district victories of 56-0 over Woodward Academy and of 43-13 against Central Decatur, both at Hawk Stadium, where they have played for three consecutive weeks (W-G was the visitor against Woodward Academy, who shares the facility).
Vermaas has come on strong and now has 656 yards on 91 carries with 12 touchdowns for an offense that has rushed 167 total times for 1,004 yards. Austin Scharlau (28-138) and Payton Tague (17-113) have been the other featured ball carriers.
Quarterback Brendan Bird is averaging less than 10 passes per outing and is 15-of-37 for 184 yards and three scores while being intercepted four times. Josh Saak (6-58, 1 TD) and John Stucker (4-65, 1 TD) have been the main targets.
Vermaas and Scharlau each have 17.5 tackles to lead the defense, with Devan Kirkman adding 15.5 stops. The team has intercepted one pass and recovered five fumbles.
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS — Interstate-35 opened with a 34-13 win over Martensdale-St.Mary’s and of 32-0 against Nodaway Valley, but have struggled against better competition, falling in the district to both Pleasantville (33-7) and No. 2 Pella Christian (49-0).
Brayden Egli is 39-65-6 for 634 yards and five TDs through the air, which is the preferred mode of attack for I-35.
Tanner Daniels (10-193, 2 TDs), Grant Richardson (10-173, 1 TD) and Richie Grigolione (12-147, 1 TD) are all potent weapons.
Mason Cassidy’s 258 yards and three scores on 55 carries fuels the I-35 ground game.
The defense has five interceptions and two fumble recoveries and is led by Dante Arzani’s 33.5 tackles and Austin Beener’s 27.5
The Roadrunners have punted only five times in four games, and perhaps for good reason, as the team is averaging a paltry 24.8 yards per attempt.
DISTRICT 5
| District | Overall | Point Diff Avg |
|||||
| Win | Loss | Tie | Win | Loss | Tie | ||
| Pella Christian | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17.00 |
| Pleasantville | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 17.00 |
| Woodward-Granger | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 17.00 |
| Mount Ayr | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.50 |
| Central Decatur | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | -0.50 |
| Des Moines Christian | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -17.00 |
| Interstate-35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -17.00 |
| Woodward Academy | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -17.00 |
Friday’s Games
Central Decatur at Des Moines Christian
Pella Christian at Mount Ayr
Pleasantville at Woodward Academy
Woodward-Granger at Interstate-35
Friday, Sept. 30
Des Moines Christian at Woodward-Granger
Interstate-35 at Central Decatur
Mount Ayr at Pleasantville
Woodward Academy at Pella Christian
