NW Iowa HS Football Game Previews!

Week #1 of Friday Night Lights kicks off here in the state of Iowa. Here are some key games in NW Iowa that will showcase some college prospects as teams look to get out the gate with a (1-0) or (2-0) start to the young season!   FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS SHOWCASE GAME Bishop Heelan (0-0) @ SC East (1-0) Kickoff: 7:00 PM Olsen Stadium Radio: 1360 KSCJ (Justin Barker pxp) Streaming: www.metrosportstv.com   CRUSADERS AND BLACK RAIDERS SET TO LOCK HORNS The Crusaders of first year head coach Jon LaFleur and his new staff come into this contest with a completely different offensive scheme from last season as the staff is creating a new identity offensively. The Black Raiders of head coach Mike Winklepleck are coming off a 50-33-win last Friday over Glenwood. As impressive as the offense was last week it was the defensive front of the Black Raiders that caught my attention.   CRUSADER OFFENSE: The Crusaders have their QB of the future with junior Quinn Olson 6-0 (175) who has game experience at the varsity level from last season when he was inserted into the starting lineup. The Crusaders have some talent in the offensive backfield with junior [player_tooltip player_id='156649' first='Sir' last='Brandon Watts'] (5-9 (170), junior [player_tooltip player_id='105507' first='Isaiah' last='Favors'] 6-0 (185) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1127791' first='Myles' last='Wegher'] 5-7 (155). The offensive line will be led up front by senior Cole Fischer 5-10 (200) and senior John Halbur 6-0 (250). Junior TE Kannon Bork 6-2 (210) is a nice target between the hashmarks and in the flat. Junior George Tsibanos 5-10 (170) along with Jack Schramm 5-10 (175) are the main targets outside at receiver.   BLACK RAIDER OFFENSE: Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='300098' first='Cole' last='Ritchie'] 6-2 (195) got off to an excellent start last Friday throwing for (304) yards and (2) scores last week. Talented senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='152853' first='Kelynn' last='Jacobsen'] 6-2 (190) had (12) receptions last week for (160) yards and a score. Senior WR Preston Dobbs is a matchup nightmare at 6-4 (190). Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='203402' first='Brecken' last='Schossow'] had an excellent (99)-yard performance on the ground last week to go with (4) scores. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='24025' first='Brady' last='Wavrunek'] is another weapon out of the backfield for the Black Raider high octane offense.   KEY MATCHUP: The key to the whole game is the matchup of the Crusader's offensive line vs the defensive line of the Black Raiders. Senior standout DT [player_tooltip player_id='247875' first='Cale' last='Pittenger'] who is coming off a (7.5) tackle performance and (2) TFL is an excellent college prospect. South Dakota State DE commit [player_tooltip player_id='105144' first='Nick' last='Wells'] played well on the edge last Friday night as well and will be a handful Friday night. The Crusaders will have to try to use the Black Raider aggressive front aggression against them. I look for the Crusaders to utilize screens and draws to try to catch the Black Raider front getting up field to quickly. In the end it will be the Black Raider offense that will be the difference in the game.   PREDICTION: BLACK RAIDERS 34 CRUSADERS 20       WARRIORS TRAVEL TO BULLDOG TERRITORY   SERGEANT BLUFF-LUTON @ LEMARS KICKOFF: 7:00 PM STREAMING: https://www.facebook.com/events/3237411239920891/?ti=ls   The Warriors of head coach Justin Smith are taking on second year head coach Ken Vigdal and his Bulldogs. SSI has confirmed that SBL senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='104079' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] is not playing the first five games of the season for undisclosed reasons. QB Smith 5-11 (190) enters his senior season as a three-year starter and is a very talented college prospect. This news changes the complexion of this game entirely. The Bulldogs are starting junior Teagan Kasel at QB and have a returning starter at RB with [player_tooltip player_id='152705' first='Elijah' last='Dougherty'] 6-0 (195) who rushed for (844) yards and (11) scores last season. The Warriors will likely try to feature a running game with senior [player_tooltip player_id='320661' first='Jake' last='Hamilton'] 5-10 (185). If the starting QB can get time to throw he will be looking for senior WR Scott Kroll 6-1 (170) caught (26) passes for (403) yards and (6) touchdowns last fall. PREDICTION: WARRIORS 20 BULLDOGS 17     EAGLES SET TO HOST WESTERNERS IN SEASON OPENER AKRON-WESTFIELD @ LAWTON-BRONSON KICKOFF: 7:00 PM RADIO: Y 101.3 STREAMING: https://twitter.com/i/events/1561109584437182464?s=11&t=RfyjVGxQpR-uJkU5lfrAmw   The Eagles of second year head coach Jason Garnand are looking to get the offense rolling early. The Eagles return junior QB Braden Heiss 5-10 (165) passed for and most of the track team with him at the receiver position. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='211690' first='Caleb' last='Garnand'] 6-0 (170) is about to have a big season production wise for an offense that is going to light up the scoreboard. Other weapons return with WR Jesse Oehlerking 6-1 (185) along with senior WR Leighton Olesen and sophomore speedster Louden Grimsley 6-1 (170). The running game will be in good hands with senior Brayden Williams.   PREDICTION: EAGLES 35 WESTERNERS 20

Week #1 of Friday Night Lights kicks off here in the state of Iowa. Here are some key games in NW Iowa that will showcase some college prospects as teams look to get out the gate with a (1-0) or (2-0) start to the young season!