(Audubon) Coming up on KSOM Saturday afternoon it’ll be Audubon against Winfield-Mount Union in an 8-Player football Week 0 contest.
The Wheelers went 10-2 a year ago while the Wolves finished 4-3. A big task for Audubon will be game planning for University of Iowa recruit Cam Buffington. The junior posted over 2,100 yards from scrimmage last year and led the team in tackles among other categories. “Soon after his freshman year committed to play at Iowa. He’ll be 6’4 235 pounds probably would be my guess by now. He looks the part on film. They’ll snap it to him at quarterback and he can run it or throw it. On defense he plays middle linebacker and looking to get in on every tackle. We have to account for him on both sides of the ball. To me the biggest challenge is going to be tackling him in the open field.”
While Buffington is the biggest star, Audubon coach Sean Birks indicates Winfield-Mount Union isn’t a one man show. “They have another really salty athlete at 6’5″ and 200 plus pounds at wide receiver and tight end. He’s good after the catch and at 6’5″ he can make all the catches. Their running back probably 190 pounds or so that is really physical and can catch the ball as well. They have three really big, talented athletes that are going to try and get the ball. Defensively one will play d-line, one will be a back, and one at DB. They are going to be tough, they are going to be good, they are going to be big. For us it’ll be a fun challenge.”
As far as the Wheelers are concerned, it’ll be Cooper Nielsen, Gavin Larsen, and Manny Beisswenger counted on in a big way this season. “The new leadership roles you have Cooper Nielsen, Gavin Larsen, and Manny Beisswenger that are kind of the three returning starters on defense.” Birks says “Offensively we really just bring back Cooper and Gavin on the line. We replace five starters on defense and six on offense. That will be the challenge. A lot of our skill positions especially.”
Pregame coverage starts at 1:30 on KSOM with live video at WesternIowaToday.com. The game kicks off at 2:00 from Martensdale-St. Marys.
Audubon coach Sean Birks:
