(Exira, IA) – Expect to be under the lights at Exira-EHK on Friday nights in just a few weeks. The Spartans are ready for some football action as they have been preparing all summer long to get ready for the upcoming season. Some players have even taken the offseason into their own hands, working on passing routes and hitting the weight room.
Exira-EHK was on the average end last season as they finished 4-4 overall. The Spartans had multiple strong points on the offensive end last season where they rushed for 168 yards per game and passed for 204 yards per game. Exira-EHK did struggle on the end of being more physical, something coach Buckholdt has been laser-focused on having his team improve before their first scrimmage against Glidden-Ralston.
Last season, Cash Emgarten was one of the better defenders on the field as he had 16 solo tackles and provided 21.5 total tackles for the team. Jameson Kilworth provided help in all areas for the team, as he had 22.5 total tackles and provided some help on the offensive end in the receiving and rushing game for the Spartans. Alex Hanson was the Spartans’ best defender last season as he led in tackles with 44.5 and in solo tackles with 31. Exira-EHK is looking to be a tough opponent to compete with this season.
Alex Hanson is one player that coach Buckholdt is eyeing to see how he leads on the field. To top that, Hansen also led the team in sacks with 4.5 and was fourth on the team in receiving yards last season with 110. Alex is a player who goes at everything with full force and it has shown not only on the stat sheet but in the eyes of coach Buckholdt.
The Spartans will be replacing an important piece of the puzzle from last season who was their primary quarterback, rusher, and second-best defender of Trey Petersen. Petersen passed for 1,588 yards last season, rushed for 732 yards, and made 25 solo tackles. Multiple players are going to have to step up to take the place of the former Spartan.
Exira-EHK will kick things off in a scrimmage at Glidden-Ralston on August 18th at 7:00 pm. They will open up their season at Ar-We-Va on August 25th at 7:00 pm for the first official game of the regular season.
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