(Audubon, IA) – There is under a week left until football season begins, and before you pass out in excitement, Audubon head coach Sean Birks is keeping his eyes on a season that he can see his team being more than successful in. Last year, Audubon was dealt a bad hand in the scheduling department as they opened up with a week-zero game against Winfield Mount Union, a team with two Division I recruits. Abram Edwards committed to Army and Cam Buffington committed to Iowa to play football. The Wheelers have a lot trending in their favor this season compared to last season.
Audubon lost some key seniors from last season and coach Birks is looking for his team to step into their shoes. Cooper Nielsen led the team last year in tackles for loss with 11.5 and had 24 solo tackles. Gavin Larsen was second on the team in tackles with 37 overall last season while Lane Barber was second on the team in tackles for loss with 9.5 and had 24 solo tackles last season. Coach Birks is looking for his juniors to fill these roles this season and make the same impact that these seniors did for the Wheelers.
As coach Birks mentioned Manny Beiswenger, the graduate had 308 receiving yards which led the team, 249 rushing yards, and led the team in solo tackles with 39. He left a big hole for Audubon and it is a hole that will have to be filled by a few new faces on the varsity field. Jack Stanerson, Adam Obrecht, and Ezekiel Konkler are the answers to filling that hole this season for Audubon and will have to come out with determination on the field.
Audubon has voted on their team captains to lead them this season which include Ezeikiel Konkler, Evan Alt, Edward Miller, Colten Hansen, and Aaron Olsen. These will be the players to lead the Wheelers in their first game against the Cougars.
Audubon will take on CAM in their first game of the season on August 25th at 7:00 pm. KSOM will be LIVE from Audubon with Zach Collins and Austin West on the call with a pregame show starting around 6:30 pm.
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