The Exira-EHK Spartans and CAM Cougars will hit the gridiron Friday night in Exira with second place in the district on the line. Both teams come into the game with 4-3 overall records and 4-1 marks in 8-man, District 7 play.  CAM Cougar Head Coach Joe Wollum knows his team has a tough challenge on their hands but says they are excited for the opportunity.

The Cougars are led by youth with Junior Quarterback Thomas Hensley throwing for 1,464 yards and 22 touchdowns. Hensley’s favorite target is Sophomore Preston Murphy who has 42 catches for 791 yards and 10 scores. Sophomore Mitchell Williamson brings toughness to both sides of the ball at running back and defensive line.  Coach Wollum likes how his team has grown over the course of the season.

Exira-EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen said a big key to having success against the Cougars will be containing Hensley and making sure tackles when they get the chance. The Spartans lost on the road last week to top-rated Fremont-Mills and Head Coach Tom Petersen says his team’s intensity needs to improve this week.

Exira-EHK is more veteran led with Seniors Drew Buckholdt and Connor Westergaard at the Running Back and Quarterback positions. Coach Petersen knows the players don’t need much motivation especially with it being Senior night for a group that has worked really hard to improve.

We’ll have coverage of the Cougars and the Spartans on Friday night.  Chris Parks and Mike Smith will have the call of the game from the top of the hill in Exira.  Listen in on AM1220, FM101.1, online at kjan.com, and on the mobile app. You can also catch live streaming video on the TV page at kjan.com. Catch our pick ’em show Who’s Gonna Win? at 6:00pm followed by the Dvorak Tire and Service Pre-Game show at 6:30pm and Kickoff at 7:00pm.