The Exira-EHK Spartans (8-1) are set to host the Stanton Vikings (7-2) in the first round of the Iowa High School Football Playoffs on Friday night and we’ll have coverage on KJAN. The Spartans have overcome a lot of adversity, especially late in the season, with a number of key injuries. Tyler Petersen has taken over the Quarterback role after Josh Pettepier went down in a loss to Woodbine and he has shown improvement in that role each week according to Head Coach Tom Petersen. Petersen believes the defense had their best second half effort of the year in last week’s win over Coon Rapids-Bayard. The Spartans will need more of that effort to slow down one of the top offensive players in the state, Stanton’s Drake Johnson. Johnson has racked up 663 yards rushing with 10 touchdowns and has also caught 41 passes for 1,065 yards and 20 more scores. Coach Petersen talked about trying to slow Johnson down.

The Spartans will counter with a dynamic player of their own in Cole Burmeister. He has rushed for 734 yards and 16 scores, along with 798 receiving yards and 10 more touchdowns. Stanton Head Coach Jeff Grebin said the Spartans execute their plays well and throw multiple looks at the defense.

Grebin said he hopes his team is ready to play sound assignment football on the defensive end in response to the Spartans multiple looks. Coach Grebin said the key to his team having success will come at the line of scrimmage.

Exira-EHK always has great fan support and Coach Petersen talked about what that atmosphere is like for his team to play in.

The Spartans and the Vikings are set for a 7:00pm kickoff on Friday night up on the hill in Exira. Chris Parks and Mike Smith will have the call on KJAN with pregame beginning at 6:30pm. Game coverage will begin right after our final weekly high school pick ’em show, Who’s Gonna Win?, of the 2018 season which will start at 6:00pm. Stay tuned after the game as well for The Iowa High School Scoreboard Show from 10:00pm-11:30pm which will bring you all the first round playoff scores around the state. Catch it all on-air, online, and on the web app.