The 2-0 Audubon Wheeler football team has been off to a strong start for the year winning matchups against CAM 38-20 and Colo-Nesco 44-8. The most recent win for Audubon against the Royals had a slow start, seeing the Wheelers only score 8 points in the first quarter. Still, Audubon head coach Sean Birks was pleased with the way his team responded throughout the rest of the game.

A large part of the Wheelers early success on the season has been from the effort and growth of junior quarterback Carson Wessel. Wessel has thrown for 252 yards and rushed for 6 touchdowns through two games. That tenacity to run through contact and absorb the playbook has impressed coach Birks.

On the other side of the ball Audubon’s defense has been stout so far in 2024 with 5 interceptions and 76 total tackles. One key factor of that determined Wheeler defense is junior Austin Christensen who leads the team in tackles with 15.5 and is tied for interception leader at two. Christensen’s commitment to the Audubon football program has gained him a lot of respect from his coaches.

The Wheelers next opponent is the 1-1 Exira-EHK Spartans who are coming off a 30-22 win against Stanton that included a 16-point comeback. Exira-EHK’s leading rusher in their win against Stanton was junior quarterback Bryce Brabham who rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Audubon head coach Sean Birks is aware that an emotional comeback win can ignite any team to make them a tough opponent, and coach Birks will make sure that his team knows it.

One of coach Birks’s expectations for Friday’s matchup against the Spartans is to have his team get off to a fast start and score. Audubon is 0 for 2 on opening drive scores and that is a stat he is looking to change.

KJAN will bring you the coverage for Friday’s matchup starting with the pregame show at 6:30 PM.