The Audubon Football team is set to begin their 2025 season in a home tilt with the team who ended the Wheelers’ season in 2024 in the Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks. The Wheelers have won their district in back-to-back seasons and have been to the postseason seven straight years. Head Coach Sean Birks says his team is ready to compete in meaningful competition after a long summer and the first few weeks of practice.

Audubon scrimmaged both Bedford and Woodbine last week which Birks believes helped point out some areas of focus to improve heading into the first regular season game.

The Wheelers return Senior Quarterback Carson Wessel after throwing for over 600 yards in 2024. Alongside Wessel, is last year’s junior varsity quarterback in Aiden Kjergaard who also rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns as well. In the coaching staff’s eyes, the offense is reloading and not so much rebuilding despite losing a one-thousand-yard rusher.

Birks says the injury bug struck the Audubon defense last year and lost current Senior Austin Christensen halfway through 2024. The Wheeler Head Coach believes the defense can be a lot stronger than people think if they remain healthy.

For Audubon it’s not so much a revenge game but a tip of the cap and appreciation for the success of both Audubon and Remsen St. Mary’s programs. Birks says the Wheelers are excited for the test right away.

The Hawks lost a lot in the offseason making it somewhat tricky to scout.

This is a game has the potential to come down to the efficiency of the ground game.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm in Audubon and join KJAN for pregame coverage at 6:30 pm.