The AHSTW Vikings(11-0) will meet up with the Edgewood-Colesburg Vikings (10-1) on Friday afternoon in the Class A Football Semifinals and we’ll have coverage on KJAN. The game will feature two stout defenses. AHSTW has held their opponents to an average of 11.6 points per game. Edgewood-Colesburg has allowed an equally impressive 10.7 points per game to their opponents.

Edgewood-Colesburg is coming off a defensive battle in the quarterfinal round in which they knocked off Bishop Garrigan 6-0. Ed-Co Head Coach James Rochford said his team has been able to achieve some offensive balance when needed, but the defense has been the bell-cow for his team.

Coach Rochford’s two sons are major leaders for the team. Preston Rochford has rushed for 1,872 yards and 26 touchdowns to lead the offense and  is the leading tackler on the team with 86.5 tackles including 9 for loss and 3 sacks. Parker Rochford is the top receiver on the squad with 24 catches for 452 yards and 8 scores. Coach Rochford said it has been fun having the opportunity to coach his sons who really love the game, as does the rest of the team.

Edgewood-Colesburg forced 5 critical turnovers in that quarterfinal win over Bishop-Garrigan. AHSTW Head Coach Davis Pattee talked about what impresses him about the opponent’s defense.

AHSTW is led by a hard-nosed player in Gabe Pauley who has rushed for 1,595 yards and 24 touchdowns, to go along with his team leading 75 tackles. Blake Osbahr has been efficient at quarterback with 1,941 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with just 5 interceptions thrown.  Drake Partridge, Brayton Tuma, Korbin Martin and others have contributed strongly to the offensive attack. Coach Pattee said the Vikings will need to be good up front and move the ball around to be successful this round.

The battle of the Vikings is set for a 1:00pm kickoff on Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Chris Parks will have the call on KJAN AM 1220, FM 101.1, online at kjan.com, on the web app, and audio through our facebook page as well. Pregame will begin at 12:00pm. You can also catch the game on our sister-station KNOD 105.3FM in Harlan.