The defending State Runner-Up Audubon Wheelers will open up the 2020 season hosting nearby foe Exira-EHK on Friday night at Chis Jones Field. The Wheelers come in ranked #3 in the opening Radio Iowa poll in 8-Man. Audubon brings back a strong core from last year’s team, but some great players graduated as well. Wheelers Head Coach Sean Birks said one of the biggest question marks is who steps up at the line of scrimmage.

The skill positions are much less of a question mark on the other hand. Top passer Gavin Smith returns after tossing 14 touchdown and 846 yards. Ethan Klocke, Joel Klocke, and Braden Wessel form a strong trio of rushers and receivers that accounted for 21 scores last season. Exira-EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen said they will be a tough group to slow down.

Exira-EHK will have a team with a similar makeup as their last, a mix of experience and youth. Coach Petersen said it’s going to be a learn as you go type of start to the season.

The Spartans return Quarterback Tyler Petersen who threw for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Another coaches son Trey Petersen will be expected to pick up a chunk of the load in the backfield. Creighton Nelson was relied on heavily in the ground game last year but he is gone to graduation. Coach Birks expects they’ll get the typical strong test from the Spartans.

We’ll have coverage of the game on KJAN. Tune in for our pick ’em show Who’s Gonna Win? at 6:00 p.m. to start the night, followed by The Dvorak Tire and Service Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m., and then kickoff at 7:00 p.m. Chris Parks and Mike Smith will have the call on AM 1220, FM 101.1, online at kjan.com, and you can watch the video broadcast as well on KJANTV.