Montezuma football Coach John Beck expects a battle up front when Iowa Valley invades Badger-Gabriel Field for the season opener against the Braves on Friday, Aug. 19.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“It will come down to which team controls the trenches and who makes the least amount of mistakes,” Beck said.
Last season, the Braves prevailed 57-24 over a Tiger team that wound up going 3-5 on the season.
Montezuma forged a 30-18 halftime lead, then outscored Iowa Valley 27-0 in the third quarter.
“Iowa Valley is always a physical team with a lot of good, well-coached athletes,” Beck said.
The Tigers return a versatile back in 6-0, 150-pound Evan Kearney.
Last year against the Braves, Kearney rushed 14 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while catching four passes for 95 yards and two more scores.
“Kearney is a tremendous athlete who can do a lot of different things,” Beck said. “It will be interesting to see how they utilize him.”
“Iowa Valley spread the ball out more last season and did some good things through the air, while maintaining a good run game,” Montezuma’s coach said.
“Defensively, they flew around and made a lot of plays,” the coach added.
“I always know that this game will be physical and hard-fought,” Beck concluded.