The Montezuma Braves are into the heart of their football schedule now, against some of the best teams in District 4 of Class 8, possibly the best top-to-bottom district in the state.
The 4-1 Braves took their first loss last week at Lone Tree, but they’re still in the thick of the district race.
That race continues Friday, Oct. 4, at Iowa Valley, which will be playing its second game of the week.
The Tigers were 3-1 heading into last Friday’s scheduled game at WACO. But, that one got weathered out and was played Monday, Sept. 30. WACO won that contest, 51-44, so Iowa Valley is 3-2 coming in.
The Braves are scoring 64 points a game and are giving up 47.
“It’s time to learn from our mistakes and move forward,” Coach Pat O’Brien said after last week’s tough 69-63 loss at Lone Tree.
The Tigers are wound pretty tight around 6-2, 170-pound quarterback Ben Smith, who has rushed for 677 yards, a 7.8 average and 13 touchdowns.
That was through the team’s first four games. Through the air, he had completed 19 throws for 408 yards and six scores.
Derek Leonard (5-10, 178) had rushed for 219 yards and a 6.6 average.
Top receiver through four contests was 6-0, 160-pounder Kayne Marshall.
Smith is versatile. He also kicks off, punts, and is Iowa Valley’s second leading tackler.
On defense, he’ll be across from a load.
The Braves have stunning numbers, starting and not ending with 6-2, 215-pound quarterback Eddie Burgess. He’s got 2,169 passing and rushing yards and has been in on 36 Braves touchdowns.
Burgess has completed 69 percent of his passes, for 1,572 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has rushed for 597 more yards, a per carry average of 6.9 and 10 more scores.
The top three receivers for the Braves are Trey Shearer, 30 catches, 600 yards, 12 scores; Cole Watts, 28 catches, 436 yards, eight touchdowns and Brayden Arendt, 20 catches, 312 yards, two scores.
Leading tacklers are Ben Jorgenson, 39.5; Brian Diaz, 33.5 and Kodie Strong, 31.0.
Starting time is 7 p.m. at Iowa Valey in Marengo.
JVs GET FIRST WIN – Montezuma’s junior varsity team got the week off to a great start, getting their first win, 51-36, on Monday, Sept. 30 at English Valleys. The Braves led 33-24 at halftime, but just 39-36 through three quarters.