Cadet Football Undefeated in District Play, Takes on West Marshall Friday Night
The Iowa Falls-Alden football team hopes to keep it rolling in district play with a third straight win as they travel to West Marshall on Friday night.
IFA is 2-3 and 2-0 in district play after a 43-30 district win at Vinton-Shellsburg last week. Head Coach Eric Walkingstick says the Cadets have handled playing on the road well this season, due to player preparation and great traveling community support.
"Our kids have done a great job of adjusting on the road, keeping their head above water, and doing the things that are good," says Walkingstick. "I think that's somewhat an attribute to our fans, we travel really well to away games and we take a great section with us. So that definitely helps us and keeps us mentally kind of into the game."
The Cadets offense has been balanced with 756 rushing yards and 737 passing yards. They’re led by senior all-district level quarterback Jaden Damiano with 656 passing yards and three touchdowns, and 567 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, which is tied for sixth in Class 2A. The Cadets defense is led by junior linebacker Carter DeBates with 39 total tackles. Walkingstick says West Marshall is a physical team that the Cadets will have to match to continue their journey for a playoff spot.
"My coaches were very complimentary of West Marshall, and as I have watched film and seen them, I understand why, that their physical and their well coached. It's just one of those things where, you know, going into this game we know the importance of it, we know thet we have to have this district win, to continue on the journey we are headed on."
West Marshall is 1-4 and 0-2 in district play after a 8-0 district loss at Jesup last week. They’re led by junior running back Ben Gonzalez with 322 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and senior quarterback Carson Davis with 271 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Trojans offense has been challenged this season being shutout in three of five games. The Trojans defense struggled in non-district play giving up 30 plus points a game, they have adjusted in district play giving up less than 20 points per game.
West Marshall won last year’s meeting 42-14 in Iowa Falls. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. in State Center.
