Friday Football: 8-Man Week 5 Preview

Here's a look at some of the 8-man games taking place on Friday night.

Essex Trojans (2-2, 1-1) @ Stanton Vikings (3-1, 1-1)- 7 p.m.

Both teams are tied for third in District 8, with a 1-1 record.

Stanton is coming off of a 42-7 win over the Nishnabotna Warriors, last Friday. Greg Focht and Jeff Marshall combined for more than 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns against Nishnabotna

Essex meanwhile lost to Fremont-Mills last week, 69-6. The lone Trojan touchdown was a 22-yard reception by Levi Allen.

Stanton has won the last three games against the Trojans. The last time Essex defeated Stanton was in 2006.

A Stanton win this week will give them some momentum heading into the game at Fremont-Mills, next Friday.

Fremont-Mills Knights (4-0, 2-0) @ Villisca Blue Jays (0-4, 0-1)- 7 p.m.

The Knights enter this game as the third best scoring team in 8-man. Their defense has been just as good, allowing 8.5 points per game.

Nate Meier has scored the fifth most points in 8-man with 100.

Fremont-Mills defeated Villisca last season 69-14. It's only the second time the Knights have defeated the Blue Jays though. Villisca is 4-2 lifetime against Fremont-Mills.

The Blue Jays last win over Fremont-Mills was in 2005.

East Mills Wolverines (4-0, 2-0) @ Woodbine Tigers (1-3, 0-2)- 7 p.m.

East Mills is the other remaining undefeated team in the District 8. The Wolverines had another big win last week, defeating the Sidney Cowboys, 57-20.

Luke Schafer continues to lead the offensive attack for East Mills. The senior leads 8-man in passing touchdowns with 20.

Woodbine is coming off of a 20-14 loss to Coon Rapids-Bayard, last Friday. The Tigers last win was against Whitling on Sept. 2.

East Mills has won both meetings against Woodbine. The two teams last faced each other in 2009.

Nishnabotna Warriors (2-2, 0-2) @ Sidney Cowboys (3-1, 0-1)- 7 p.m.

Both teams are in search of their first district win this season. Also both had lost to teams higher in the District 8 standings.

There will be more coverage on these games in Tuesday's Red Oak Express.