Week One High School Football Preview: Waterloo West & Wapsie Valley

A veteran group of student-athletes led Waterloo West to its first playoff appearance in more than 20 years last fall, now coach Lonnie Moore is facing the challenge of rebuilding the Wahawks with some inexperienced players.

“We're going to be really young at the skill positions”, Moore said. “I think a lot of our leadership and seniors will be along the offensive and defensive lines.”

West gets a good test Friday night, when it opens at home against another 2013 post-season qualifier Waverly-Shell Rock – a team that ‘s expected to contend for the Class-3A playoff again this year.

Another 2013 playoff qualifier -- Wapsie Valley -- is a position similar to West’s. The Warriors return only two experienced players from their 2013 state semifinal team.

“We need to get experience, then we'll see where we're at,” Wapsie Valley Coach Tony Foster said. “It'll be a little rough for us, especially execution, early in the year”.

Wapsie Valley opens at home against Starmont.