Warhawks seek to capture elusive playoff berth in 2021

Hank Williams Jr. said it best in his gridiron twist of his song “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” – Are you ready for some football?

Ready or not, here comes the season for the West Fork football team. Fortunately, the Warhawks will begin the season in friend confines, hosting Hampton-Dumont-CAL at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the West Fork Football Complex in Sheffield.

The Warhawks seek to build off of a 5-3 overall record in a shortened 2020 season, and reach the postseason for the first time since 2010. However, West Fork will need to do so against a tougher schedule that features traditional powerhouses in West Hancock and St. Ansgar.

Junior Josiah Chibambo will be the dynamo that will make the Warhawks go in 2021, following last season’s defensive performance of 81.5 total tackles and 2.5 TFL in 2020. Chibambo will be dangerous at wideout, as well, compiling nine catches, 146 yards and two TDs through the air and amassing 30 carries, 159 yards and one TD in 2020.

Fortunately, Chibambo won’t be alone.

The Warhawk defensive unit will feature seniors Jaxon Mclemore and Nate Hubka. In 2020, Mclemore provided the red and black with 38.5 tackles, and one tackle for a loss, while Hubka brought in 26.5 tackles and one interception)

Meanwhile, the offense will look to some new faces to put points on the board.

Junior Trevor Guritz has the most experience as quarterback, following the departure of Kayden Ames. Even though he tossed just three completions last year, Guritz gained 40 yards through the air and 13.3 yards per completion.

On the ground, Guritz accumulated 103 yards and one touchdown in 16 carries last season.

Another playmaker will be senior Ki Janssen, who will look to complement Chibambo on offense. In 2020, Janssen picked up 74 yards and one touchdown in his 33 carries.

The Battle for Franklin County will jumpstart West Fork’s season, as Hampton-Dumont-CAL arrives in Sheffield for both teams’ season openers. It will be the second all-time meeting between the Warhawks and Bulldogs, as West Fork captured an 18-7 victory last year in Hampton.

St. Ansgar, fresh off of a Class A State Semifinals appearance, comes to Sheffield on Sept. 3. The Saints have had West Fork’s number for quite some time, owning a 12-0 all-time series advantage over the Warhawks.

West Fork hits the road for the first time on Sept. 10, when the red and black head to Greene to face North Butler. The Warhawks will look to contain the Bearcats’ top returners in senior Chet Buss (65.5 tackles, 19.5 TFL), junior Dawson Testoret (350 yards rushing, 164 yards receiving, 4 TDs) and senior Kolben Miller (543 yards rushing, 61 yards receiving 6 TDs).

The road trip continues on Sept. 17, when West Fork rolls into Britt to face West Hancock. The Eagles, who won the Class A Championship in 2019 and were stopped just short of another UNI-Dome appearance in 2020, will rely on senior Matthew Francis to carry on the West Hancock tradition of carrying the rock.

To upset the Eagles in hostile territory, the Warhawks will have to shut down a power running attack led by Francis (642 yards rushing, 7 TDs, 67 tackles) and a defensive unit anchored by junior Rylan Barnes (43 tackles, 3 INTs, 2 TDs).

West Fork then heads into Homecoming Week, before squaring off with Lake Mills on Sept. 24 in Sheffield. The Warhawks will aim to avenge a 49-12 setback from the Bulldogs last season.

Senior Night is set for Oct. 1, when the Warhawks welcome in North Union. West Fork will aim to continue its dominance over the Warriors, never losing to North Union in their all-time series.

On Oct. 8, it’s back to the road for West Fork, as the Warhawks head over to Mason City to take on Newman Catholic. Junior Max Burt leads the Knights, who finished 6-3 in 2020.

The Warhawks will have to develop a game plan for the dual threat, who threw for nearly 1,500 yards and 14 TDs in 2020. The junior signal caller also accumulated 234 rushing yards and five more touchdowns on the ground, while racking up 63.5 tackles on defense.

Lastly, West Fork picked up one more game, agreeing to a matchup with AGWSR on Oct. 15 in Ackley. The Cougars are transitioning back to 11-player football, following a 5-4 record within the Eight-Player ranks last season.

The junior varsity will only possess two home games, while the junior high enjoys three games on the campus of West Fork Middle School in Rockwell.