Friday Football: 8-Man Preview for Sept. 30

Here's a preview of all the 8-Man District 8 games taking place on Friday night.

Stanton Vikings (4-1, 2-1) @ Fremont-Mills Knights (5-0, 3-0)

With the playoffs drawing near, both teams look to establish their footing for the next few weeks.

The Knights are coming off of a 78-6 win over Villisca. Fremont-Mills remains one of 49 teams still unbeaten at this point in the season, according to the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Fremont-Mills has had dominating games for the entire season. They're No. 1 in offense and No. 2 in defense in 8-Man. The Knights have yet to be held to less than 50 points this season.

Stanton meanwhile is coming off of a homecoming victory over the Essex Trojans. They've won their last two games and look to get their third straight Friday night.

The Vikings are currently third in the district. They lost last season to the Knights, 34-16. Prior to last year's loss, Stanton had won the last nine meetings.

Greg Focht leads the way for Stanton. Focht is second in the district in rushing yards with 552. Focht also has three punt returns for touchdowns, which leads the district.

On the other side, Nate Meier will lead the offensive attack for Fremont-Mills. Meier's the leading scorer in District 8 as he has 15 rushing touchdowns this season

Villisca Blue Jays (0-5, 0-2) @ East Mills Wolverines (5-0, 3-0)

The Wolverines continue to maintain their pace in the district. Last week, East Mills defeated Woodbine, 57-10.

Villisca lost to Fremont-Mills last week, 78-6. The Blue Jays haven't defeated East Mills or Malvern and Nishna Valley for that matter, since 1993.

Last season, East Mills defeated Villisca 54-7.

East Mills quarterback Luke Schafer continues to be among the 8-man leaders in passing yards (1,520) and touchdowns (26).

Sidney Cowboys (4-1, 1-1) @ Essex Trojans (2-3, 1-2)

Essex needs a win over Sidney to keep their playoff hopes alive. A win over Sidney would help them in terms of taking fourth in the district.

The Trojans are coming off a loss to Stanton from last week. Sidney defeated Nishnabotna, 49-8.

Sidney has won the last three meetings including in 2010, 57-14.

Essex will need to stop Brendon Hardy, who leads the district in rushing yards with 633 and is second in the district in touchdowns with 10.

There will be more on these games in the 10/4 edition of the Red Oak Express.

Coon Rapids-Bayard (2-3, 1-2) @ Nishnabotna (2-3, 0-3)

Nishnabotna looks to get back on their winning ways against Coon Rapids-Bayard.

Nishnabotna lost to Sidney last week and remains winless in the district. A win over Coon Rapids-Bayard would put them at .500 for the season.

Coon Rapids-Bayard is coming off of a 40-34 loss to Boyer Valley.