Friday Football: Stanton, ESP try to snap losing skids when they face off

Here’s a look at all the games taking place Friday night for 8-man District 8. Note: All games will start at 7 p.m.

Essex/South Page @ Stanton

The Vikings are still searching for that first win of the season and with four games remaining, time is running out. Stanton’s 0-5 start confirms that they’ll have a sub-.500 season for the first time since 1996.

The Vikings are coming off a tough loss to Fremont-Mills last week.

Essex/South Page meanwhile has lost two straight and would like to avoid losing their third.

It has been a rivalry between Stanton and Essex over the years with Stanton controlling the most recent years.

Stanton has won the last four meetings. Essex last won against Stanton in 2006.

The Vikings will try to get more production out of Jeff Marshall, who has 76 yards rushing in the last two games. With CAM and Sidney the following two weeks, Stanton will need to get the win Friday night to get momentum going for those games against playoff contenders.

Villisca @ Corning

Bragging rights are at stake in this battle between the soon-to-be shared schools. By this time next season, Villisca and Corning will be known as the Southwest Valley Timberwolves.

For now though, Villisca tries to snap a four-game losing skid, while Corning tries to fight for a playoff spot in District 8.

The Red Raiders sit fifth in the district at 2-3. With games against Lenox and CAM coming up in the next few weeks, the playoffs seem possible. Corning is coming off a big win against Nishnabotna, last week. They've won two of their last three games.

Villisca is coming off a tough homecoming loss to Lenox, but one that saw one player add his name to the state record books. Jared Spunaugle's 247 yards receiving against Lenox last week, puts him fifth in 8-man history for receiving yards.

The tandem of Damon Sunderman and Spunaugle has been key to the Villisca offense this season. Sunderman leads the district in passing yards and touchdowns, while Spunaugle leads the district and is among the leaders in 8-man for receiving yards.

These two teams have a history of playing each other that dates all the way back to 1912. Corning has the lead in the series. Villisca last got a win against Corning in 1995, which is also the last time the two teams faced each other.

Fremont-Mills at Sidney

With both teams 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the district, this will likely determine who wins District 8. Both teams have had easy wins this season.

Sidney leads historically, winning 14 of 18. However, Fremont-Mills has won the last two encounters and it wasn't close. The last Cowboys win over the Knights was in 2007.

Fremont-Mills got their win last week over Stanton. Clayton Wilson had three touchdown runs in the win against the Vikings.

Sidney meanwhile is coming off a 54-14 win against Woodbine. Noah McKeever had three touchdown runs in the win.

Lenox at CAM

This will be the other match-up between two likely playoff teams. While this game won't decide who wins the district, it could make a difference in seeding. Both teams sit third and fourth in the district. The season is far from over, but a win could provide a big tiebreaker advantage.

Both teams are coming off wins in which they spoiled homecomings for their opponents. Lenox defeated Villisca and CAM defeated Essex/South Page.

These two teams have played each other three times. CAM won last year, 30-7.

Nishnabotna at West Harrison

This is the only non-district game for the week. Nishnabotna is coming off a tough loss to Corning.  West Harrison has lost three straight and would like to avoid their fourth.