Waukee Rebounds from Valley Loss, Shuts Out Ames 26-0

The football team will play at tonight and try to bounce back after a brutal defeat against last week.

The Warriors lost what was essentially a conference championship game, 55-14.

Waukee head coach Scott Carlson said it was the turnovers, five of them, that his team couldn't overcome.

"We probably didn't play as well as we could have," he said. "A chain of events kind of unfolded and we didn't respond very well to the adversity. And when that kind of thing happens against a very good football team, then those kind of losses will happen."

The Little Cyclones (4-4) have lost three straight games after a 4-1 start. Carlson said Ames has had a series of injuries forcing them to play younger than they would like.

"They're a team that was really hit hard by injuries early in the year, they've lost, as I understand it, five starters to season-ending injuries," said Carlson. "So what it's forced them to do is put some very talented, but very young players, in their lineup, a lot of sophomores, who I think have responded very well for them."

Ames and Waukee both are vying for the possibility of a home game in the first round of the post-season, which starts Wednesday. Carlson says if his team wins Friday, then the Warriors are pretty much guaranteed that home contest.

"I think it's more than fair to say that if we win against Ames then we'll have a home game next Wednesday night," Carlson said. "We're trying to make sure that we have an opportunity to play at least one more time in our home stadium for our seniors."

The Warriors are 3-1 at home this season, with that lone loss coming last week against the Tigers. Senior wide receiver Ryan Owens defined plyaing in front of Waukee's home crowd as "unbelieveable" and "unexplainable," and says at least one last chance to play at Waukee Stadium is important.

"We're looking for a win against Ames, obviously, and coach has been talking about how we pretty much need to win that game to guarantee a home game for the playoffs," said Owens. "I'd love to play here one last time as a senior."

Kickoff is set for 7:45 tonight in Ames.