In their first two games in Stuart this season, the West Central Valley Wildcats varsity football team put on a show in a losing effort. Those two setbacks the Wildcats suffered at home were by a combined total of five points against Earlham and Southwest Valley respectively. West Central Valley is hoping tonight’s third home game of the season brings them winning luck as they host the Mount Ayr Raiders to open the Class 1A District 8 season. Tonight is also West Central Valley’s homecoming football game, and some fans will consider attending the annual event. The Raccoon Valley Radio Network spoke with West Central Valley head football coach Eric Addy on Monday’s Wahl McAtee Tire and Service Center Guthrie County PM Sports Page. He says those fans coming out to tonight’s homecoming game will see an exciting brand of football. “Offensively, defensively, and (on) special teams,” Addy said, “You never know when we’re going to take it the distance. We have some explosive athletes. We have some lineman that are nasty and will get after it on both sides of the ball. Two out of our three losses have been (by) a combined point total of five points, so we’re right there.”

The Wildcats are coming off their most complete performance of the 2018 season last Friday in a 62-12 victory over the Nodaway Valley Wolverines in Greenfield. The Mount Ayr Raiders enter tonight’s district opener with a 3-1 overall record. The Raiders shut out Nodaway Valley, 36-0, to open the season and are coming off a 16-14 triumph over Clarke, Osceola last Friday at home. The Class 1A District 8 season begins tonight as West Central Valley hosts Mount Ayr. The varsity game kicks off around 7 p.m. from West Central Valley High School in Stuart.