Experienced Wolves seek better start in ‘21

 MANNING (Aug. 27) -- One of the first big goals for the IKM-Manning football team this fall will be getting off to a better start.
 In 2019 the Wolves lost their first three games, then closed the regular season with six straight wins to make the playoffs.
 In 2020, they started 0-4 and finished 2-5 in a COVID-shortened regular season. Since every team received a postseason invitation, IKM-Manning was able to earn a playoff win at Southwest Valley and wound up 3-6.
 It’s now 2021, and the Wolves would like nothing more than to kick things off with a non-district home win over AHSTW Friday night and set the tone for six straight Class A, District 8 games that follow.
 IKM-Manning enters the season with a roster of 33 players, including 16 letter winners and eight seniors. Thirteen returning players have starting experience from previous years.
 “I am excited for the upcoming season,” said first-year IKM-M head coach Cory McCarville, a longtime member of the Wolves’ coaching staff.
 Tom Casey, who joined the Iowa Football Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 2019, is now an assistant coach for the Wolves following a 35-year head coaching run at Manilla, I-K-M and IKM-Manning. His career record was 229-127.
 McCarville believes that a key strength for this year’s team will be its experience. In addition to returning several key players from last season, the Wolves should get a big boost from the return of seniors Amos Rasmussen and Conner Halbur, who were sidelined by injuries.

Full story in August 27 News-Advertiser

2021 IKM-Manning Football Schedule
Aug. 27    AHSTW, 7:00
Sept. 3    at Westwood (Sloan), 7:00*
Sept. 10    Woodbury Central, 7:00*
Sept. 17    at Missouri Valley, 7:00*
Sept. 24    Tri-Center, 7:00* (Homecoming)
Oct. 1    Logan-Magnolia, 7:00*
Oct. 8    at Lawton-Bronson, 7:00*
Oct. 15    at Ogden, 7:00
Home Games in Bold Type
* District Games
Class A Playoffs: Oct. 22, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 11, Nov. 18.

2020 IKM-Manning Results
3-6 Overall, 2-3 in District 10 (T-4th)
8/28    Tri-Center 42, IKM-M 7
9/4    Southeast Valley 32, IKM-M 22
9/11    Woodbury Cent. 14, IKM-M 0*
9/18    West Monona 20, IKM-M 7*
9/25    IKM-M 20, Ridge View 14*
10/2    IKM-M 35, Westwood 14*
10/9    Logan-Magnolia 35, IKM-M 6*
* District Games
CLASS A POSTSEASON
10/16    IKM-M 34, SW Valley 20
10/23    Logan-Magnolia 27, IKM-M 6