The Des Moines Christian Lions had plenty of athletic success last school year, but it didn’t come from the gridiron. The Lions varsity football team posted a 1-8 overall record in 2017, including four shutout losses. The West Central Valley Wildcats football team will make the drive to Urbandale Friday night for the season opener for both schools. The Wildcats have won their first varsity game each of the last two seasons, and posted a 3-6 recorded the previous fall under head coach Eric Addy. Addy joined the Wahl McAtee Tire and Service Center Guthrie County PM Sports Page Monday to discuss West Central Valley’s season-opening road trip. Despite last year’s struggles, Addy says the Wildcats aren’t overlooking the Lions. “We don’t want to overlook any opponent,” Addy said, “I would say their not your typical 1-8 team. I know a lot of losses earlier on (was contributed to them) not having their starting quarterback that they had for the second half of the season.”

Incoming junior Jackson Waring is the quarterback Addy’s referring to in his comments. Waring started the last four games last season for the Lions, throwing a team-best three touchdown passes in Des Moines Christian’s 28-21 victory over Woodward-Academy during the final week of the regular season. The varsity football contest between West Central Valley and Des Moines Christian kicks off at 7 p.m. this Friday  in Urbandale.