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HUMBOLDT -- The Humboldt football team finds itself in the same situation as a year ago at this time in the playoffs.
The Wildcats take on Independence here Friday night in a Class 3A quarterfinal. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Humboldt (9-1 overall) posted a 42-21 victory over the Mustangs (10-1) on Mason Maach Field last season to advance to the semifinals and the UNI-Dome. Now, head coach Derrick Elman's squad will try to repeat the feat.
While many of the names have changed since that time, leaders like Will Orness, Lance Coon, Tayeton Lohaus and Kaleb McCullough all return for the Wildcats, while Independence is once again led by Mitchell Johnson.
Johnson has thrown for 1,541 yards and 16 touchdowns, while adding another 705 and 13 scores on the ground. The senior leader is joined by junior Treyton Weber, who has 867 yards and 11 TDs, along with sophomore wide receiver Brady Kurt,w ho has 25 catches for 425 yards and five scores.
They will be looking to solve a Humboldt defense that ranks among the best in the state. Lohaus, a South Dakota commit, has 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. Owen Hubbell, another senior, has five sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, while McCullough checks in with 4.5 and six.
As a team, the Wildcats have 23 sacks, 68.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 18 forced turnovers. They have allowed over 14 points just once and have held five opponents scoreless and two more to single digits.
On offense, Will Orness has settled into the quarterback position after earning all-state honors as a wide receiver last year. The senior has thrown for 639 yards and five TDs, while adding 473 yards and five scores on the ground.
Lance Coon, a junior, is the offensive catalyst, rushing for 1,327 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ran for 166 yards and three scores last week vs. Hampton-Dumont/CAL, and had 206 and four in the regular season finale vs. Algona, which allowed Humboldt to secure a second home playoff game.
The other 3A quarterfinals will see Nevada (8-2) face defending champion Harlan (9-1), Solon (8-2) heads to Mount Vernon (10-0) and North Polk (8-2) battles Adel-ADM (9-1).