A Golden Hawk alum takes center stage Wednesday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. And maybe again next week.

Jeremy Kral, a two-time All-Stater at Mid-Prairie, is a defensive coach for the unbeaten Winfield-Mt. Union football team that takes on Bishop Garrigan in the Iowa eight-man state semifinals at 10 Wednesday morning.

The Wolves, powered in part by University of Iowa football recruit Cam Buffington, are an offensive machine. They have topped 70 points four times. Buffington has run for 1,326 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he has caught 20 passes for 564 yards and 11 TDs.

But the Wolves also have a strong defense. They scored a 66-0 shutout win against HLV. They have given up an average of 13 points per game, which is the second best in the state.

And they’re led by Kral, a linebacker who played at William Penn University in Oskaloosa after he graduated from Mid-Prairie. It’s all about family. His grandfather, Leroy Powell, was a baseball pitcher at William Penn. His grandparents, Marilyn and Leroy, still live in Wellman. The same with his parents Kym and Kevin Kral. Kym was a teacher in the Mid-Prairie Schools District.

Jeremy Kral is an elementary school teacher in Wapello.

The Wolves’ defense rose up in the quarterfinals, playing a key part in W-MU’s 34-29 win over Don Bosco last week.

And while Buffington’s offensive numbers are off the charts, it’s his defense that makes a difference. He is projected to be an outside linebacker at Iowa, which shines nationally on defense. He leads the team with 94 tackles. Another Buffington, Cooper, has received gameday and camp invites from Iowa. And another teammate, Abram Edwards, is headed for Army football.

Indeed, Wednesday’s game will be of high interest in Wellman.

If the Wolves win, they’ll play unbeaten Bedford or Gladbrook-Reinbeck for a state championship Nov. 16 at the UNI-Dome.

Football Family

Southeast Polk quarterback Conner Moberly is a grandson of Bob and Dorothea Moberly of Wellman.

Conner’s dad, Douglas, is a Mid-Prairie graduate.

The top-ranked Rams, who are the only remaining unbeaten team in Class 5A, will play West Des Moines Valley in the semifinals Friday at the UNI-Dome. Moberly, an Iowa State recruit, is No. 3 in the state in touchdown passes (23) and No. 5 in passing yardage (2,036).

Record Season

Mid-Prairie fell just one win short of reaching the state volleyball tournament and totaled a school-record 31 victories in a memorable season.

The Golden Hawks have won a school-record 58 matches the last two years under head coach Sherry Evans.

The River Valley Conference was a monster with teams spread out over three classes once the post-season tournaments began. Three River Valley teams won more than 30 matches and none of them made it to the state tournament in Iowa City, including West Liberty, which won 32 matches but lost to the River Valley’s Anamosa in a regional semifinal.

The Golden Hawks made it to the regional finals for the second year in a row, but lost to Center Point-Urbana.

Mid-Prairie junior libero Dakota Mitchell was the leader in Iowa Class 3A, and No. 3 in all classes, with 639 digs. Mitchell is a North Texas recruit.

Ready for Hoops

The Highland girls basketball team will go early to open the new season.

Let’s call it, Breakfast with the Huskies.

The Huskies will host scrimmages with Washington and Tipton on Saturday morning, beginning at 8:30. Among those leading the Huskies this season is senior forward Sarah Burton. Highland will also host the Four Corners Shootout on Nov. 17 and 18, and will play Keota and Iowa Valley in the annual season-opening tournament.

Practice opened statewide for girls basketball this past Monday. The boys begin next Monday.

The Mid-Prairie girls host Fairfield on Nov. 21.

News columnist Paul Bowker can be reached at bowkerpaul1@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @bowkerpaul