The Newton Cardinal football team begins district play at home tonight against the winless Oskaloosa Indians in a game that can be heard live on kniakrls.com KRLS3

The Cardinals are ranked in the top ten in most class 4A polls, and have scored 48 or 49 points in each of their three wins. Newton’s lone loss was a 16-13 setback at defending class 4A Champion North Polk in week two. Newton leads Class 4A in several categories; all-purpose yards (2,179), offensive yards (1,877), passing and receiving yards per completion (22.9), solo tackles (213), and kick-off yards (1,561).  Oskaloosa has yet to reach 1,000 yards of total offense in their four games, and has scored 58 points. Newton head coach Andy Swedenhjelm says he told the team this week that being ranked has put a target on their back. He says every team they play, no matter what their record, will be out to upset them. Swedenhjelm has also talked about improving as a team each week, to be at their best at the end of the season.

“We talked a lot about what our goals are for the season. And we talked about where we want to be at the end of the year. And every week we have to get better.”

The Cardinals and Indians last played each other in 2022. Newton won that game at home 56-10. Tonight’s game at H.A. Lynn Stadium begins at 7:30 p.m. with pregame coverage on KRLS3 beginning at 7 p.m.