The Country Bull Y102 Area Game of the week begins the 2011 season in Stockton as the Tigers host the Palco Roosters. The Roosters finished 6-3 a year go under second year head coach Justin Pierce. Palco finished 4-2 in district seven, but missed out on the postseason. While the Roosters graduated a number of talented Seniors from last year’s team, they return two extremely talented starters. Senior quarterback Kody Hamel will lead the Roosters again the season, last season Hamel threw for 449 years and rushed for 481 yards and sixteen total touchdowns. Senior running back Anthony Keller rushed for 778 yards and 14 touchdowns as a Junior.

The Stockton Tigers also return a talented Senior running back in Connor Winters. Winters rushed for 992 yards last season and scored nine total touchdowns leading the Tigers to a 3-6 record under second year head coach Justin Basart. This season Stockton will need to find a new quarterback to lead the way after Chance Miller graduated. The Tigers will turn to Junior Koby Beougher to lead the offense that scored 14 points per game last season.

In the season opener in Palco a year ago Stockton’s Tyler Peterson kicked the eventual game winning field goal in the fourth quarter giving Stockton the 9-8 win. The game featured five turnovers. Stockton was able to overcome four fumbles to earn the win. This season both teams will need underclassmen to step up and fill some big holes left by graduating Seniors.

Kickoff from Stockton tonight is set for 7 o’clock will be on the air at 6:30 with the Fort Hays State University pre-game show on the Country Bull Y102.