Spartans set for playoff rematch with No. 2 Knights

 TABOR -- The Spartans of Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton know very well the challenge that awaits them in Friday night’s 8-Player quarterfinal playoff game at 2nd-ranked Fremont-Mills.
 The unbeaten Knights (10-0) rank fourth in the 8-Player class with 57.8 points per game and easily lead every class in the state with 36 interceptions, 45 total takeaways and 13 defensive touchdowns.
 F-M has posted five shutouts, held four other teams to 12 points or less and outscored its 2016 opponents 578-55, including last week’s impressive 69-0 playoff rout of Lenox.
 And just four weeks ago, the Knights handed Exira-EHK (7-3) its only district loss of the season, racing to a 27-0 lead in the first 13 minutes and beating the Spartans 50-21 in Tabor.
 The rematch kicks off on the same field tonight at 7:00 as Sparty looks to build on some late-season momentum and take down the team many have billed as a state title contender since the preseason.