DAYKIN - It’s often peaceful around Meridian - a rural Class D school just outside the village of Daykin.

It’s more of a peaceful anger, or grief, this year. Two Meridian students and football players, 18-year-old Garrett Klipp and 16-year-old Peyton VanWesten, were taken after a deadly crash on Highway 15 on St. Patrick’s Day.

A third team member, senior Kolby Schafer, was severely injured.

"You can't help but think of those boys,"  Meridian head coach Clint Jones said. "They were both players. Great young men more importantly. It's hard on us as coaches. It's hard on the players. It's hard on the community and our school. We certainly miss them. We're doing the best we can without them."

In light of the tragedy, the school, and team, carry on. The Mustangs are 0-2 so far this year as they work to replace six total starters. Meridian had Sept. 13 off after losing to Blue Hill 46-8 in week one, and HTRS 26-16 the week after.

"We're a lot different team than we were last year," Jones said. "This week off has helped our younger kids in giving them a chance to learn some things and get better."

Meanwhile, Tri County (2-1) brings back nearly every starter from last season, and that experience has shown. The Trojans have earned double digit wins over Exeter-Milligan/Friend (44-20) and Pawnee City (71-8).

"I thought we took steps forward (against Pawnee City)," Trojans head coach Brett Scheiding said. "We got a lot of young guys in there. It's hard to get JV games sometimes in eight man, Class D1 and D2. So, it was good for them to see the field, too and build a little depth."

Leading the charge offensively is junior and third-year starting quarterback Cole Siems, who’s already accounted for 414 all-purpose yards and eight all-purpose touchdowns.

"The intensity is a lot higher," Siems said, after leading a Tri County team that went 2-6 in 2018. "We're playing a lot harder and a lot stronger. We've been in the weight room all summer. We all have a bigger want this year."

Both teams are plenty motivated. For different reasons. Tri County wants payback after losing to Meridian on homecoming last year 52-24.

"I think we're pretty hungry," junior running back Jack Holsing said, "because (Meridian) came into our homecoming and totally blew us out of the water. So, I think we're looking for a little revenge, and that'll keep us hungry, and give us an edge."

Meridian not only wants its first win of the season, but also want to play their best to honor their friends.

"(Garrett and Peyton) were two close friends for me," said senior running back Wyatt Haverluck. "I want to try and play every game (for them)."

Ol' Red 99.5 FM will have live coverage of Tri County at Meridian. Pregame starts at 6:40 with kickoff at 7 p.m. live from Daykin.

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @Tommy_NCN.