Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

What Stood Out?

City High.

It’s becoming a broken record at this point.

Every week City High seems to do something else to impress and earn this spot.

City High did it again on Friday with a thrilling 21-17 win over perennial 5A giant West Des Moines Dowling at Bates Field.

If there were still some lingering doubts about the legitimacy of the Little Hawks Friday’s performance should shut them down.

City High (4-0) took down one of the premier programs in the state on Friday handing West Des Moines Dowling (1-3) just its 11^th loss in the past nine seasons.

If City High wasn’t being taken seriously as a contender in 5A they certainly will be now.

What Were We Watching?

Solon’s Biggest Test

Solon was steady during a 3-0 start that featured wins over West Liberty, Mount Vernon and Williamsburg.

There was little debate the Spartans toughest test to date was a trip to ninth-ranked Davenport Assumption on Thursday.

Safe to say Solon aced it.

Solon racked up 483 yards and 38 points against an Assumption defense that had allowed more than 14 points once in its last 12 games in a 38-10 win over the Knights.

After a lackluster passing performance in a week three win over Williamsburg junior quarterback Jacob Timmons completed 13-of-18 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns including strikes of 62 and 12 yards to Jake Quillin that started the Spartan scoring.

If Timmons continues to put up those types of passing numbers Solon may well be the favorite in Class 3A.

Where Was the Focus?

Clear Creek Amana’s Comeback

The Cardiac Clippers were back at it again on Friday.

Clear Creek Amana (3-1) never against neighbor rival Liberty High until Gage Freeman hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass from Ben Swails with 2:14 left as the Clippers rallied for a 31-30 win in North Liberty.

The Clippers opened the season with a thrilling come-from-behind, one-point win over Marion.

This one might have even topped the 36-35 win over the Wolves.

Swails lofted a perfect strike to Freeman while taking a big hit from the backside on a fourth-and-16 play for the go-ahead touchdown.

The senior quarterback threw for 248 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 46 yards and a touchdown in the win.

Who Stepped up?

Darius Willis-Newell

A three-year varsity starter, Willis-Newell has had some big games in his prep career.

The Liberty High senior simply took it to another level on Friday night.

Willis-Newell ran for a school-record 306 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-30 loss to Clear Creek Amana scoring on touchdown runs of 1, 32, 9 and 6 yards.

Willis-Newell entered with 45 carries on the season and matched that total on Friday. He nearly doubled his career rushing output entering with 485 rushing yards in three seasons.

What’s Next?

Three games to keep an eye on next Friday

West High (1-3) at No. 4 City High (4-0) – The Battle for the Boot is always big. City High is seeking its first win over West High since 2016.

No. 3 Regina (4-0) at Wilton (4-0) – Regina will face a second consecutive undefeated district opponent this time on the road after the Beavers set up the battle of unbeatens with a win over rival Durant on Friday.

West Branch (3-1) at Mediapolis (3-1) – Another early season matchup with huge implications in the 1A, District 5 race comes as West Branch travels to Mediapolis for a rematch of last year’s second-round playoff contest won by the Bulldogs.

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