Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Class 5A No. 3 City High (5-0) at Davenport North (2-3)

Where: Brady Street Stadium, 7:15 p.m. Thursday

Last season: Did not play

Player to watch: Davenport North junior quarterback Nolan Mosier (6-4, 210) has completed 78-of-139 passes while throwing for 863 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions.

Key stat: Teams have completed 36 percent of their pass attempts against City High this season with nine interceptions and just one touchdown.

About the Wildcats: Davenport North had a string of consecutive winning seasons snapped with a 3-4 mark a year ago and is off to a 2-3 start this season after falling to Pleasant Valley 44-0 last week.

The Wildcats have wins over Davenport West and West High and has also lost to 4A top-ranked North Scott and Dubuque Senior.

Mosier leads a Davenport North offense that is averaging 14 points and 246 total yards per game.

Senior Cade Sheedy (5-11, 185) has rushed for 284 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry and senior Giovanni Rivera (5-10, 200) has added 192 rushing yards and a score.

Seniors Morgan Bequeaith (6-0, 140) and Peter Phan (5-6, 140) are the top targets for Mosier and are tied the for the team lead in receptions. Bequeaith has 22 receptions for 275 yards and a score and Phan has caught 22 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

About the Little Hawks: City High continued its stellar start to the season by earning its first win over cross-town rival West High since 2016 with a 56-7 victory over the Trojans on Friday.

The Little Hawks rushed for a season-high 400 yards on Friday and have now surpassed 230 rushing yards in four of five games this season and are averaging 257 yards per game on the ground.

The calling card for City High remains a defense that ranks among the best in the state this season.

City High is holding opponents to 5.8 points and 164 total yards per game this season while forcing 13 turnovers and allowing just 3.2 yards per play.

Senior running backs Darren Richardson (5-11, 195) and Joey Bouska (5-8, 170) have combined to run for 743 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

Richardson has a team-high 456 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground while Bouska has added 286 yards and four touchdowns.

Class 4A No. 10 Clear Creek Amana (4-1) at Cedar Rapids Washington (2-3)

Where: Kingston Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Thursday

Last season: Did not play

Player to watch: Cedar Rapids Washington junior Watts McBride (6-0, 180) is a college prospect that already holds a scholarship offer from Nebraska. The versatile McBride has 25 tackles, has caught 12 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown and has 15 carries for 145 rushing yards.

Key stat: In two wins this season Cedar Rapids Washington has outgained opponents by an average of 266 to 51 in rushing yards. In its three losses the Warriors are being outgained by an average of 191 to 49 on the ground.

About the Clippers: Since a 28-14 loss to 3A sixth-ranked Independence in week two Clear Creek Amana has rattled off three consecutive wins while averaging more than 42 points per game.

The Clippers opened district play with an impressive 48-9 win over previously unbeaten Oskaloosa last week, a game in which Clear Creek Amana jumped to a 34-6 lead in the first quarter.

Clear Creek Amana is allowing 355 total yards per game including 217 yards per game on the ground but has had held two of its past three opponents under 265 yards of total offense and is coming off its best defensive effort of the season against Oskaloosa.

The Clippers have one of the best offensive trios in Class 4A in seniors Ben Swails, Gage Freeman and Harrison Rosenberg.

Swails has passed for 738 yards and eight touchdowns and run for 249 yards and four scores while Rosenberg has caught a team-high 19 passes for 349 yards and five touchdowns.

Freeman has rushed for 444 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per carry.

About the Warriors: After a 2-0 start to the season Cedar Rapids Washington has dropped three straight games by an average of nearly 34 points all to top-six ranked opponents.

The Warriors improved to 2-0 with a 26-9 win over Marion in week two before falling to unbeaten 5A opponents Cedar Rapids Kennedy (48-7) and Linn-Mar (36-7) and 4A fourth-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier (31-0) last Friday.

A Cedar Rapids Washington offense that has scored a combined 14 points during its three-game losing skid will look to get on track on Thursday.

The Warriors are led by senior quarterback Reid Ortiz (5-11, 175) who has passed for 478 yards and four touchdowns with eight interceptions.

Junior Miles Thompson (6-0, 165) has rushed for a team-high 172 yards and four scores and juniors Jaden Harris (6-0, 175) and Michael Blank (5-11, 165) have combined for 27 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Davenport Central (3-2) at West High (1-4)

Where: Trojan Field, 7:15 p.m.

Last season: Did not play

Player to watch: Davenport Central senior running back Nate Hummel (5-10, 200) has rushed for 525 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Key stat: Davenport Central is averaging 292 rushing yards per game in its three wins and has been limited to 77 yards per game on the ground in its two losses.

About the Trojans: West High will be seeking to snap a three-game losing skid on Friday after falling to cross-town rival City High in the Battle for the Boot last week.

Following a week-two win at Muscatine the Trojans have dropped consecutive games to Dubuque Hempstead, Davenport North and City High while allowing 39.3 points per game.

Look for West High to rely heavily on senior running back Mason Applegate on Friday as it attempts to get its offense going.

Applegate has rushed for 579 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry this season and has also caught six passes for 108 yards.

Freshman quarterback Jack Wallace has completed 47-of-101 passes for 572 yards and three touchdowns with six interceptions with senior Nate Gudenkauf catching a team-high 13 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown.

About the Blue Devils: Davenport Central had a three-game winning streak snapped last week with a 45-7 loss to Bettendorf but has already eclipsed its win total from a year ago when the Blue Devils finished 2-7.

After a season-opening loss to Central DeWitt the Blue Devils rattled off consecutive double-digit wins over Clinton, Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Davenport West.

Davenport Central has been solid offensively averaging 29 points and 314 yards per game.

Senior Corbin Simatovich (6-2, 175) has passed for 447 yards while completing 57 percent of his passes and throwing for two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Hummell is the focal point of the offense averaging 105 yards per game on the ground and has also caught seven passes for 88 yards and a score and thrown 13 passes for 93 yards.

Dylan Graves (6-0, 175) has caught 14 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown and Kellen Rush (6-3, 200) has 11 receptions for 161 yards.

Davenport Central has struggled at times defensively and is allowing 368 total yards per game after giving up 527 yards to Bettendorf last week.

Mount Pleasant (1-4) at Liberty High (0-5)

Where: Liberty Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Last season: Did not play

Player to watch: Mount Pleasant senior quarterback Carson Coleman (5-10, 155) has completed 56 percent of his passes while throwing for 622 yards and two touchdowns and has also rushed for 231 yards and two scores.

Key stat: The five opponents for Liberty High this season have a combined 22-3 record.

About the Lightning: Liberty High dropped to 0-5 with a 21-0 loss at Class 4A top-ranked North Scott last week, it’s fourth loss of the season to a ranked opponent.

Despite the 0-5 start to the season the Lightning are alive for a playoff berth if they can finish in the top two in Class 4A, District 3.

That playoff push starts on Friday as the Lightning attempt to give James Harris his first win at Liberty High.

The Lightning have showed steady progress this season on offense and enter averaging 11 points and 271 total yards per game.

Junior quarterback Tye Hughes (6-1, 175) has passed for 698 yards and three touchdowns and has rushed for 98 yards.

Senior tailback Darius Willis-Newell (5-8, 170) has rushed for a team-high 524 yards and four touchdowns.

About the Panthers: Mount Pleasant opened the season with three consecutive losses to Fairfield, Washington and Keokuk before a 24-20 win over West Burlington.

The Panthers fell to 4A seventh-ranked Fort Madison 42-7 in its district opener last Friday.

Mount Pleasant is allowing 28.4 points and 347 total yards per game this season and has given up 207 passing yards per game.

The Mount Pleasant offense led by Coleman is averaging 14 points and 246 total yards per game.

Sophomore Payton Hagans (5-10, 155) has rushed for a team-high 318 yards and five touchdowns while averaging five yards per carry and has also caught 16 passes for 159 yards and a score.

Junior Carter Amos (6-0, 195) is tied with Hagans for the team lead with 16 receptions for a team-high 175 yards as four different Panthers have more than 100 receiving yards.

Class 3A No. 3 Solon (5-0) at Washington (1-4)

Where: Case Field, 7:30 p.m.

Last season: Washington 33, Solon 18

Player to watch: Washington junior quarterback Ethan Patterson (6-2, 160) has passed for 728 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 182 yards and four scores in the first four games of the season.

Key stat: Solon is 5-1 in its last six games with Washington with an average margin of victory of 20.4 points.

About the Demons: Washington enters on a three-game losing skid after falling to Grinnell 35-14 in its District 5 opener last week.

Following a 22-0 win over Mount Pleasant in week two the Demons have been outscored 106-47 in consecutive losses to Clear Creek Amana, Fort Madison and Grinnell.

Washington is allowing 29 points and 351 total yards per game this season and has give up more than 242 rushing yards three times and allows 221 yards per game on the ground.

The Demons are led offensively by Patterson who accounted for nine of the Demon’s 10 touchdowns in the first four games.

Junior Tayven Stuart (5-11, 185) has rushed for 123 yards and senior Lucas Kroll (6-3, 200) has emerged as a big play threat at receiver with nine receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

Four Washington players have more than 125 receiving yards with senior John Prochaska (6-2, 175) catching six passes for 164 yards and Ethan Zieglowsky (5-11, 170) catching nine passes for 142 yards and a touchdown.

About the Spartans: Solon continued its impressive start to the season with a 56-0 shutout of West Burlington in its district opener last week.

The shutout was the second of the season for the Spartans which are allowing just 10.2 points and 194 total yards per game.

Solon has held four of its five opponents to 161 total yards or fewer and has allowed more than 14 points just once this season.

The Spartans have forced 12 turnovers, including 10 interceptions while allowing just one touchdown pass.

Junior quarterback Blake Timmons (5-10, 175) has passed for 754 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception and has also rushed for 405 yards and five scores while Sean Stahle (5-10, 162) has rushed for a team-high 631 yards and nine scores.

Durant (1-4) at West Branch (4-1)

Where: The Little Rose Bowl, 7 p.m.

Last season: West Branch 28, Durant 21

Player to watch: Durant junior running back Nolan DeLong (6-1, 191) ranks second in Class 1A with 939 rushing yards and is third with 13 touchdowns. DeLong also leads the Wildcats with 28 tackles including 4.5 for loss.

Key stat: DeLong himself averages nearly 188 rushing yards per game and 7.5 yards per carry while West Branch is allowing opponents just 100 rushing yards per game on 3.6 yards an attempt.

About the Bears: West Branch has won three straight since a week two loss to Waterloo Columbus, outscoring Maquoketa Valley, Louisa-Muscatine and Mediapolis by a combined score of 127-27.

The Bears picked up their best win of the season last week with a 24-21 road win at Mediapolis in a key District 5 matchup.

Defense has been the key for West Branch this season with the Bears holding opponents to 10 points and 186 total yards per game.

West Branch has been stingy against the run allowing 100.4 yards per game on 3.6 yards per carry.

Junior Andy Henson (6-2, 205) has rushed for a team-leading 614 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry and also leads the team with 24 tackles including nine tackles for loss.

About the Wildcats: Durant snapped a four-game losing skid to open the season with an emphatic 43-6 win over Louisa-Muscatine last Friday in which the Wildcats led 37-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats are likely one of the best 1-4 teams in Class 1A with two of their losses coming by a combined five points.

Durant lost to third-ranked Sigourney-Keota 23-20 in the season opener and fell to rival Wilton 24-22 in week four.

The Wildcats have been outscored 53-0 in the fourth quarter this season including a 47-0 in their four losses.

Sophomore quarterback Charlie Huesmann (5-11, 148) leads the Durant offense that is built around its workhorse DeLong.

Huesmann has passed for 290 yards and two touchdowns with seniors Ethan Gast (5-10, 143) and Ben Orr (6-0, 195) combining for 16 receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns.

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