Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

What Stood Out?

Mason Applegate’s Record Setting Night

Mason Applegate entered his senior season without a varsity carry.

On Friday night Applegate turned in the best rushing performance in West High history.

Applegate ran for an unofficial single-game school record 379 yards on just 16 carries on Friday as West High snapped a three-game losing skid with a 36-21 win over Davenport Central.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Applegate had touchdown runs of 72, 68, 93 and 87 yards on Friday while setting the West High record for yards in a game.

Applegate has now rushed for 958 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and is averaging 10.4 yards per carry.

Not bad for a guy that also starts on the defensive line and had a sack on Friday and had never played running back at the varsity level before this season.

What Were We Watching?

The Start of a Postseason Push for Liberty High

Despite an 0-5 start to the season Liberty High has every possibility of reaching the postseason.

The Lightning showed on Friday they weren’t going to let a tough start to the season stand in the way of a late-season push.
Liberty High raced to a 42-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 56-0 win over Mount Pleasant for its first win of the season and first victory for head coach James Harris leading the program.

It wasn’t just a win it was the type of win that Liberty High needed.

The Lightning were impressive on both sides of the ball and built confidence following an 0-5 start that featured losses to four ranked opponents.

If Liberty High can close out the season with three more wins the Lightning would secure one of two playoff spots out of Class 4A, District 3.

Liberty High travels to seventh-ranked Fort Madison (6-0) next Friday before hosting Burlington (4-2) and closing the season at Clinton (1-5).

Where Was the Focus?

District Leaders

With the calendar turning to October its time to start paying closer attention to the district races.

Solon, West Branch and Liberty High all got key district wins on Friday with all three teams setting up key matchups for next week.

West Branch moved to 3-0 in district play and will travel to Regina next Friday in a showdown for the district title.
Regina received its second forfeit of the season on Friday as Louisa-Muscatine (0-6) opted out of the scheduled game with the Regals.

Class 3A third-ranked Solon improved to 2-0 in 3A, District 5 play with an impressive 44-21 win over Washington that wasn’t as close as the final score.

The Spartans have their district fate in their own hands and host Fairfield (5-1, 2-0) on Friday before travelling to Grinnell (4-2, 2-0) the following week.

Who Stepped up?

Andy Henson

On a big night for running backs the West Branch junior had one of the best games of his career.

In a head-to-head matchup with Durant junior standout Nolan DeLong, Henson rushed for 226 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries as West Branch remained unbeaten in district play with a 28-14 win over the Wildcats.

The 205-pound Henson has now rushed for 840 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season and is averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

What’s Next?

Three games to keep an eye on next Friday

West Branch (5-1) at Regina (6-0) – The District 5 title will be decided next week when the Bears make the short trip to Iowa City to take on the fourth-ranked Regals.

City High (6-0) at Pleasant Valley (4-2) – Pleasant Valley held off rival Bettendorf on Friday and brings a three-game winning streak into its showdown with third-ranked City High.

Clear Creek Amana (5-1) at Cedar Rapids Xavier (5-1) – Clear Creek Amana has been impressive all season but the Clippers face their biggest test yet with a trip to perennial power Xavier with the 4A, District 4 lead on the line.

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