Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

What Stood Out?

Clear Creek Amana Does it Again

It is only fitting considering the season that Clear Creek Amana has had that the Clippers secured a spot in the playoffs with a one-point win.

Clear Creek Amana held off Newton on Friday 49-48 for its fourth one-point win of the season to close the season 6-3 and secure an automatic spot in the Class 4A playoffs.

The Clippers entered Friday figuring their playoff fate would come down to the RPI rankings, it did but with a twist.

With Cedar Rapids Washington defeating Pella on Friday and the Clippers’ win, Clear Creek Amana, Pella and Cedar Rapids Washington finished in a three-way tie for the runner-up spot in 4A, District 4 at 3-2.

Clear Creek Amana earned the automatic bid that goes to the district runner-up finisher by having the highest RPI ranking of the three.
Cedar Rapids Washington (5-4) was 15^th in the final RPI rankings and received an at-large bid to the playoffs while Pella (4-5) missed the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons.

Clear Creek Amana built a 34-14 halftime lead on Friday and survived a late Newton rally and a 232-yard rushing effort from sophomore Cody Klein.

What Were We Watching?

Opening Round Tests in Class 1A

Playoff off wins rarely come easy and Regina and West Branch each had formidable foes in the Class 1A opening round on Friday.

Both teams passed the first test with flying colors.
West Branch led 21-0 at the half and used 187 rushing yards from junior battering ram Andy Henson to dispatch of Cardinal (5-4) 35-6.

Regina scored the first 14 points and was never seriously threatened in a 41-19 win over Cascade.

The degree of difficulty should rise significantly for both teams on Friday in what is considered the deepest 1A field in recent memory.

Where Was the Focus?

Getting Right Before the Playoffs

City High and Solon were both already in the playoffs entering week nine but each team wanted to enter the postseason on a high note.

Mission accomplished.
City High strolled past Davenport Central 63-7 on Thursday while Solon took a 42-0 halftime lead and rolled past Keokuk at home on Friday.

Both were impressive and both will need to be sharp next week to advance to the round of eight.

Who Stepped up?

Regina junior quarterback Jack Tierney

At times on Friday Cascade was essentially daring Tierney and the Regina receivers to beat the Cougars through the air while focusing on containing the Regal ground game.

Tierney was more than up to the task completing 17-of-20 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown and also rushing for 130 yards and a score.

What’s Next?

The postseason begins for Classes 5A, 4A and 3A next week after the smaller schools got into playoff mode this week.

City High, Clear Creek Amana and Solon are all assured playoff berths while Regina and West Branch won playoff openers on Friday.

All classes are down to the final 16 teams and pairings will be announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association on Saturday morning.

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