Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

What Stood Out?

City High Makes Another Statement

Almost exactly two months ago City High made a statement in a season opening win.

On Friday the Little Hawks made another rather loud announcement in its playoff opener.

City High scored the first 20 points, led 34-7 at halftime and rolled to a 47-21 win over ninth-ranked Urbandale in a Class 5A opening-round matchup at Bates Field.

A 26-point playoff win in 5A is impressive.

The closer you look at this one the more impressive it becomes.

Urbandale (7-2) entered allowing less than nine points per game and hadn’t give up more than 21 in a game this season.

City High (9-1) eclipsed that total with more than five minutes left in the first half when Jamari Newson returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

The Little Hawks finished with a 427 to 287 advantage in total yards including a 227 to 19 edge in rushing yards while improving to 2-0 against CIML opponents this season.

What Were We Watching?

Solon vs. Assumption Part 2

Solon jumped on the Knights early on its way to a 38-10 regular season win in Davenport back in September.

The Spartans figured they would be in for a much tighter game in the rematch and they were correct.

Solon (10-0) led 14-0 in the second quarter and never trailed but couldn’t put away Assumption (6-4) until the final minutes in a 24-17 win at Spartan Stadium.

Sean Stahle rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns and set up a late first-half field goal with a 64 yard kick off return as the Spartans advanced to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season.

Where Was the Focus?

Clear Creek Amana’s Road Trip

The opening-round matchup that stood out most among area teams was Clear Creek Amana making the trip to seventh-ranked Winterset.

Clear Creek Amana nearly came back with the upset.

The Clippers battled Winterset to the wire before falling 24-17 in a Class 4A opening round contest.

Dawson Forgy rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns to lead Winterset (8-2) into the quarterfinals while Clear Creek Amana closed the first season under head coach Matt Haddy 6-4.

Who Stepped up?

City High senior Gable Mitchell

To say Mitchell stepped up on Friday is probably an understatement.

The do it all senior threw two touchdown passes, both to junior Ben Kueter, and intercepted three passes from his safety spot in a 47-21 win over Urbandale.

What’s Next?

No. 4 City High (9-1) at No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy (10-0) – A couple of Mississippi Valley Conference rivals square off at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids with a trip to the UNI-Dome on the line.

No. 3 Solon (10-0) at No. 5 West Delaware (9-1) – Another quarterfinal matchup between conference foes, Solon makes the trip north to take on WAMAC rival West Delaware in the first meeting between the team since 2017.

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