Ames (0-2) at City High (0-2)

Where: Frank Bates Field, 7 p.m.

Last season: City High 49, Ames 28

Player to watch: Ames junior Cameron Cantonwine (6-2, 190) rushed six times for 81 yards and a touchdown and also completed 2-of-3 passes for 11 yards in a season-opening loss to Waukee.

Key stat: City High has won four in a row in the Little Cy-Hawk series and has averaged 43.8 points in those four wins.

About the Little Hawks: City High is off to an 0-2 start with losses to Illinois power Joliet Catholic and cross-town rival Liberty High.

Last season the Little Hawks started 0-2 before winning six of seven to return to the Class 5A playoffs.

Through two games City High is averaging 21 points and 332 total yards on 6.6 yards per play.

Senior quarterback Bobby Bacon (6-2, 175) has completed 70 percent of his passes while throwing for 410 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.

Parker Sutherland (6-6, 224) has caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown and sophomore Chayse Newton (5-8, 140) has caught eight passes for 90 yards.

Senior Dominic Salibi (6-1, 183) has rushed for a team-high 163 yards and a touchdown and has caught seven passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Freshman linebacker Marshall Sheldon (6-0, 173) has a team-high 18 tackles with one for loss and senior Drew Nye (6-3, 215) has 13.5 tackles.

About the Little Cyclones: Ames is 0-2 and has been outscored 114-28 in losses to unbeatens Ankeny Centennial and Waukee to open the season.

The Little Cyclones were 3-6 a year ago and have a new head coach this fall as former assistant coach Thomas Crowden takes over for Brian Sauser.

Ames High his allowing an average of 407 total yards per game through two games including 261 passing yards per game.

Sophomore quarterback Jace Hennigar (5-9, 160) completed 9-of-21 passes for 91 yards and an interception in the season opener with sophomore Brennan Swanson (5-10, 150) making five receptions for 51 yards.

Junior safety Johari Muigai (5-9, 185) leads the Little Cyclones with seven tackles including five solo stops.

West High (1-1) at Muscatine (1-1)

Where: Muscatine, 7 p.m.

Last season: West High 42, Muscatine 20

Player to watch: Muscatine junior running back Seth Reiland (5-10, 157) has posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to open the season while racking up 260 yards and a touchdown on the ground while averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

Key stat: West High has scored 34 or more points in five of its last six games dating back to last season and is averaging 40.7 points per game during that span.

About Trojans: West High bounced back from a week-one loss to Liberty High with a 34-28 win over Urbandale on Friday.

The Trojans have been explosive offensively, averaging 39.5 points and 409.5 total yards per game and 5.9 yards per play.

Senior quarterback Jack Wallace (6-3, 220) has completed 70 percent of his passes while throwing for 560 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions and has rushed for three touchdowns.

Senior Butali Butali (5-8, 170) has rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns and junior Campbell Janis (5-8, 160) has rushed for 71 yards.

Junior Julian Manson (6-3, 215) has caught 14 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns and senior Mason Woods (6-2, 220) has 13 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Declan Bunn (5-10, 200) leads the Trojans with 18 tackles including 1.5 for loss while junior Ethan Headings (6-2, 185) has 14.5 tackles.

About the Muskies: Muscatine bounced back from a 33-14 season-opening loss to Cedar Rapids Jefferson with a 21-19 home win over Davenport Central last week.

The Muscatine rushing attack led by Reiland is averaging 229.5 yards per game after rolling up 255 yards on the ground in the win over Davenport Central.

Junior Gaven Wade has rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown and senior Jake Meier (5-10, 180) has added 74 rushing yards.

Junior quarterback Gaige Curtis (5-11, 145) has completed 3-of-12 passes for 70 yards and has also rushed for 26 yards and a team-high three touchdowns.

Alex Recker has two receptions for 40 yards and James Roberts has a 30-yard reception.

Bryce Riesenberg (5-9, 135) leads the Muskies with 5.5 tackles including four solo stops.

Liberty High (2-0) at Pleasant Valley (1-1)

Where: Pleasant Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Last season: Pleasant Valley 56, Liberty High 39

Player to watch: Pleasant Valley senior quarterback Harrison Fierce (6-0, 179) has completed 10-of-14 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns and has also rushed for a team-high 245 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 7 yards per carry.  

Key stat: In last year’s meeting Pleasant Valley and Liberty High combined for 95 points and 1,102 total yards.

About the Lightning: Liberty High is off to an impressive start with wins over cross-town rivals City High and West High and will face its toughest test yet with a trip to perennial power Pleasant Valley.

The Lightning have been among the best offensive teams in the state to start the season averaging 52.5 points and 518.5 total yards per game while averaging 8.5 yards per play.

Junior quarterback Reece Rettig (5-10, 165) has completed 23-of-30 passes for 442 yards and six touchdowns and has rushed for 126 yards.

Owen Drapeaux (6-1, 210) has rushed for 266 yards and four touchdowns and Sutton Koller (5-11, 180) has run for 114 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

Dallas Miller (5-11, 170) has caught 11 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown and Koller has five receptions for 172 yards and three touchdowns.

Junior Landon Bell (6-0, 190) leads the Lightning with 16 tackles while Nathan Burnett (6-0, 205) has 12.5 tackles.

About the Spartans: Last season Pleasant Valley lost its opener to rival Bettendorf before rattling off eight straight wins to close the regular season.

The Spartans will be trying to repeat that feat this season.

Pleasant Valley dropped a 25-24 nailbiter to Bettendorf in week one but responded with a 35-20 win at Cedar Rapids Kennedy last week.

Fierce leads a Pleasant Valley offense that is averaging 29.5 points and 345 yards per game.

Senior Elijah Rodney (5-6, 150) has rushed for 234 yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.4 yards per carry.

Four different Spartans have caught two or more passes this season led by senior Camryn LeMoine (6-2, 168) who has caught three passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns and also has two interceptions on defense.

The Pleasant Valley defense is led by seniors Avyn Nelson (6-1, 195) and Glen Averill (5-9, 195) and Micah Herlich (5-10, 180).

Nelson has a team-high 13.5 tackles with a tackle for loss while Averill has 10.5 tackles and Herlich 10.

Solon (2-0) at Central DeWitt (0-2)

Where: DeWitt, 7:30 p.m.

Last season: Solon 41, Central DeWitt 6

Player to watch: Central DeWitt junior quarterback Hudson Krukow (6-3, 175) has completed 20-of-32 passes for 180 yards.

Key stat: Last season Solon scored a combined 14 points in its first two games. This season the Spartans have scored a combined 75 points in wins over Clear Creek Amana and Davenport Assumption.

About the Spartans: Solon is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2021 after opening the season with wins over Davenport Assumption and Clear Creek Amana.

The Spartans are averaging 37.5 points and 365 total yards per game and 5.8 yards per play during their 2-0 start.

Senior quarterback Ty Bell (6-1, 195) has completed 65 percent of his passes while throwing for 379 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore Maddox Kelley (5-10, 175) leads the Spartans with 13 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown and senior Owen Einwalter (6-0, 195) has four receptions for 45 yards.

Senior Eddie Johnson (6-2, 210) has rushed for a team-high 258 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 7 yards per carry.

Kelley leads Solon with 12.5 tackles and senior Oliver Owens (6-0, 200) has eight tackles with 2.5 for loss and junior Colby Myers (6-0, 190) has eight tackles with two for loss.

About the Sabers: Central DeWitt is off to an 0-2 start and has been outscored by a combined total of 85-14 in losses to 2-0 opponents North Scott and Northeast.

Last season the Sabers started 1-2 with a loss to Solon in week three on its way to a 4-5 record.

Central DeWitt is allowing 445.5 total yards including 290 rushing yards per game during its 0-2 start.

Junior Ayden McManus (5-9, 160) leads the Sabers with 13 tackles while senior Max Burgmeier (6-0, 185) has 12 tackles with three tackles for loss.

Krukow leads the Central DeWitt offense while sophomore Cooper Small (6-1, 170) has rushed for 116 yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Junior Brady Meadows (5-7, 170) has caught eight passes for 59 yards while junior Cal Kueter (6-6, 200) has three receptions for 44 yards.

Williamsburg (1-1) at Clear Creek Amana (1-1)

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

Last season: Williamsburg 49, Clear Creek Amana 20

Player to watch: Williamsburg senior quarterback Grant Hocker (6-5, 185) has completed 26-of-44 passes for 474 yards with eight touchdowns and no interceptions and has also rushed for nine yards.

Key stat: Clear Creek Amana is averaging 203 rushing yards per game and 6.2 yards per carry while Williamsburg is allowing 102 yards per game on the ground and 3.8 yards per carry.

About the Clippers: Clear Creek will look to bounce back from a 42-14 loss to Solon last week after opening the season with a 28-3 win at Marion.

The Clippers have been solid defensively to open the season holding opponents to 295 total yards per game and 4.5 yards per play.

Clear Creek Amana has intercepted five passes in two games with senior defensive back Owen Rosenberg (6-2, 180) leading the way with two interceptions.

Senior Trace Robertson (6-0, 170) and junior Dylan Schrock (5-11, 165) lead the Clippers with 14.5 tackles while senior Nolan Howell has 11 stops and Rosenberg has 10.

Juniors Wyatt Key (6-0, 155) and Conlan Poynton (5-11, 180) have shared the quarterback snaps with Key passing for 171 yards and Poynton throwing for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Poynton has rushed for a team-leading 221 yards and three touchdowns and junior Ethan Vice (6-0, 170) has rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown.

About the Raiders: Williamsburg will be looking to get back on track after a rare regular season loss last week to Class 4A Cedar Rapids Xavier.

The defending Class 3A state champion, Williamsburg had won 21 of its previous 22 regular seasons games before its 29-27 home loss to the Saints last week.

Hocker leads a Williamsburg offense that is averaging 321.5 total yards per game.

John Eichhorn (6-4, 195) has caught 11 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown and Rayce Heitman (6-2, 185) has caught 10 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns.

Cael Moore (6-1, 190) has three receptions for 90 yards and two scores and Nile Sinn (5-10, 165) has rushed for a team-high 113 yards and two touchdowns.

One of the top all-around players in the state, Heitman leads the Williamsburg defense with 24 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss while Moore has 19.5 tackles with three for loss.

Mediapolis (1-1) at Regina (2-0)

Where: Regal Field, 7 p.m.

Last season: Regina 45, Mediapolis 7

Player to watch: Mediapolis senior running back Noah Schmidgall (5-10, 175) has rushed for 283 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has also caught three passes for 94 yards.

Key stat: Mediapolis has forced seven turnovers in two games this season recovering six fumbles and intercepting a pass.

About the Regals: Regina followed up a 42-28 win over West Liberty in the season opener with a 28-17 victory at Mid-Prairie last week.

The Regals are averaging 372 total yards per game and 6.5 yards per play behind junior quarterback Kyle Tracy who has been stellar in his first two starts.

Tracy (5-10, 175) has completed 63 percent of his passes while throwing for 326 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions and has also rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore tight end Tate Wallace (6-2, 225) has caught nine passes for a team-high 164 yards and a touchdown while Drew Greve (6-0, 150) has caught two passes for 26 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore Savion Miller (5-11, 180) has rushed for a team-high 202 yards and two touchdowns and Will Aitchison (5-10, 180) has rushed for 56 yards and caught four passes for 62 yards.

Junior Edwin Gangba (5-9, 154) leads Regina with 12 tackles while senior Noah Clark (6-0, 220) has 11 tackles including a team-high four tackles for loss and three sacks.

About the Bulldogs: Mediapolis opened the season with a 42-19 win at Columbus before falling to Sigourney-Keota 23-7 in its home opener last week.

The Bulldogs have been balanced on offense averaging 184 rushing yards and 155.5 passing yards per game during its 1-1 start.

Senior quarterback Reese Campbell (6-2, 160) has completed 16-of-32 passes for 310 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and has rushed for 31 yards and two touchdowns.

Five different players have caught at least two passes for Mediapolis led by senior Alton Wonderlich (5-11, 200) who has four catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Gannon Gunn (6-0, 145) leads the Bulldogs with 11.5 tackles while juniors Brayton DeLang (6-0, 170) and Peyton Johnson (5-9, 190) each have 10.5 tackles.

Junior Parker Holsteen (5-11, 165) has 3.5 tackles for loss including a sack and Junior Ben Gerst (5-9, 175) has three tackles for loss.

Waterloo Columbus (0-2) at West Branch (0-2)

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

Last season: West Branch 30, Waterloo Columbus 23

Player to watch: Waterloo Columbus junior quarterback Amani Robinson (6-3, 200) has completed 29-of-67 passes and thrown for 379 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions and has also rushed for 24 yards.

Key stat: West Branch is averaging just over 100 rushing yards per game this season (103.5) but has averaged better than 175 yards per game on the ground in three consecutive victories over Waterloo Columbus the past two seasons.

About the Bears: West Branch is seeking to snap a three-game losing streak that dates back to last season when it faces Waterloo Columbus for the fourth time in the past three seasons.

The Bears have won three in a row over the Sailors in the past two seasons downing Waterloo Columbus twice in 2022 and adding a come-from-behind 30-23 victory in week two last season.

West Branch has been outscored 82-10 in consecutive loss to defending 3A champion Williamsburg and Van Meter to open the season.

Junior quarterback Brennen Dale has completed 44 percent of his passes while throwing for 144 yards and has also rushed for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Conner Capper leads West Branch with eight receptions for 104 yards and Copper Gates has rushed for a team-high 119 yards.

Gates and junior Lincoln Naber lead the Bears with 11 tackles and Capper has a team-high three tackles for loss.

About the Sailors: Waterloo Columbus dropped its opener 57-14 to Dyersville Beckman and fell to 0-2 with a 12-7 loss at Durant last week.

Robinson leads the Sailor offense and has a top target in senior Aiden Hosch (6-1, 180) who has caught 12 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns.

Sophomore Owen Hosch (6-2, 170) has eight receptions for 101 yards and sophomore Bryce Noland (5-11, 150) has caught five passes for 56 yards.

After allowing 399 rushing yards and 504 total yards in the season-opening loss to Dyersville Beckman the Sailors held Durant to 282 total yards last Friday.

Junior Drew Schultz (5-11, 175) leads Waterloo Columbus with 12.5 tackles including two tackles for loss and Noland has 12 tackles.

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