Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Like most teams West High had its share of question marks entering the season.

West High had to replace a four-year starting quarterback, it’s top pass catcher and top rusher from last year’s 5A quarterfinal team.

On defense the Trojans graduated two of their top four tacklers from a unit that allowed 381 total yards and 30 points per game.

A third of the way through the regular season the Trojans have answered any questions about this year’s team and they’ve done so emphatically.

West High improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 with a 42-30 win at Pleasant Valley on Friday that was the second consecutive win over the Spartans.

It has been a team effort during the 3-0 start to the season for West High.

Offensively, the Trojans have used an effective quarterback rotation of juniors Reece Wheeler and Mikey Moody and relied on a veteran offensive line.

Wheeler had his best game as a Trojan on Friday completing 11-of-17 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 36 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Pleasant Valley.

West High didn’t rush for more than 200 yards in any game last season and averaged 150 yards per game on the ground.

This season the Trojans have rushed for at least 240 yards in every game after running for 242 and a season-high five touchdowns in Friday’s win at Pleasant Valley.

Despite the departures from last season’s explosive offense West High has actually been more productive offensively this season.

The Trojans are averaging 243 rushing yards and 447 total yards per game while posting 42.7 points per game and 7.9 yards per play, all increases over a year ago.

Perhaps the biggest improvements for West High have come on defense where the Trojans are holding opponents to 186 rushing yards and 259 total yards per game.

West High is allowing 12.3 points per game and 4.7 yards per play this season compared to 30 points per game and 6.3 yards per play last season.

News and Notes

Double Duty for Janis: West High senior Campbell Janis played a key role in back-to-back West High wins to open the season largely on the offensive side of the ball.

Janis came up big on both sides in a 42-30 win at Pleasant Valley in week three.

Janis rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns and also had a team-high 9.5 tackles and a sack from his linebacker spot as West High improved to 3-0.  

Tracy’s Big Night: Since taking over at quarterback at the start of last season Kyle Tracy has had quite a few big-time performances.

Tracy has rarely been better than he was on Friday in a 59-27 win over Alburnett.

Tracy completed 12-of-19 pass for 206 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 123 yards and two more touchdowns as Regina racked up season-highs in yards per play (7.9), total yards (413) and points.

The senior quarterback threw touchdown passes to four different players with Savion Miller, Edwin Gangba, Will Litton and Carter Slager all hauling in a touchdown pass from Tracy.

Greve’s Turnover Streak: Regina senior defensive back Drew Greve picked off a pass against Alburnett on Friday marking the third consecutive game with an interception for Greve.

It is the fourth straight game with a takeaway for Greve who recovered a fumble in a quarterfinal loss to Wilton last season.

Greve had two interceptions in wins over West Liberty and West Branch and ranks second in the state with five interceptions this season.

Kampman Continues Strong Start: There may not be a quarterback in the state with a better three-game start to the season than Solon senior Eli Kampman.

Through his first three career starts at quarterback Kampman has completed 42-of-61 passes for 741 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception.

Kampman ranks 13^th in the state in passing yards and fourth in touchdowns and has also rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown.

Players of the Week

Offensive player of the week: Solon senior quarterback Eli Kampman completed 11-of-18 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 119 yards in a 35-20 win over Mount Vernon.

Defensive player of the week: Clear Creek Amana senior linebacker Aidan Schrock had 14.5 tackles including 11 solo stops, three tackles for loss and a sack in a 54-21 loss to Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Special teams player of the week: Regina sophomore Gabriel Hegelheimer had a big special teams day in a 59-27 win over Alburnett. Hegelheimer averaged 24.3 yards per return on three kickoff returns, he also made a 33 yard field goal, connected on all five of his PAT attempts and punted once for 41 yards.

Helmet stickers

Offense: West Branch junior running back Keaton Gates rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns in a 56-7 win over Camanche.

Offense: Liberty High senior quarterback Reece Rettig completed 27-of-39 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 win over Linn-Mar.

Offense: West High senior Ethan Headings had seven receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown in a 42-30 win over Pleasant Valley.

Defense: Solon senior linebacker Kyler Jensen had 10 tackles including six solo stops and a tackle for loss and forced a fumble in a 35-20 win over Mount Vernon.

Defense: Liberty High senior defensive lineman Jackson Williams had 3.5 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack in a 28-7 win over Linn-Mar.

Defense: City High sophomore linebacker Marshall Sheldon had 13.5 tackles including 11 solo stops and a sack in a 49-13 loss to Waukee Northwest.

Special Teams: Regina senior Emmett Burke returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in a 59-27 win over Alburnett.

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating