Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Cedar Falls (2-1) at City High (1-2)  

Where: Bates Field, 7 p.m.

Last season: Cedar Falls 40, City High 21

Player to watch: Cedar Falls junior wide receiver Carsen Gary (6-1, 188) has caught 14 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns and has also thrown a pair of touchdown passes.

Key stat: City High is minus three in turnover margin in its two losses this season to West High and Waukee Northwest and was plus three in turnover margin in its win over Bettendorf.

About the Tigers: After a loss to Liberty High in the season opener Cedar Falls has posted back-to-back wins over Pleasant Valley and Dubuque Senior by a combined score of 77-34.

Cedar Falls is averaging 28 points and 288 total yards per game while posting 7.9 yards per play.

Junior quarterback Baylor Petrie (6-1, 186) has completed 21-of-40 passes for 492 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception.

Gary has been the top receiving option while senior Stratton Range (6-1, 185) has caught four passes for 203 yards and a touchdown and junior Taylor Carter (5-10, 155) has three receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Jeremiah Tamayo-Lopez (5-8, 160) has rushed for a team-high 231 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Defensively the Tigers are holding opponents to 18.3 points and 351 total yards per game while giving up 5.7 yards per play.

Senior Brayden Hanks (6-2, 225) leads the Tigers with 27 tackles including four for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Brady Kies (5-11, 195) has 21 tackles with 2.5 for loss and junior Peyton Pontnack (6-0, 225) has 16.5 tackles with five for loss and a sack.

About the Little Hawks: Coming off a 35-21 road loss at Waukee Northwest last week City High will look to get back on track at home where it is 1-0 this season.

City High has been among the most productive offensive teams in Class 5A this season averaging 33 points and 467 total yards per game while averaging 7.3 yards per play.

Senior quarterback Jackson Grabinski (6-0, 205) has completed 41-of-57 passes for 590 yards and two touchdowns and has also rushed for 127 yards and four touchdowns.

Senior Savion Miller (5-10, 200) has rushed for 387 yards and five touchdowns and has also caught 12 passes for 145 yards.

Chayse Newton (5-8, 160) has a team-high 19 receptions for 272 yards and a touchdown and junior Braden Bickford (6-3, 168) has caught 13 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.

The City High defense is allowing 28.7 points and 358 total yards per game while giving up 7.3 yards per play.

Marshall Sheldon (6-1, 195) leads City High with 18 tackles including three for loss and senior Shepherd Stanton (6-2, 170) has 12 tackles and two interceptions.

Johnston (2-1) at Liberty High (2-1)

Where: Liberty Stadium, 7 p.m.

Last season: Johnston 27, Liberty High 24

Player to watch: Johnston senior quarterback Trevin Helming (6-3, 205) has completed 41-of-68 passes for 780 yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception and has rushed for 21 yards and a touchdown.

Key stat: Johnston allowed an average of 62.5 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry in wins over Waukee and Ames and gave up 311 rushing yards on 6.2 yards per carry in a week-two loss to West Des Moines Dowling.

About the Dragons: Johnston opened the season with a 42-7 win at Waukee before a six-point loss to unbeaten West Des Moines Dowling in week two.

The Dragons responded with a 38-0 win over Ames last Friday.

Johnston has been impressive offensively this season behind Helming averaging 38.3 points and 371 total yards per game while producing 7.5 yards per play.

Three different receivers have at least 100 yards this season and six different Dragons have caught a touchdown pass.

Senior Bryce Beachem (5-10, 185) leads the way with 12 catches for 260 yards and a touchdown.

Kamryn Chapman (6-2, 165) has seven receptions for 173 yards and three touchdowns and Jaden Houser (6-3, 215) has six receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Emri Jones (5-11, 185) has rushed for a team-high 187 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

The Dragons are holding opponents to 16 points and 271 total yards per game while giving up 6.1 yards per play.

Senior Jacob Pedersen (6-3, 200) leads the team with 21 tackles including two for loss and has an interception.

Senior Owen Hupfer (6-3, 220) has 11.5 tackles with 4.5 for loss and senior Evan Gossling (6-3, 235) has 10 tackles with four for loss and 1.5 sacks.

About the Lightning: Liberty High bounced back from a loss to Southeast Polk in week two with a 27-14 win at Linn-Mar last week.

The Lightning offense is led by senior quarterback Emerson Berner who is coming off the best game of his career in which he passed for 252 yards and four touchdowns against the Lions.

Berner has completed 63-of-91 passes for 680 yards and seven touchdowns with five interceptions and has rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Behind Berner the Lighting are averaging 20.7 points and 364 total yards per game on 5.6 yards per play.

Brody Beaver has rushed for a team-high 178 yards and has also caught nine passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Pryor Reiners has been the top target for Berner with 23 receptions for 292 yards and three touchdowns and Adrian Clerry has caught 13 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense Liberty High is allowing 14 points and 198 total yards per game, limiting teams to 90 rushing yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry.

The Lightning are holding opponents to 4.7 yards per play and have forced seven turnovers and have a 5A-leading 11 sacks.

Sophomore Carter Lester leads Liberty High with 18.5 tackles including five tackles for loss and junior Asher Eisenbach has 15.5 tackles with six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Hank Thompson leads Liberty High with seven tackles for loss and three sacks and Owen Rigdon has five tackles for loss and two sacks.

Bettendorf (2-1) at West High (2-1)

Where: Trojan Stadium, 7 p.m.

Last season: West High 31, Bettendorf 14

Player to watch: Bettendorf junior quarterback Cannon Davis (6-1, 195) has completed 57-of-79 passes for 691 yards and four touchdowns with one interception and has rushed for a touchdown.

Key stat: West High senior Neil James leads Class 5A in both receiving yards (387) and receiving touchdowns (4) and is averaging 21.5 yards per reception.

About the Trojans: After opening the season with back-to-back wins over City High and Dubuque Hempstead West High fell to Pleasant Valley 41-20 last Friday.

West High will look to get back on track against a Bettendorf program it has defeated each of the previous two seasons.

Led by senior quarterback Reece Wheeler (5-11, 170) West High has been excellent offensively averaging 34.3 points and 474 total yards per game while averaging 7 yards per play.

Wheeler has completed 56-of-94 passes for 804 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception and has rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns.

Junior Atari Brown (5-11, 170) has rushed for 315 yards and two touchdowns and has five receptions for 31 yards.

James has been the top target in the pass game while Cade Towler (5-11, 170) has 12 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns and Tayten Wheeler (6-2, 195) has 12 receptions for 97 yards.

The West High defense is holding opponents to 25.7 points and 355 total yards per game while allowing 6.1 yards per play.

Carter Spark (5-10, 175) leads the Trojans with 17 tackles including 2.5 for loss and senior Moses DeWaard (6-0, 200) has 16.5 tackles with five for loss.

James has 13.5 tackles and Khylin Brink (6-0, 210) has 13.5 tackles.

About the Bulldogs: Bettendorf bounced back from a 28-point, week-two loss at City High with a 26-14 win over previously unbeaten Cedar Rapids Prairie last week.

The Bulldog offense led by Davis has been efficient, averaging 24.7 points and 313 total yards per game while producing 6.3 yards per play.

Senior Ben Whipple (5-8, 175) has rushed for a team-high 211 yards and four touchdowns and has also caught a team-best 19 passes for 133 yards.

Senior Caleb Brown (6-2, 185) has 14 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore Kolt Davis (6-3, 175) has nine catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively the Bulldogs are allowing 24.3 points and 338 total yards per game while giving up 5.7 yards per play.

Bettendorf allowed an average of 58.5 rushing yards per game in wins over Pleasant Valley and Cedar Rapids Prairie but allowed 257 yards on the ground on 6.3 yards per game in the loss to City High.

Senior Wyatt Freking (6-2, 210) leads Bettendorf with 25.5 tackles including three for loss and senior Gavin Stecker (6-3, 215) has 19.5 tackles.

Senior Jimmy Bark (6-3, 230) has 11 tackles with 4.5 for loss and three sacks while Charlie Martin (6-0, 160) and Ben Miller (5-11, 170) each have a pair of interceptions.

Clear Creek Amana (2-1) at North Scott (1-2)

Where: Lancer Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Last season: North Scott 33, Clear Creek Amana 30 OT

Player to watch: North Scott junior quarterback Conlan Panther (6-1, 190) has completed 34-of-63 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and has rushed for 27 yards and a touchdown.

Key stat: Two of the previous three matchups between North Scott and Clear Creek Amana have been decided by three points or less including a 33-30 overtime win for the Lancers last season in Tiffin.

About the Clippers: Clear Creek Amana pushed defending state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier to the limit before falling 28-17 to the Saints last Friday.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Clippers that dated back to last season and Clear Creek Amana will look to get back on track on Friday against a North Scott squad that has knocked off CCA each of the past three seasons.

Clear Creek Amana junior quarterback Texton Bollers (6-2, 180) leads a balanced CCA offense that is averaging 38 points and 289 total yards per game while posting 6.8 yards per play.

The Clippers are averaging 117 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry to go with 172 passing yards per game.

Bollers has completed 32-of-56 passes for 494 yards and five touchdowns without an interception and has rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Senior Ian Kelley (5-8, 195) has run for a team-high 172 yards and five touchdowns while Jonah Drake (5-8, 165) leads the Clippers with 11 receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Tay Seals (5-10, 145) has eight catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense Clear Creek Amana is holding opponents to 287 total yards and 15 points per game while allowing 5.4 yards per play.

Tucker Stockman (5-11, 200) leads the Clippers with 14 tackles including two for loss and Nolan Dao (6-1, 195) has 14 tackles with 1.5 for loss.

Brody Schrock (5-10, 145) has 14 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and Avery Sorensen (6-4, 226) has 11.5 tackles with a sack.

About the Lancers: North Scott has losses to the two teams that met in the 4A state title game last season sandwiched around a 21-3 win over Cedar Rapids Washington in week two.

The Lancers fell to Cedar Rapids Xavier 33-7 in the season opener and dropped a 27-10 contest at 4A defending runner-up Pella last week.

North Scott is averaging 12.7 points and 265 total yards per game while putting up 4.3 yards per play.

Gage Wagner (5-9, 155) has rushed for a team-high 117 yards and Ryder Maher (5-11, 165) has been the top target in the passing game with 20 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

Ryan Block (6-3, 195) has caught 17 passes for 165 yards and Landon Gronewold (6-1, 180) has five receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown.

The North Scott defense is allowing 21 points and 261 total yards per game while giving up 5.5 yards per play.

Evan Kuhn (5-8, 160) leads the Lancers with 15.5 tackles and Keaton Smeltzer (5-11, 165) has 13 tackles.

Aaron Bergfeld (6-0, 195) has 12 tackles with 1.5 for loss and Christian Perez (6-1, 210) has 10 tackles with two for loss.

Benton Community (0-3) at Solon (3-0)

Where: Spartan Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Last season: Solon 28, Benton Community 21; Solon 31, Benton Community 6 (1^st Round 3A Playoffs)

Player to watch: Benton Community sophomore Kaden Mitchell (6-1, 195) has rushed for 309 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 7.7 yards per carry and leads the Bobcats with 17.5 tackles.

Key stat: Solon is averaging 9.2 yards per play this season.

About the Spartans: Solon improved to 3-0 on the season with a 41-7 road win over Mount Vernon last week.

The Spartans have been impressive on both sides of the ball this season averaging 43.7 points and 402 total yards per game.

Senior quarterback Maddox Kelley (5-10, 185) has completed 27-of-40 passes for 532 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception and has rushed for 355 yards and five touchdowns.

Junior Owen Bock (6-1, 180) has 10 receptions for 233 yards and two touchdowns and senior Kaden Hoeper (6-2, 190) has nine receptions for 208 yards and six touchdowns.

Senior Jackson Burk (5-8, 180) has rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Defensively, Solon is holding opponents to 210 total yards and seven points per game while allowing 4.1 yards per play.

Lucas Feuerbach (6-2, 260) leads Solon with 16 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and senior defensive lineman Simon Einwalter (6-3, 215) has 13.5 tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack.

About the Bobcats: Benton Community has been outscored by a combined total of 101-28 in losses to Fairfield, Mount Vernon and Vinton-Shellsburg to open the season.

The Bobcats are averaging 9.3 points and 236 total yards per game while posting 5.1 yards per play.

Junior Kaiser Townsley (6-3, 195) has completed 7-of-20 passes for 51 yards and has rushed for 25 yards while sophomore Owen Drahos (5-11, 165) has completed 5-of-20 passes for 66 yards and ranks second on the team with 134 rushing yards.

Mitchell leads the Bobcats in rushing while senior Kaden Wright (5-7, 165) has added 95 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Graedy Perkins (6-3, 180) has caught a team-high four passes for 41 yards and senior Colton Kroneman (5-11, 170) has four receptions for 37 yards.

On defense Benton Community is allowing 33.7 points and 394 total yards per game while giving up 7.7 yards per play.

Mitchell leads the Bobcats in tackles while junior TJ Lovell (6-1, 165) has 16.5 tackles with two tackles for loss and Drew Ballard (6-0, 165) has 14 tackles with two tackles for loss.

West Branch (1-2) at Monticello (0-3)

Where: Dean Nelson Field, 7 p.m.

Last season: West Branch 48, Monticello 7

Player to watch: Monticello junior quarterback Luke Welter (6-5, 215) has completed 45-of-89 passes and ranks fourth in Class 2A with 720 passing yards while throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Key stat: A West Branch offense averaging 205 rushing yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry faces a Monticello defense allowing 163 yards per game on the ground and 4.8 yards per carry.

About the Bears: West Branch snapped a two-game losing streak to open the season with an impressive 41-6 road win at Camanche last Friday.

The Bears are on the road again for their Class 2A, District 5 opener on Friday.

West Branch is averaging 22.7 points and 254 total yards per game while posting 5.7 yards per play.

Senior Keaton Gates has rushed for 415 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per carry.

Junior quarterback Dillan Schenkel has passed for 147 yards and two touchdowns and freshman Thomas Pedersen leads the Bears with six receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively the Bears are holding opponents to 27 points and 311 total yards per game while giving up 6.2 yards per play.

Gates leads West Branch with 20.5 tackles and two tackles for loss and sophomore Motley Johnston has 11 tackles with a sack.

Junior Garrett Tisinger has 105 tackles with 1.5 for loss and junior Arik Marsh has 10 tackles.

About the Panthers: Monticello has lost 13 games in a row dating back to 2024 after falling to Cascade 27-21 last Friday.

The Panthers have been extremely competitive during their 0-3 start against teams with a combined 7-2 record.

Led by Welter the Monticello offense is averaging 20.3 points and 286 total yards per game while producing 5.4 yards per play.

Senior Isaac Kray (5-9, 145) has been the top target for Welter ranking fourth in Class 2A in receiving yards with 331 on 15 receptions and leads the Panthers with three touchdown catches.

Sophomore Hayden Hackney (6-2, 165) has 13 receptions for 215 yards and junior Tate Smith (5-8, 175) has eight receptions for 89 yards.

Junior Drew Ricklefs (5-11, 155) has rushed for a team-high 153 yards and a touchdown while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

Defensively the Panthers are allowing 37 points and 309 total yards per game while giving up 6.3 yards per play.

Senior Elijah Roling (6-0, 175) has a team-high 20 tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks while junior Wyatt Lansing (6-5, 210) has 11 tackles with four tackles for loss and a team-leading three sacks.

Cardinal (1-2) at Regina (3-0) 

Where: Regal Field, 7 p.m.

Last season: Regina 55, Cardinal 6

Player to watch: Cardinal senior Zach Luedtke (5-9, 140) has rushed for a team-leading 219 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has four receptions for 51 yards. Luedtke also leads the Comets with 24.5 tackles including six tackles for loss and has forced a fumble.

Key stat: Regina has allowed a total of 29 rushing yards in three games, holding opponents to an average of 9.7 yards per game and .5 yards per carry.

About the Comets: Following a season-opening win over Columbus the Comets have dropped back-to-back games to Lynnville-Sully and Van Buren.

The Cardinal offense is led by junior quarterback Gary Short (6-1, 190) who has completed 28-of-63 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown with five interceptions.

Cardinal is averaging 20 points and 253 total yards per game while putting up 5.1 yards per play.

Luedtke has been the focal point of the offense along with junior Bode Ferrell (6-0, 185) who has 11 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown.

On defense the Comets are allowing 20.7 points and 265 total yards per game while surrendering 6 yards per play.

Cardinal is holding opponents to 123 rushing yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry.

Luedtke is the top tackler while junior Blake Lamansky (6-0, 230) has 22.5 tackles with 2.5 for loss and a sack.

Fisher Gott (6-0, 210) has 19 tackles with a team-high seven for loss and Ferrell has 10 tackles and leads the Comets with two interceptions.

About the Regals Regina improved to 3-0 and stretched its regular season winning streak to 12 with a 28-12 win at previously unbeaten Alburnett last Thursday.

Regina has been impressive on both sides of the ball during its unbeaten start.

On offense Regina is averaging 37.7 points and 412 total yards per game while averaging 7.3 yards per play.

Aiden Gaffey (6-3, 170) has passed for 316 yards and four touchdowns and Zach Poe (6-1, 190) has passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns and has also rushed for 116 yards.

Gabe Hegelheimer (6-0, 205) has rushed for a team-high 407 yards and six touchdowns and Tate Wallace (6-4, 240) has rushed for 34 yards and two touchdowns and has 11 receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Holt Hinkel (5-11, 145) has seven receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns and Hegelheimer has six catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense the Regals are holding opponents to 6 points and 152 total yards per game while allowing just 3.9 yards per play.

Roan Eckhoff (6-2, 225) leads the Regals with 13 tackles including five for loss and two sacks and Wallace has 12 tackles with five for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Will Litton (6-6, 225) has a team-high seven tackles for loss among 11.5 tackles and has a sack and Luke Hamilton (5-11, 175) has nine tackles with 1.5 for loss.

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