Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

City High (1-3) at Norwalk (2-2)

Where: Warrior Stadium, 7 p.m.

Last season: Norwalk 40, City High 19

Player to watch: Norwalk senior Victor Esparza (6-0, 215) has rushed for 268 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has caught four passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Esparza also has a team-high 22 tackles with three tackles for loss and a sack.

Key stat: Norwalk has allowed 197 rushing yards per game and 6.9 yards per carry in its two losses and given up 37.5 rushing yards per game and 1.5 yards per carry in its two wins.

About the Warriors: Norwalk snapped a two-game losing skid with a 17-7 win over Ames last week.

Both of the losses for Norwalk this season have come to undefeated teams in Sioux City East and Southeast Polk.

The Warriors are averaging 14.3 points and 223 total yards per game while putting up 4.3 yards per play.

Junior quarterback Brenden Gear (6-0, 175) has completed 32-of-59 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions and has also rushed for 73 yards.

Beckett Breese (5-9, 180) has rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown and junior Raihan Mangal (5-8, 145) has been the top target with 10 receptions for 60 yards.

Junior Reid Roof (6-0, 170) has caught nine passes for 118 yards and a touchdown and Dylan DeCapp (6-0, 180) has six receptions for 54 yards.

Defensively, Norwalk is allowing 27.5 points and 311 total yards per game while giving up 6 yards per play.

Graham Wilkening (6-2, 185) has 22 tackles and an interception while Gavin Ross (6-1, 190) has 13 tackles with two tackles for loss.

About the Little Hawks: City High has lost two games in a row since a week two win over Bettendorf, falling to Waukee Northwest in week three and Cedar Falls last Friday.

The Little Hawks have been impressive offensively averaging 28 points and 435 total yards per game while producing 6.3 yards per play.

Senior quarterback Jackson Grabinski (6-0, 205) has completed 63-of-91 passes for 767 yards and three touchdowns with one interception and has rushed for 157 yards and four touchdowns.

Savion Miller (5-10, 200) has rushed for a team-leading 444 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has caught 18 passes for 186 yards.

Chayse Newton (5-8, 160) has 25 receptions for 319 yards and a touchdown and junior Braden Bickford (6-3, 168) has 25 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense City High is allowing 28 points and 356 total yards per game while giving up 7.3 yards per play.

Junior linebacker Marshall Sheldon (6-1, 195) has a team-high 24 tackles with four tackles for loss and freshman Crosby Newton (5-9, 155) has 14.5 tackles.

Senior Shepherd Stanton has 12.5 tackles and two interceptions and junior Seth Barnett (5-10, 195) has 12.5 tackles with a tackle for loss.

West High (2-2) at Liberty High (2-2)

Where: Liberty Stadium, 7 p.m.

Last season: Liberty High 44, West High 31

Liberty High player to watch: Liberty High senior Pryor Reiners has caught 27 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns and has 6.5 tackles and an interception.

West High player to watch: West High senior quarterback Reece Wheeler has completed 80-of-130 passes for 1,075 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions and has rushed for 132 yards and five touchdowns.

Key stat: Liberty High ran 71 and 70 offensive plays in its wins over Cedar Falls and Linn-Mar and ran 55 plays and 54 plays in losses to Southeast Polk and Johnston.

About the Trojans: After opening the season with back-to-back wins over City High and Dubuque Hempstead the Trojans have dropped consecutive home games to Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf.

West High has been one of the most effective offensive teams in Class 5A this season averaging 30.8 points and 466 total yards per game while averaging 6.5 yards per play.

Senior quarterback Reece Wheeler (5-11, 170) has completed 80-of-130 passes for 1,075 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions and has rushed for 132 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.

Junior Atari Brown (5-11, 170) has rushed for 389 yards and two touchdowns and senior Kingstone Ross (5-10, 195) has rushed for 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Neil James (6-1, 180) leads the Trojans with 28 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns and sophomore Tayten Wheeler (6-2, 195) has 17 receptions for 186 yards.

Senior Cade Towler (5-11, 170) has 16 receptions for 234 yards and two touchdowns and senior Cooper Bruxvoort (6-1, 175) has 13 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively West High is holding opponents to 27 points and 373 total yards per game while allowing 6.5 yards per play.

Senior Carter Spark (5-10, 175) leads West High with 23.5 tackles including four for loss and junior Khylin Brink (6-0, 210) has 22 tackles with four for loss.

Senior Moses DeWaard (6-0, 200) has 18 tackles with a team-high five tackles for loss and Ashten Holmes (6-1, 210) has 13 tackles with 4.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks.

About the Lightning: Liberty High has won two in a row over West High including a 44-31 win over the Trojans last season in Iowa City.

The Lightning will look to bounce back from a 42-6 loss to Johnston last Friday.

The two losses for Liberty High have come to Southeast Polk (4-0) and Johnston (3-1).

Senior quarterback Emerson Berner leads a Liberty High offense that is averaging 17 points and 314 total yards per game while producing 5 yards per play.

Berner has completed 70-of-109 passes for 703 yards and seven touchdowns with seven interceptions and has rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Brody Beaver has rushed for a team-leading 216 yards while Leo Rozz has rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Reiners is the top target in the passing game while Adrian Clerry has 18 receptions for 203 yards and two touchdowns and Beaver has caught 11 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

Liberty High has been stout defensively holding opponents to 21 points and 213 total yards per game while allowing 5.3 yards per play.

The Lightning are allowing just 98 rushing yards per game and holding opponents to 4 yards per carry.

Sophomore linebacker Carter Lester leads Liberty High with 21.5 tackles including five for loss while Asher Eisenbach has 19 tackles with seven for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Alex Strunk has 16.5 tackles with 7.5 for loss and Hank Thompson has 11.5 tackles with seven for loss and a team-best three sacks.

Grinnell (3-1) at Clear Creek Amana (3-1)  

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

Last season: Grinnell 28, Clear Creek Amana 25

Player to watch: Grinnell senior Josh Ringler (6-1, 210) has rushed for 656 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry and has a team-high 37 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks and has also recovered a fumble and has an interception.

Key stat: Grinnell has averaged 310 rushing yards and 7.8 yards per carry and has seven rushing touchdowns in its three wins and had 119 rushing yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry without a rushing touchdown in its lone loss.

About the Tigers: Grinnell bounced back from a loss to unbeaten Carlisle in week three with a 35-21 road win at Cedar Rapids Washington last Thursday.

The Tigers have been one of the most effective running teams in Class 4A this season ranking fifth in 4A averaging 262.5 rushing yards per game.

Senior quarterback Eddie Harseim (6-0, 180) leads a Grinnell offense that averages 20.5 points and 317 total yards per game while posting 6.8 yards per play.

Harseim has completed 22-of-38 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions but Grinnell does most of its damage on the ground.

Ringler ranks third in 4A in rushing with 164 yards per game and senior Beni Kiphanzu (5-11, 175) has rushed for 384 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 12.4 yards per carry.

Cameron Gosselink (6-2, 180) has caught seven passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns and Kade Heishman (5-10, 150) has caught seven passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns.

Grinnell is allowing 21.3 points and 297 total yards per game while giving up 5.9 yards per play.

Kiphanzu has 26.5 tackles with a tackle for loss while Damien Wilson (5-11, 185) has 14.5 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss.

Easton Edelen (5-11, 190) has 12.5 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack and Dax Flanagan (6-1, 205) has 13.5 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss.

About the Clippers: Clear Creek Amana bounced back from a 28-17 loss to defending state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier with a 23-16 road win at North Scott last week.

The Clippers have outscored opponents 137-61 during their 3-1 start to the season including a 81-25 advantage in the first half.

Behind junior quarterback Texton Bollers (6-2, 180) the Clippers are averaging 34.3 points and 292 total yards per game while averaging 6.4 yards per play.

Bollers has completed 49-of-81 passes for 666 yards and seven touchdowns with one interception and has rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Ian Kelley (5-8, 195) has rushed for a team-high 222 yards and five touchdowns while junior Jonah Drake (5-8, 165) has been the top target in the pass game with 19 receptions for 211 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior Tay Seals (5-10, 145) has caught 10 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns and junior Nolan Dao (6-1, 195) has seven receptions for 74 yards.

Clear Creek Amana is holding opponents to 15.3 points and 265 total yards per game while allowing 5.3 yards per play.

The Clippers are surrendering 132 rushing yards per game and holding opponents to 4.6 yards per carry.

Dao leads Clear Creek Amana with 19 tackles including 2.5 for loss and Avery Sorensen (6-4, 226) has 17 tackles with 3.5 for loss and two sacks.

Tucker Stockman (5-11, 200) has 16 tackles with two for loss and junior Brody Schrock (5-10, 145) has 16 tackles with 2.5 for loss.

Fairfield (2-2) at Solon (4-0)

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

Last season: Solon 77, Fairfield 0

Player to watch: Fairfield senior Ethan Bisgard (6-0, 185) ranks ninth in Class 3A with 521 yards and ranks second in 3A with 10 rushing touchdowns while averaging 12.4 yards per carry. Bisgard ranks second on the team with 23 tackles and has returned an interception for a touchdown.

Key stat: Fairfield has given up an average of 206 passing yards per game and allowed six passing touchdowns without an interception in its two losses. In two wins the Trojans have allowed an average of 31.5 passing yards per game and has two interceptions without allowing a touchdown pass.

About the Trojans: Fairfield snapped a two-game losing streak with a 52-14 home win over Knoxville last week.

The Trojans rank third in Class 3A in rushing averaging 282 yards per game on the ground and have four players with more than 100 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Fairfield averages 32.5 points and 320 total yards per game while posting 7.4 yards per play.

Bisgard is the workhorse on offense while senior quarterback Voss Richardson (5-9, 180) has completed 7-of-17 passes for 154 yards and rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns.

Tucker Robertson (5-10, 160) has rushed for 244 yards and three touchdowns and junior Brady Wigle (6-0, 185) has rushed for 158 yards and a touchdown.

Fairfield is allowing 26.3 points and 342 total yards per game while giving up 7.1 yards per play.

The Trojans are giving up 227 rushing yards per game and 7 yards per carry.

Blake Burnett (6-0, 165) has a team-high 29.5 tackles with a tackle for loss and Robertson has 18.5 tackles with two tackles for loss.

About the Spartans: Solon improved to 4-0 on the season with 39-0 shutout of Benton Community last Friday, the second shutout of the season for the Spartans.

Solon has outscored opponents 170-21 during its unbeaten start to the season while stretching its regular season winning streak to 15 in a row.

The Spartans are averaging 42.5 points and 394 total yards per game on 9.3 yards per play.

Solon has been balanced offensively averaging 207 passing yards and 187 rushing yards per game.

Senior quarterback Maddox Kelley (5-10, 185) has completed 37-of-53 passes for 727 yards and 12 touchdowns with one interception and has rushed for 354 yards and six touchdowns.

Senior Jackson Burk (5-8, 180) has rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns and senior Kaden Hoeper (6-2, 190) has been the top receiver with 14 receptions for 294 yards and eight touchdowns.

Owen Bock (6-1, 180) has 11 receptions for 271 yards and two touchdowns and Cody Milliman (6-2, 200) has eight receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Solon has been impressive defensively during its unbeaten start allowing 5.3 points and 212 total yards per game while giving up just 3.9 yards per play.

Senior defensive lineman Lucas Feuerbach (6-2, 260) leads the Spartans with 26.5 tackles including 2.5 for loss and senior James Thomsen (6-3, 230) has 18 tackles with five for loss and two sacks.

Simon Einwalter (6-3, 215) has 14.5 tackles with three for loss and a sack and Kelley has 10 tackles with two for loss and has recovered a fumble.

Alburnett (3-1) at West Branch (1-3)

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

Last season: Alburnett 20, West Branch 17

Player to watch: Alburnett senior Laken Caves (5-11, 180) ranks fourth in Class 2A with 663 rushing yards per game and has seven touchdowns while averaging 11.8 yards per carry. Caves has also caught seven passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns and ranks third on the team with 17 tackles.

Key stat: Caves has averaged 209 rushing yards per game and 13.9 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns in three Alburnett wins this season and rushed for 38 yards and no touchdowns in the Pirates’ lone loss.

About the Pirates: Alburnett bounced back from a loss to Regina in week three with a 41-0 shutout of Tipton last week.

The shutout for Alburnett was its fourth in the last 15 games dating back to last season.

Alburnett has been stout defensively this season holding opponents to 14 points and 191 total yards per game while allowing 3.7 yards per play.

The Pirates are holding opponents to 128 rushing yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry.

Senior Cooper Franklin (5-10, 180) leads Alburnett with 32.5 tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss and senior defensive lineman Eaghan Fleshman (6-2, 260) has 23 tackles with a team-high eight tackles for loss and two sacks.

Senior quarterback Brody Kaestner (6-0, 185) leads the Alburnett offense and has completed 37-of-66 passes for 577 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception.

Franklin has rushed for 129 yards and four touchdowns and has caught six passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Owen Henriksen (5-9, 165) has rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown and has eight receptions for 113 yards and Cash Varner (5-9, 180) has eight receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

About the Bears: West Branch dropped to 1-3 on the season with a 14-7 loss at Monticello last Friday.

The Bears are averaging 18.8 points and 241 total yards per game while posting 5.1 yards per play.

West Branch is averaging 193 rushing yards per game and averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Senior Keaton Gates has rushed for a team-high 521 yards and six touchdowns and sophomore Motley Johnston has rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Junior quarterback Dillan Schenkel has completed 13-of-39 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns with an interception.

Freshman Thomas Pedersen has 10 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdown.

On defense West Branch is allowing 23.8 points and 282 total yards per game while giving up 6 yards per play.

Gates leads West Branch with 22 tackles including two for loss and Johnston has 19 tackles with three for loss and a sack.

Arik Marsh has 12 tackles, Brooks Seydel has 10.5 tackles and Gabe Depoorter has 10.5 tackles with two for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Regina (4-0) at Durant (1-3)  

Where: Durant High School, 7 p.m.

Last season: Regina 50, Durant 6

Player to watch: Durant junior Owen DeLong (6-0, 175) has completed 25-of-56 passes for 233 yards and has rushed for a team-high 493 yards and four touchdowns. DeLong also leads the Wildcats with 32 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss and has three interceptions.

Key stat: Regina has allowed a total of 76 rushing yards in four games and is allowing just.9 yards per carry.

About the Wildcats: Durant snapped a three-game losing streak to open the season with a 35-22 win at Louisa-Muscatine last Friday in its district opener.

The Wildcat offense is led by DeLong who has accounted for 726 yards of total offense and four touchdowns.

Durant is averaging 12.3 points and 222 total yards per game while posting 4.8 yards per play.

Junior Owen Collier (6-1, 190) has rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns while senior Gunner Klahn (6-0, 150) has been the top target in the passing game with nine receptions for 111 yards.

Junior Brady Mizer (5-8, 145) has eight receptions for 65 yards and junior Boston Weimerskirch (6-1, 153) has five receptions for 50 yards.

On defense the Wildcats are allowing 39.5 points and 412 total yards per game while surrendering 8.9 yards per play.

Klahn has 22.5 tackles while Collier has 19 tackles with two for loss and Weimerskirch has 13.5 tackles with two for loss.

About the Regals: Regina remained undefeated with a 69-6 win over Cardinal last Friday.

The Regals have outscored opponents by a combined total of 182-24 during their 4-0 start to the season.

Regina is averaging 45.5 points and 372 total yards per game while posting 7.7 yards per play.

Junior Zach Poe (6-1, 190) has completed 21-of-30 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 127 yards while Aiden Gaffey (6-3, 170) has completed 24-of-33 passes for 343 yards and five touchdowns.

Gabe Hegelheimer (6-0, 205) has rushed for a team-high 442 yards and seven touchdowns and has caught six passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

Tate Wallace (6-4, 240) has 12 receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown and Holt Hinkel (5-11, 145) has caught eight passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns.

Regina is holding opponents 6 points and 138 total yards per game while allowing just 3.5 yards per play.

Wallace has a team-high 19.5 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and five sacks and Roan Eckhoff (6-2, 225) has 16.5 tackles with seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Will Litton (6-6, 225) has seven tackles for loss and a sack and Luke Hamilton (5-11, 175) has 10.5 tackles with three for loss and a sack.

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