Week 7 football primer

Week 7 football capsules for key area games:

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE at CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Thursday, at Kingston Stadium

TV: KCRG 9.2

Records and rankings: Prairie is 2-4 overall, 1-1 Class 4A District 6; No. 5 Washington is 5-1, 2-0.

Overview: Prairie would be a decided underdog anyway, but goes into this Metro contest without playmaker Jalen Rima, out with a knee injury. That will make it even more difficult to keep pace with the Warriors, who are fifth in 4A at 38.3 points per game. Johnny Dobbs has rushed for eight touchdowns this season for the Warriors, Tavian Patrick has tacked on seven, and has rushed for 538 yards.

LINN-MAR at CEDAR FALLS

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Cedar Falls (UNI-Dome)

Records and rankings: Linn-Mar is 2-4 overall; 1-1 Class 4A District 5; No. 10 Cedar Falls is 5-1, 2-0.

Overview: Cedar Falls is 2-0 in district play, but hasn't been overwhelming. The Tigers were tied with Waterloo West in the fourth quarter two weeks ago before emerging with a 28-14 win, then outlasted Cedar Rapids Jefferson in overtime last week, 34-31. So this doesn't have an unreachable feel for the Lions, who need at least one win in their final three games to have playoff hopes. Cedar Falls' Jodan DeGroote has rushed for 610 yards and 10 touchdowns.

DUBUQUE WAHLERT at CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Saints Field

Records and rankings: Wahlert is 2-4 overall, 2-1 Class 3A District 4; No. 3 Xavier is 5-0, 4-0.

Overview: Xavier already has a playoff berth stashed away, and a win Friday would wrap up the district championship. The Saints' last three wins have been convincing behind the running of Maliki Wilson (609 yards, seven touchdowns this season), the passing tandem of Bryce Schulte (921 yards, 14 TDs) and Nick Stark (14 catches, 340 yards, seven TDs) and the always-stout defense, which is allowing 11.4 points per game. Wahlert is probably in the playoffs with one more win, but it's unlikely to come this week.

CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON at WATERLOO WEST

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Waterloo

Records and rankings: Jefferson is 3-3 overall, 0-2 Class 4A District 5; West is 3-3, 1-1. Both teams are unranked.

Overview: It's becoming apparent that the final two playoff berths from 4A-5 will come from a three-team cluster (Jefferson, West and Linn-Mar), so this becomes a very big game. Jefferson very nearly pulled off a big win last week, falling in overtime to Cedar Falls, 34-31. The J-Hawks rank 11th in 4A in scoring average at 34 points per game. The Wahawks have not won or lost back-to-back games all season. They pounded Waterloo East, 50-13, last week. West's Devon Moore is fifth in 4A in passing yards at 1,344.

WATERLOO EAST at CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings: East is 0-6 overall, 0-2 Class 4A District 5; No. 4 Kennedy is 6-0, 2-0.

Overview: This has all the appearances of a mismatch. Kennedy's defense has taken center stage in the past four weeks, allowing just three touchdowns in that span. Tyler Dralle has been durable (31 carries per game) and effective (he's second in 4A in rushing with 1,019 yards and five touchdowns). Austin Coates is third in 4A with four interceptions. That all spells trouble for East, which has lost 25 straight games and has been outscored 104-13 in its first two district games.

DUBUQUE HEMPSTEAD at IOWA CITY WEST

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Trojan Stadium

Records and rankings: West is 1-5 overall, 1-0 Class 4A District 7; Hempstead is 5-1, 1-0. Both are unranked.

Overview: Despite the 1-5 record, a district championship certainly remains a possibility for West, which has battled the state's toughest schedule through the first six weeks. Quarterback Alex Henderson is third in 4A with 1,391 passing yards; he has thrown for 10 touchdowns. His main targets are Oliver Martin and Devontae Lane, who have combined for 72 receptions, 1,225 yards and 11 touchdowns. Hempstead is on a five-game win streak, but none of those victories have come against teams with winning records.

BURLINGTON at IOWA CITY HIGH

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Bates Field

Records and rankings: Burlington is 1-5 overall, 0-2 Class 4A District 6; City High is 4-2, 2-0. Both are unranked.

Overview: After missing the playoffs last year, City High can nail down a return trip if it defeats the Grayhounds. The Little Hawks are on a four-game win streak, including last week's 28-21 triumph over Cedar Rapids Prairie. Jason Jones is fifth in Class 4A in receiving yards, with 635 on 37 receptions (with seven touchdowns). Burlington has had troubles scoring; its 11.0 points per game ranks 43rd of the 46 teams in 4A.

WEST MARSHALL at IOWA CITY REGINA

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Regina

Records and rankings: West Marshall is 2-4 overall, 1-2 Class 1A District 6; No. 1 Regina is 6-0, 4-0.

Overview: Regina finally has a true test on the horizon - next week at home against 3A power Cedar Rapids Xavier. As for Friday, the Regals figure to keep on humming. They have scored 50-plus games in their last five games. Regina has won 19 consecutive games and 75 of its last 76. Nathan Stenger has combined for 18 touchdowns - 10 passing, eight rushing. Nick Phillips and Michael Conlon both have intercepted four passes.

SOUTH TAMA at WILLIAMSBURG

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Williamsburg

TV: KCRG 9.2

Records and rankings: No. 3 South Tama is 6-0; No. 5 Williamsburg is 5-1.

Overview: A couple of touchdowns might be enough to capture this non-district dandy. South Tama has been downright nasty on defense, allowing a scant eight points. The Trojans have posted five straight shutouts behind Cody Kellogg (four interceptions) and Bailey Chyma (28 tackles, three INTs). Jerry Lowe has done the heavy lifting in the backfield, with 928 yards and 17 touchdowns. Williamsburg beat the Trojans twice last year - 28-20 in the regular season and 17-7 in the playoffs. The Raiders can defend too; they're allowing 8.3 points per game, which rates third in 2A. Derek Greiner has 52 tackles to his credit. Quarterback Vic Malloy has passed for 1,065 yards and 11 TDs.

ANAMOSA at MOUNT VERNON

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Mount Vernon

Records and rankings: No. 4 Anamosa is 6-0 overall, 4-0 Class 2A District 4; No. 6 Mount Vernon is 5-1, 3-0.

Overview: Anamosa is the district champion if it picks up a road win. Mount Vernon, on the other hand, would take sole possession of the district lead, but still has a stern challenge ahead in Week 9 at Tipton. Anamosa has scored 40 points or better in the last five games. Four different backs have 250 yards or more, while Kyle Shepanski leads the defense with 26.5 tackles and three interceptions. Mount Vernon has a potent pitch-catch tandem in Drew Adams (1,060 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Connor Herrmann (33 catches, 458 yards, five TDs).

DIKE-NEW HARTFORD at SOUTH WINNESHIEK

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Calmar

Records and rankings: No. 2 Dike-New Hartford is 6-0 overall; 3-0 Class 1A District 4; No. 6 South Winn is 5-1, 3-0.

Overview: Surely, much of the focus will be on Dike-New Hartford back Trent Johnson, who has rushed for 1,354 yards and 12 touchdowns. But the Wolverines can play some defense, too - their 8.3 points allowed per game rates No. 3 in 1A, and they have held their last five opponents to a touchdown or less. South Winn has rebounded nicely from its season-opening loss to Waukon. Its five-game win streak includes a triumph over a strong 2A New Hampton club.

WAUKON at NEW HAMPTON

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at New Hampton

Records and rankings: No. 9 Waukon is 5-1 overall, 2-1 Class 2A District 3; New Hampton is 4-2, 3-0.

Overview: The 2A-3 race is a congested one, and Waukon has an opportunity to muddle it even further. New Hampton is the last unbeaten in district play, but wraps up its season with Waukon, Dyersville Beckman and North Fayette Valley. Waukon's Peyton Hesse can pass (he has thrown for 1,219 yards and 16 touchdowns) and stop the pass (he has picked off opponents four times). New Hampton's Trevor Ambrose has rushed for 726 yards.

OTHER GAMES INVOLVING METRO/IOWA CITY TEAMS

Marion (0-6 overall, 0-3 Class 3A District 4) at Western Dubuque (1-5, 0-3), 7:15 p.m. Friday

West Central (2-5 overall, 1-3 8-Player District 4) vs. Cedar Valley Christian (1-5, 0-4), 7 p.m. Friday, LaSalle Middle School

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The Gazette/KCRG/KGYM ranked teams - who and where they play. All games are Friday unless noted.

Class 4A

1. West Des Moines Dowling (5-0) hosts No. 9 Johnston (5-1).

2. Bettendorf (6-0) is at North Scott (2-4).

3. West Des Moines Valley (5-1) is at Sioux City West (1-5).

4. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (6-0) hosts Waterloo East (0-6).

5. Cedar Rapids Washington (5-1) hosts Cedar Rapids Prairie (2-4), Thursday.

6. Fort Dodge (6-0) hosts Marshalltown (3-3).

7. Ankeny (5-1) is at Sioux City North (1-5), Thursday.

8. Waukee (4-2) hosts Indianola (3-3).

9. Johnston (5-1) is at No. 1 West Des Moines Dowling (5-0).

10. Cedar Falls (5-1) hosts Linn-Mar (2-4).

Class 3A

1. Pella (6-0) hosts Newton (0-6).

2. West Delaware (6-0) is at DeWitt Central (1-5).

3. Cedar Rapids Xavier (5-0) hosts Dubuque Wahlert (2-4).

4. Dallas Center-Grimes (5-1) is at Winterset (2-4).

5. Webster City (6-0) hosts Humboldt (2-4).

6. Independence (6-0) is at Charles City (2-4).

7. Harlan (5-1) is at Creston/Orient-Macksburg (4-2).

8. Norwalk (5-1) is at Oskaloosa (2-4).

9. Glenwood (6-0) is at Adel ADM (3-3).

10. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (5-1) is at LeMars (1-5).

Class 2A

1. Albia (6-0) is at Baxter CMB (5-1).

1. Spirit Lake (6-0) hosts Sheldon (0-6).

3. South Tama (6-0) is at No. 5 Williamsburg (5-1).

4. Anamosa (6-0) is at No. 6 Mount Vernon (5-1).

5. Williamsburg (5-1) hosts No. 3 South Tama (6-0).

6. Mount Vernon (5-1) hosts No. 4 Anamosa (6-0).

7. Aplington-Parkersburg (5-1) hosts South Hardin (2-4).

8. Monroe PCM (5-1) is at Clarke (0-6).

9. Waukon (5-1) is at New Hampton (4-2).

10. North Fayette Valley (4-2) is at Osage (3-3).

Class 1A

1. Iowa City Regina (6-0) hosts West Marshall (2-4).

2. Dike-New Hartford (6-0) is at No. 6 South Winneshiek (5-1).

3. West Branch (4-0) is at Wapello (2-4).

4. Hinton (6-0) is at Western Christian (4-2).

5. Underwood (6-0) hosts No. 7 Avoca AHSTW (5-1).

6. South Winneshiek (5-1) hosts No. 2 Dike-New Hartford (6-0).

7. Alburnett (6-0) is at Wilton (3-3).

7. Avoca AHSTW (5-1) is at No. 5 Underwood (6-0).

9. Van Meter (5-1) hosts Southwest Valley (1-5).

10. West Lyon (4-2) hosts Unity Christian (2-4).

Class A

1. BGM (6-0) hosts Belle Plaine (4-2).

2. Algona Garrigan (6-0) hosts Lake Mills (1-5).

3. Denver (5-1) hosts Grundy Center (4-2).

4. Logan-Magnolia (5-1) hosts Griswold (1-5).

5. West Sioux (6-0) is at Woodbury Central (3-3).

6. Pleasantville (6-0) is at Southeast Warren (2-4).

7. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (4-2) hosts Ackley AGWSR (2-4).

8. Audubon (5-1) hosts Westwood (4-2).

9. Belmond-Klemme (5-1) is at West Hancock (5-1).

10. Winfield-Mount Union (6-0) is at WACO (3-3).

8-Player

1. Newell-Fonda (6-0) hosts Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton (6-0).

2. Don Bosco (4-0) hosts No. 9 Colo-Nesco (6-0).

3. Marcus MMC (5-0) hosts Harris-Lake Park (4-2).

4. Fremont-Mills (6-0) hosts No. 8 Lenox (6-0).

4. Glidden-Ralston (6-0) hosts Coon Rapids-Bayard (4-2).

6. Janesville (5-0) is at Northwood-Kensett (5-1).

7. Elkader Central (6-0) hosts Central City (3-4).

8. Lenox (6-0) is at No. 4 Fremont-Mills (6-0).

9. Colo-Nesco (6-0) is at No. 2 Don Bosco (4-0).

10. Ruthven GTRA (5-1) hosts Clay Central-Everly (0-6).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com