Week 1 football primer

Week 1 football capsules for key area games:

IOWA CITY WEST at CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

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

TV: KCRG 9.2

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0 and unranked.

Overview: For a non-district game, this is a pivotal opener for both teams. West won last year's battle, 12-9, and went on to a 7-5 season that carried into the quarterfinals while Kennedy (3-8) dropped its first six contests and didn't find its groove until October. The Cougars ought to be substantially better this fall behind a big line. Kennedy also has quality skill performers in North Dakota State commit Shaun Beyer (35 receptions, 471 yards, 73 tackles) and Tyler Dralle (915 rushing yards, 8 touchdowns, 46.5 tackles). West counters with leading receiver Oliver Martin, who caught 61 passes last year for 759 yards, and Yeshuwa Hicks (544 rushing yards and six touchdowns).

HARMONY at CEDAR VALLEY CHRISTIAN

When and where: 7 p.m. Thursday, at LaSalle Middle School

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0 and unranked.

Overview: Cedar Valley has picked up one win in its brief football history, and it came at the expense of Harmony last year at Farmington, 30-20. The Huskies have the task of replacing Eric Gustafson, the 2014 state leader in tackles with 154.5. Senior Drew Gustafson is the leading returner with 65 stops last year. Both teams were leaky defensively, ranking at the bottom of the state in the eight-player game, giving up 63 points per game apiece. Junior Apollo Betsworth rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns last year for CVCS. Junior Travis Geels is a steady two-way performer. Harmony was 0-9 last year and did not field a team in 2013.

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON vs. CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium (Jefferson fans sit on the west side)

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. Washington is rated No. 2 in Class 4A.

Overview: Last year's 4A state runner-up, Washington is favored to extend its 15-game regular-season winning sterak. The Warriors handled Jefferson last year, 43-26, and return much of their skill personnel. Tavian Patrick and Johnny Dobbs combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns while Isaiah Nimmers caught 21 passes for 409 yards. The Warriors figure to be explosive like last year, when they averaged more than 40 points per game. Jefferson is hoping to build on last year's progress; they J-Hawks won four games and advanced to the playoffs. Quarterback Jesse Furrow has graduated, but the J-Hawks have a reliable backfield led by Tavian Rashed (660 yards, 11 touchdowns).

CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE at LINN-MAR

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Linn-Mar Stadium

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0 and unranked.

Overview: Question marks surround this matchup from both sidelines. Linn-Mar enjoyed a 9-2, district-championship season in 2014 that was cut short with an upset loss to Iowa City West in the 4A second round. The Lions were hit heavily by graduation, and there will be new faces galore on both side of the ball. Daniel Gorsich (14 catches, 202 yards) and Samuel Bries (33 tackles) are among the top returners. Prairie (4-6 in 2014) has a new coach in Mark Bliss, who won four state championships in Kansas, and it will be interesting to see how the Hawks adapt to his single-wing attack. Prairie has a pair of weapons on the outside in Jojuan Simpson and multisport star Jalen Rima, who combined for 52 catches last season.

WEST DES MOINES DOWLING at CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

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

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. Dowling is No. 3 in Class 4A; Xavier is No. 2 in 3A.

Overview: Xavier faces just one Class 4A school this season, and it's the two-time defending-champion Maroons. Dowling has broken Metro hearts in the last two 4A finals, beating the Saints in 2013 and handline Cedar Rapids Washington in 2014. Xavier (9-4 and a 3A semifinalist last year) did slow the Maroons somewhat in last year's opener, a 24-2 Dowling win, but got nothing going offensively. Bryce Schulte is in his second year as the Saints' starting quarterback; he passed for 1,151 yards and 14 touchdowns; top receiver Nick Stark (26 catches, 423 yards) is back. Dowling is in reload mode behind Cole Deskin (511 rushing yards, 8 TDs) and Eric Fardal (45 receptions, 739 yards, 8 TDs).

MOUNT VERNON at MARION

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Thomas Park Field

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0 and unranked.

Overview: Tony Perkins is one win from tying Les Hipple for the Marion all-time lead in victories among football coaches. He is 104-51 in 16 seasons at Marion. The Indians' last win was a 28-6 conquest at Mount Vernon in Week 1 last year. They followed with eight consecutive losses. Kory Walsh ran for 755 yards and seven touchdowns in 2014. Mount Vernon (6-5) bounced back from an 0-2 start last year to reach the second round of the 2A playoffs. The Mustangs welcome back a good share of their skill personnel, led by running back Mickey Hines (645 rushing yards) and Connor Herrmann (41 catches, 567 yards, 8 TDs).

IOWA CITY HIGH at CEDAR FALLS

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

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. Cedar Falls is rated No. 7 in Class 4A.

Overview: Regardless of outcome Friday, don't expect another 2-7 season out of City High this fall. The Little Hawks return much of their personnel on both sides of the ball. As a sophomore quarterback, Nate Wieland passed for 1,093 yards and rushed for 753. The Little Hawks dropped a 14-0 decision at home to Cedar Falls last year, the first of five straight losses to start the season. The Tigers (8-3 last year) will be stout again. Their defense allowed 13.4 points per game, a rate that was third best in 4A. Cedar Falls should exhibit a potent passing game, with Taylen Alexander tossing it to guys like Tra'Von Fagan and Javan Middleton.

SOLON at IOWA CITY REGINA

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

TV: KCRG 9.2

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. Solon is rated No. 7 in Class 3A; Regina is No. 1 in 1A.

Overview: Solon snapped Regina's 56-game win streak last year at Spartan Stadium, 29-28 in overtime. The Regals didn't blink, though, and won their next 13 games on their way to a fifth consecutive 1A state championship. Drew Cook, the 2015 Gazette Athlete of the Year, has moved on to the University of Iowa, leaving a hole at quarterback. The heir could be Nathan Stenger, who was a big-play receiver last year - he caught 38 passes for 801 yards and 11 touchdowns. Solon, on the other hand, has a veteran at QB; Brandon Childs passed for 991 yards and ran for 431. Solon was 9-2 last season, sharing the 3A-4 title with Cedar Rapids Xavier and Western Dubuque. Both coaches have been wildly successful: Solon's Kevin Miller is 143-24 in 14 seasons; Regina's Marv Cook is 100-6 in eight seasons.

NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY at DECORAH

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

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. North Fayette Valley is No. 1 in Class 2A.

Overview: Defending 2A state champion North Fayette Valley earned the top ranking despite the graduation of Josh Mackey and Derrick Kuehner, who combined to rush for nearly 3,000 yards. Don't shed a tear for the TigerHawks, though; they return a defensive anchor in 365-pound junior Juan Harris, who has committed to the University of Iowa. Quarterback Trevor Hurd also returns. Decorah (5-4 last year) had a six-year playoff run come to an end. Garrett Wise is the leading returner in the backfield (198 rushing yards) and on defense (65.5 tackles).

WEST DELAWARE at WESTERN DUBUQUE

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

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. West Delaware is rated No. 4 in Class 3A.

Overview: West Delaware captured the opener between these Highway 20 rivals, 40-14, in last year's opener, and both teams went on to post successful seasons. The Hawks (10-2) won the 3A-3 championship while Western Dubuque (6-4) earned a piece of the 3A-4 crown. West Delaware's Coy Roussell ranks sixth among returning running backs in 3A with 1,220 yards last year. He ran for 16 touchdowns. John Nagel and Max Ridenour give the Hawks a pair of threats on the perimeter. Mitch Kramer caught 24 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns last year for the Bobcats.

LISBON at WEST BRANCH

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at West Branch

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-0. West Branch is rated No. 4 in Class 1A.

Overview: A pair of playoff regulars collide in the Little Rose Bowl. Lisbon has qualified for 11 straight postseasons, West Branch seven. The Bears (10-1) have won 10 straight regular-season games and possess one of the top running backs in the state in Luke Lenoch, a junior who rushed for 2,105 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. The Bears downed the Lions (7-4), 42-0, last year. Lisbon's Jack Butteris ran for 681 yards last season, averaging 8.3 yards per carry.

HLV at CENTRAL CITY

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Central City

Records and rankings: Both teams are 1-0. HLV is rated No. 8 in 8-Player.

Overview: Both teams kicked off their seasons is rousing fashion in Week Zero. HLV rolled up 422 yards of total offense and jumped on Springville in the first half of a 51-3 triumph. Dalton Kriegel ran for 151 yards on just seven carries. Central City already has matched its win total from 2014, thanks to a 42-0 blanking of Rockford. The Wildcats scored a pair of defensive touchdowns - an interception by Austin VanAlst and a fumble return by Storm Matthias.

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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 Valley (0-0) hosts No. 4 Waukee (0-0).

2. Cedar Rapids Washington (0-0) is at Cedar Rapids Jefferson (0-0).

3. West Des Moines Dowling (0-0) is at 3A No. 2 Cedar Rapids Xavier (0-0).

4. Waukee (0-0) is at No. 1 West Des Moines Valley (0-0).

5. Bettendorf (0-0) hosts Davenport Assumption (0-0).

6. Ankeny (0-0) is at Indianola (0-0).

7. Cedar Falls (0-0) hosts Iowa City High (0-0).

8. Ankeny Centennial (0-0) hosts No. 10 Ames (0-0).

9. Lewis Central (0-0) hosts Sergeant Bluff-Luton (0-0).

10. Ames (0-0) is at No. 8 Ankeny Centennial (0-0).

Class 3A

1. Pella (0-0) hosts Washington (0-0).

2. Cedar Rapids Xavier (0-0) hosts 4A No. 3 West Des Moines Dowling (0-0).

3. Dallas Center-Grimes (0-0) is at No. 6 Carlisle (0-0).

4. Sioux City Heelan (0-0) hosts Sioux City East (0-0).

4. West Delaware (0-0) is at Western Dubuque (0-0).

6. Carlisle (0-0) hosts No. 3 Dallas Center-Grimes (0-0).

7. Solon (0-0) is at 1A No. 1 Iowa City Regina (0-0).

8. Carroll (0-0) is at Carroll Kuemper (0-0).

8. Waverly-Shell Rock (0-0) hosts Waterloo West (0-0).

10. Gilbert (0-0) is at Webster City (0-0).

Class 2A

1. North Fayette Valley (0-0) is at Decorah (0-0).

2. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (0-0) hosts 1A No. 6 West Lyon (0-0).

3. Spirit Lake (0-0) is at Estherville-Lincoln Central (0-0).

4. Albia (0-0) is at Class A No. 6 Mount Ayr (0-0).

5. Dyersville Beckman (0-0) is at Monticello (0-0).

6. Sioux Center (0-0) hosts Unity Christian (0-0).

7. South Tama (0-0) hosts Grinnell (0-0).

8. Clear Lake (0-0) hosts Mason City (0-0).

9. Baxter CMB (0-0) is at West Marshall (0-0).

10. Anamosa (0-0) is at North Cedar (0-0).

Class 1A

1. Iowa City Regina (0-0) hosts 3A No. 7 Solon (0-0).

2. South Winneshiek (0-0) hosts Waukon (0-0).

3. Dike-New Hartford (0-0) hosts Aplington-Parkersburg (0-0).

4. West Branch (0-0) hosts Lisbon (0-0).

5. Fort Dodge St. Edmond (0-0) is at Algona Garrigan (0-0).

6. IKM-Manning (0-0) is at East Sac County (0-0).

6. West Lyon (0-0) is at 2A No. 2 Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (0-0).

8. Avoca AHSTW (0-0) is at Audubon (0-0).

9. Hinton (0-0) plays Akron-Westfield (0-0) Saturday at Morningside College.

10. South Central Calhoun (0-0) hosts Greene County (0-0).

Class A

1. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (0-0) is at Union (0-0).

2. Logan-Magnolia (0-0) is at Missouri Valley (0-0).

3. Pekin (0-0) is at Eddyville EBF (0-0).

4. Ackley AGWSR (0-0) is at South Hardin (0-0).

5. Denver (0-0) is at Jesup (0-0).

6. Mount Ayr (0-0) hosts 2A No. 4 Albia (0-0).

7. BGM (0-0) is at Sigourney-Keota (0-0).

8. Belmond-Klemme (0-0) is at Lake Mills (0-0).

9. Montezuma (0-0) hosts Grundy Center (0-0).

10. Maquoketa Valley (0-0) hosts Alburnett (0-0).

8-Player

1. Newell-Fonda (0-0) is at No. 3 West Bend-Mallard (0-0).

2. Coon Rapids-Bayard (0-0) is at Charter Oak-Ute (0-0).

3. West Bend-Mallard (0-0) hosts No. 1 Newell-Fonda (0-0).

4. Glidden-Ralston (0-0) is at Remsen Union (0-1).

5. Don Bosco (0-0) is at Midland (1-0).

6. Fremont-Mills (0-0) hosts Woodbine (0-0).

7. Marcus MMC (0-0) hosts River Valley (0-1).

8. HLV (1-0) is at Central City (1-0).

9. Janesville (0-0) hosts Dunkerton (0-1).

10. Ruthven GTRA (0-0) hosts Northwood-Kensett (1-0).

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