Iowa high school football 2023: Gazette-area Week 4 games to watch

The following are area football capsules for Week 4 of the Iowa high school football season:

East Buchanan at Starmont

Site and time: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at Arlington

Records and rankings: Fourth-ranked East Buchanan is 2-1 overall, 2-0 Class A District 4; Starmont is 2-1, 1-1.

Overview: East Buchanan owns a six-game win streak in this series; last year’s verdict was 38-0. The Buccaneers have gotten their groove back with two straight wins (including 39-21 over Maquoketa Valley last week) after a season-opening overtime loss to Sumner-Fredericksburg. Tanner Thurn is racking up the rushing yards (439) and touchdowns (eight); both figures rank fifth in Class A. Starmont suffered a 27-0 setback against North Linn last week after starting 2-0. Still, the Stars have a reasonable chance for their first winning season since going 8-3 in 2012.

Bettendorf at Linn-Mar

Site and time: 7 p.m. Friday, at Linn-Mar Stadium

Records and rankings: Class 5A third-ranked Bettendorf is 3-0; Linn-Mar is 2-1.

Overview: Led by a staunch defense, Bettendorf appears to be back among the state powers. The Bulldogs have allowed just 20 points in three games, and already have matched last year’s win total. They have recorded seven takeaways in those three wins. Injuries caught up with Linn-Mar in a 34-0 loss to Cedar Rapids Kennedy last week, and the Lions fell out of the 5A rankings after climbing to No. 4 after two weeks. They will try to rebound by testing the Bulldogs’ defense with a strong running game that has netted 296 yards per week, led by Tyree Alons (308 yards, three TDs).

Maquoketa at Marion

Site and time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Marion Stadium

Records and rankings: Maquoketa is 3-0; Marion is 2-1.

Overview: After ho-hum offensive performances in the first two games, Marion broke out last week, accumulating 512 yards (384 in the first half) in a 34-19 win over Center Point-Urbana. The Wolves suffered some minor injuries in the game, but Coach Michael Joyner expected everybody back Friday. Maquoketa is a surprising 3-0 after winning nine games in the previous seven seasons, but this will be a substantial step up in competition for the Cardinals. Braedon Tranel leads Class 3A in receptions (23) and is second in receiving yards (345).

Cedar Rapids Prairie at Pleasant Valley

Site and time: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Bettendorf (PVHS)

Records and rankings: Both teams are 2-1. PV is ranked No. 7 in Class 5A; Prairie is No. 8.

Overview: When the numbers are crunched at the end of the season, Prairie will have faced one of the more challenging schedules in 5A. It continues this week with a resurgent PV squad that has impressed after a tough opening-week loss to Bettendorf. The Spartans have put up 92 points in the last two weeks, beating Iowa City Liberty 56-39 last Friday. They rushed for 503 yards in the win. Prairie was extremely impressive in its first two games, but suffered a 42-7 loss to No. 1 Southeast Polk last week. Casey Kelley is the 5A leader in all-purpose yards, with 679.

Iowa City West at Iowa City High

Site and time: 7 p.m. Friday, at Bates Field

Records and rankings: West is 2-1; City is 1-2.

Overview: After absorbing 56-0 and 49-0 losses to City in the last Boot battles, West probably has to be considered a slight favorite this time in what should be a game filled with offensive fireworks. The Trojans are averaging 31.3 points per game; City High cut loose last week in a 49-28 win at Ames. Third-year West starter Jack Wallace is fourth in 5A with 682 passing yards, and Izaiah Loveless is an explosive receiver, averaging 23.6 yards per catch. Bobby Bacon has picked up the slack at QB for City High in the absence of Drew Larson, passing for 223 yards a week ago.

Cedar Rapids Xavier at Pella

Site and time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Pella

Records and rankings: Class 4A No. 2 Xavier is 2-1; Pella is 1-2.

Overview: After a pair of down-to-the-wire nail-biters (a 21-20 loss to Williamsburg, then a 22-20 win over Western Dubuque), Xavier should be able to catch its breath a bit the next two weeks before hosting No. 1 North Scott in Week 6. The Saints rolled Pella last year, 47-0. Coleton Beasler-Weber has been a threat on the ground (329 yards) and in the passing game (six receptions for 184 yards). Pella’s two losses have come by a combined 12 points to good 4A programs in Ballard and Indianola. Dutch QB Luke Hardman has passed for 430 yards and five TDs.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson at Des Moines East

Site and time: 7 p.m. Friday, at Des Moines (Williams Stadium)

Records and rankings: Jefferson is 3-0; East is 0-3.

Overview: Indications are that the J-Hawks really, truly are for real. Yes, they have faced three lower-level teams, but they have more than taken care of business, outscoring them by a combined margin of 114-32. They’ll be heavily favored again this week behind the legs of Ishara Kalolero, who ranks third among 5A rushers with 481 yards, and has scored five touchdowns. Jeremiah Peiffer and L.J. Nyenow make up an effective passing combo to keep defenses honest, and Bradley Cable has intercepted two passes. The teams have a common opponent: Jefferson handled Des Moines North, 41-8, last week; East fell to the Polar Bears, 28-14, in Week 1.

Durant at Iowa City Regina

Site and time: 7 p.m. Friday, at Regina

Records and rankings: Durant is 0-3 overall, 0-0 Class 1A District 5; No. 4 Regina is 3-0, 0-0.

Overview: If you had any misgivings over Regina after last year’s 5-4 campaign, they’ve certainly been erased. The Regals whipped a good 2A team in Mediapolis, 45-7, last week, and enter district play as the 1A-5 favorite. The 1A passing leader board is filled with Regals: Gentry Dumont is No. 1 in passing yards (858) and No. 2 in passing TDs (nine). Jackson Naeve and Ty Joss are 1-5 in receiving yards with 357 and 262, respectively. They should feast on a Durant defense that is allowing 38.3 points per game.

Iowa City Liberty at Cedar Falls

Site and time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Cedar Falls (UNI-Dome)

Records and rankings: Both teams are 1-2.

Overview: As far as 1-2 teams go, these are two of the better ones in 5A. Cedar Falls had a good win over Johnston in Week 2, the same night Liberty handled Iowa City High. Now, which team can gain some momentum for a potential postseason berth? Liberty’s Graham Beckman is the 5A leader in passing yards (1,072), and has thrown for 10 touchdowns, five to Dallas Miller. Cedar Falls, meanwhile, is more geared to the running attack, led by Drew Gerdes (222 yards, two TDs).

Cedar Rapids Washington vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Site and time: 7 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings: Washington is 0-3; Class 5A No. 9 Kennedy is 1-2.

Overview: After an 0-2 start, last week’s 34-0 trouncing of Linn-Mar changes everything for Kennedy. The Cougars will be heavily favored to beat their east-side rival for the third straight year (and fifth in the last six). They’ve got one of the state’s top quarterbacks in junior Vincenzo Gianforte, who has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,020 yards and 11 touchdowns vs. one interception. Cyrus Courtney already has 32 catches, for 595 yards and five TDs. Washington had its most competitive outing of the season in Week 3, bowing to Davenport West, 28-20.

Solon at Mount Vernon

Site and time: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Mount Vernon (First Street Field)

Records and rankings: Solon is 2-1; Class 3A No. 2 Mount Vernon is 3-0.

Overview: Mount Vernon bids adieu to its quaint downtown field Friday; it will move to its on-campus facility in time for a Week 6 showdown with Davenport Assumption. Conditions are favorable for a fond farewell; the Mustangs downed Solon twice last year and are favored Friday. Mount Vernon has held 12 of its last 14 opponents to one touchdown or less. Miles Francois has collected 5 1/2 sacks. Solon has won two in a row after a season-opening loss, and a 41-6 stroll over DeWitt Central last week opened some eyes.

North Scott at Western Dubuque

Site and time: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Epworth

Records and rankings: Class 4A No. 1 North Scott is 3-0; No. 5 Western Dubuque is 2-1.

Overview: The merry-go-round atop The Gazette’s 4A rankings continues; this week, it’s North Scott’s turn at No. 1. The Lancers are scoring at a 44-point-per-game clip, which is best in 4A. Kyler Gerardy leads the class with 13 total touchdowns (seven passing, six rushing) and has accumulated 1,141 total yards. Western Dubuque is potent, too, averaging 38.7 points and 415 yards (216 rushing, 199 passing) per contest. Grant Glausser has 517 rushing yards (8.1 per carry) to his credit.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com