Iowa high school football rewind: Iowa City West posts ‘complete win’ to knock out Bettendorf

For the second time in two weeks, Iowa City West posted a victory over a ranked foe.

The latest effort came with a berth in the state quarterfinals.

The Trojans upended No. 6 Bettendorf, 21-16, in the first round of the Class 5A state football playoffs Friday night at Bettendorf. West (6-4) will face No. 9 Southeast Polk (6-4) next Friday in Runnells.

Everything came together for the Trojans, who had lost five straight to the Bulldogs.

“It was actually a coming together of all three phases of the game,” West Coach Garrett Hartwig said. “We’ve shown an ability to be effective offensively all year. Our defense started the season very slow and has progressed. They really stepped up (Friday) night and became the defense we knew we had in us. Our special teams have been solid all year and did their part.

“It was a complete win and that’s where you have to get to in the playoffs. It’s a process over the season.”

West had a losing record midway through the regular season. The Trojans have won four of their last five, beating then-No. 4 Pleasant Valley to all but secure a postseason berth and Bettendorf to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2020.

“In football, one game a week is such an immediate reaction type of thing,” Hartwig said. “You have to step back and recognize you are playing a nine-game regular season where every game is certainly big but the key is to be playing your best football in (November). We didn’t start the season very well but we steadily improved.”

Bettendorf (8-2) led 3-0 after the first quarter but West took over thanks to quarterback Jack Wallace and Julian Manson, who connected for three touchdowns.

Manson scored on a 19-yard pop pass from Wallace for a 7-3 lead in the second. West dialed up a flea flicker later in the quarter, resulting in a 59-yard scoring strike for a 14-9 advantage at halftime. Manson scored on a 17-yard tunnel screen for a 21-9 lead after three, which was enough.

“Julian caught the ball on the sideline and our linemen got out in space,” Hartwig said. “Julian got behind them and was able to score.”

Wallace finished with 211 yards, including 104 to Manson.

Bettendorf threatened in the fourth, driving deep into West territory on its final possession. The Trojans turned them away and advanced.

“It just kind of comes down to who can finish drives on both sides of the ball,” Hartwig said. “They got inside our 30 but we were able to stand tough.”

Hartwig has 68 career victories in 11 seasons as West’s head coach, breaking the school record held by Reese Morgan. He said he wasn’t aware of the approaching milestone but was humbled to reach it.

“It’s entirely credit to great coaches and players over the years,” Hartwig said. “We did it together. They earned as much as me.

“Last but not least, having a wife, Emily, who allows me to coach with a family of four kids, all seventh grade and younger (made it possible).”

West will face three-time defending 5A state champions. Southeast Polk beat Pleasant Valley, 24-21, Friday. Hartwig said he expects a physical game and a great atmosphere.

“It’s more about us,” Hartwig said. “Our focus is not who we play but how we play. That’s a motto I say at the beginning of the year and repeat it every week.

“Southeast Polk is not the three-time defending state champion for nothing. We know what we have in them and respect the hell out of them. We’re certainly going to go over there and try to beat them.”

Independence knocks off defending champ Williamsburg

Independence dethroned defending Class 3A state champion Williamsburg Friday night at home. E.J. Miller threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Christian with 21 seconds remaining in the No. 8 Mustangs’ 21-14 victory over the No. 7 Raiders.

“We saw on film that anytime we crossed routes, maybe we’d have an advantage,” Independence Coach Justin Putz told The Gazette. “So, we (ran) that play in the first half. E.J. just didn’t have the time and missed it. We went back to that and made the play. Really proud of E.J. He didn’t have his best first half, but he really came out and played well when we needed him.”

Independence erased a 14-0 deficit with a 21-point fourth quarter. Miller contributed to all three scores. He passed for two, hitting Ezekiel Symonds for a 28-yard TD. Miller started the scoring with a 1-yard TD run. He finished with 104 yards passing and 89 rushing.

“This is awesome, but we’re not done, yet,” Miller told The Gazette after the win. “We’re not finished, we want to keep going obviously ... Celebrate this and then on to next week.”

Tate Wood tallied 14 tackles for a Mustangs defense that limited a Raiders offense that led 3A all season.

Williamsburg ends the season 7-3. Grant Hocker passed for 120 yards and two TDs. Nile Sinn rushed for 89 yards.

Independence is 8-2 and travels to Dubuque Wahlert, which is 10-0 and tied for the No. 1 ranking with Sergeant Bluff-Luton. The Golden Eagles topped Independence, 17-10, in Week 6. This is the Mustangs’ third quarterfinal appearance — all coming since 2021.

Xavier wins on the road

Cedar Rapids Xavier opened the playoffs on the road for the first time in a long time. The Saints were unfazed by the trip to Norwalk, beating the 4A No. 8 Warriors, 35-14.

Xavier quarterback Cash Parks passed for 148 yards and three TDs, including two to Dusty Cook. Carter Hoffmann rushed for 170 yards and a score.

The defense shut out Norwalk in the first half, helping the Saints to a 21-0 halftime advantage.

“Our defense played really well,” Xavier Coach Duane Schulte said. “Our offense clicked at times, too. I have to say our defense played one of their best games of the year.”

Coincidentally, Xavier’s win came on All Saints Day, according to Schulte.

“That was kind of apropos for us to get on a bus and drive two hours to get a win,” Schulte said. “It’s a tribute to all the saints, if you know what I mean.”

The Saints (7-3) will face No. 1 North Polk (10-0) in a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal. The Comets won that game, 17-14.

“They’re big,” Schulte said. “They present a bunch of different formations. Defensively, they’re really solid. They’re ranked No. 1 for a reason.”

This and that

* Decorah remained unbeaten and advanced to the 4A quarterfinals with a thrilling 15-14 win over Newton. Tanner Cadell’s 1-yard TD run with 58 seconds left and a conversion pass from Caleb Krieg to Tommy Sexton propelled the No. 2 Vikings to the win.

* No. 9 Solon avenged a one-point loss to No. 5 Benton Community with a 34-27 first-round win in 3A. Eddie Johnson scored three TDs for the Spartans, who travel to No. 3 Humboldt next week.

* Quarterback Kellen Haverback rushed for three TDs and passed for another, amassing 217 offensive yards in Mount Vernon’s 42-6 victory over Carroll at home. The Mustangs’ Cooper Hird rushed for 126 yards and two TDs. Mount Vernon advances to the 3A state quarterfinals for the third straight season. The fourth-ranked Mustangs (9-1) travel No. 6 Algona (9-1).

* Brady Boulton passed for 224 yards and two TDs, adding 95 rushing yards and a TD in Montezuma’s 32-28 win over Bedford. Broox Stockman ran for 129 yards and a score for the Braves, who improve to 10-1 and travel to No. 4 Lenox (10-0) on Thursday.

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Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com