4 Downs: Gazette staff address Iowa high school football questions

The Gazette’s Iowa high school football and contributors bloviate on the world of high school football. See how much Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Scott Unash ground they cover in 4 Downs:

1ST & 10: What 3-0 (or 4-0) has been most impressive?

Jeff Linder: On a state level, it’s hard to argue with Waukee Northwest. A four-win team and playoff non-qualifier, the Wolves have two 5A top-five wins, against Ankeny and West Des Moines Valley. Locally, I’m going to go with Elkader Central, not because of the all-out impressiveness to it, but because of where the Warriors have been lately. No winning seasons in the last eight years. No varsity team in 2022. There’s a chance they could be 6-0 heading into the season’s final two weeks.

Jeff Johnson: West Lyon has won its three games by a combined score of 115-0. Carroll Kuemper also is 3-0, including beating a good Cherokee team by 16 points and even better Algona team, 52-21.

K.J. Pilcher: A couple area unbeaten teams that stand out are Iowa Valley and West Delaware. The Tigers (4-0) are fifth in points per game in 8-Player, averaging 62.8. They also have quality wins over Montezuma, Don Bosco and Springville. West Delaware is 3-0 and the Hawks defense is tops in Class 3A in points allowed, coming in at just four per game. Statewide? Waukee Northwest has wins over Ankeny, West Des Moines Valley and Iowa City High, coming to Prairie this week. North Polk, which I doubted after graduating key players from last year, has been very good with wins over ranked teams in Lewis Central, Newton and Adel ADM.

Scott Unash: We have several impressive undefeated teams at the one-third mark of the season, but a couple stand out to me: Iowa City Liberty and Solon. The Bolts have started the season with a pair of top-10 wins, including the domination of the defending state champs. Solon has an equally strong resume with victories over three traditionally strong programs, including the Highway 1 Series triumph over Mount Vernon on Friday.

2ND & LONG: What was the best Week 3 performance (individual or team)?

Jeff Linder: I know the nature of 8-player football probably provides an asterisk, but good golly, Nolan Kriegel … 353 rushing yards and nine touchdowns by the Iowa Valley junior. The Tigers scored 76 points in the last three quarters and beat Montezuma, 83-64.

Jeff Johnson: I know it’s 8-Player, where games are PlayStation in nature offensively, but you rush for 353 yards, nine touchdowns and three two-point conversions, that’s noteworthy. So, take a bow Nolan Kriegal of Iowa Valley.

K.J. Pilcher: I witnessed Iowa City Regina’s Kyle Tracy amass 329 total yards, passing for 206. He threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another in a 59-27 win over then-2A No. 7 Alburnett. More than the stats, he made pinpoint passes at times and made crucial runs when receivers weren’t open or when the play broke down. He demonstrated that senior leadership. Solon’s overall performance, beating previous top-ranked Mount Vernon, 35-20. The Spartans have been offensive and decisive in their three wins.

Scott Unash: I got to witness perhaps the best individual performance of Week 3 last Friday at Marion Stadium when Davenport North wide receiver David Joiner went off for eight catches for 321 yards and four touchdowns in the Wildcats 28-0 win. The speedster, and terrific basketball player for the Wildcats, averaged just over 40 yards a catch from his quarterback Neil Brown, who also had a huge night throwing for 403 yards. Team-wise, Cedar Rapids Xavier's 54-21 home win over Clear Creek-Amana was an impressive eye-opener as the Saints got revenge for last season’s loss to the Clippers.

3RD & SHORT: Submitted by @achrist70 on X.com: What are your favorite fields in the area?

Jeff Linder: Grass > Field Turf. It’s strange not seeing a track at Brown Field in Manchester, but it kind of adds to the intimacy. And a sunset at Walmer Field in Lisbon is hard to beat.

Jeff Johnson: I am always going to be partial to Kingston Stadium, just because I grew up going to games there as a kid, probably as young as age 8 or 9. There are some nice, new stadiums that are very nice, such as Linn-Mar and Iowa City Liberty. For tradition sake, there was something about the old Mount Vernon field, that literally was shoe-horned into a very small area behind an old school. It stunk covering games from there because the press box was tiny and leaned, and it was hard to see the entire field. I remember covering a game there up on a hill above the stands, where I could hear old assistant coach Jeff Schwiebert talking over head sets to head coach Jim Bellamy, who was on the sideline.

K.J. Pilcher: From getting to play three seasons and cover a lot more at Kingston Stadium, it still ranks as my No. 1. I really like Marion’s stadium. It has all the bells and whistles and still a modest size, unlike Linn-Mar and Iowa City Liberty. I also really like the setting at Regina with the baseball and softball fields in the background and natural grass. Williamsburg’s Bob Murphy Stadium has always been a classic and it’s even better after the renovations a little bit ago.

Scott Unash: What a great question?! There are some terrific fields/stadiums in our area. Two of my favorites are Bates Field in Iowa City and the Little Rose Bowl in West Branch. I have always liked the unique old fields that have great character and those two fit the bill. I also miss Thomas Park and the Bellamy Bowl. And I will always enjoy Kingston Stadium here in town. The Ol' Gray Lady has been around a bunch of years but is still a treat to play in for Metro athletes.

4TH & GOAL: Best high school football movie: “Remember the Titans,” “Varsity Blues,” “Friday Night Lights” or something else?

Jeff Linder: Of those three, I’ve only viewed Remember the Titans, and it was great. “Run it Herm, leave no doubt.” By no means am I a Tom Cruise fan, but All the Right Moves is probably No. 2 on my list. Take the darn safety, Coach. Plus … Lea Thompson.

Jeff Johnson:“62 Stack Monster! 62 Stack Monster!” I always loved “All The Right Moves” with Tom Cruise. Honorable mention to Goldie Hawn’s “Wildcats.” I don’t know why… .

K.J. Pilcher: I’m more of a baseball/softball movie person. It’s easy to say, “Remember the Titans,” but I’m going with Johnny Be Good. Come on, Anthony Michael Hall as the country’s top quarterback, Robert Downey Jr. as his obnoxious best friend and an exaggerated example of recruiting. Count me in.

Scott Unash: Friday Night Lights is the high school football movie that leads the pack. It is packed with everything. And I also enjoyed the T.V. series, as well. Right behind is an underrated high school football movie, All The Right Moves, starring a very young Tom Cruise and Craig T. Nelson, set in a fictional small steel town in Pennsylvania.