Linn-Mar and Cedar Rapids Prairie will face off two times in as many weeks, opening the first round of the Class 5A playoffs next Friday at John Wall Field. The Iowa High School Athletic Association released Round of 16 pairings for all classes Saturday.
No. 10 Alburnett overcame a double-digit deficit with four touchdowns in the second quarter, including three Mason Neighbor touchdown passes, to take the lead for good and defeat Bellevue, 38-27, in the first round of the Class A playoffs.
Week 9 of Iowa high school football is the last week of the regular season for some (5A, 4A, 3A), the first round of the playoffs for others (2A, 1A, A, 8-Player). This episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast breaks it all down.
The Gazette Iowa high school sports staff answers questions about the first round of the playoffs for small schools, the RPI, Coach of the Year candidates and cool lids.
Alburnett got a tying touchdown pass and 2-point conversion pass with 30 seconds left in regulation, then scored a TD in overtime and the extra-point kick, giving it a thrilling 32-31 win over Columbus Community for the Class A District 5 championship.
Senior Mason Neighbor has completed 64 percent of his passes and thrown 16 touchdowns for Alburnett this season. It was a good showing at a summer 7-on-7 football league against Class 5A opponents that got the first-year starter rolling.
East Buchanan and Class A No. 7 Alburnett delivered the hard-fought battle everyone expected. They also provided a high-scoring affair that neither team could have, or probably would have, predicted in a 34-27 Buccaneers win.
Here are a dozen Gazette-area Week 4 Iowa high school football games to watch, including a 4A top-10 battle of unbeatens between Cedar Rapids Xavier and North Scott.
Shane Falco approves our answers to Iowa high school football questions. Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, Nathan Ford and K.J. Pilcher talk Week 2 wins, defenses, upcoming games and what programs could make good reality TV.
Week 3 Iowa high school football rewind: Cedar Rapids Prairie, Marion, Montezuma and Western Dubuque earned impressive wins over ranked teams.
Iowa high school football rewind: For Cascade, talent won out in season-opening upset of Monticello; Iowa City High lost, but all were winners in the Clash at Kinnick.
The Alburnett Pirates didn't panic. Two plays after Class A No. 4 North Linn took a 13-9 lead, Mason Neighbor connected with Grayson Carolan on a 75-yard touchdown pass with 2:02 remaining, giving Alburnett a 16-13 upset win.
A dozen Gazette-area Week 1 Iowa high school football games to watch, including the Iowa City High vs. Iowa City Liberty battle at Kinnick Stadium.
Previews and predictions for the Gazette area Class A Iowa high school football districts.
Here are five Class 2A and Class 1A Iowa high school softball regional semifinal games to watch in the area Friday.
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