Iowa high school football schedule: 45 area games that will define the 2021 season

We’ve got the classes, and the districts. And as of 10 a.m. Monday, we have the schedules.

In four months — and one day — we’ll have high school football in Iowa.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released schedules for the 2021 and 2022 seasons Monday. Here is an early look at five games each week, including an area game of the week, that will go a long way toward determining district championships and seedings in the playoff field.

• Class 5A schedules

• Class 4A schedules

• Class 3A schedules

• Class 2A schedules

• Class 1A schedules

• Class A schedules

• 8-Player schedules

Week 1 (Aug. 27)

GAME OF THE WEEK: West Branch at Lisbon

Lisbon (7-3 in 2020) is a prohibitive favorite to win the Class A District 5 title, and if the Lions can get past traditional power West Branch (5-3), it’s a good bet they will get through the regular season unscathed. Jamian Moore rushed for 814 yards last year as a junior. West Branch counters with junior Andy Henson (893 rushing yards, 32 tackles).

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Iowa City High at Iowa City Liberty

Waverly-Shell Rock at Waukon

Western Dubuque at Cedar Rapids Xavier

Williamsburg at Iowa City Regina

Week 2 (Sept. 3)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Waukon at Decorah

The only stain on Waukon’s Class 2A state-championship run last year came at the hands of Decorah, 19-18 in Week 1. The Indians won their next 10 games and have a good chance to return to the UNI-Dome in November behind returners like Lincoln Snitker and Pat Hennessy. The Vikings (6-2) are in a strong, deep Class 4A District 2 that really contains no gimmes, so a strong start is important.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Cedar Rapids Xavier at West Delaware

Independence at Clear Creek Amana

Iowa City Liberty at Linn-Mar

Solon at Mount Vernon

Week 3 (Sept. 10)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Cedar Falls at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Both teams were 5-3 in 2020. The first of back-to-back toughies for Prairie in weeks 3 and 4 (Bettendorf comes to John Wall Field on Sept. 17). With 16 playoff qualifiers, all based on RPI, it probably will take a 5-4 record to get into the postseason. The Hawks return their top two receivers in Elijah Ward and Gabe Burkle. Cedar Falls’ Hunter Jacobson passed for 659 yards and 11 TDs as a junior.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Cedar Rapids Washington

Decorah at West Delaware

West Liberty at Independence

Williamsburg at Solon

Week 4 (Sept. 17)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Clear Creek Amana at Iowa City Liberty

These border schools are on the cusp of a whale of a rivalry on the south end of the I-380 corridor. Both teams recently hired new coaches: James Harris at Liberty, Matt Haddy at CCA. The Lightning were 2-3 in a COVID-shortened 2020 season and will try to enhance an offense that scored only 11.2 points per game; the Clippers were 4-4 and were upset by Marion in the opening round of the postseason.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Bettendorf at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Cascade at Dyersville Beckman

Cedar Rapids Washington at Linn-Mar

West Des Moines Dowling at Iowa City High

Week 5 (Sept. 24)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Cedar Rapids Washington at Cedar Rapids Xavier

An enrollment of decline as pushed Washington out of the big-school class, but that creates this gem in a Class 4A District 4 opener. The Warriors started 3-0 last season before dropping their last five games, but bring back their top two rushers in Jabari Dobbs and Miles Thompson. Newly minted hall-of-fame coach Duane Schulte faces a reloading project after Xavier (10-1) reached the 4A semifinals last year, but only a fool would count the Saints out.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Iowa City West at Iowa City High

Mount Vernon at Benton Community

Sigourney-Keota at Pella Christian

Western Dubuque at Marion

Week 6 (Oct. 1)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Solon at Washington (Iowa)

Most likely, this will be the pivotal game in the Class 3A District 5 race, though Grinnell figures to play a factor, as well. Washington won last year’s encounter 33-18 to drop Solon to 0-2, but the Spartans responded with a seven-game win streak. Junior QB Blake Timmons is back to guide the Spartans after accumulating 1,717 all-purpose yards and 22 TDs; the Demons return their top tackler in Lucas Kroll.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Cedar Falls at Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Cedar Rapids Xavier at Pella

Clear Creek Amana at Cedar Rapids Washington

Decorah at Western Dubuque

Week 7 (Oct. 8)

GAME OF THE WEEK: West Branch at Iowa City Regina

Regina (10-1) is back up to Class 1A after storming to the Class A title last year, and this grudge match will go a long way in determining the 1A Distict 5 title, though Mediapolis also figures to contend. The Regals graduated much of their dynamic offense, but should be loaded on the defensive side of the ball with guys like Aidal Udell, Sam Aitchison and Blake Chambliss back.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Bettendorf at Iowa City West

Clear Creek Amana at Cedar Rapids Xavier

Montezuma at Baxter

West Liberty at Tipton

Week 8 (Oct. 15)

GAME OF THE WEEK: West Delaware at Independence

Spoiler alert: My preliminary ballot for The Gazette’s preseason poll has West Delaware at No. 2 in Class 3A, Independence at No. 4. So this Highway 20 showdown could be the area game of the year. The Hawks’ two losses last year came by a combined seven points, including a 24-21 postseason setback to eventual 3A state champion North Scott. Wyatt Voelker rushed for 1,294 yards and accumulated 91 tackles as a junior. Indee (6-2) brings back senior Marcus Beatty and junior Mitchell Johnson, who combined for 379 all-purpose yards per game.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

Cascade at MFL MarMac

Easton Valley at Lansing Kee

Iowa City West at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Johnston at Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Week 9 (Oct. 22)

GAME OF THE WEEK: Cedar Rapids Prairie at Linn-Mar

Tim Lovell takes the reins at Linn-Mar, and the Lions could surprise after going 1-5 last season. Clayton Muszynski will be a third-year defensive stalwart. Prairie won this game 42-0 last year. It will be far more competitive this time.

FOUR OTHERS TO WATCH

(Note: Week 9 is the first week of playoffs in 2A, 1A, A and 8-Player)

Decorah at Waverly-Shell Rock

Iowa City High at Davenport Central

Pleasant Valley at Iowa City West

Pella at Cedar Rapids Washington

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com