Independence, Alburnett end double-digit skids

Chris Evers said it simply and accurately:

"One thing about high school sports," said Evers, the football coach at Alburnett High School. "Yesterday doesn't matter."

Double-digit losing streak? Doesn't matter. It's over now. For Alburnett. And for Independence.

All that matters now: 1-0.

Independence broke a 27-game losing streak Friday, coming back from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat Waterloo Columbus, 27-24.

"Three years have been too long," Blaize Cabell told the Waterloo Courier after rushing for 216 yards and four touchdowns in the win.

Independence had not won since a 27-26 win over Vinton-Shellsburg in the 2006 finale. And Friday's game got off to an inauspicious beginning: Columbus returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

The Mustangs trailed, 17-7, at the half before scoring three straight touchdowns -- all on the ground, all from Cabell.

There was much less drama to Alburnett's skid-breaker; the Pirates handled North Linn, 33-6, to end a 10-game skein.

Like Independence, the Pirates put their skid behind them thanks to a wear-you-down running game in the second half, mostly behind Mitch Harger (188 yards on 11 carries). The Pirates accumulated 230 second-half rushing yards.

"We struggled early. I think there were some first-game jitters there," Evers said. "But we made some halftime adjustments and we came off the ball better."

Last year, it was the Pirates that were running out of gas late. They played one game with 11 players.

Alburnett dressed 26 varsity players Friday.

"We're just a year older now," Evers said.

The hype begins here

Assuming the polls don't change, Iowa City Regina will take the Class 2A No. 1 ranking into Solon on Friday for a non-district matchup with the 3A second-rated Spartans.

Solon (1-0) extended its winning streak to 42 games with a 35-13 victory over DeWitt Central. Brian Jedlicka rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Regina (1-0) warmed up for the showdown with a 42-6 romp over Class A No. 5 BGM. The Regals led, 35-0, at halftime, then coasted from there.

Solon has defeated Regina three times in the last two seasons, including last year in the 2A playoffs. The Spartans won the last three 2A state titles before moving to 3A this fall.

Quick slants

* Elkader Central's Zack Tade rushed for 330 yards on 25 carries, including scoring runs of 76, 64 and 46 yards in a 31-6 win over MFL MarMac.

* Clayton Ridge's Jeremy Greve rushed for 214 yards and five touchdowns in the Eagles' 38-34 victory over Cascade.

* Clear Creek Amana's Dillon Vallahur completed 23 of 40 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns as the Clippers downed Mount Pleasant, 28-20.

* Maquoketa's

Brad Waller kicked three field goals and grabbed an 8-yard scoring reception in the Cardinals' 30-20 triumph over West Delaware.