4 Downs: Gazette staff converts questions to answers about Iowa high school football

The Gazette’s Iowa high school football staff poses answers to questions about the current season. Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Nathan Ford move the chains in 4 Downs:

1st & 10: Two-point conversions have made the difference in some games this season. Would you like to see more conversion attempts or stick with the PAT?

Linder: I think it varies, team by team, kicker by kicker. If you have a kicker who is a sure thing, I think you kick the point (unless score circumstances dictate otherwise). If he (or she) is iffy, the 2-point gamble is worthwhile.

Johnson: I have a hard enough time with math, so no excess two-point conversions. Seven to 14 to 21 to 28, that’s easy. But eight to whatever comes next is hard.

Pilcher: Two-point conversions are usually viewed as “only when needed” options, unless you were Waukon during its string of UNI-Dome appearances. PATs are boring. Shrug of the shoulder if they are successful and a disappointment when they aren’t. I’d like to see more teams go for two more often. Just because.

Ford: Depends on the situation, but if there is little time left and the choice is go for two or try the PAT to tie the score, I say go for the win. Your chances of converting are better than coming out on top in a back-and-forth OT.

2nd & long: Who is your choice for best passing tandem?

Linder: The most prolific duo in the area in terms of numbers has been Vincenzo Gianforte and Cyrus Courtney of Cedar Rapids Kennedy, so I’ll go with them.

Johnson: I’m going with Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Vinny Gianforte and Cyrus Courtney.

Pilcher: I have the luxury of compiling answers and contributing last. For the sake of not repeating responses, I will go a different direction. Monticello quarterback Preston Ries and wide receiver Peyton Schilling have been impressive. Ries has passed for 710 yards and eight touchdowns with 362 yards and six of his TDs going to Schilling. In the last two wins, they have combined for 255 yards and seven TDs. Schilling is the source of 54.5 percent of Ries’ completions, 50.1 percent of his yardage and 75 percent of his TDs.

Ford: Iowa City Regina’s Gentry Dumont has thrown six touchdown passes to Jackson Naeve already this season after they combined for eight last year. That’s a connection I can trust.

3rd & short: How would you grade the NCAA Division I talent of the area for the Class of 2026 and 2025? Anyone flying under the radar?

Linder: Oh, boy … I have no scouting ability whatsoever. Kennedy’s Nicolai Brooks obviously was a big get for Iowa. As far as sifting through 3-stars and 4-stars and all of that, I’ll leave it to the “experts.”

Johnson: Don’t know about flying under the radar, but some non-seniors I have seen so far this season who have impressed me are Dylan Muszynski and Tyree Alons of Linn-Mar, Jack Wallace and Mason Woods of Iowa City West, Ishara Kalolero of Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Brock Davis of Cedar Rapids Washington. That’s just off the top of my head.

Pilcher: I think there has been a continuous growth in D-I talent in the area. The number of players that have garnered attention from D-I programs seems to increase every year. East Buchanan’s Cody Fox, Williamsburg’s Derek Weisskopf, Ries of Monticello, Linn-Mar’s Keaton Roskop and Iowa City High’s Tono Cornell lead the way for 2024 graduates. Kennedy’s Nicolai Brooks committed to the University of Iowa and is one of the nation’s best. He is joined by Clear Creek Amana’s Brody Clubb as D-I prospects from the 2025 class. Even though he is outside the area, Iowa fans should keep eyes on Fort Dodge’s Dreshaun Ross (2026). His ability in football and wrestling gives off Ben Kueter vibes. I’m a huge fan of Cedar Rapids Prairie senior Apollo Payne. He may be projected at the FCS level but he could be a steal for a college program.

Ford: With 4-star lineman Nick Brooks leading the charge and 3-star athletes like Mason Woods (Iowa City West) and Brody Clubb (Clear Creek Amana) drawing high-level interest, it looks like 2025 could be a banner year. That’s not surprising. Iowa is producing a lot of FBS-level talent these days, so much that players who graduate with zero stars will show up on Big Ten or Big 12 fields in a few years. Williamsburg’s Kaden Wetjen went to Iowa Western in 2021 and now he’s getting touches for the Hawkeyes. I’m not smart enough to point out the 2025 or 2026 versions of that story, but I’m confident they’ll emerge.

4th & goal: Friday night is tradition, but Thursday games are on the rise and some Saturday games have occurred. Should “Friday Night Lights“ expand?

Linder: We’re going to see more of them, particularly on Thursdays, due to the officials’ shortage. I’m good with it on Thursdays, not a fan of Saturday games because I think attendance will be hurt by college games.

Johnson: I’m of the age where I remember Cedar Rapids LaSalle and Cedar Rapids Regis also using Kingston Stadium, which meant many weeks there would be games Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there. I miss that.

Pilcher: Thursday games aren’t new for Cedar Rapids public schools. There was something cool about playing Thursday and going to school the next day after a win. Plus, we’d go watch friends play on Friday night. I covered a Saturday game between Linn-Mar and Kennedy at Kingston Stadium. I believe weather pushed it back a day. Jer Garman rushed for more than 200 yards and three TDs, including two in the final quarter for a 21-14 Lions win. It was a cool experience, like Kennedy and West Des Moines Dowling. It’s like smaller college conferences playing mid-week for TV exposure. Thursday-Friday-Saturday prep games are cool, but not every week.

Ford: Selfishly, I like spreading more games around because it means we in the media can see more teams and players (and Friday nights are less chaotic). But if I were in high school, I’m not sure I’d want one of those Friday night football games taken away — as a football player, band member or student section supporter. Something is different about the energy of a fall Friday, and you only get so many.