4 Downs: Gazette staff provide perspective on the Iowa high school football landscape

The Gazette’s Iowa high school football staff poses and answers questions about the current season. See how much Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Nathan Ford can gain in 4 Downs:

1st & 10: The saying is “Teams grow the most from Week 1 to Week 2.” What team made the most gains between the first two weeks?

Jeff Linder: I’m going to cheat just a bit because it was actually from Week 0 to Week 2. Central City dominated the Tractor Bowl, 44-14, over Springville – the team I had slotted as the preseason favorite in 8-Player District 5. The Wildcats face a coinflip game against Edgewood-Colesburg this week. Win that, and I think they’ve got the inside track to repeat as district champions.

Jeff Johnson: Man, I don’t know. I’m gonna go with Sigouney-Keota. The Cobras lost their opener two weeks ago to Monroe PCM, 54-14, and bounced back last week to knock off Mediapolis, 23-7.

K.J. Pilcher: Sigourney-Keota was thumped by PCM, 54-14, in Week 1. The Cobras rebounded with a 23-7 victory over a Mediapolis squad I had in the top 10. Sigourney-Keota held the Bulldogs to one score and 220 yards, forcing three turnovers. The Cobras established their run game, amassing 330 yards on 39 carries, while attempting just one pass. Isaac Bruns accounted for 182 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Big turnaround over two weeks for Sigourney-Keota.

Nathan Ford: It was a little surprising that Waukon was shut out 33-0 by Decorah in the season opener (although it looks like Decorah is a really good 4A team). Waukon immediately bounced back in Week 2 with a 20-0 halftime lead en route to a 28-12 victory against an MFL MarMac team that was ranked in 1A. Quarterback Jaxon Brinkman rushed for 151 yards and two TDs after totaling minus-2 against the Vikings.

2nd & long: What is your takeaway from last week’s three winning teams (BGM, Belle Plaine and Montezuma) in 8-Player District 7 combining for a 236-20 advantage?

Jeff Linder: The three SICL teams are far superior to the three Bluegrass teams in this league (though Moravia had a nice squad last year). All three of them are explosive offensively, and Week 3 should be more of the same: Montezuma hosts Melcher-Dallas and Belle Plaine goes to Moravia (BGM is idle). Expect two more 8P-7 mismatches.

Jeff Johnson: There are six teams in that district. Three of them are WAY better than the other three. Nailed it, didn’t I?

K.J. Pilcher: Expect a lot of this when the district’s Big 3 aren’t facing each other. These results are cyclical sometimes. BGM and Montezuma have been powered by big playmakers. This year is much of the same with the Bears’ Beau Burns (26 total TDs) and the Braves’ Brady Boulton (12 TDs). Belle Plaine rebuilt to get this point after two losing seasons. The Plainsmen turned heads with a season-opening win over Clarksville and two blowout victories against HLV and Melcher-Dallas.

Nathan Ford: This is high school football – blowouts happen, especially in the high-scoring 8-Player game. That said, I think a move away from district football similar to Class 5A could help. Use historical success benchmarks to help determine regular-season opponents or let the schools make their schedules. If RPI is too controversial, open the playoffs to everyone. I like the current exclusivity but the postseasons in every other spot are just fine with everyone taking part. It would put less pressure on the regular season (and cut a game), opening the door for more creative scheduling and even matchups.

3rd & Short: Most impressive start: Iowa City Liberty, Solon or Iowa Valley?

Jeff Linder: Greeting to Iowa City Liberty, city champions. The Lightning lead 5A in scoring (52.5 points per game) and has racked up 518 yards per contest. Making it more impressive is the balance. More than 200-plus yards per game both rushing and passing.

Jeff Johnson: Liberty, Liberty, Lib-erty, Lib-erty. A first-year head coach, beating its city rivals in back-to-back weeks … that’s impressive.

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K.J. Pilcher: A good case could be made for any of the three. Iowa Valley and Nolan Kriegel have been fantastic, scoring a ton with quality wins over BGM and Waco. Solon beat Davenport Assumption and Clear Creek Amana by a combined 75-21. Iowa City Liberty has been off the chain, beating Iowa City West and Iowa City High and capturing the Iowa City Community School District championship. The supercharged Lightning offense has been most impressive, averaging 52.5 points per game with seven TDs passing and seven TDs rushing through the first two weeks.

Nathan Ford: All three Iowa City school district teams were right around the Class 5A top 10 at the start of the season for me, so for Liberty to put up 105 points combined against the other two in a pair of wins has been the most impressive.

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4th & Goal: This is an oldie but a goodie. If you were picking a high school fantasy league team, what area 11-player athlete is your No. 1 pick?

Jeff Linder: Despite West Delaware’s 0-2 start, I’m sticking with Brent Yonkovic of West Delaware because of his ability both to run and pass.

Jeff Johnson: If the league is touchdown prominent, then I’m going with Northeast quarterback Gavin Kramer. He’s got 11 of ‘em in two games.

K.J. Pilcher: Even though the numbers aren’t earth-shattering through the first two weeks, I’m going with Williamsburg’s Rayce Heitman. He has 10 catches for 187 yards with four TDs. He had half his catches for 120 yards and three TDs in Week 1 against West Branch. Heitman is the total package capable of scoring on offense, defense and special teams as a returner. He’s my No. 1 pick.

Nathan Ford: I’ve been out of the fantasy football game for too long to know the best draft strategies. I do know Iowa City West quarterback Jack Wallace has thrown for 560 yards and five touchdowns in two weeks and rushed for three more scores. That’ll play.