Iowa City High and Liberty will open 2022 football season at Kinnick Stadium

Kinnick’s high school football history includes first IHSAA championship games in 1972

Aug. 1, 2022 2:04 pm, Updated: Aug. 1, 2022 3:22 pm

A look at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City before the 2019 season. (The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — Iowa City High announced Monday its season-opening football game against Iowa City Liberty will be played at Kinnick Stadium.

The game, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26, has been dubbed “Clash at Kinnick.”

Kinnick Stadium’s high school football history includes hosting two state championship games in 1972, the first year the Iowa High School Athletic Association conducted football playoffs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson beat West Des Moines Dowling in the 4A final, while Cedar Rapids Regis fell to Harlan in 3A. Kinnick also was the site for all four state championship games in 1973 and the 4A and 1A title games in 1975.

City High, in a relase, noted “50 years later, the Little Hawks are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a little part of Kinnick Stadium’s rich history. We will swarm, we will wave, and we will be back in black!”

The Little Hawks, led by Iowa linebacker commit Ben Kueter, were 10-2 last season and reached the Class 5A state semifinals. Liberty is coming off a 3-6 season.