Iowa high school football Week 1 roundup: Final scores, stats and more

Football is back. It wasn't always a given amid the coronavirus pandemic, but what should be an unusual Iowa high school football season kicked off in full swing with Week 1 Friday night.

Find Gazette area scores, stats, photos and more coverage below.

4A No. 6 Cedar Rapids Kennedy 35, Cedar Rapids Prairie 34 (OT)

Certainly wild. A bit controversial.

Definitely entertaining.

The ebb and flow of a crazy game between Cedar Rapids Prairie and Cedar Rapids Kennedy ended in a couple confusing situations in overtime that left the Class 4A sixth-ranked Cougars celebrating and the Hawks scratching their heads.

Kennedy recovered a fumble in the end zone on fourth down and benefited from a missed extra-point attempt for a 35-34 overtime victory in the prep football opener Friday night at John Wall Field.

» Read the full story from The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher

How's that for a season opener? August 29, 2020

How's that for a season opener? @CRKFootball gets it done in OT.https://t.co/wu58nXZ6hX #iahsfb pic.twitter.com/DViaqalNx3

— Iowa Prep Sports (@iowaprepsports)

Updates »

Cedar Rapids Washington 55, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 0

Cedar Rapids Jefferson ended a long losing streak in this series last season, presumably making the longtime crosstown football rivalry a rivalry again.

Well, maybe.

Cedar Rapids Washington went back to victorious ways and then some Friday night, dominating in every conceivable way, 55-0, at steamy Kingston Stadium.

The Warriors have won 19 of the last 20 contests between the schools, making amends, in their minds, for Jefferson's 24-7 win last season. That was the J-Hawks' first against Wash since 2001.

» Read the full story from The Gazette's Jeff Johnson

The fast start August 29, 2020

The fast start @CRWarriorFB wanted. All Warriors in the Kingston opener.https://t.co/wu58nXZ6hX #iahsfb pic.twitter.com/CdVqa83GkM

— Iowa Prep Sports (@iowaprepsports)

Updates »

Iowa City West 27, Iowa City Liberty 0

In an odd night all the way around, it took Iowa City West awhile to get started.

The Trojans and Iowa City Liberty opened the 2020 prep football season before no fans due to the recent rash of COVID-19 cases in Johnson County. With the lack of usual energy coming from the fans, West had to generate some on its own.

When that is needed, it helps to have an all-state quarterback to get things going. After a slow first half, West senior Marcus Morgan accounted for three second-half touchdowns as the Trojans blanked the Lightning.

» Read the full story from Gazette correspondent Mike Condon

3A No. 4 Cedar Rapids Xavier 38, 3A No. 8 Western Dubuque 21

As the final seconds ticked away, Duane Schulte's coaching life passed before his eyes.

'I was thinking about all the guys, all the way back to the LaSalle guys, who were a part of this,' he said.

The Class 3A fourth-ranked Xavier Saints were streak snappers and milestone makers, racking up a balanced 403 yards and downing No. 8 Western Dubuque, 38-21, in a non-district football game Friday night at Saints Field.

The victory was the 200th for Schulte. He is the 56th coach in state history to reach that milestone.

» Read the full story from The Gazette's Jeff Linder

Win #1 in 2020 for August 29, 2020

Win #1 in 2020 for @CRXavierFB is career win #200 for head coach Duane Schulte. #iahsfb pic.twitter.com/0GAelmUCzg

— Iowa Prep Sports (@iowaprepsports)

Iowa City High 35, Davenport Central 14

The new-look Little Hawks of Iowa City High took some time to start humming, but once it began, they didn't stop. On the strength of a burly offensive line, the Little Hawks piled up 297 yards on the ground en route to a 35-14 win over Davenport Central on Friday night at Bates Field.

'I think as the game went, we were able to wear them down,' City High head coach Dan Sabers said.

'They didn't have as many numbers as we did. We have a lot of good backs that keep bringing it to them and running hard.'

With healthy numbers heading into the 2020 season, the Little Hawks were looking to take their first steps to rebound from a 2-7 mark last year.

They were a bit slow out of the gate. Senior quarterback Raph Hamilton connected with Gable Mitchell on a 48-yard bomb on their second possession. Aside from that, the Little Hawks were languishing through a 7-7 draw midway through the second quarter. Then something clicked.

Taking over at their own 17, City High used six ball carriers on an 11-play, 83-yard drive that included a 19-yard burst from Jamari Newson, followed by a 13-yard jaunt from Keyshawn Voss. Newson capped the drive with an 8-yard run, putting City High up 14-7 with 2:54 to play in the half.

The Little Hawks regained possession at their own 34 with 1:54 left before the break. They quickly responded with a seven-play, 66-yard drive, with 48 yards coming on the ground. Newson scored for a second time, from 4 yards 

out.

City High looked to put the game away on their first possession of the second half. The ground game put them at the doorstep at the Blue Devils' 7. Hamilton's pass in the end zone was picked off and returned 60 yards to the Little Hawks' 40. Brian Mitchell punched one in from 4 yards out, cutting into City High's lead at 21-14.

City High entered the fourth quarter with a two-score lead. Sila Lulinda took a hole up the middle from 13 yards to put the game out of reach.

— Culley Kline

2A No. 4 Williamsburg 17, 2A No. 6 Solon 14

Facing a fourth-and-goal in the final minutes of Friday's game, the Raiders sent Alex Marovets out to attempt a 20-yard field goal. He hit it.

''Marv stepped up,' Williamsburg Coach Curt Ritchie said. 'He's really concentrated on kicking. It was really good to see something good happen to him because he's got a pressure on him.'

The kick put the Raiders up 17-14 with just 1:39 left to go. Williamsburg then forced an interception.

'We really had to play with some heart and give it our all,' Williamsburg quarterback Levi Weldon said. 'And I think we did that tonight.'

The Spartans led early as Blake Timmons connected with Colton Hoffman for a 23-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter.

Williamsburg answered back as Weldon found Gable Dayton for a 20-yard TD with 31 seconds left in the second quarter. Dayton's score capped a 10-play, 61-yard drive, and tied the game at 7-7.

Solon struck first in the second half as Timmons rolled out and found Lucas TePoel for a 37-yard completion. On the next play, Jackson Ryan tiptoed the sidelines and scampered in for a 21-yard score.

Whoop!August 29, 2020

Whoop!https://t.co/Frj5HHhnqd #iahsfb pic.twitter.com/i3zheS6zjB

— Iowa Prep Sports (@iowaprepsports)

Jackson Ryan slices through the Williamsburg defense for a 21-yard TD and Solon takes a 14-7 lead in the 3rd

Trailing by seven in the fourth quarter, Weldon heaved a pass to John Steinmetz, resulting in a 33-yard connection that set the Raiders up at the 1. Two plays later, Weldon found Steinmetz from 2 yards out to tie the game at 14-14 with 5:57 left.

'He (Steinmetz) said, 'If I get open, just throw that thing up.' And that's what we did,' Weldon said. 'I can trust him, he's a good receiver.'

Weldon lead the way for the Raiders completing 11 of 20 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

— Culley Kline

Pleasant Valley 45, A No. 1 Iowa City Regina 13

 The top-ranked team in Class A, Iowa City Regina, needed an opponent for Week 1.

Dyersville Beckman had to cancel the originally scheduled season-opener after positive COVID-19 tests.

Class 4A Pleasant Valley offered to make the trip and it ended up being fruitful for the Spartans, who started the season with a 45-13 victory.

The Regals had high hopes early in the game after compiling a 13-play drive before fumbling inside the Spartan 10.

After holding the visitors to several short gains, Regina forced a fumble of its own seven plays later and scored the first points of the game when senior quarterback Ashton Cook found classmate Alec Wick for a 22-yard strike with 3:30 left in the opening quarter.

After Pleasant Valley responded with 21 points over the next 10 minutes of game time, Cook again found Wick. This time the seniors combined for a 77-yard gem with Cook taking a hit just as he released the ball, finding a wide-open Wick striding down the Regina sideline as the Regal fans went crazy and the score tightened to 21-13.

But the Spartans scored another 24 points in the second half for a 32-point victory.

— Justin Webster

Decorah 19, 2A No. 1 Waukon 18

Down 18-12 in the fourth quarter, Decorah drove 68 yards and scored on a 14-yard pass from Briggs Duwe to Joe Bockman with 57.2 seconds left as the Vikings upset No. 1 Waukon, 19-18, on the opening night of high school football.

Brody Young's PAT was the difference in this northeast Iowa showdown.

The Vikings scored twice in the third to lead 12-0 going into the fourth quarter, but Waukon came alive with 6:24 left in the game to scored on a 2-yard run by Creed Welch.

 Waukon scored again on its next possession on two-yard run by Ethan O'Neil to go up 18-12.

— Randy Iverson

Washington 19, 4A No. 8 Bettendorf 10

Trashaun Willis' pick-6 in the fourth quarter sealed Washington's upset of the Bulldogs.

Down 10-6 at halftime, Wyatt Stout fired the Demons up in the locker room, then a Spencer Sotelo interception led to a Wilx Witthoft TD and Washington led 12-10 with 3:16 left in the third.

— Doug Brenneman

Independence 34, Center Point-Urbana 7

Marcus Beatty rushed for 248 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Mustangs rolled to a lopsided win at home.

Beatty averaged 8.3 yards on his 30 carries and scored on runs of 60, 40 and 5 yards.

Brady McDonald and Koby Beatty also scored for Indee.

— Matt Shannon

1A No. 3 West Branch 17, Tipton 8

Gavin Hierseman passed for 223 yards and two touchdowns as the Bears won their opener.

Hierseman found Simon Palmer from 8 yards out to give the Bears a 10-8 lead late in the first half and hit Carver Boelk with a 17-yard strike in the fourth quarter .

— Jason Miller

Benton Community 28, Vinton-Shellsburg 21

Colin Buch rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown and passed for another score as the Bobcats won in Vinton.

Samuel Wallace returned a kickoff 94 yards for Benton's first score.

Mount Vernon 27, Camanche 14

Brady Ketchum passed for 161 yards and two touchdowns and Trenton Pitlik rushed for 162 yards and two scores as the Mustangs won at home.

Ketchum hit Collin Swantz on TD passes of 11 and 24 yards.

Springville 60, Central City 14

Spencer DeMean rushed for 262 yards and scored five touchdowns as the Orioles won at home.

DeMean had two TDs called back penalty.

Luke Menster scored twice for Springville, on a 57 yard pass from Bryce Wilson and a 65-yard punt return.

— Daryl Schepanski

A No. 9 South Winneshiek 20, North Fayette Valley 10

Jacob Herold rushed for one touchdown and scored another on a pass as the Warriors won at home.

Zach Taylor also scored for South Winn, on an interception return.

Cole Everitt scored for NFV on a 75-yard pass from Tanner Johnson. 

— Darin Svenson

Monticello 28, Cascade 27

Luke Lambert completed 14 of 22 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns, and Tyler Luensman had 10 catches for 76 yards and two scores, as the host Panthers held off Cascade.

Both teams scored four touchdowns, but the Panthers converted one more extra point than the Cougars, as kicker Christian Castillo went 4-for-4 on PATs.

Cascade sophomore Jack Menster carried 18 times for 156 yards and three touchdowns, including a 98-yard scoring run in the first quarter.

— Pete Temple

Dubuque Hempstead 28, Linn-Mar 7

Quarterback Aidan Dunne completed 10 of 15 passes for 123 yards and added 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns, Zach Sabers ran for two scores and Jackson Ostrander hauled in seven passes for 110 yards the Mustangs won at home,

— Steve Ortman

How the ranked teams fared

Two No. 1 teams fell (3A No. 1 Pella to No. 2 Dallas Center-Grimes and 2A No. 1 Waukon to Decorah). Another got tested (4A No. 1 Dowling held off Indianola).

There was no shortage of quality football played in Week 1 around the state and there are sure to be shake-ups in the next Gazette poll.

Here's a look at how all the ranked teams fared.

Gazette area score list

CLASS 4A

No. 4 Cedar Falls 24, Dubuque Senior 16

No. 6 Cedar Rapids Kennedy 35, Cedar Rapids Prairie 34 (OT)

Cedar Rapids Washington 55, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 0

Dubuque Hempstead 28, Linn-Mar 7

Iowa City High 35, Davenport Central 14

Iowa City West 27, Iowa City Liberty 0

Waterloo West 38, Waterloo East 14

CLASS 3A

District 3

No. 4 Cedar Rapids Xavier 38, No. 8 Western Dubuque 21

Decorah 19, 2A No. 1 Waukon 18

New Hampton 15, Charles City 8

Waterloo West 38, Waterloo East 14

Waverly-Shell Rock 49, Crestwood 13

No. 8 West Delaware 35, Dubuque Wahlert 0

District 4

Davenport Assumption 54, Davenport West 0

DeWitt Central 14, Ottumwa 7

No. 6 North Scott 26, Muscatine 0

No. 8 West Delaware 35, Dubuque Wahlert 0

District 5

Fairfield 15, Knoxville 7

Fort Madison 23, West Burlington 8

Keokuk 19, Clark County (Mo.) 14

Mount Pleasant 28, Clear Creek Amana 27

Washington 19, 4A No. 8 Bettendorf 10

District 6

No. 4 Cedar Rapids Xavier 38, No. 8 Western Dubuque 21

1A No. 5 Dike-New Hartford 47, Oskaloosa 27

No. 6 Harlan 40, No. 3 Grinnell 28

2A No. 2 Monroe PCM 44, Newton 18

Mount Pleasant 28, Clear Creek Amana 27

Benton Community 28, Vinton-Shellsburg 21

CLASS 2A

District 4

Decorah 19, No. 1 Waukon 18

Independence 34, Center Point-Urbana 7

New Hampton 15, Charles City 8

Oelwein 30, Union Community 16

A No. 9 South Winneshiek 20, North Fayette Valley 10

Waverly-Shell Rock 49, Crestwood 13

District 5

Mount Vernon 27, Camanche 14

Monticello 28, Cascade 27

DeWitt Central 14, Ottumwa 7

1A No. 3 West Branch 17, Tipton 8

West Liberty 24, Mediapolis 14

District 6

Benton Community 28, Vinton-Shellsburg 21

Independence 34, Center Point-Urbana 7

Mount Vernon 27, Camanche 14

Oelwein 30, Union Community 16

South Tama 55, Saydel 6

No. 4 Williamsburg 17, No. 6 Solon 14

District 7

Davis County 28, Centerville 19

Fort Madison 23, West Burlington 8

Pekin 37, Central Lee 31

1A No. 9 Sigourney-Keota 27, Mid-Prairie 21

No. 4 Williamsburg 17, No. 6 Solon 14

Pleasantville at Eddyville EBF

CLASS 1A

District 4

Central Springs 14, Nashua-Plainfield 8

Jesup 31, North Linn 8

A No. 3 Saint Ansgar 35, No. 8 Osage 12

Sumner-Fredericksburg 34, Postville 0

Wapsie Valley 42, Denver 20

District 5

Bellevue 41, Northeast 0

Durant 41, North Cedar 0

Monticello 28, Cascade 27

No. 3 West Branch 17, Tipton 8

Wilton 36, Highland 30

District 6

Columbus Community 34, Louisa-Muscatine 28

Southwest Valley 14, Cardinal 7

Pekin 37, Central Lee 31

No. 9 Sigourney-Keota 27, Mid-Prairie 21

West Liberty 24, Mediapolis 14

CLASS A

District 4

East Buchanan 20, Starmont 12

Edgewood-Colesburg 47, Clayton Ridge 6

No. 9 South Winneshiek 20, North Fayette Valley 10

No. 5 Wapsie Valley 42, Denver 20

District 5

Alburnett 34, North Tama 6

Bellevue 41, Northeast 0

Jesup 31, North Linn 8

MFL MarMac 65, Maquoketa Valley 28

District 6

Columbus Community 34, Louisa-Muscatine 28

Durant 41, North Cedar 0

Lisbon 20, No. 10 Belle Plaine 0 (Thursday)

Pleasant Valley 45, No. 1 Iowa City Regina 13

Wilton 36, Highland 30

District 7

Alburnett 34, North Tama 6

East Marshall 29, North Mahaska 0

No. 2 Grundy Center 20, 1A No. 6 Panorama 14

Lisbon 20, No. 10 Belle Plaine 0 (Thursday)

North Butler 7, Conrad BCLUW 6

Colfax-Mingo at Lynnville-Sully

8-PLAYER

District 2

Ackley AGWSR 72, Clarksville 20

No. 10 Easton Valley 40, No. 10 Janesville 35

North Iowa 38, Norwood Kensett 21

Riceville 38, Turkey Valley 36 (2OT)

Tripoli 60, Rockford 20

District 3

No. 1 Don Bosco 78, West Central 6

No. 10 Easton Valley 40, No. 10 Janesville 35

Lansing Kee 54, Elkader Central 12

Midland at Dunkerton, ppd.

No. 8 Springville 60, Central City 14

District 4

English Valleys 37, Lone Tree 22

New London 32, Moravia 13

Tri-County 44, Winfield-Mt. Union 8

WACO 33, HLV 32

District 5

Collins-Maxwell 27, Garwin GMG 26

Gladbrook-Reinbeck 50, Meskwaki 34

Iowa Valley 42, Colo-Nesco 7

BGM at Baxter

[IHSAA statewide score list]

JV game at North Scott stopped mid-game

The junior varsity game between host North Scott and Muscatine was stopped during the first quarter and players left the field after a report that a North Scott player tested positive for COVID-19.

KWQC reported that the varsity game is still on as scheduled.

In the 1st Quarter of tonight's JV game between North Scott and Muscatine, news breaks of a positive COVID-19 case from someone on N.S. and both teams leave the field as the game is cancelled. For now, the varsity game is still on. I'll be live from with more at 6:00 on August 28, 2020

In the 1st Quarter of tonight's JV game between North Scott and Muscatine, news breaks of a positive COVID-19 case from someone on N.S. and both teams leave the field as the game is cancelled. For now, the varsity game is still on. I'll be live from with more at 6:00 on @kwqcnews pic.twitter.com/Utas14m3lu

— Joey Donia - KWQC (@JoeyDonia)

Iowa commit ruled ineligible

When Arland Bruce IV transferred from Olathe North (Kan.) to Ankeny over the summer for a chance to play fall football it was supposed to give the Class 4A No. 2-ranked Hawks a second Iowa football commit.

But Bruce found out Friday he has been ruled ineligible by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Bruce told the Des Moines Register that he and his mother are living in Ankeny, but the IHSAA did not grant him immediate eligility because his two younger brothers are still living in Kansas with their uncle, who was given guardianship.

Bruce, a 3-star athlete, was hoping to pair with 3-star receiver Brody Brecht this season.

'We are fighting it and this will not be the end,' Bruce tweeted. 'A lot of explaining to be done by the so called 'leaders'!!!'

Met all requirements to be able to play this season and was ruled ineligible by the August 28, 2020

Met all requirements to be able to play this season and was ruled ineligible by the @IHSAA on GAMEDAY!! We are fighting it and this will not be the end...a lot of explaining to be done by the so called 'leaders'!!! @MatthewBain_ @ElginRucker @DMRegister @phillyboy14

— Arland Bruce IV (@abruceiv)

Ankeny faces crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, ranked No. 10 in 4A, on Friday.

Bruce isn't the only high-profile player to move to the state when others postponed or canceled fall sports. Kansas State quarterback commit Jake Rubley expects to suit up for No. 3 West Des Moines Valley on Friday after moving from Colorado.

Midland-Dunkerton game postponed

Friday's 8-Player game between Midland and Dunkerton has been postponed due to a 'potential COVID-19 case,' according to the Dunkerton Community School District.

The schools are hoping to play either Saturday or Monday at 7 p.m. A decision will be made by 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Due to a potential COVID-19 case, the football game vs Midland scheduled for tonight has been POSTPONED. A tentative...Dunkerton Community School District on Friday, August 28, 2020

Due to a potential COVID-19 case, the football game vs Midland scheduled for tonight has been POSTPONED. A tentative...

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Earlier this week, Dyersville Beckman canceled its game against Iowa City Regina due to a player and a coach testing positive for COVID-19. The Regals will play Pleasant Valley instead. Maquoketa also had to back out of Friday's game against DeWitt Central, which will now host Ottumwa.