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Iowa City High calls down the thunder on Liberty
Little Hawks win “the Battle for Zeus” between Iowa City schools, 41-0
Iowa City High running back Jamari Newson attempts to stiff-arm Liberty linebacker Mason Koller during a football game between Iowa City Liberty and Iowa City High at Liberty High School on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. The Little Hawks defeated the Lightning 41-0. (Jerod Ringwald/Freelance)
NORTH LIBERTY — Welcome to Iowa City High, Coach Moore.
The Mitch Moore era at City High (1-0) got off to an explosive and victorious start Friday night at Iowa City Liberty.
The Little Hawks dominated all four quarters en route to a 41-0 victory over the Lightning at Iowa City Liberty (0-1). With the win, the Little Hawks reclaim the Battle for Zeus title and Clash for the Titans trophy.
“To me, this is about as big of a community win as I’ve ever been a part of,” Moore said. “To come and really set the tone for the season felt pretty good.”
Moore made a gutsy call early, which set the tone for the entire game.
On its second possession in the first quarter, facing a fourth-and-1 from its own 27, City High lined up in punt formation. Instead of giving it the boot, Gable Mitchell ran to his right and picked up 2 yards.
“We’ve got our most savvy football player back there in Gable Mitchell,” Moore said. “We put the ball in his hands and we just let him be an athlete. He turned from punter to playmaker.”
Eight plays later, Quinton Tran found Ben Keuter open in the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown.
The gutsy call gave City High momentum that it wouldn’t relinquish.
“Game one is a momentum football game,” Moore said. “Once we got that play, we didn’t turn back.”
Moments later, City High’s defense put the heat on Liberty quarterback Tye Hughes and forced a fumble that Gabe Orris recovered in the end zone.
Joey Bouska capped the explosive first quarter for the Little Hawks with a 10-yard touchdown run, giving City High a 21-0 lead.
The Little Hawks kept their foot on the gas pedal in the second quarter as Tran again found paydirt, this time with his feet, scampering past multiple defenders into the end zone for a 14-yard score.
Then with 2:36 left in the first half, Ronnie Major found a hole and exploded for a 53-yard score. Darren Richardson punched in the two-point conversion and City High took a 35-0 lead into intermission.
City High’s offense produced 12 first-half first downs, and the defense help Liberty to just two.
“We build this program around our defense,” Moore said. “The type of program we want to be is a tough, physical, detailed program.”
Iowa City Liberty wide receiver and defensive back Amari Thigpen avoids a tackle from Iowa City High defensive end Gavin Cook while returning a punt in the first quarter of a football game between Iowa City Liberty and Iowa City High at Iowa City Liberty High School on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (Jerod Ringwald/Freelance)
The continuous clock ran throughout the majority of the second half. CIty High added a late touchdown on a 77-yard completion from Drew Larson to Kueter to make the final score 41-0.
“We’re going to have a football team that plays with great passion, great energy and that really wants to represent our community the best way we can,” said Moore.
