Week 3 Eastern Iowa high school football preview capsules

Gazette area football capsules for Week 3:

Bettendorf at Cedar Rapids Washington

Time and site — 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings — Both teams are 1-1. Bettendorf is ranked No. 7 in Class 4A.

Overview — This has the potential to be one of this week's best games on the 4A slate statewide. Both teams rebounded after Week 1 defeats with resounding victories. Washington handled Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 24-14, and senior Haven Henningsen ranks fifth among 4A rushers with 300 yards (on 62 carries). Bettendorf blew out a good 3A foe in Davenport Assumption, 45-7, and the Bulldogs look like an overwhelming pick in 4A District 7 once that schedule begins in two weeks.

Iowa City West at Cedar Falls

Time and site — 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Cedar Falls (UNI-Dome)

Records and rankings — Both teams are 2-0. West is ranked No. 3 in Class 4A; Cedar Falls is No. 10.

Overview — Cedar Falls has put the hammer down in its first two weeks, dropping Fort Dodge and Ames by a combined count of 120-14. Sam Gary is one of the top 4A rushers, at 302 yards, an 11.2-yard average and six touchdowns, while Luke Gillett has completed two-thirds of his throws for 270 yards, five TDs and no interceptions. West ripped Muscatine, 51-3, last week, and has a quarterback gem of its own in Evan Flitz, whose 572 yards tops all passers in all classes. Traevis Buchanan has caught 12 passes for 245 yards.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson at Linn-Mar

Time and site — 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Linn-Mar Stadium

Records and rankings — Both teams are 0-2.

Overview — Yes, both teams are 0-2. But this looks like an intriguing, dead-even matchup. Linn-Mar's defense appears much better than a year ago, limiting Cedar Rapids Xavier to 16 points last week. But the Lions have managed just 13 points in two weeks. Jefferson is coming off a 28-0 loss to Cedar Rapids Prairie. Jefferson's Kyler Bell has eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown.

Clinton at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Time and site — 7:15 p.m. Friday, at John Wall Field

Records and rankings — Clinton is 1-1; Class 4A No. 9 Prairie is 2-0.

Overview — Prairie chases its 11th consecutive regular-season victory, and is a solid favorite to achieve it. The Hawks are averaging 266 rushing yards per game, led by junior workhorse Keegan Simmons (50 carries, 302 yards, 2 TDs). Clinton has been a pass-happy outfit in recent years, but has put the ball in the air just 18 times in the first two games this season. The River Kings are coming off a 56-13 loss to North Scott.

Iowa City High at Ames

Time and site — 7 p.m. Friday, at Ames

Records and rankings — Both teams are 1-1.

Overview — Call it the Little Cy-Hawk game, and both teams are licking their wounds after lopsided Week 2 losses. Ames was shelled by Cedar Falls, 65-7, and City High absorbed a 35-0 beating by Pleasant Valley. City High senior Zach Jones has emerged as one of the area's top early-season receivers, catching 13 passes for 196 yards. Ames quarterbacks Joe Evans and Cooper Downs have combined to throw for 517 yards and six touchdowns.

Benton Community at Cedar Rapids Xavier

Time and site — 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Saints Field

Records and rankings — Both teams are 2-0 overall, 0-0 Class 3A District 3; Xavier is ranked No. 1.

Overview — Here's what we've learned through two weeks about Cedar Rapids Xavier: The Saints can play defense. They've allowed just six points in the first two games, including a blanking of Linn-Mar last week. In addition to his solid quarterback play, Quinn Schulte has intercepted two passes. Benton was the superior team in the trenches in last week's 17-14 win over Marion, outgaining the Indians by a 3-to-1 margin. QB Spencer Touro has completed nearly 80 percent of his passes, with a 4-to-0 TD-to-INT ledger.

Marion at DeWitt Central

Time and site — 7:15 p.m. Friday, at DeWitt

Records and rankings — Marion is 1-1 overall, 0-0 Class 3A District 4; Central is 0-2, 0-0.

Overview — Marion opens the District 4 schedule against three straight teams that are currently 0-2, so there's plenty of opportunity for a fast district start. The Indians will try to rebound from last week's loss at Benton behind the QB-receiver tandem of Trevor Paulsen (353 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs) and Blair Brooks (9 receptions, 117 yards, 3 TDs). Central is coming off a 47-0 drubbing at the hands of Cascade.

Wapello at Iowa City Regina

Time and site — 7 p.m. Friday, at Regina

Records and rankings — Wapello is 1-1 overall, 0-0 Class 1A District 4; third-ranked Regina is 0-2, 0-0.

Overview — Regina is 0-2 for the first time since 2002, and has managed just one trip into the end zone in its first two games. The good news is that district play awaits, and the Regals remain the favorites to capture the 1A-4 title. Despite the tough early competition, Isaac Vollstedt has netted 219 rushing yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Wapello is coming off a 42-0 win over Winfield-Mount Union, but this is a big climb in competition for the Indians.

East Buchanan at North Linn

Time and site — 7 p.m. Friday, at Troy Mills

Records and rankings — Both teams are 2-0 overall, 0-0 Class A District 4.

Overview — Five teams from A-4 got through the pre-district portion of the slate without a blemish, and now the fun begins. Both of these teams were impressive in the first two weeks; East Buchanan outscored its first two foes by a 62-12 margin, and it was 62-6 for North Linn. Ryan Miller is a big-play guy for the Lynx; he has rushed for 399 yards (11.7 per carry) and four touchdowns, and is the primary return specialist. East Buchanan remains a run-heavy attack, with Braydon Nunemaker (173 yards, 2 TDs) leading a balanced attack.

Alburnett at Wapsie Valley

Time and site — 7 p.m. Friday, at Fairbank

Records and rankings — Both teams are 2-0 overall, 0-0 Class A District 4.

Overview — Of the five unbeatens in this district, Alburnett is the biggest surprise. The Pirates in no way resemble last year's 1-8 squad that averaged 7 points per game. The Pirates toppled Belle Plaine last week by a 27-10 verdict and have a strong running game led by Tanner Sloan (44 carries, 296 yards, 5 TDs). Wapsie Valley raised some eyebrowns with a 27-6 triumph over former 2A No. 4 Denver, in which the Warriors led 27-0 at halftime.

Dyersville Beckman at Waukon

Time and site — 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Waukon

Records and rankings — Beckman is 1-1 overall, 0-0 Class 2A District 4; No. 1 Waukon is 2-0, 0-0.

Overview — Waukon claimed the top spot in the 2A rankings after holding off New Hampton, 28-20, last week, and open the district slate with a pair of challenges against Beckman and Cascade. Mitchell Snitker is a two-way star, rushing for 239 yards and leading the team in tackles (11.5). Jadon Johnson already has four interceptions. Beckman dropped a 34-21 decision to Class 4A Western Dubuque last week. Owen Grover and Carter White lead the ground attack with 242 yards between them.

Dubuque Hempstead at Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Time and site — 7:15 p.m. Thursday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings — Both teams are 1-1.

Overview — Kennedy is heavily favored to bounce back after a disappointing 24-14 loss to Cedar Rapids Washington last week. The Cougars have been potent through the air, with B.J. White completing 66 percent of his passes for 267 yards. Sam Harrison has caught two TD passes. Hempstead is coming off a 33-7 loss to Waterloo West last week. Chase Sabers has rushed for 176 yards, and Wil Courtney is a big-play threat on the outside, averaging 25.6 yards per reception.

Update: Short-handed Kennedy tops Hempstead, 24-7

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com