Week 3 football primer

Week 3 football capsules for key area games:

DAVENPORT NORTH at CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Thursday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings: North is 0-2; Jefferson is 1-1. Both are unranked.

Overview: Jefferson picked up an important win in a 'swing game” last week, handling Cedar Rapids Prairie, 55-37. As a result, a 3-1 start is a likelihood (the J-Hawks host Davenport West next week), and a winning season is a definite possibility. The J-Hawks racked up 445 yards of offense and 24 first downs last week, with quarterback Jared Eivins running for three touchdowns and passing for two more. North's two losses came to Davenport West and Clinton.

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER at SOLON

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Solon

Records and rankings: No. 3 Xavier is 1-0 overall, 0-0 Class 3A District 4; No. 10 Solon is 1-1, 0-0.

Overview: There's no reason to believe that this winner won't own the inside track for the 3A-4 championship. Xavier had to wait a week to begin action (the Saints were stormed out vs. West Des Moines Dowling in Week 1), then was able to grind out a 14-7 home win over Davenport Assumption last week. The Saints forced five turnovers, including two interceptions by Blake Whitten. Solon bounced back from an opening-week loss to Iowa City Regina by downing Mount Vernon, 35-14, last Friday. Halston Durr has caught eight passes, five for touchdowns.

NORTH SCOTT at CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings: North Scott is 0-2; Class 4A No. 6 Kennedy is 2-0.

Overview: Kennedy already has won as many regular-season games as it did last year. The latest was a 28-24 thriller over then-No. 3 Cedar Rapids Washington. Workhorse Tyler Dralle ranks second in the big-school class with 332 rushing yards on 62 carries. He'll probably come in contact regularly with North Scott's Wyatt Wriedt, who has collected 15 tackles. This is the third straight unbeaten for North Scott, which has dropped decisions to Pleasant Valley and Muscatine.

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON at IOWA CITY WEST

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Trojan Field

Records and rankings: Class 4A No. 10 Washington is 1-1; West is 0-2.

Overview: West has faced one of the state's toughest schedules thus far, falling to Cedar Rapids Kennedy and No. 1 West Des Moines Valley. It doesn't get much easier Friday. Both teams suffered close losses to Kennedy - West by a 34-31 margin in Week 1, Washington, 28-24, last Friday. West's Oliver Martin has caught 11 passes for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Washington's Johnny Dobbs has rushed for 140 yards and four TDs.

DUBUQUE SENIOR at CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at John Wall Field

Records and rankings: Both teams are 1-1 and unranked.

Overview: Prairie has had no issues piling up the points through the first two weeks; the Hawks are averaging a healthy 34 points per game. In the Hawks' 55-37 loss at home last week to Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Jalen Rima scored on a 21-yard run, a 68-yard punt return and a 94-yard kickoff return. The Hawks have surrendered 36 points per game. That defense will be tested by Senior's Lee Bonifas, who has rushed for 210 yards, 6.4 per carry.

CLINTON at LINN-MAR

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Linn-Mar Stadium

Records and rankings: Clinton is 2-0; Linn-Mar is 0-2. Both are unranked.

Overview: The Lions will try to contain the top passer in Class 4A - junior Jonny Sullivan has thrown for 625 yards in two games, completing 39 of 53 attempts, with eight touchdowns and no interceptions. His top target, Theo Harris, also rates No. 1 in 4A in receptions (19) and receiving yards (362). He has caught five touchdown passes. Linn-Mar also has been adept in the air, behind QB Reese Phillips (330 passing yards, three touchdowns) and receiver Daniel Gorsich (12 catches, 187 yards).

IOWA CITY HIGH at AMES

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Ames

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-2 and unranked.

Overview: Both teams have started 0-2 against extremely strong competition. Both dropped close games to Cedar Falls, and if that's any barometer, this ought to be a competitive contest. City High's other loss came last week, a 44-7 defeat at the hands of Bettendorf. City's Jared Taylor has thrown for 387 yards and four touchdowns, with Jason Jones (10 catches, 238 yards, two TDs) the primary target. Ames' Ethan Hahn has passed for 340 yards, but no touchdowns and three interceptions.

CASCADE at MARION

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Thomas Park Field

Records and rankings: Both teams are 0-2 and unranked.

Overview: It has been rough sledding for both teams. A district champion last year, Cascade has allowed 115 points in the first two weeks. Marion was without Coach Tony Perkins last week and dropped its 10th consecutive game, 42-12, to Washington (Iowa). Kory Walsh has been an effective running back for the Indians, netting 215 yards and averaging nearly 7 yards per carry. John Larkin has passed for 325 yards in two weeks for the Cougars, hitting on 21.7 yards per completion.

IOWA CITY REGINA at SIGOURNEY-KEOTA

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Sigourney

Records and rankings: Top-ranked Regina is 2-0 overall, 0-0 Class 1A District 6; Sigourney-Keota is 1-1, 0-0.

Overview: Five-time defending state champion Regina begins its quest for another district title. This might be one of the more challenging games on the Regals' district schedule - Sigourney-Keota was impressive in a 44-12 blasting of Pekin last week. Regina handled Cascade, 62-24, last Friday, and has exhibited a balanced attack. Nathan Stenger has passed for 248 yards while Nick Phillips has rushed for 213.

WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK at WEST DELAWARE

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Manchester

Records and rankings: Both teams are 2-0 overall, 0-0 Class 3A District 3. West Delaware is ranked No. 2; W-SR is No. 5.

Overview: West Delaware's explosive offense (the Hawks' 47.5 points per game is tops in Class 3A) tests a Waverly-Shell Rock defense that has surrendered just 13 points in a pair of wins over Class 4A competition. Coy Roussell has rushed for 389 yards, which ranks atop 3A, and is averaging 10.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Max Ridenour has passed for 476 yards and seven touchdowns. Riley Steckelberg has 205 rushing yards to pace the Go-Hawks.

CENTER POINT-URBANA at NORTH FAYETTE VALLEY

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at West Union

Records and rankings: Eighth-rated North Fayette Valley is 1-1 overall, 0-0 Class 2A District 3; No. 9 CPU is 2-0, 0-0.

Overview: The 2A-3 race promises to be brutal again this year, with five quality teams (four of which are currently ranked) clamoring for the four playoff spots. Defending state champion North Fayette Valley suffered a 36-15 loss to Independence last week, and would like to exact some revenge on CPU, the only team that defeated the TigerHawks last season. CPU has survived a pair of close non-district games - 17-10 against Clear Creek Amana, 27-25 against Union. QB Clayton Kramer has completed 68 percent of his passes, for 377 yards.

ANAMOSA at TIPTON

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Tipton

Records and rankings: Both teams are 2-0 overall, 0-0 Class 2A District 4. Anamosa is ranked No. 6.

Overview: Both teams have two easy wins under their belts, but the combined records of the competition is 0-8. Anamosa has picked up where last year's turnaround left off, outscoring North Cedar and Oelwein by a combined 71-18 margin. Tipton handled West Liberty and Durant by a combined 75-8, and has gotten 326 rushing yards from Koby Johnston. Griffin Ormsby has nine catches for 176 yards.

OTHER GAMES INVOLVING METRO/IOWA CITY TEAMS

Central City (1-2 overall, 0-0 8-Player District 4) at Cedar Valley Christian (1-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. Friday, at LaSalle Middle School

The Gazette/KCRG/KGYM ranked teams - who and where they play. All games are Friday unless noted.

Class 4A

1. West Des Moines Valley (2-0) hosts Southeast Polk (0-2).

2. West Des Moines Dowling (1-0) is at No. 9 Waukee (1-1).

3. Bettendorf (2-0) hosts Pleasant Valley (2-0).

4. Ankeny Centennial (2-0) hosts Ankeny (1-1).

5. Cedar Falls (2-0) hosts Mason City (1-1).

6. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (2-0) hosts North Scott (0-2).

7. Lewis Central (2-0) hosts 3A No. 9 Harlan (2-0).

8. Johnston (2-0) hosts Urbandale (1-1).

9. Waukee (1-1) hosts No. 2 West Des Moines Dowling (2-0).

10. Cedar Rapids Washington (1-1) is at Iowa City West (0-2).

Class 3A

1. Pella (2-0) hosts Oskaloosa (0-2).

2. West Delaware (2-0) hosts No. 5 Waverly-Shell Rock (2-0).

3. Cedar Rapids Xavier (1-0) is at No. 10 Solon (1-1).

4. Sioux City Heelan (2-0) hosts Denison-Schleswig (0-2).

5. Dallas Center-Grimes (1-1) hosts Adel ADM (2-0).

5. Waverly-Shell Rock (2-0) is at No. 2 West Delaware (2-0).

5. Webster City (2-0) is at Carroll (1-1).

8. Norwalk (2-0) hosts Carlisle (1-1).

9. Harlan (2-0) is at 4A No. 7 Lewis Central (2-0).

10. Solon (1-1) hosts No. 3 Cedar Rapids Xavier (1-0).

Class 2A

1. Albia (2-0) is at 1A No. 5 Pella Christian (2-0).

1. Spirit Lake (2-0) hosts No. 4 Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (1-1).

3. South Tama (2-0) is at Iowa Falls-Alden (1-1).

4. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (1-1) is at No. 1 Spirit Lake (2-0).

5. Baxter CMB (2-0) hosts Davis County (0-2).

6. Anamosa (2-0) is at Tipton (2-0).

7. Waukon (2-0) is at Crestwood (1-1).

8. North Fayette Valley (1-1) hosts No. 9 Center Point-Urbana (2-0).

9. Center Point-Urbana (2-0) is at No. 8 North Fayette Valley (1-1).

10. Dyersville Beckman (1-1) hosts Oelwein (0-2).

Class 1A

1. Iowa City Regina (2-0) is at Sigourney-Keota (1-1).

2. Dike-New Hartford (2-0) hosts Class A No. 1 Denver (2-0).

3. West Branch (2-0) is at West Burlington-Notre Dame (2-0).

4. Hinton (2-0) is at Ridge View (2-0).

5. Pella Christian (2-0) hosts 2A No. 1 Albia (2-0).

6. Madrid (2-0) is at South Hamilton (0-1).

7. Panorama (2-0) hosts Southwest Valley (1-1).

7. West Lyon (1-1) hosts Sibley-Ocheyedan (2-0).

9. South Winneshiek (1-1) is at Hudson (2-0).

10. Underwood (2-0) hosts Missouri Valley (1-1).

Class A

1. Denver (2-0) is at 1A No. 2 Dike-New Hartford (2-0).

2. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (1-1) hosts Conrad BCLUW (1-1).

3. BGM (2-0) is at Iowa Valley (0-2).

4. Belmond-Klemme (2-0) is at Eagle Grove (0-2).

5. Audubon (2-0) is at Griswold (1-1).

6. Montezuma (2-0) is at Garwin GMG (1-1).

7. South O'Brien (2-0) is at LeMars Gehlen (0-2).

8. Algona Garrigan (2-0) is at Nashua-Plainfield (0-2).

8. Bedford (2-0) is at Southeast Warren (1-1).

10. Logan-Magnolia (1-1) is at Council Bluffs St. Albert (1-1).

8-Player

1. Newell-Fonda (2-0) hosts Boyer Valley (0-2).

2. Glidden-Ralston (1-0) hosts Grand View Christian (1-1).

3. Don Bosco (1-0) is idle.

3. Fremont-Mills (2-0) is at Sidney (2-0).

5. Marcus MMC (2-0) hosts No. 8 Ruthven GTRA (2-0).

6. HLV (3-0) is at Dunkerton (0-3).

7. Janesville (2-0) hosts Riceville (3-0).

8. Ruthven GTRA (2-0) is at No. 5 Marcus MMC (2-0).

9. Elkader Central (2-0) is at Springville (1-2).

10. Coon Rapids-Bayard (1-1) hosts Guthrie Center (1-1).

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