Jeff Johnson

Matthew Sop of the Iowa Heartlanders is tied for second in the ECHL in points a dozen or so games into the season. The 21-year-old rookie forward is living away from home for the first time, spending his entire career playing junior in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontari.

Southeast Polk scored 24 points in the second half and edged Iowa City Liberty, 38-35, in a thrilling Class 5A state football playoff semifinal Friday night at the UNI-Dome

Sutton Koller and Dallas Miller are perfect examples of why this Iowa City Liberty football team has had a great season that includes playing in Friday night’s Class 5A state playoff semifinal against three-time defending champion Southeast Polk. Already offensive stalwarts, they were asked to play defense this season, too.

We discuss last week’s Iowa high school football state quarterfinal results, preview some noteworthy semifinal matchups and pick the champions in all seven classes on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle.

Head football coaches in Class 5A, District 6 selected Iowa City West senior quarterback Jack Wallace as the district’s Most Valuable Player. Scott Chandler and his assistants at Iowa City Liberty is the Coaching Staff of the Year.

The NCAA Division I Council last week voted to allow players from the three Canadian Hockey League major junior leagues to play college hockey, beginning next season. They had been ineligible for American college hockey previously because they receive financial stipends. How this new ruling affects the United States Hockey League, of which the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are a member, is anyone’s guess at this point.

The Mount Vernon football team fell behind Algona, 22-0, in the first half of its Class 3A state football playoff quarterfinal Friday night. But the Mustangs hung around and scored late for a 31-28 victory.

The Coe College football team had one more chance Saturday to impress the committee that will select the NCAA Division III football playoff field. It did so, pasting Simpson, 47-10, in its regular-season finale at Clark Field. The Kohawks have an upcoming bye and will have to wait a week to see if they’re in the field of 40.

Chase Smith connected with Kye Smith for a 25-yard touchdown with 29 seconds left to give North Scott a 28-24 win, handing Decorah its first loss in the Class 4A state football quarterfinals.

Senior lineman Nathan Beitz leads the state in tackles for loss this high school football season. His play defensively and at center on offense has played an important part in Maquoketa Valley winning nine games in a row and advancing to the Class A playoff quarterfinals.

With Iowa high school football teams one win away from the UNI-Dome, The Gazette’s Prep Football Huddle podcast reviews last week’s playoff games and takes a class-by-class look at this week’s quarterfinals.

Pryce Sandfort played minimal minutes last season as a true freshman for the Iowa men’s basketball team. But he bulked up in the offseason, says he has gained confidence and showed in Monday night’s season opener that he will play a significant role for the Hawkeyes.

Forward Daniel Astapovich of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders played in the United States Hockey League two seasons ago. He spent last season in the lower-level North American Hockey League, getting another USHL shot this season.

Believe it or not, Payton Sandfort admitted to a case of nerves early in the Iowa men’s basketball team’s season-opening game Monday night at home against Texas A&M-Commerce. But he and his teammates eventually settled down and ran to an 89-67 victory

A closer look at Iowa’s 42-10 win Saturday night over Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium. This game usually is won by who has the better rushing attack, and that was definitely the Hawkeyes.