Jeff Johnson

The Iowa football defense faces a very difficult task Saturday afternoon in an Ohio State team that is averaging over 48 points and 500 yards per game. That includes trying to slow down a pair of all-conference running backs in TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins. OSU players will receive $20 million in NIL money this season, with “roughly 10 players” receiving at least $1 million.

The Prep Football Huddle podcast reviews the notable games from Week 5 of the Iowa high school football season and the updated Gazette statewide rankings. Plus, a look at the Class 5A RPI system and a trivia game of “Who’s Got More?”

What teams have been pleasant surprises? Which Iowa City high school quarterback would you choose? Conversions vs. extra points and the best media accommodations. We also introduce reader questions. The Gazette’s Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Nathan Ford share their insights on these Iowa high school football topics.

MFL MarMac football coach Dan Anderson didn’t have anyone on his team’s roster who had ever played quarterback, other than an incoming freshman. So he brought in a quarterback tutor in the spring and conducted a tryout that senior Carter Stoddard won. He completed 8 of 11 passes for 110 yards in the team’s 28-13 win Friday night over Sumner-Fredericksburg, improving the Bulldogs to 4-1.

There were 38 points scored in a wild and wacky fourth quarter Friday night at Kingston Stadium between Cedar Rapids Washington and Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Logan Barton provided the final three, a 25-yard field goal with just over three seconds left that lifted the Warriors to a 30-27 win.

Winger Loa Milfors came over to North America and the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders this past January from his native Sweden. It was a tough adjustment but he made it and seems in line for a productive second season in the United States Hockey League.

Iowa City West senior Jack Wallace threw a pick-6 on his very first pass as a starting varsity quarterback three years ago as a freshman. That was just a blip, as Wallace broke West’s school record for most career passing yards last week.

A wild Iowa high schoool football Week 4 saw another No. 1-ranked Class 5A team fall, a two-point conversion decide one rivalry game and a failed two-point conversion determine another. We break it all down on the Prep Football Huddle podcast.

Can Cedar Rapids Jefferson top rival Cedar Rapids Washington to reach 5-0? Offenses vs. Defenses? Midseason awards? Best mascots? The Gazette’s Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Nathan Ford share their insights on these Iowa high school football topics.

First-year head coach Mike Tangen has led Decorah’s football team to a 4-0 start, including a 21-14 win Friday night over Class 3A sixth-ranked Independence. The sixth-ranked Vikings begin Class 4A district play this coming week at Mason City.

Pleasant Valley runs a unique double-wing offense and it bamboozled Cedar Rapids Prairie’s defense Friday night at John Wall Field. The Class 5A eight-ranked Spartans scored points on all six possessions to beat No. 10 Prairie, 38-21.

Gordon Rundquist died Friday in Iowa City after a short illness. His 559 head coaching victories at West Branch and Maquoketa Valley are 24th all-time in state boys’ basketball history.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson knocked off Des Moines East, 24-8, Thursday night at Kingston Stadium. The J-Hawks have a 4-0 record, the same as they had through four games last season. Jefferson lost its final five games in 2023. We’ll see what happens this season.

Quarterback Max Brosmer transferred to Minnesota for his final season of college football eligibility after an FCS All-America career at New Hampshire. He gives the Golden Gophers a passing threat they haven’t had for years. Oh, and he was born in the state of Iowa.

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders won all five of their preseason games and hope to carry that momentum into the United States Hockey League’s regular season. That regular season begins Thursday for the club at the league’s Fall Classic in suburban Pittsburgh.