Jeff Johnson

Josh Beatty’s first varsity catch was something. He grabbed a deflected Hail Mary pass from quarterback Mitch Johnson for a 51-yard touchdown on the final play of the game Friday night as Independence shocked Clear Creek Amana, 13-7.

Senior linebacker Chase Mahoney has three touchdowns in his Cedar Rapids Washington football team’s first two games despite not having a carry, a reception or a kickoff or punt return. He’s recovered a fumble in the end zone and has two pick-6s, including a key one in the third quarter Friday night in Wash’s 41-13 win over Marion at Thomas Park.

BGM senior quarterback Jacob Maurer is determined to play college football somewhere at some position. He had 584 combined yards rushing and passing and 10 touchdowns in his team’s 78-74 season-opening win last week over Iowa Valley.

Which Iowa high school football teams impressed us the most in Week 1? We discuss Iowa City Liberty’s eye-opening win over Iowa City High in the Clash at Kinnick, Williamsburg shutting down Iowa City Regina and more on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast

Senior Nico Ragaini will turn 24 years old in January, is almost six years older than some of his wide receiver teammates at Iowa. But he relishes the role of being the old guy, someone who can impart knowledge and wisdom on the younger guys.

Iowa City Liberty definitely was the underdog in Friday night’s big “Clash At Kinnick.” But the Lightning put on a great display of football, scoring early and dominating the second half for a 36-19 win over Iowa City High before 10,000 fans at Kinnick Stadium.

Friday night’s high school football game between Iowa City High and Iowa City Liberty at Kinnick Stadium has been almost a year in the making. It began with one simple question: Is this a possibility?

The Prep Football Huddle is back! The Gazette's Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher preview the 2022 Iowa high school football season and Week 1's top games, including the Iowa City Liberty-Iowa City High clash at Kinnick Stadium.

Cedar Rapids Prairie head football coach Mark Bliss has been at it over 30 years, has enough time put in to retire if he wants. But ball coaches have to coach ball, so Bliss continues.

Iowa football was Tyler Goodson centric at running back last season. It is yet to be determined how is production will be made up, and who will be making it up.

Senior Jack Campbell leads a veteran group of linebackers for the Iowa football team that includes fellow starters Jestin Jacobs and Seth Benson.

Senior Blake Timmons was the guy tabbed to replace all-stater Cam Miller in 2021 as Solon’s quarterback. Miller is the school’s all-time yardage leader and led North Dakota State to an FCS national championship last year. Timmons, meanwhile, has acquitted himself very nicely, leading the Spartans to the state playoff semifinals and quarterfinals in his career.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels beat Wisconsin in five of six games of their Midwest League series this week. It’s a good sign for a ballclub prepping for the upcoming playoffs.

Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher Jon Olsen was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 2018, but didn’t begin his pro baseball career until last season because of injuries and the COVID pandemic. After a second Tommy John surgery in the offseason, he’s back again and grateful.

Cedar Rapids Kernels shortstop Brooks Lee was the first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins recently, the eighth overall selection. Despite going 2 1/2 months between games after his college season ended, Lee has done nothing but hit since he turned pro.