Jeff Johnson

Christian Janis missed most of last season for the Iowa City West football game after breaking his collarbone in the third quarter of its opening game. The senior wide receiver has posted some impressive numbers through West’s first three games this season, including seven touchdowns.

The South Bend Cubs scratched across a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally past the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 2-1, Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Midwest League Western Division championship playoff series.

Shane Falco approves our answers to Iowa high school football questions. Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, Nathan Ford and K.J. Pilcher talk Week 2 wins, defenses, upcoming games and what programs could make good reality TV.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels have qualified for the Midwest League playoffs all nine years they have been affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. This year’s team plays South Bend in the Western Division finals, which begin Tuesday.

South Bend beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels in Sunday’s regular-season finale, 9-2. The Kernels went 73-58 overall. These teams face off in the Midwest League playoffs, beginning Tuesday night.

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s football team put up a 27-point second quarter and limited Dubuque Wahlert to 1 yard in the first half in a 40-7 victory.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s football team came oh, so close to ending its losing streak, but fell in overtime to Davenport Central, 19-12, Thursday night at Kingston Stadium. The J-Hawks have lost 20 straight.

NIL is the first topic on this week’s Prep Football Huddle podcast. Then, it’s back to the field. Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss the Iowa high school football teams and players that had the best performances last week, plus the games to watch this week.

Gazette staff answer Iowa high school football questions on memorable finishes, upcoming games and the possible impact on NIL sliding into the IHSAA landscape.

A look at local, area and former University of Iowa baseball players in the affiliated minor leagues and major leagues.

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.