Jeff Linder

High school football: The Gazette’s 2025 preseason poll. Cedar Rapids Xavier (4A), Mount Vernon (3A) and Maquoketa Valley (Class A) are among the No. 1 picks.

Waukee Northwest, Clear Creek Amana, Western Christian, Denver and Fort Madison Holy Trinity are No. 1 in the IGHSAU preseason state rankings.

Iowa high school football 2025: Picking the area 8-Player districts. Area favorites include Edgewood-Colesburg and Iowa Valley.

High school football: Due to low numbers (10 players, including two seniors and no juniors), Lone Tree will not field a varsity team this season.

High school volleyball: Clear Creek Amana seeks to author a blockbuster story. The Clippers are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A by The Gazette, taking their first steps Monday toward a potential fourth consecutive state-tournament appearance.

High school volleyball 2025: The Gazette’s preseason rankings. Waukee Northwest, Clear Creek Amana, Western Christian, Denver and Fort Madison Holy Trinity are No. 1.

High school softball: Williamsburg, Cedar Rapids Xavier claim four spots apiece on IGCA all-state softball teams. Raiders have three first-teamers in 3A, including all-tournament captain Jersey Metz.

State softball: Behind all-tournament captain Jersey Metz, Williamsburg tops Dubuque Wahlert, 3-2, for its third consecutive Class 3A championship.

Prep softball: The three-time Class 3A state champion, Williamsburg is No. 1 in the final Gazette-area Super Ten.

State softball: New Hall of Famer Lindsay (Digmann) Murray has participated here as a Linn-Mar player, Linn-Mar coach and Linn-Mar fan. These days, her focus is on her young family.

State softball: 8th-inning run sends Northwest past Linn-Mar in 5A state softball final.

State softball: Under Adam Berte’s (stop)watch, Williamsburg has made six consecutive state tournaments, and the Raiders pursue their third straight 3A championship Friday vs. No. 1 Dubuque Wahlert.

State softball: Locked in a 1-1 deadlock through 3 1/2 innings, Williamsburg explodes late. Six-inning win over Albia sets up a 1-vs.-2 showdown Friday with Dubuque Wahlert.

State softball: Linn-Mar blanks Cedar Falls, and the Lions will face Waukee Northwest for the 5A championship at 7:30 Thursday, July 24, 2025.

State softball: Only three of Highland’s 16 varsity players have a driver’s license, but the Huskies hang around with No. 1 Wayne before bowing in a Class 1A quarterfinal.