Jeff Linder

Another duel between Western Dubuque’s Quentin Nauman and Cedar Falls’ Jaden Merrick awaits at Thursday’s Mississippi Valley Conference cross country meet at Seminole Valley Park.

Area volleyball Super Ten rankings through matches played Oct. 8: Surging Cedar Rapids Prairie, Anamosa are on the move.

High school volleyball notes: Class 3A 12th-ranked Anamosa claimed the River Valley Conference North Division volleyball championship with a four-set home triumph over 3A No. 3 Dyersville Beckman.

What are the most notable games this week? Is Williamsburg’s offense or Maquoketa Valley’s defense more impressive? Plus, the best bounce-back teams and how to add to Friday night excitement. The Gazette’s Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Nathan Ford share their insights on these Iowa high school football topics.

Iowa high school football rankings: Algona climbs to the top in Class 3A; West Hancock leapfrogs ACGC for the No. 1 spot in Class A.

Prep volleyball: MVC, Wamac, River Valley conferences reach their regular-season conclusion Tuesday, and most races remain undecided.

The 16-team playoff field in Class 5A Iowa high school football will be determined solely by RPI. Here is how the top 21 teams stand through Week 6 determined by our unofficial calculations.

Week 6 Iowa high school football rewind: After a number of close losses the past two seasons, Benton Community got over the hump with a 21-20 thriller over Class 3A No. 1 Solon.

Jack Wallace threw for a school-record six touchdown passes and Iowa City West posted its best defensive game of the season in a 48-6 romp over Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Sophia Austen had 32 kills as Iowa City West outlasted Class 5A 10th-ranked Iowa City High in Thursday’s Mississippi Valley Conference interdivisional volleyball marathon.

A dozen of the top Gazette-area Iowa high school football games to watch in Week 6.

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?”

Area volleyball Super Ten rankings through matches played Oct. 1: No change among the top six (Mount Vernon, Xavier, West Delaware, Beckman, CCA, Mid-Prairie).

Volleyball notes: When setter Logan Keller went down with a knee injury Sept. 7, it was “Buddy, you’re up” to freshman Adelyn Stien, who resembled a seasoned veteran in Center Point-Urbana’s four-set win over Marion on Tuesday.

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.