K.J. Pilcher

North Linn received two touchdown runs from Will Sommerfelt and thwarted host Maquoketa Valley’s offense in a 16-0 win Friday night at Delhi. Marion tops CPU, Vinton-Shellsburg snaps losing streak and Iowa City Liberty avenges loss to Southeast Polk.

Mount Vernon quarterback Kellen Haverback passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one, helping Class 3A top-ranked Mount Vernon defeat No. 9 Benton Community, 30-14, in a high school football game Friday night at Armstrong Field of Martha Parsons Activity Complex. The Mustangs recorded their fourth straight victory over the Bobcats.

Coe’s Brady Kelly passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Kohawks to their 25th straight win over rival Cornell in the Bremner Cup Series.

Kohawks defender found his way back after injuries shut down what would have been his senior year

Results from week 1 and a look at week 2 matchups in Iowa High School Football -Triple Option Podcast

The Gazette’s Iowa high school football staff and Gazette contributor Scott Unash tackles high school football questions. See how much Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Unash can gain in 4 Downs:

Class 4A top-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier was businesslike in its 31-0 drubbing of No. 9 North Scott Friday night at Eldridge. The Saints won their 11th straight season opener.

First, it was about an hour delay for lightning. Second, it was a lightning-quick blitz from Cedar Rapids Jefferson, resulting in two double-digit leads before the first quarter.

Iowa State hosts Iowa, University of Northern Iowa, Missouri, Utah Valley, West Virginia and Nebraska-Kearney. The Cyclones will compete in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Collegiate Duals.

The Gazette sports writers Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss the upcoming 2025 Iowa High School Football season including preseason rankings, predictions and games to watch in week 1.

Curt Ritchie forged a Hall of Fame high school football coaching career at English Valleys and Williamsburg. Cornell provided the right opportunity to coach college football. Ritchie is in his first year as Rams head coach.

Upper Iowa enters the fifth season under Coach Jason Hoskins, coming off its most successful season since 1997. The new campaign begins Thursday at Drake. Here are five storylines to follow for the season opener.

Austin Blythe has played for notable coaches his entire career. From his predecessor Curt Ritchie to Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz and multiple NFL coaches, Blythe has learned from them all and will apply those lessons as the new Williamsburg head football coach.

Coe football has enjoyed experienced and talented defenses in recent years. The Kohawks graduated a majority of their defensive starters from last season and will attempt to maintain the high standard with some new starters.

Iowa City Regina went 9-2 and reached the Class 1A state quarterfinals last season. The third-ranked Regals return 90 percent of their offensive production led by all-state quarterback Kyle Tracy and junior NCAA Division I prospects Savion Miller and Tate Wallace.