K.J. Pilcher

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.

All-state quarterback Nolan Kriegel rushed for four touchdowns, including two in the Tigers’ first three snaps of the second half. No. 5 Iowa Valley beat Springville, 45-9, in the 8-Player season opener Friday night at Springville.

Cedar Rapids Prairie ended last season with its fourth state tournament appearance. The Hawks opened this season with another noteworthy feat, setting a team record with a 292 at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet.

Cedar Rapids Xavier started the Class 4A boys’ golf season at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo Thursday, setting a school record with 289 to win the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet.

Iowa City Liberty posted its first 10-win season and made its first state semifinal appearance in 2024. The Lightning maintain high aspirations for the 2025 high school football season.

Here are nine golfers and four teams to watch for the upcoming Class 4A season. Competition begins Thursday with the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo.