K.J. Pilcher

Seven Coe football players returned for a fifth season, afforded to them by the 2020 COVID-disrupted year, and the decision was rewarded by Coe’s first trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Kohawks (9-1) earned one of four at-large bids to the 32-team field and face No. 12 Aurora (Ill.) University on the road Saturday at noon in the first round.

Fourth-ranked MFL MarMac played for a state football title for the first time in school history. No. 1 Grundy Center dominated its way to a second straight crown with a 42-0 victory over the Bulldogs for the Class 1A crown Thursday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Iowa and Iowa State athletics have been the focus of a sports wagering investigation. The NCAA announced one-year suspensions and loss of eligibility for student athletes that bet on teams at their school. Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands said the right questions aren’t being asked of the right people involved in the probe.

There’s one week left in the Iowa high school football season. We talk about what to expect in the seven state championship games and what happened in last week’s semifinals on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast.

Northern Iowa wrestling coach Doug Schwab had a sentimental connection to the West Gym. Schwab faces a bittersweet situation as structural concerns have led to plans to raze the 98-year-old building and its history but created visions for a standalone training facility to usher UNI wrestling into its next century.

Three Iowa high school football state football championship games in the UNI-Dome feature Gazette-area teams. MFL MarMac and Williamsburg look for their first titles. Western Dubuque attempts to win its first crown since 2019.

College wrestling competitions are underway for men and women. The Iowa men dominated at the Luther Open, the Hawkeyes’ women’s team held its first dual at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa State blanked Davidson and an NCAA and World champion went down.

Second-ranked Solon beat Williamsburg in the regular season. The two teams faced off again with a berth to the Class 3A state football final on the line Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. This time, it was all Williamsburg, 45-14.

Monticello, led by Preston Ries, made its debut at the UNI-Dome, making its first semifinal appearance since 1977. No. 2 Van Meter scored the last two touchdowns in the final 14 minutes to win 35-21.

The 25th-ranked Coe Kohawks need a win Saturday over Loras to stay in contention for one of four at-large bids for the NCAA Division III Championships. Cornell looks for its sixth win. Read about five storylines in Iowa non-FBS football.

Northern Iowa wrestling coach Doug Schwab urged fans to attend this season’s home duals. The Panthers don’t host rival Iowa State or Big 12 Conference mainstays Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, but they do have one of the best wrestlers in the nation and a determined supporting cast.

Ryan Digmann hasn’t settled for anything less than his best in any competition this season. The Western Dubuque senior is a two-way starter and developed as a contributor in all three phases of the game. Digmann has helped the top-ranked Bobcats get back to the Class 4A state semifinals for the first time since winning the 2019 championship.

The Prep Football Huddle podcast is Dome bound. So are 28 Iowa high school football teams. We review last week’s quarterfinal games and preview this week’s UNI-Dome semifinals on this episode.

East Buchanan’s Tanner Thurn rushed for 183 yards and three touchdowns, Hunter Bowers returned an interception for a score, the defense limited a vaunted rush attack and the Buccaneers posted a 30-16 road win over No. 1 Saints Ansgar Friday night in the Class A quarterfinals.

Jared Franek didn’t visit the University of Iowa when he was in high school. When he stepped into the portal as a graduate transfer and received a call from the Iowa men’s wrestling coaching staff, he was ready to make the 537-mile drive he didn’t as a prep.