K.J. Pilcher

From Iowa City Liberty and Marion, to Cascade, East Buchanan and more, we run through the most-impressive wins of Iowa high school football Week 4 on the latest episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the assignments for district competition set for Oct. 3-4. Western Dubuque is the lone Gazette area team to host, while all Metro and Iowa City teams hit the road for qualifying rounds. The top three teams in each advance to state Oct. 7-8.

When you need to understand the wonders of high school football in Eastern Iowa, people seek our answers. Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, Nathan Ford and K.J. Pilcher address midseason MVP candidates, deep talent pools in the Metro, midseason surprises and whether seven classes work.

Jarrett Zibert threw for 240 yards and touchdown passes to four receivers, helping Ripon (Wis.) College gain 443 offensive yards and defeat Cornell, 49-14, in a Midwest Conference football game.

East Buchanan and Class A No. 7 Alburnett delivered the hard-fought battle everyone expected. They also provided a high-scoring affair that neither team could have, or probably would have, predicted in a 34-27 Buccaneers win.

The Cornell College football team’s results vary from week to week, from a season-opening loss to a dominant victory last week. The frustration and fun of the learning curve for a roster that includes 67 underclassmen.

This hasn’t been a typical football season for Linn-Mar. The Lions were disrupted and displaced in the preseason thanks to problems with the installation of new field turf at their stadium. Instead of sulking about the inconvenience of off-campus practices and even playing the first home game at another Metro school, they opted to take on the challenges.

Linn-Mar’s T.J. Jackson returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and the Lions produced the final three scores to down Class 4A No. 9 Cedar Rapids Washington, 30-12.

The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss the parity in Class 1A, more takeaways from Week 3 and Week 4 games to watch on the latest Prep Football Huddle podcast.

Shane Falco approves our answers to Iowa high school football questions. Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, Nathan Ford and K.J. Pilcher talk Week 2 wins, defenses, upcoming games and what programs could make good reality TV.

Tate Brunk has probably played at least 50 rounds at Brown Deer Golf Club over the last year. The Iowa City Liberty senior has a lay of the land on his home course. He converted that experience into his best round of the season Monday.

Week 3 Iowa high school football rewind: Cedar Rapids Prairie, Marion, Montezuma and Western Dubuque earned impressive wins over ranked teams.

2A No. 3 Williamsburg overcame four first-half turnovers and quarterback Carson Huedepohl contributed to five touchdowns to defeat 3A No. 6 Solon, 38-25.

Reid Pakkebier is an athletic jack of all trades. He has demonstrated his diverse skills as an NCAA Division III Championships qualifier in the decathlon. Central College’s football program has also reaped the benefits from the 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker’s quickness, size and strength at the center of its defense.

Graham Beckman responded to his chance as a starting quarterback, leading Iowa City Liberty to a 2-0 record and No. 6 ranking in The Gazette’s Class 4A poll before Friday’s game at Western Dubuque. He ranks among the 4A leaders in most passing categories.