K.J. Pilcher

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Carter Hoffmann has come a long way since a nervous sophomore making his first start at Waverly-Shell Rock. In his final game, Hoffmann rushed for 207 and three touchdowns to power the Saints to a 31-6 win over Pella for the Class 4A state football title.

West Lyon scored on its opening play of overtime and produced a goalline stand to beat Iowa City Regina, 34-27, in the Class 1A state football championship Thursday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

A journey he started as more of a passenger along for the ride, following his best friend to Iowa Lakes Community College. But, when he earned All-American honors his freshman season, he took the wheel, altered course and has been driven to be the best.

The National Duals Invitational drew more than 23,000 fans four the four-session, two-day event at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

Cedar Rapids Xavier and Iowa City Regina play for titles in Class 3A and Class 1A, respectively.

Cedar Rapids Xavier’s offense is one of the best in class 4A, boasting the top passer in the class and a 1,000-yard rusher. An undersized but effective offensive line has helped lead the way to the state title game.

Gazette sports writers Jeff Johnson Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss Iowa High School Football championship games on the Triple Option Podcast November 19, 2025

Iowa and UNI competed in the inaugural National Duals Invitational tournament. Iowa State opened its dual schedule against Nebraska-Kearney. Iowa women threw down in South Carolina in the Wrestling Weekend That Was.

Coe’s win over Central in the regular-season finale helped secure an at-large berth to the NCAA Division III football playoffs. The Kohawks will play at Concordia University (Wis.) on Saturday in the first round.

The third-ranked Hawkeyes won their first three duals but fell to No. 4 Ohio State, 27-12, in the finals of the inaugural National Duals Invitational Sunday night at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

For the second straight week, Nevada stared down a Goliath-like foe. The Cubs notched two consecutive giant-sized victories, topping No. 2 Solon, 29-10, in the 3A state semifinal Saturday night at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

The annual Cy-Hawk Series men’s wrestling dual between Iowa and Iowa State will be televised on ESPN. The Cyclones will host the Hawkeyes on Sunday, Nov. 30, beginning at noon

Iowa City Regina feasted on a steady diet of rushes in the second half and beat top-ranked Grundy Center, 21-12, in a Class 1A state football semifinal Friday at UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Regals snapped the Spartans 50-game win streak.

Second-ranked Solon identified core values of love, effort, growth, integrity and trust during the offense. The theme has propelled that Spartans to an 11-0 record and the Class 3A state football semifinals against No. 8 Nevada Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Iowa City Regina linebacker and tight end Tate Wallace has become a major contributor in offense, defense and special teams. His effort has also garnered attention as an NCAA Division I recruit.