Ryan Pleggenkuhle

Four touchdowns from Casey Kelley highlighted the evening for the Hawks as Cedar Rapids Prairie clinched a spot in the Class 5A playoffs with a 45-38 win over Iowa City West.

Cedar Rapids Xavier (6-2, 4-0) earned the Class 4A District 3 title with a 35-7 victory over Clear Creek Amana (2-6, 2-2) at Clipper Field Friday night, thus making postseason qualification “official.”

Sitting at No. 15 in the Class 5A RPI rankings, Iowa City West needed a home victory Friday to boost their playoff position before facing two ranked opponents to close the regular season. West did what it needed to do — and then some with a 58-8 rout of Cedar Rapids Washington.

Ultimately, a combination of “ice in the veins” and a huge goal line stand were the difference at Spartan Stadium. Class 3A No. 7 Solon defeated Benton Community, 16-13, in a double-overtime thriller Friday night in a pivotal District 5 battle.

Propelled by running-back duo, Daniel Larmie and Caden Henkes, No. 8 Ankeny was the team to boost its playoff hopes, knocking off Iowa City West, 48-21.

Mount Vernon had hoped to send First Street Field off on a high note. Solon head coach Luke Stanton, a Mount Vernon alum, had his own version of a farewell. The Spartans, led by Stanton and wildcat back Conlan Poynton, upset Class 3A No. 2 Mount Vernon, 37-20, in the final home football game for the Mustangs at First Street Field.

In an pivotal early-season Class 5A clash, Iowa City Liberty (1-1), led by Beckman, knocked off Iowa City High (0-2), 41-14, winning the Battle for Zeus for the fourth time in the six-year series. Quarterback Graham Beckman had one rushing touchdown and completed 26 of 32 passes for 269 yards and three scores — all three going to Dallas Miller.

If Game 1 was a test for Williamsburg starting quarterback Kellen Cockrell, he passed … with flying colors. With Cockrell at the helm, the Raiders offense, which led Class 2A in touchdowns last season, picked up right where it left off Friday in an impressive season-opening, 42-14, win at home against 1A No. 9 West Branch.

With the talent and experience the 2023 Winfield-Mount Union football team boasts, it’s easy to see why it has lofty aspirations.

At the conclusion of racing Friday, six drivers were crowned champions, wrapping up the 2023 weekly racing season at the speedway — its first as a NASCAR affiliate.

With several four-year starters on the roster, the expectations are sky-high for the 2023 Central City football team, ranked No. 3 in The Gazette’s preseason 8-Player poll.

The sophomore season has been a huge success for high school sophomore Reggie Mitchell, who sits in second place at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in the Hobby Stocks division.

Five individuals were inducted into Wall of Fame last Friday at Hawkeye Downs.

Kacey Korsmo is among the leaders in two divisions at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and got engaged this summer.

It takes north of three hours and 200 miles to drive from Bryce Miller’s hometown of Columbus, Wis., to Cedar Rapids. For Miller, in his first year racing Late Models at Hawkeye Downs, the fuel expense and drive time has been worth it.