10 questions heading into prep football season

Eight-man teams began practice last week, with everyone else getting underway Monday. Here are 10 questions heading into what should be another terrific fall in Eastern Iowa.

1. Can Solon win its fifth consecutive state title? Hard to bet against this program, but Coach Kevin Miller has his work cut out for him with all the talent that graduated from last season's Class 3A winners. The return of starting quarterback J.J. Hanus does help a lot, though, and watch out for Jake Morris, younger brother of Iowa Hawkeye linebacker James Morris.

2. Will Iowa City Regina repeat in Class 2A? Another difficult task here with the talent that graduated. But, like Solon, this is a terrific program that doesn't really rebuild as much as reload. Bet on head coach Marv Cook and his staff to find a way to be good.

3. What is the over-under on the number of carries and yards Wes Burnside will have this season? To say La Porte City Union rode the senior running back hard last season is a severe understatement. He toted the rock 290 times for 2,336 yards and 30 touchdowns in 10 games. Let's set the numbers this fall at an even 300 and 2,500 yards. That might be conservative.

4. Can anyone in the Mississippi Valley Conference beat Cedar Falls? Probably not in the regular season considering the Tigers' typical favorable schedule. They'll be very fun to watch offensively with all-state running back Barkley Hill and wide receiver James Harrington. Then there's linebacker Ben Challgren on defense.

5. Will Iowa City High return to the Class 4A championship game for a third straight year? Man, was that a tough ending to last year's finale with West Des Moines Dowling. Leading rusher Ronald Thompson is among the Little Hawks returnees, as are wide receivers Jeremy Johnson and Jasper Washington and leading tackler Amos Levela. A big advantage City High usually has is very few two-way players, especially up front.

6. Who is the best team in the Metro? You tell us. Linn-Mar has the best overall player in town in Mark Atwater. Xavier lost a bunch of good seniors but always wins. Kennedy made a deep playoff run in 2010 and has Trevor Heitland and Josh Jahlas back as a good 1-2 punch on offense and defense, respectively. Will Griffin should be the next great running back at Washington. You'd expect new coach Mike Morrissey to make an immediate impact at Prairie. Marion always is in the Class 3A playoffs.

7. The best small-school team in the area is ...? Here's a vote for West Branch. The Bears went 8-0 last regular season, advanced to the Class 1A playoff semifinals and return some really good skill players, including quarterback Brandon Young.

8. Who is this season's North Cedar? You know, that team that surprises a lot of people and has a terrific season. Total shot in the dark here, but how about Alburnett? A 4-4 regular season and playoff berth in 1A last season and virtually everyone comes back.

9. Are there any Division I college recruits around? Burnside is a two-star recruit by Rivals at running back whose suitors include Iowa, Iowa State and Minnesota. Iowa City West quarterback Charles Rogers is a three-star “athlete” who has drawn interest from several colleges. City High's Thompson is a potential D-I guy, as is Benton Community offensive lineman Robert Rathje. Cedar Falls' Hill has committed to Iowa State.

10. Is it true Channel 9.2 will televise live games this fall? Absolutely, starting with the Thursday night, Aug. 25 opener at Kingston Stadium between Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Linn-Mar. With KCRG-TV's “Friday Night Lights,” and the usual extensive coverage in The Gazette and at

www.iowaprepsports.com, Source Media Group has you completely covered on the gridiron this season. Pun intended there.