City High can’t slow down Muscatine, will miss playoffs

IOWA CITY - Forget about Iowa City High's defense. Even the dense fog and slippery conditions couldn't slow down Muscatine quarterback Matt Wieskamp.

Wieskamp totaled 390 yards and six touchdowns in a wild, 49-42, shootout over Iowa City High in a Class 4A District 5 game at Bates Field.

With the loss, the Little Hawks miss the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and only the second time in the last 23 seasons.

'We told them if we can't come out here and take care of our field in the final game then we have to live with what it is,” City Coach Dan Sabers said. 'I'm proud of kids that they kept battling. They kept battling and battling, but it wasn't going to be.”

City High's Erick Fletcher caught a 12-yard touchdown pass to bring the Little Hawks within 49-42 with 2:34 left. But the ensuing onside kick failed and Muscatine picked up two first downs to run out the clock.

The Muskies (6-3, 3-2) stretched a 29-29 game late in the third quarter into a two-score game with a pair of big plays.

On the first play after a City High TD, Wieskamp hit Spencer Beatty for a 68-yard touchdown. The Wieskamp-Beatty duo connected for 164 yards and three scores.

Then Muscatine's Isaiah Smith picked off a sideline pass and returned it 38 yards for a score.

The Little Hawks couldn't get a stop and ran out of time after that.

'That really hurt,” Sabers said. 'Obviously, we're in a situation where we know maybe we can win if we have the ball last. That one got us two down (possessions) and that really hurt.”

City High's Michael Fredieu rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Nate Wieland ran for 161 yards and passed for 125 yards.

The Little Hawks (2-7, 2-3) scored touchdowns on their first three drives to build a 21-13 lead, but Muscatine scored nine straight.