For a few, the season starts early

Like the majority of their district brethren, the Iowa Valley Tigers are getting a jump on the high school football season.Random circumstances -- and simple math -- allow each of the teams in Class A District 4 to play a "Week Zero" game. Six of the seven are taking advantage of the opportunity, including Iowa Valley."All of the other districts have eight teams; we have seven," said Tigers Coach Vince McGee. "To make up for the bye week later in the season, the (Iowa High School Athletic Association) is allowing us to play this week."Things have been a little rushed, but it's a great opportunity."The 2012 season begins this weekend with eight games involving area teams, five of which are the eight-man variety.That includes an eight-man double-header Friday at the UNI-Dome: Midland faces Clarksville at 6 p.m.; Central City meets Dunkerton at 8:30.Week Zero participants were allowed three extra days to practice, starting Aug. 1. Because of its experience (eight offensive starters and nine defensive starters are back), Iowa Valley should be able to hit the ground running for its game at 7 p.m. Friday at home against English Valleys.Iowa Valley was 6-4 last season and will be led by running back John Gormley, who rushed for 1,666 yards and 26 touchdowns last year."You never really know what you have in the first game of the season," McGee said. "You kind of go into it blind. But we're excited. We have a lot of experience."The early game at the UNI-Dome has the potential to be a dandy. Clarksville is rated No. 5 in The Gazette's preseason eight-man rankings; Midland is No. 8."Our kids are excited about the challenge," said first-year Midland coach Casey Hack. "Clarksville is a very good team."Midland was 7-4 last year, making its first postseason appearance since 1994."We bring back a lot of skill players, and we're hoping we can go a little deeper than we did last year," Hack said.Midland's Ryan Leonard rushed for 1,365 yards and 23 TDs last year; Clarksville's Dalton Ciavarelli was the eight-man leader last season with 2,554 yards, scoring 49 times.On Saturday, North Tama faces Nashua-Plainfield at Wartburg College in Waverly.

WEEK ZERO AREA SCHEDULE

FRIDAYClarksville vs. Midland (UNI-Dome, 6 p.m.)Dunkerton vs. Central City (UNI-Dome, 8:30 p.m.)Elkader Central at JanesvilleEnglish Valleys at Iowa ValleyNorth Mahaska at Belle PlaineTripoli at West CentralValley Community at Rockford

SATURDAYNorth Tama vs. Nashua-Plainfield (at Wartburg)