The game pits a pair of Mississippi Valley Conference foes, but it does not count in the standings.

It means so much more.

The Battle for 42nd Street arrives at the midpoint of the high school football regular season.

Undefeated Xavier travels to Kingston Stadium to take on once-beaten Kennedy on Friday night.

Xavier is in the Valley Division and Kennedy in the Mississippi, so this contest does not count as conference game.

Don't tell that to the players or fans.

Xavier has won 6 of the last 7 games these teams have played. But the one loss - an 11-7 disappointment in the 2010 playoffs - sticks in the craw of all Saints fans.

Kennedy's last win in the regular season against Xavier was a 28-21 decision in 2007. The Cougars have lost five straight regular season games to the Saints since then by an average score of 34-8. Kennedy has not scored in its last two games against Xavier, losing by a combined 63-0. Those losses followed the Cougars' playoff win on Oct. 27, 2010, at Saints Field.

That's a lot of karma for the Cougars to overcome against the top-ranked team in the state.

The weekend kicks off Thursday night with what appears to be an entertaining tilt between Waterloo West and Washington at Kingston Stadium.

All Metro teams besides Xavier and Kennedy will be looking for rebound wins Friday night when Prairie hosts Wahlert, Jefferson travels to Waterloo East, Linn-Mar takes on Cedar Falls at the UNI-Dome, Marion moseys to Maquoketa and Cedar Valley journeys to Lansing to face the Kee Hawks.

It's the midpoint of the season. Time is slipping away.

Thursday

Waterloo West (2-2, 1-1) vs. Washington (1-3, 1-1)

Site: Kingston Stadium

Time: 7:15 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (FM-107.5/FM-106.3), WMT (AM-600)

Television: KCRG-9.2 (Mediacom 109, Imon 709)

Last meeting: Waterloo West 40, Washington 30 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: West by 4

Waterloo West - The Wahawks shocked Cedar Falls, 17-16, last Friday night. QB Alex Young passed for 49 yards and a TD and ran for 95 yards and another score. RB Lance Dunn, who was sidelined by injury the previous week in a 59-35 loss at Linn-Mar, ran 21 times for 60 yards. The defense held Cedar Falls to 249 yards after surrendering 549 to Linn-Mar. Young leads the team in rushing with 90 carries for 635 yards and 9 TDs. He has only completed 45.2 percent of his passes (14 of 31) for 167 yards and 2 TDs. He moved to tailback against Linn-Mar when Dunn was injured. Dunn has carried the ball 55 times for 278 yards and a TD. WR Jalon Jones has 5 receptions for 88 yards and 2 TDs. Dunn also has three interceptions. PK Kedo Osmancevic is only 4 of 10 on PAT kicks, but made a 16-yard FG that proved to be the difference against Cedar Falls. The Wahawks ran for more than 300 yards in a Week 1 win over Senior. They were outscored by City High, 42-34, in Week 2. This is a dangerous ballclub, although a letdown after last week's huge win could be anticipated.

 

Washington - After failing to finish in two of their first three games, the Warriors put together four solid quarters last week and beat Linn-Mar, 26-21. The Warriors gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns and were beaten by Cedar Falls, 21-7, the week before and dropped a 14-10 decision to Kennedy in their season opener. QB Reid Snitker ran for 142 yards and 2 TDs, and also threw a TD pass against Linn-Mar. RB Mason Taylor ran for 88 yards against the Lions. Snitker is completing 53.8 percent of his passes (35 of 65) for 384 yards, but has thrown 5 interceptions to just 3 TDs. Taylor has a team-high 277 yards rushing, including 172 in his last two games. Snitker has rushed for 183 yards. Landon Akers has 9 receptions for 168 yards and a TD. PK Gunnar Lenzen is 4 of 5 on PAT kicks. Connor Vincent has 40 tackles, Jake Bjornsen 35. The Warriors have forced 6 turnovers. Washington totaled only 25 points in its first three games before putting up 26 last week. The Warriors still have games left against Xavier and Prairie. A win against West would go a long way towards a possible playoff berth.

Friday

Xavier (4-0) vs. Kennedy (3-1)

Site: Kingston Stadium

Time: 7:15 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KCRG (AM-1600/FM-107.5), KMRY (AM-1450/FM-93.1)

Television: MC-22 (Tape delayed broadcasts Sunday at 12 a.m., 6 p.m.)

Last meeting: Xavier 35, Kennedy 0 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: Xavier by 16

Xavier - The Saints have outscored their first four opponents by a combined score of 140-7 and are holding teams to an average of 92 total yards a game. They held Wahlert to 38 yards in a 38-0 whipping last Friday at Dubuque. QB Quinton Scholer has completed 73.7 percent of his passes (28 of 38) for 387 yards and 7 TDs. He has been equally dangerous with his feet, rushing for 193 yards and 3 TDs. He averages 9.2 yards per carry. RB Brendan Miller leads the team with 58 carries for 410 yards and 5 TDs. WR Bryce Grimm has 8 receptions for 108 yards and 2 TDs. PK Ryan Persick is 18 of 19 on PAT kicks and 2-of-4 on FGs. The defense has seven starters back from last year's team. Daniel Vega has 16 tackles, including 7 solos for losses. Sean Ickes has 16 stops, Matt Nelson 13. The Saints are ranked No.1 in the state by the Des Moines Register.

Kennedy - After posting come-from-behind wins twice in their first three games, the Cougars got out front and ground out a 19-9 win over Dubuque Senior last Thursday. The Cougars had 89 yards of rushing offense, but QB Derek Jacobus hit 11 of 12 passes for 114 yards and a TD. Jacobus also ran for a TD, and Logan Wedo also had a rushing TD. RB Miles Moa leads the team in rushing with 324 yards. Wedo has 258 and 4 TDs. Jacobus is completing 58.8 percent of his passes (30-of-51) for 345 yards and 3 TDs. TE Drew Heitland has 12 receptions for 168 yards and two TDs. PK Mark Schulz is 9 of 10 on PAT kicks. He has not attempted a FG. Triston Christopher has 42 tackles, Jordan Lunsford 29 and Prince Kollie 25. Kennedy has avenged three losses from a year ago. Could this be No.4?

Wahlert (2-2, 0-1) vs. Prairie (1-3, 0-1)

Site: John Wall Field

Time: 7:15 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: None

Last meeting: Prairie 44, Wahlert 14 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: Prairie by 14

Wahlert - The Golden Eagles were throttled by Xavier, 38-0, last week at Dubuque. They have pulled a pair of upsets, knocking off Dubuque Senior, 14-6, two weeks ago and Waterloo East, 27-12, in their opener. But they were squashed by Hempstead, 41-14, three weeks ago. QB Danny Broderick has thrown 5 TD passes, and has completed 29 of 58 passes for 376 yards. Jared Walker has 14 receptions for 297 yards and 3 TDs. Walker caught only two passes, but both went for TDs against Dubuque Senior. RB Riley Hasken has rushed for 314 yards and a TD. Colin Smith has 147 yards and 2 TDs. Jake Bohr has 35 tackles, Zach Kapler 28. PK Mitch Gaul is 7 of 8 on PAT kicks. He missed his only FG attempt.

 

Prairie - The Hawks lost a disappointing 21-14 decision to Iowa City West last Friday night. Prairie held a 14-7 lead in the fourth quarter before West scored twice to fend off the upset-minded Hawks. The loss was the third straight for Prairie. The Hawks were shutout, 23-0, by No.1 Xavier two weeks ago and blew a 10-point lead in the second half in a 28-24 loss to Kennedy the week before that. Prairie held Xavier to two points in the first half, but could never generate any offense, finishing with 92 total yards. RB Mitch Christensen has rushed for 353 yards and is averaging 5.1 yards per carry. QB Trey Beckman has rushed for 118 yards, but is completing only 42.2 percent of his passes (35 of 83) and has thrown as many interceptions (4) as touchdown passes. WR Mitch Dellamuth has 7 receptions for 143 yards and 2 TDS. WR Jesse Vizzini has 15 receptions for 167 yards. LB Tristan Beyer is a force on defense with 40 tackles. Ben Boldt leads the team with 47 stops. The Hawks have intercepted four passes. PK Sam Drysdale is 8-of-8 on PAT kicks and 2-of-2 on FGs. The Hawks need a win.

Jefferson (0-4, 0-2) at Waterloo East (0-4, 0-2)

Site: Memorial Stadium, Waterloo

Time: 7:15 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: None

Last meeting: Waterloo East 30, Jefferson 24 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: East by 2

Jefferson - The J-Hawks have been outscored 124-29 in their first four games, with the latest loss a 35-10 decision last week at Iowa City High. The defense has given more than 200 yards to a running back in each of the last two weeks, and have been gashed for an average 308 yards rushing per game. The J-Hawks also have been nicked up. Leading rusher Michael Moncivais and LB Will Orr sat out the City High game because of concussions. QB Layne Sullivan has rushed for 139 yards and a TD. Moncivais has 143 yards. He ran for 134 against Hempstead two weeks ago. TE Ben Koering has 9 receptions for 128 yards, and also has 9 carries for 118. Sullivan has completed 51.4 percent of his passes (37 of 72) for 455 yards and 2 TDs. He also has thrown three interceptions. Highly regarded two-way lineman Michael Smith has 24 tackles, LB Josh Allen 23. Jefferson has lost 34 of its last 35 games. This is the J-Hawks' best chance for a win in their remaining games.

 

Waterloo East - The Trojans have been 136-40 in their first four games. They were shutout by Hempstead, 27-0, last Friday at Dubuque. After rushing for 226 yards in a season-opening loss to Wahlert, the Trojans have averaged 72 rushing yards their last three games against Cedar Falls, Iowa City High and Hempstead. RB Deshay Wright ran for 163 yards against Wahlert, but has 123 yards combined in his last three games for 286 total yards. QB John Magnuson has passed for 752 yards, completing 45 of 90 passes, and 4 TDs. Javon Middleton has 18 receptions for 336 yards and 2 TDs. Timoz Buford has 12 receptions for 225 yards. The Trojans have attempted only one PAT kick and it failed. Darren Scott has 30 tackles, James Carter 29. This game appears to be the Trojans' best chance for a win in their first season playing for Coach Kevin Meyer.

Linn-Mar (1-3, 1-1) at Cedar Falls (3-1, 1-1)

Site: UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls

Time: 7:15 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KCNZ (AM-1650)

Last meeting: Cedar Falls 27, Linn-Mar 10 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: Cedar Falls by 13

Linn-Mar - The Lions suffered a disappointing 26-21 loss to Washington last Friday night at Kingston Stadium. Linn-Mar was held to 259 total yards by Wash just one week after rolling up 549 in a 59-35 rout of Waterloo West. QB Ryan Schmidt has completed 61.9 percent of his passes (60 of 97) for 932 yards and 5 TDs. He has thrown 4 interceptions. RB Ross Lembeck has rushed for 411 yards and 6 TDs, and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Speedster Perrion Scott has played in only one game because of leg injuries. WR Griffin Bennecke has 11 receptions for 398 yards, a whopping 36.2 yards per catch. Trevor Noble leads the team with 12 receptions. PK Austin Wolter is 16 of 17 on PAT kicks and 1-for-1 on FGs. Logan Benter has a team-high 39 tackles. This is a tough place to play and Cedar Falls will be on high alert after an upset loss to Waterloo West a week ago. The Lions have the firepower on offense to get the job done. But this is no sleeping Tiger.

Cedar Falls - The Tigers were stunned by Waterloo West 17-16 last Friday, a loss that knocked them from No.2 to completely out of this week's Des Moines Register rankings. Cedar Falls appeared beatable in two other games, pulling out a 14-13 win over City High and scoring 14 fourth-quarter points to beat Washington, 21-14. The Tigers bulldozed winless Waterloo East, 36-6. RB Eli Berregaard has rushed for 487 yards and 7 TDs. RB Dennison Harrington has 199 yards and 3 TDs. QBs Trey Hansen and Brian Cook have combined to complete only 13 of 41 passes for 321 yards and 1 TD. They have been intercepted 4 times. PK Caleb Iehl is 10 of 12 on PAT kicks and 1 of 1 on FGs. Jared Farley has 36 tackles, 8 solos for losses. The Tigers have lost only five games during the regular season over the past seven years. They outscored their opponents by a whopping 199-38 the week after those losses. The last time they lost two games in the regular season was 2009. Me-owch!

Marion (2-2, 1-0) at Maquoketa (3-1, 2-0)

Site: 600 Washington St., Maquoketa, Iowa

Time: 7 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KMAQ (AM-1320/FM-95.1)

Last meeting: Marion 25, Maquoketa 14 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: Maquoketa by 3

Marion - The Indians were stunned at home by Washington, Iowa, 42-14, last Friday in a non-district game. Marion allowed 229 rushing yards and 4 TDs, and the Demons also returned a kickoff and punt for TDs. The Indians managed only 64 rushing yards against Washington a week after rolling up 269 yards and 5 TDs in a 58-0 romp past Anamosa. QB Trevor Hardman has completed 54.2 percent of his passes (26 of 48) for 513 yards and 7 TDs. RB Colton Mowry has rushed for 256 yards. He had 162 and two TDs against Mount Pleasant in the opener. WR Quinn Cannoy has 15 receptions for 393 yards and 7 TDs. Logan Fuller has 9 receptions for 102 yards. PK Ben Kroemer is 11 of 13 on PAT kicks and 1 for 2 on FGs. The Indians have forced 7 turnovers. John Carstensen has a team-high 24 tackles. Deshaun Quinn has 21 tackles, including 7 solos for losses. Marion scored 17 points in the fourth quarter for a come-from-behind win over Maquoketa at home a year ago. The Indians can't fall behind and expect to win this time around.

 

Maquoketa - The Cardinals plowed through Anamosa, 59-6, last Friday. The week before they suffered a disappointing 28-21 loss to always tough DeWitt Central, but that loss was reversed when it was discovered Central had allowed a player to participate in more than four quarters in a week the first three weeks of the season. That win gives Maquoketa the early lead in the district race. RB Jacob Kloft has rushed for 262 yards and 7 TDs. RB Cole Kueter has 221 yards and 2 TDs. QB Trent Bollman is a 41.4 percent passer (24 of 58). He has thrown for 451 yards and 3 TDs, but also has been picked off 5 times. Ben Strathman is the top receiver with 10 catches for 141 yards. PK Cory Wirth is 18 of 18 on PAT kicks and 2 of 2 on FGs, with a long of 33. Kueter has 46 tackles and Kloft 2 interceptions. Kloft also has returned a punt for a TD. The Cardinals and Marion have split their last four games. This is a toss-up, with the home field favoring the Cards.

Cedar Valley (0-3, 0-2) at Lansing Kee (2-3, 2-1)

Site: 569 Center St., Lansing, Iowa

Time: 7 p.m.

Radio: None

Last meeting: Lansing Kee 85, Cedar Valley 20 (Sept. 21, 2012)

Line: No line

Cedar Valley - The Huskies have been outscored 228-18 in their first three games, most recently a 67-12 loss to West Central last Friday at home. The Blue Devils had 390 yards of total offense, 364 on the ground. QB Kenan Ulmer threw 2 TD passes in the fourth quarter. He has thrown 3 TD passes to account for all of the Huskies' points.

Cedar Valley was beaten by Springville 91-0 two weeks ago. That came two weeks after a 70-6 loss to HLV in its opener. The Huskies get beat, but never defeated.

Lansing Kee - The Kee Hawks were bounced by Springville 49-6 last week. That came a week after a 24-20 loss to Riceville. They own wins over Midland (50-26) and Elkader Central (54-36). RB James Peterson had 533 yards and 9 TDs in Kee's first 4 games. QB Dylon Peterson had 181 yards rushing and 5 TDs, and completed 23 of 44 passes for 290 ards and 2 TDs. He also threw 4 interceptions. Stats from the Springville game were not available.

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