No. 5 IC High (4-1, 6-1) at No. 3 Linn-Mar (5-0, 7-0)

Site: Linn-Mar Stadium

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (AM-1600)

TV: Mediacom-22 (Tape delayed, Sat. 9 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.)

Storyline - This is the battle for the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division title. Both teams already have qualified for the playoffs. Linn-Mar is coming off a 56-7 rout of Washington. A week earlier Washington surprised City High, 27-24, ending the Little Hawks' 33-game winning streak against MVC teams. A Linn-Mar win gives the Lions the outright championship and keeps alive their bid for a No. 1 seed. If City High wins, the Little Hawks and Lions tie for the division crown. City High beat Linn-Mar twice last season -- 47-32 and 43-27. Both games were at Iowa City, the second in the second round of the playoffs.

Iowa City High - The Little Hawks bounced back from their loss to Washington by beating Wahlert, 27-10, last Friday. City High is outscoring its opponents by an average 37 to 16. The Little Hawks also are averaging more than 400 yards on offense and allowing around 250 on defense. Most of City High's offensive yards have come from senior tailback Ronald Thompson, who has run for 1,496 yards, an average of 213.7 per game. Thompson's lowest ouput this season was 126 yards in the season opener against Dubuque Senior. His high game was 362 in Week 3 against Iowa City West. The Little Hawks don't pass, and it hurt them in their loss to Washington. They have but 287 passing yards all season. They also don't punt often. That, too, hurt them against the Warriors. Top players: RB Ronald Thompson, sr. (172-1,496, 17 TDs rushing); QB/DB Jasper Washington, sr. (75-493, 6 TDs rushing; 14-33-1-273, 5 TDs passing; 31 tackles, 1 int.); FB/DT Amos Lavela, jr. (40-270, 3 TDs rushing; 45 tackles); WR/DB Jeremy Johnson, sr. (11-239, 4 TDs receiving; 22 tackles); LB John Law, sr. (51 tackles, 7 for loss); TE/DE Steve Ferentz, sr. (2-31, 1 TD receiving; 29 tackles); PK Drew Cornwell, so. (34-34 PATs, 7-10 FGs).

Linn-Mar - The Lions ran their record to 24-5 over the past three seasons with their 56-7 drubbing of Washington last Friday. Linn-Mar set school records with 514 yards rushing and 656 total yards against Wahlert on Sept. 9. The Lions have outscored their first seven foes 312-74 and have outgained foes by more than 200 yards per game (434.6 to 209.0). They lead the MVC in total offense, total defense and scoring defense (10.6 points per game). Senior QB Mark Atwater has completed 67 percent of his passes, thrown for 19 TDs and run for six TDs. His favorite target is senior Andy Henry, who has 13 TD receptions and returned a kickoff and punt for TDs. Top players: QB/LB Mark Atwater, sr. (61-462, 6 TDs rushing; 73-109-2-1268, 19 TDs passing; 25 tackles); RB/LB Mitch Wantock, sr. (83-792, 9 TDs rushing); LB Tommy Feller, sr. (58 tackles, 8 for loss); WR/KR Andy Henry, sr. (31-679, 13 TDs receiving); TE Jacob Hutchins, sr. (12-166 receiving); WR/DB Zach Martins, sr. (11-184, 3 TDs receiving; 25 tackles, 3 int.); C/DT Dustin Smith, sr. (26 tackles, 3 for loss); LB John Conner, sr. (40 tackles); PK Quinn Treiber, sr. (40-41 PATs, 2-2 FGs).

Xavier (3-2, 4-3) at Jefferson (0-4, 0-7)

Site: Kingston Stadium

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KMRY (AM-1450, FM-93.1)

Storyline - Xavier clinches a playoff berth with a win. A Jefferson win ends the J-Hawks' 20-game losing streak. Jefferson's last win over the Saints was a 7-0 decision to open the 2008 season at Saints Field.

Xavier - The Saints got back in the winning column last Friday with a 19-13 win over Waterloo East that snapped a three-game losing streak. Those losses were to ranked foes Iowa City High (52-24), Cedar Falls (27-7) and Iowa City West (49-19). The Saints shutout their first three foes. On offense, senior Carter Valentine has six 100-yard games and ran for a season-best 232 against East last week. Valentine is second in the Metro in rushing with 932 yards. Top players: RB Carter Valentine, sr. (166-932, 7 TDs rushing); QB Reggie Schulte, jr. (68-113-9-892, 7 TDs passing); WR Jordan Hoffman, sr. (10-174, 3 TDs); WR Corbin Woods, jr. (22-272, 2 TDs receiving); TE/DE Kevin Hosch, sr. (8-95, 1 TD receiving; 21 tackles, 3 for loss); FB Matt Hansen, sr. (41-173, 3 TDs rushing); RB/DB Jordan Weber, sr. (11-282 receiving; 34 tackles, 6 for loss); LB Craig Murtha, jr. (38 tackles, 4 for loss); PK Chad Gilmer, sr. (15-16 PATs, 3-6 FGs).

Jefferson - The J-Hawks have the worst offense in the MVC, averaging only 214 yards and 9.0 points per game. They scored a season-high 17 points against Prairie last week and they have been held to 10 or fewer points five times. They have been outscored 269-63 in their seven games and have been particularly susceptible to the run. The J-Hawks have allowed 1,779 yards rushing, an average 254 per game. The J-Hawks moved QB Alex Baxter to RB,  but he injured a knee against Prairie and is doubtful for the rest of the season. Top players: QB/RB/S Alex Baxter, sr. (39-76-2-366, 1 TD passing; 60-240 rushing; 4-64 receiving); RB Austin Short, sr. (69-218 rushing); RB Kyle Mann, sr. (33-175, 2 TDs rushing); C Ryan Eivins, sr.; WR/CB Christian Knox, sr. (26-292, 1 TD receiving); FB/LB Tanner Lund, sr. (5-51 receiving; 24 tackles); TE Austin Goodell, sr. (14-166, 1 TD); QB/LB Jordan Dee, sr. (5-7-1-88 passing; 40 tackles); RB/LB Drake Allen, jr. (18-46, 1 TD rushing; 27 tackles); QB/S Layne Sullivan, so. (31-60-3-351, 3 TDs passing; 24 tackles).

Hempstead (0-4, 2-5) at Prairie (1-4, 1-6)

Site: John Wall Field

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Storyline - Hempstead still has a chance of making the playoffs, but must win its last two games and get help from other teams. Prairie notched its first win under Coach Mike Morrissey last Friday, downing Jefferson, 29-17. The Hawks have an outside chance of reaching the playoffs with wins in their last two games.

Hempstead - The Mustangs have won two straight since five losses to start the season. Their losses were to teams with a combined 25-10 record, their wins over teams with a 1-13 mark. Hempstead has scored 76 points and gained 797 yards in its last two games, wins over Waterloo West and Dubuque Senior. Top players: QB Luke Ploessl, sr. (65-105-6-821, 7 TDs passing; 43-36, 4 TDs rushing); RB/LB Layton Fritsch, sr. (76-379, 5 TDs rushing; 49 tackles); RB Jake Hodge, so. (59-288, 3 TDs rushing; 8-75 receiving); WR Alex Smith, sr. (27-344, 5 TDs receiving); WR/S Connor Ehlers, sr. (16-159, 1 TD receiving; 47 tackles, 2 int.); LB Ben Wilgenbusch, sr. (55 tackles); OL/DL Brett Haas, sr. (53 tackles, 5 for loss).

Prairie - The Hawks won their first game but lost their starting quarterback, at least for a game, against Jefferson last week. Hanna suffered a concussion near the end of the game and will not play against Hempstead. Peyton Wagner will replace him. Prairie's six losses were to opponents with a combined 32-10 record and none have a losing record. The Hawks rolled up 483 yards of total offense in a 41-28 loss to No. 1 Cedar Falls, but had 418 total yards in their next three games before amassing 436 against Jefferson. Top players: RB Zach Witte, sr. (48-218, 1 TD rushing); QB Jace Hanna, sr. (62-128-6-954, 5 TDs passing; 48-(-12) rushing); QB Peyton Wagner, jr. (9-18-0-160, 3 TDs passing; 30-139, 2 TDs rushing; 8-104 receiving); WR/LB Jarred Edmonds, jr. (14-311, 5 TDs receiving; 1-46 rushing; 53 tackles); WR Brayton Carlson, sr. (12-103, 0 TD receiving); PK/LB Austin Reutzel, sr. (13-14 PATs, 4-4 FGs; 37 tackles); RB/LB Cam Rathje, jr. (34-152, 1 TD rushing; 58 tackles); DB Bryce Alberts, sr. (50 tackles).

Washington (2-3, 4-3) at No. 9 IC West (5-0, 6-1)

Site: Iowa City West

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Storyline - Washington needs a win in one of its last two games to clinch a playoff berth. West is in the playoffs, but is playing for a high seed. This is a division crossover game, so it does not count in the league standings. West plays at No. 1 Cedar Falls for the Valley Division title next Friday. West's only loss was to Iowa City High, 42-24, in Week 3. Washington handed the Little Hawks their only loss, 27-24, in Week 6.

Washington - The Warriors were waxed by Linn-Mar 56-7 last Friday. Senior RB Will Griffin (ankle surgery) played in his second game of the season. After gaining 51 yards against City High the previous week, he was held to 30 by the Lions. When healthy, he is a speed burner and difference maker on offense. Flynn Heald has a conference-best 49 receptions, including 21 in the loss to Kennedy. Senior wideout Ryan Cain, who had missed most of the first four games (collarbone), caught the winning touchdown pass against City High. Top players: RB Will Griffin, sr. (35-81, 1 TD rushing); QB Braedon Tovey, sr. (77-150-11-1055, 8 TDs passing; 32-171, 2 TDs rushing); WR/CB Flynn Heald, sr. (49-761, 4 TDs receiving); RB Mitch Bredeson, jr. (108-516, 4 TDs rushing); FB/S David Tann, sr. (54-458, 5 TDs rushing; 52 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 int.);  RB Walter Short, jr. (50-305, 4 TDs rushing); OL Storhm Henry, sr. (16 tackles); T/LB Sean Bredl, sr. (48 tackles, 4 for loss); LB/PK Michael Daughtery, sr. (36 tackles; 26-27 PATs, 1-1 FGs); P Michael Peterson (17-44.3).

Iowa City West - The Trojans' offense has gone berserk the past four weeks after absorbing a 42-24 loss to City High. They outscored Prairie, Jefferson, Xavier and Washington by a combined 197-69. Quarterback Charles Rogers (Iowa State) has accounted for 15 touchdowns the past four games. Junior wide receiver Dondre Alexander is a big-time player who has generated interest from Iowa, Iowa State and Michigan State, according to rivals.com. Speedy wide receivers Mondo Williams and Jeremy Morgan also are threats to score from anywhere on the field. Top players: QB Charles Rogers, sr. (77-122-1-1162, 11 TDs passing; 90-569, 13 TDs rushing); WR/CB Dondre Alexander, jr. (38-523, 4 TDs receiving); WR Mondo Williams, sr. (13-324, 4 TDs receiving); WR Jeremy Morgan, jr. (20-299, 2 TDs receiving); RB Anthony Brown, sr. (53-317, 5 TDs rushing; 30 tackles, 9 for loss); RB Richard Bryant, sr. (52-339, 6 TDs rushing); DB Ezra Reiners, jr. (67 tackles, 7 for loss);  LB Jessie Peterson, jr. (68 tackles); PK Alex Troester, sr. (34-36 PATs, 1-5 FGs).

Kennedy (2-2, 3-4) at Waterloo West (0-4, 0-7)

Site: Memorial Stadium, Waterloo

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Storyline - Kennedy can clinch a playoff berth Friday night with a win and wins by Xavier, Washington and Wahlert. A win against Waterloo West and next week against Wahlert also would put the Cougars in the playoffs. They can not afford a loss to the Wahawks.

Kennedy - The Cougars have won three of their last five games after switching to a Stack-I offense that has pounded out the ground yardage. Kennedy was beaten by No. 9 Iowa City West, 35-28, last week, when QB Chico Lizarraga passed for a career-best 336 yards. Junior Josh Hillyer has taken over as tailback and has run for 538 yards the last five games after netting 11 in the first two. Senior Trevor Heitland was moved from tailback to flanker, but still gets considerable carries out of the Stack-I. He scored four TDs against West, two rushing and two receiving. Top players: RB Trevor Heitland, sr. (87-441, 10 TDs rushing; 21-363, 3 TDs receiving); WR/DB Josh Jahlas, sr. (6-62, 1 TD rushing; 18-402, 3 TDs receiving; 84 tackles); RB Alex Hillyer, jr. (124-549, 6 TDs rushing; 13-154 receiving); QB Chico Lizarraga, sr. (64-119-2-1017, 6 TDs passing); S Andrew Johnson, jr. (48 tackles); LB Prince Kollie, soph. (31 tackles); DE Logan LeTellier, sr. (65 tackles, 8 for loss); LB David Hynek, jr. (59 tackles).

Waterloo West - The Wahawks have lost four straight and been outscored 150-28 over that span after losing in overtime 24-21 at Dubuque Senior in Week 3. The four losses were to Linn-Mar (40-0), Waterloo East (26-7), Hempstead (35-14) and Cedar Falls (49-7). The combined record for those four teams is 20-8. Top players: QB Shawn Bowers, sr. (61-117-2-799, 5 TDs passing; 65-225, 3 TDs rushing); QB Brandon Tovar, jr. (15-22-1-165, 1 TD passing; 22-112, 0 TD rushing); RB Dequayvious Martin, jr. (96-514, 4 TDs rushing); WR Alex Brown, sr. (25-266, 3 TDs receiving); WR Elliott Moeller, jr. (15-215, 1 TD receiving); LB Clayton Steimel, sr. (70 tackles); LB Graham Paige, sr. (55 tackles, 3 for loss).

Marion (2-3, 4-3) at Union (3-2, 5-2)

Site: La Porte City.

Time: 7:30 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5:15 p.m.

Radio - WMT (AM-600).

Storyline - Marion has to win its last two games to make the playoffs. A loss to Union coupled with a DeWitt Central win over Vinton-Shellsburg would eliminate the Indians from the postseason. Union features one of the top backs in the state in Wes Burnside, who was slowed by an apparent hamstring injury for three games before running for 211 yards last week in a 42-17 win at Western Dubuque. Burnside carried the ball 58 times for 315 yards and three touchdowns last season at Marion in Union's 41-35 win.

Marion - The Indians were between by DeWitt Central 18-6 last week and find themselves fighting for their postseason lives. Senior RB Colton Storla cracked 100 yards for the fifth time this season. He is the Metro's leading rusher with 973 yards. He ran for more than 1,200 yards a year ago and is a three-year starter. Hunter Banes leads Class 3A with seven interceptions. Top players: RB Colton Storla, sr. (140-973, 15 TDs rushing); QB Cale Cannoy, sr. (27-67-5-342, 2 TDs passing; 22-68, 1 TD rushing); FB/LB Jake McDonald, sr. (25-163 rushing; 104 tackles, 18 for loss); RB/LB Trev Biery, jr. (47-299 rushing; 35 tackles); RB Tyler Gunderson, jr. (25-140, 3 TDs rushing; 6-134, 1 TD receiving); TE Ethen Herren, jr. (8-70 receiving; 28 tackles); OL Zach Borens, jr.; DB Hunter Banes, sr. (48 tackles, 6 for loss, 7 int.).

Union - The Knights won their first three games and were ranked as high as No. 3, but are 2-2 the past four games with losses to DeWitt Central and district leader Maquoketa. A win against Marion puts the Knights into the playoffs. Coach Joe Hadachek is a former head coach at the college level (Buena Vista). Top players: RB Wes Burnside, sr. (114-931, 17 TDs rushing); QB Jay Scheel, so. (24-51-1-434, 2 TDs); QB/RB Trev Hadachek, jr. (21-39-3-348, 4 TDs passing; 48-325, 2 TDs rushing; 10-169, 1 TD receiving); RB Mitch Dierks, jr. 52-312, 3 TDs); DB Dylan McLaughlin, sr. (58 tackles, 4 for loss); LB Cole Hinders, sr. (43 tackles); PK Brady Petersen, jr. (29-32 PATs, 1-2 FGs).