The second night of the season features an intra-city battle between Washington and Kennedy at Kingston Stadium.

A "new" coach will be on the sidelines for the Warriors in Paul James, who guided guided Washington to a 58-48 record in 11 seasons before stepping down after the 2005 season to assume the full-time duties of associate principal/activities director. He now wears all three hats.

Xavier didn't nab the crown last year, falling in the Class 4A state title game to Ankeny, but the Saints have a No.1 target on their backs this season. Dubuque Hempstead will be rolling out the green carpet for Xavier at Dalzell Field, which reopened last spring after nearly $10 million of renovations. It's like putting lipstick on a pigskin for the Mustangs, who were winless in 2012.

Linn-Mar travels to reloading Iowa City West, Marion hosts Mount Pleasant and Cedar Valley Christian welcomes HLV at LaSalle.

Friday

Washington (0-0) at Kennedy (0-0)

Site: Kingston Stadium

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (AM-1600)

Last meeting: Washington 17, Kennedy 6 (Aug. 24, 2012)

Line: Kennedy by 2

Washington - The Warriors usher in the Paul James Era - Part II, in this contest. James  returned as the Washington coach after the departure of Tony Lombardi last spring. He has an inexperienced squad on offense that will be led by QB Reid Snitker. Clayton Bjornsen caught 17 passes. The defense returns key plays in Jake Bjornsen (80 tackles), Connor Vincent (57 stops) and Snitker (45 tackles). It's an interesting and important opener for the Warriors, who host Iowa City West next week.

 

Kennedy - The Cougars will be looking for a quick start to the season, something that has bedeviled them the past couple of years when they struggled out of the gate. QB Derek Jacobus is healthy after missing last season with a shoulder injury and is a multitalented athlete. Kennedy lost a big chunk of its offense with the graduation of RB Alex Hillyer, who rushed for 1,662 yards last season. Miles Moa, who gained 238 yards last season, is the heir-apparent. The Cougars have a brawny line led by Austin Holzer, and an intriguing tight end prospect in Drew Heitland, a two-year starter at guard who dropped 50 pounds in the offseason and now plays at 225.

 

Linn-Mar (0-0) at Iowa City West (0-0)

Site: Trojan Football Field (Iowa City West)

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

Sophomore game: 5:30 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (FM-107.5/FM-106.3)

Last meeting: Iowa City West 49, Linn-Mar 14 (Aug. 24, 2012)

Line: Iowa City West by 19

Linn-Mar - The Lions struggled through a 3-6 campaign last season, but plan to crank up the tempo this season behind QB Ryan Schmidt. RB Ross Lembeck ran for 693 yards a year ago and he'll be joined in the backfield by speedy Perrion Scott, one of the top sprinters in the state last spring. Logan Benter also is being counted upon to tote the ball. This is a tough game to start a season for a young team.

 

Iowa City West - The Trojans lost a legion of talent from last year's 10-1 team that was ranked No.2 before it was upset by Prairie in the second round of the playoffs. But they return QB Nate Boland, who passed for 2,183 yards and 19 TDs. RB Devin Raffensperger rushed for 566 yards and averaged 8.2 yards per carry. DE Devaughn McCullough had 76 tackles. In other words, West is reloading, not rebuilding. And that's bad news for all of the Trojans' opponents.

 

Xavier (0-0) at Hempstead (0-0)

Site: Dalzell Field (Dubuque)

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Last meeting: Xavier 48, Hempstead 7 (Aug. 24, 2012)

Line: Xavier by 28

Xavier - The Saints lost the passing combo of Reggie Schulte and Corbin Woods to graduation, but the cupboard is far from bare. Seven starters return from a defense that held opponents to 8.6 points per game and held foes to seven points or less in 8 of 14 games. RB Brendan Miller ran for 1,068 yards and 10 TDs and Wes Gardner added 333 yards. The new QB is senior Quinton Scholer, who started at safety. WR Bryce Grimm caught 36 passes. TE Matt Nelson caught 14 passes, but eight went for TDs. He also is a terror at defensive end and has committed to play football at the University of Iowa. PK Ryan Persick converted 68 of 70 PATs and set a Metro record with 10 FGs. Add it all up and it's no secret why the Des Moines Register tabbed the Saints as the state's No.1 team in Class 4A entering the season.

Hempstead - The Mustangs were 0-9 last season and graduated their top QB and WR.

RB Matt Zenner ran for 642 yards. QB Bailey Paulsen has limited experience.

A successful season for Hempstead is winning one game. This one isn't it.

 

 

Mount Pleasant (0-0) at Marion (0-0)

Site: Thomas Park

Time: 8 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 6 p.m.

Radio: None

Television: MC-22 (Delayed broadcasts Saturday at 9 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m.)

Last meeting: Marion 70, Mount Pleasant 7 (Aug. 24, 2012)

Line: Marion by 30

Mount Pleasant - The Panthers were 2-7 a year ago and graduated their top passer and rusher. Stop me if you've heard this one. RB Josh Larson ran for 289 yards and led the team in rushing.

Mount Pleasant's offense scored 11 TDs last year.

The Panthers have 19 players on their squad. Prospects for this season are ... grim.

 

Marion - The Indians are stacked, despite the loss to graduation of leading rusher Trev Biery.

QB Trevor Hardman (55-110-3-860, 7 TDs) returns and he'll be chucking the ball to WR Quinn Cannoy (17-387).

RB Colton Mowry ran for 423 yards and 5 TDs. Jordan Keeton and John Gorman are a pair of quality linemen.

This will be a laugher if the Indians keep their thoughts away from next week's tilt at defending state champion Decorah.

 

HLV (0-1) at Cedar Valley Christian (0-0)

Site: LaSalle Middle School

Time: 7 p.m.

Radio: None

Last meeting: HLV 76, Cedar Valley Christian 0 (Aug. 24, 2012)

Line: No line

 

< Prev		Next >