Can anyone slow down Iowa City West?

The Trojans are averaging 52.3 points after beating up Metro opponents the first three weeks of the prep football season.

And now it is Prairie's turn.

The Hawks are the only team to beat West in its last 14 games. That win came in the second round of last season's Class 4A playoffs and was the only blemish on the second-ranked Trojans' record.

Is it payback time Friday night at John Wall Field?

Payback could be the order of the weekend. Kennedy is out to avenge a loss last season to Dubuque Senior, Washington owes Linn-Mar, and Marion will have to fend off Washington, Iowa. Those three games have the definite aroma of vengeance.

 

Three games that don't? Jefferson at Iowa City High, Xavier at Wahlert and West Central at Cedar Valley Christian. Jefferson, Wahlert and Cedar Valley lost by a combined 184-30 to their respective opponents in the fourth week last season. Expect more of the same this time around.

The weekend kicks off Thursday night at Kingston Stadium with Kennedy's homecoming game against Dubuque Senior.

Enjoy.

Thursday

Dubuque Senior (1-2, 0-0) vs. Kennedy (2-1, 0-1)

Site: Kingston Stadium

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (AM-1600/FM-107.5/FM-106.3), WMT (AM-600)

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

Last meeting: Dubuque Senior 21, Kennedy 14 (Sept. 14, 2012)

Line: Kennedy by 4

Dubuque Senior - The Rams were stunned by Dubuque Wahlert, 14-6, last Friday. They own a win at Linn-Mar, but were beaten at home by Waterloo West. RB Mike Williams is the leading rusher with 306 yards. He had 86 against Wahlert. RB Parker Hammel ran for 154 yards and two TDs against Wahlert. He had two TDs against Kennedy last season. The Rams' passing attack sputtered against the Golden Eagles, gaining only 49 yards. QB Austin Clemens has thrown for 310 yards and two TDs, but also as thrown three interceptions. Clemens had 223 yards passing and a TD against Kennedy last year. PK Jack Kloft is 5 of 6 on PAT kicks and 0 for 2 on FGs. Wahlert threw two TD passes to beat the Rams, West ran for 307 yards. 

Kennedy - The Cougars had five turnovers and were beaten by Iowa City West, 41-14, last Friday. Kennedy won its first two games in com-from-behind fashion, rallying from 10-point deficits to beat Washington and Prairie. RB Miles Moa has rushed for 263 yards. RB Logan Wedo has 232 yards, including 146 and two TDs last week against West. FB Terrance Hall ran for 96 yards and two TDs against Prairie. QB Derek Jacobus has completed 19 of 39 passes for 231 yards and two TDs. TE Drew Heitland has eight receptions for 111 yards and a TD. PK Mark Schulz is 8 of 8. He has not attempted a FG. Triston Christopher has 29 tackles, Jordan Lunsford 21 and Prince Kollie 18. Kennedy has avenged two losses from a year ago. Could this be No.3?

Friday

Iowa City West (3-0) at Prairie (1-2)

Site: John Wall Field

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KXIC (AM-800)

Last meeting: Prairie 49, Iowa City West 28 (Oct. 29, 2012)

Line: Iowa City West by 21

Iowa City West - The Trojans have outscored three foes by a combined 157-50, and this is a revenge game for them. Prairie knocked an undefeated West team out of the playoffs last year at Iowa City. Despite the loss of standout wide receivers Dondre Alexander and Jeremy Morgan, this West club appears every bit as powerful as last year's outfit. QB Nate Boland has completed 71 percent of his passes (32 of 45) for 570 yards and six TDs. He also has run for a team-high 285 yards and eight TDs, averaging 11.4 yards per carry. RB Devin Raffensperger has rushed for 277 yards and a TD. WR Anthony Batie has 13 receptions for 276 yards and four TDs. He is averaging 21.2 yards per catch. PK Connor Gordon is 19 of 21 on PATs. He has not attempted a FG. The Trojans' defense has forced 10 turnovers.  have punted only once. Micah Kelsay has 30 tackles, Kevin Dowell 23, Brock Hatzky 20. West is ranked sixth by the Des Moines Register.

Prairie - The Hawks were shutout, 23-0, by No.1 Xavier last week and blew a 10-point lead in the second haf in a 28-24 loss to Kennedy the week before. Prairie held Xavier to two points in the first half of last week's game, but could never generate any offense, finishing with 92 total yards. RB Mitch Christensen has rushed for 296 yards and is averaging 6.0 yards per carry. QB Trey Beckman has rushed for 91 yards, but is completing only 40.9 percent of his passes (27 of 66) and has thrown as many interceptions (3) as touchdown passes. WR Mitch Dellamuth has seven receptions for 143 yards and two TDS. WR Jesse Vizzini has nine receptions. LB Tristan Beyer is a force on defense with 29 tackles. Ben Boldt leads the team with 33 stops. The Hawks have intercepted four passes. PK Sam Drysdale is 6-of-6 on PATs and 2-of-2 on FGs. The Hawks split with West a year ago, losing 58-27 during the season and winning in the playoffs. Payback is heck, especially against these guys.

Linn-Mar (1-2, 1-0) vs. Washington (0-3, 0-1)

Site: Kingston Stadium

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KGYM (AM-1600/FM-107.5)

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

Last meeting: Linn-Mar 24, Washington 21, OT (Sept. 14, 2012)

Line: Pick 'em

Linn-Mar - The Lions roared past Waterloo West, 59-35, last Friday. QB Ryan Schmidt passed for 313 yards and three TDs and ran for another TD. RB Ross Lembeck had four rushing TDs. WR Griffin Benecke snared four passes for 134 yards and two TDs. Overall, Schmidt has completed 65 percent of his passes (52 of 80) for 757 yards and four TDs. He has thrown four interceptions. Lembeck has rushed for 342 yards and five TDs, and is averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Speedster Perrion Scott made his first appearance of the season last week and rushed three times for minus-5 yards. Bennecke has 11 receptions for 311 yards, a whopping 34.6 yards per catch. Trevor Noble leads the team with 11 receptions. PK Austin Wolter is 13 of 14 on PATs and 1-for-1 on FGs. Logan Benter has a team-high 28 tackles. The Lions were scuttled by penalties and turnovers their first two games. Wolter's field goal won this game a year ago. It could come down to another this time.

Washington - The Warriors gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns and were beaten by No.2 Cedar Falls, 21-7, last Friday night at the UNI-Dome. It was the second time in three games an opponent came from behind in the second half to beat the Warriors. Washington dropped a 14-10 decision to Kennedy in its season opener. RB Masen Taylor ran for 84 yards against Cedar Falls, but QB Reid Snitker threw three interceptions to go along with his one TD pass. Overall, Taylor has rushed for 189 yards and a TD and Snitker has completed 53.8 percent of his passes (28 of 52) for 307 yards and two TDs. Landen Akers has eight receptions for 121 yards. PK Gunnar Lenzen is 2-of-2 on PAT kicks. Connor Vincent has 32 tackles, Jake Bjornsen 26. The Warriors have totaled only 25 points in their first three games. They need a win. This shapes up as a headbanger.

Xavier (3-0, 1-0) at Wahlert (2-1, 1-0)

Site: Rock Bowl (Loras College), Dubuque

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

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

Last meeting: Xavier 53, Wahlert 14 (Sept. 14, 2012)

Line: Xavier by 24

Xavier - The Saints have outscored their first three opponents by a combined score of 102-7 and held Prairie to 92 total yards in a 23-0 win last week. The Saints held Jefferson to 103 yards and Hempstead to 137 in their first two games. QB Quinton Scholer has completed 74.2 percent of his passes (23 of 31) for 298 yards and four TDs. He has been equally dangerous with his feet, rushing for 187 yards and three TDs. He averages 9.4 yards per carry. RB Brendan Miller has rushed for 313 yards and four TDs. WR Bryce Grimm has seven receptions for 102 yards and two TDs. PK Ryan Persick is 13 of 14 on PAT kicks and 1-of-3 on FGs. The defense has seven starters back from last year's team. Daniel Vega has a team-high 15 tackles, including six solos for losses. Sean Ickes has 12 stops, Ben Valentine and Matt Nelson 10. The Saints are ranked No.1 in the state by the Des Moines Register. No.1 with a bullet.

Wahlert - The Golden Eagles upset Dubuque Senior 14-6 last Friday for their second stunner in three weeks. They beat Waterloo East, 27-12, in their opener, but were squashed by Hempstead, 41-14, two weeks ago. QB Danny Broderick has thrown five TD passes, and has completed 26 of 50 passes for 345 yards. Jared Walker has 13 receptions for 271 yards and three TDs. Walker caught only two passes, but both went for TDs against Dubuque Senior. RB Riley Hasken has rushed for 307 yards and a TD. Colin Smith has 127 yards and two TDs. Jake Bohr has 29 tackles, Zach Kapler 28. PK Mitch Gaul is 7 of 8 on PAT kicks. He missed his only FG attempt.

Jefferson (0-3, 0-1) at IC High (2-1, 1-0)

Site: Frank Bates Field, Iowa City

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

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Radio: KCJJ (AM-1630)

Last meeting: Iowa City High 38, Jefferson 0 (Sept. 14, 2012)

Line: Iowa City High by 27

Jefferson - The J-Hawks were stunned by Dubuque Hempstead 21-12 last Friday when the Mustangs' Matt Zenner ran for 263 yards. They opened the season with losses to Prairie (24-7) and Xavier (44-0). QB Layne Sullivan has rushed for 104 yards and a TD. RB Michael Moncivais leads the team with 143 yards. He ran for 134 against Hempstead. TE Ben Koering has six receptions for 91 yards, and also has six carries for 78. Sullivan has completed 47.3 percent of his passes (26 of 55) for 270 yards and a TD. He also has thrown three interceptions. LB Will Orr has 21 tackles. Highly regarded two-way lineman Michael Smith has 19 tackles. Luke Sedlacek has 18. Jefferson has lost 33 of its last 34 games. It will take an extraordinary effort to stop that slide.

Iowa City High - The Little Hawks ripped Waterloo East 46-22 last week. They also have a 42-34 win over Waterloo West under their belt. Their loss was a 14-13 decision to No.2 Cedar Falls in the opening week. QB Mitch Wieland has completed 30 of 59 passes for 451 yards and three TDs. He has been intercepted twice. Jake Leohr has 10 receptions for 203 yards and a TD, Cory Lindsey nine catches for 126 yards and two TDs. City High again has a strong rushing game led by Xavier Washpun, who has gained 460 yards and scored six TDs. Bryson Runge has 74 yards on just four carries. Washpun ran for 210 yards and three TDs against Waterloo West, then had 144 yards and three more TDs against East. PK Drew Cornwell is 11 of 13 on PAT kicks and has made all four of his FG attempts with a long of 40. The Little Hawks missed out on the playoffs last year. A loss to Jeff would put them back on that track this season.

Washington, Iowa (2-1) at Marion (2-1)

Site: Thomas Park

Time: 7 p.m. (approximately)

Sophomore game: 5 p.m.

Television: KCRG 9.2 (Mediacom 109, Imon 709)

Last meeting: Marion 13, Washington 10 (Sept. 14, 2012)

Line: Marion by 1

Washington - The Demons bounced back from a 14-7 loss to Class 3A No.3 Pella with a 59-23 pasting of Fairfield. They opened the season with a 35-14 win over Mid-Prairie. RB Alex Coker has rushed for 208 yards and five TDs. He had 101 yards and three TDs against Fairfield. QB Daryn Seibelius has rushed for 135 yards, and has completed 12 of 34 passes for 207 yards and three TDs. PK Mason Quigley is 14 of 14 on PAT kicks and 1 for 1 on FGs. The Demons have forced seven turnovers. Carl Sivels has two interceptions. Jeff Knupp has 23 tackles, Tanner Knupp 17 with five solos for losses. Washington rallied from a 13-point deficit but came up short against Marion in last year's game. A 70-yard TD run by Coker on the second-to-last play was nullified by a holding penalty.

Marion - The Indians trounced Anamosa 58-0 last week after a disappointing 34-7 loss at No.5 Decorah the week before. They opened the season with a 40-0 romp past Mount Pleasant. QB Trevor Hardman completed only four passes against Anamosa, but three went for TDs to Quinn Cannoy. The Indians also ran for 269 yards and five TDs. RB Dontavious Young had 117 yards. Overall, Hardman has completed 51.5 percent of his passes (17 of 33) for 353 yards and five TDs. RB Colton Mowry has rushed for 192 yards. He had 162 and two TDs against Mount Pleasant, but injured a knee and was believed to be out. He ran for 30 yards against Anamosa. Cannoy has 10 receptions for 286 yards and five TDs. PK Ben Kroemer is 9 of 11 on PAT kicks and 1 for 2 on FGs. The Indians have forced seven turnovers. John Carstensen has a team-high 19 tackles. Deshaun Quinn has 16 tackles, including six solos for losses. This is a tough one.

West Central (1-2, 1-1) at Cedar Valley (0-2, 0-1)

Site: LaSalle Middle School

Time: 7 p.m.

Last meeting: West Central 93, Cedar Valley 16 (Sept. 14, 2012)

Line: No line

West Central - The Blue Devils are coming off back-to-back losses to Tripoli (30-18) and Easton Valley (47-16) after a season-opening 44-19 win over Central City. RB James Niemann has rushed for 490 yards and three TDs. Dalton Koch has 165 yards and two TDs. QB Kaleb Kime has completed only 9 of 18 passes for 191 yards and two TDs. Niemann has five receptions for 108 yards. The Blue Devils have not attempted a placement kick on PATs. Tyson Decker has 48 tackles, Niemann 29. Niemann also has recovered two fumbles. The Blue Devils have forced seven turnovers. West Central had 10 rushing TDs in its romp over Cedar Valley last season and has outscored the Huskies 155-24 in their two previous meetings. Thank goodness for a running clock.

Cedar Valley - The Huskies were stomped by No.4 Springville 91-0 last week. That came two weeks after a 70-6 loss to HLV in their opener. The HLV game lasted only one half before it was called off because of heat and safety concerns for the Cedar Valley players. The Huskies have a total of 135 yards in their first two games. Eric Gustafson leads the team with 23 yards rushing. Kenan Ulmer has completed 3 of 16 passes for 54 yards. The Huskies have turned the ball over 10 times. Five have been returned for TDs. Gustafson leads the team with 13 tackles.

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