Iowa High School Football

From Andy Hamilton at the Des Moines Register (and including video)

There will be nights in the Valley football future when Rocky Lombardi turns drive-killing sacks into throwaway incompletions.

There will be nights when he makes quicker reads, smarter choices and takes fewer risks with the football.

From Chris Cuellar at the Des Moines Register (and including video)

Guthrie Center and coach Mark McDermott are learning eight-player football together, one step at a time.

Assuming that step is a smash-mouth rush between the tackles.

From Kristi Nixon:

One glance at the scoreboard, even before the game started, was all the motivation West Fork first-year head coach Eric Gabe needed.

A 2001 Greene High School graduate who played under legendary coach Dave Sturm, he couldn’t help but notice the newly dedicated scoreboard that bears his former coach’s name.

Kevin White chronicles how Carroll was able to "push around" Harlan.

Harlan Community coach Curt Bladt found the bright side.

“We did a couple things good,’’ he said. “We kicked off pretty well. We kicked an extra point. One for one there.’’

Those were the only so-called highlights for the Cyclones. Carroll pushed Harlan all over the field, outgaining the hosts 482-183 in a 42-7 non-district rout on Friday at newly renovated Merrill Field.

Patrick Donohue writes about St. Albert's dominating performance versus Treynor.

Earlier this week, Class A No. 2 St. Albert learned that starting running back Jon Meyerring would be out indefinitely with a cracked collarbone.

Down a senior starter, many Falcon fans may have worried.

John Schreier takes in some free football as TJ and Glenwood go into overtime.

On a cool night perfect for football, Glenwood got off to hot starts in each half. Thomas Jefferson had the scorching finish in both.

Evan Bland writes about Lewis Central's convincing win over CB AL.

Lewis Central spotted its city rival a touchdown. From there, the Titans showed they can dominate even when the offense isn’t humming.

The IAHSAA has their weekly scores page up.

An interesting week one is now behind us. Four of last year's six state champions went down including Kuemper Catholic in Carroll, Iowa City Regina, Bishop Heelan, and West Lyon.

Looking back at my thoughts from last week, I feel good about where I steered you.

Waukee controlled their game against Valley, but being there for Waukee's first win against the TIgers would have been worth it.

Even after nearly 3 hours' worth of delays, North Fayette and Decorah played to a 14-0 game.

Melcher-Dallas won big over Colo-Nesco, 46-22.

Class A St. Albert won 20-13 over 4A Thomas Jefferson

And boy was that bonus pick worth it. Solon won in a wild finish with a 2-point conversion in overtime over Iowa City Regina.

Week 2 Preview

Central

I'm interested to see how Class 3A's #2 Pella does in hosting Dallas Center-Grimes. Dallas Center-Grimes is coming off a big year last year and looking to turn the corner. Pella is near the top of the rankings.

Northeast

This one is a no-brainer: Class 1A's #2 South Winneshiek hosts Class A's #8 Wapsie Valley at Upper Iowa University. A big game on a big field. South Winn has slowly crept up the rankings a built a name for itself in the past few years. Wapsie Valley has always been a program to watch.

Southeast

Technically speaking, Iowa City Regina is east of interstate 35 and south of interstate 80, so I'm going back to the well to see how the Regals respond to their first loss in four years. Remember, these players had never lost before last week. No rest for the weary, as the Regals host Class 2A's #9 Cascade.

Southwest

Each week I'll end up reaching a little, and I would bet it will often be for an 8-player game. I went to my first a couple of years ago and I caught the fever. This week I'd be headed to Fremont-Mills to see what the #1 team in the state plays like.

Northwest

From John Naughton at the Des Moines Register:

Iowa City Regina's state record winning streak ended Friday in a 29-28 loss to Solon.

So much for the team's No. 1 ranking, right?

Not so fast.

From John Naughton at the Des Moines Register:

Dowling Catholic used puddles and huddles to help win a rematch of last year's Class 4-A state football championship.

The Maroons, who are ranked No. 1 in 4-A, topped 3-A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier 24-2 Friday at Valley Stadium.

Watch highlight videos from the following games:

Valley vs. Waukee

Xavier vs. Dowling

Gilbert vs. Webster City

ADM (Adel) at Perry

Ballard vs. Boone

Van Meter vs. Madrid

The Des Moines Register has the scores from every game in the state:

From John Naughton at the Des Moines Register:

Roosevelt's football players ran to the stands Friday and serenaded the fans with the school song.

Now the Roughriders are hoping to add a few more verses.

From T.J. Rushing at the Des Moines Register:

Bondurant-Farrar's Grant Petersen stole the show as he scampered and bulldozed his way to a school-record 374 yards in Friday's 42-6 romp over rival North Polk.

The shifty bruiser scored all six of the Bluejay touchdowns — including a 67-yarder on the Bluejays' first play of the game — and he added an interception in the third quarter for good measure.

From Chris Cuellar at the Des Moines Register:

Opening night didn't feel so promising when Johnston started at its own 1-yard line.

The Dragons held off all of Friday night's bad omens — thunderstorms, a Southeast Polk rally, settling for field goals and especially a bobbled opening kickoff — for an impressive 28-7 home victory.