Iowa high school football 2025: Gazette-area Week 1 games to watch

The following are area football capsules for Week 1 of the Iowa high school football season:

Cedar Falls at Iowa City Liberty

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at North Liberty

Records and rankings: Class 5A eighth-ranked Cedar Falls was 5-5 last year; No. 3 Liberty was 10-2.

Overview: Liberty is coming off its best season in school history; the Lightning averaged more than 40 points per game last year and advanced to the 5A semifinals. QB Reece Rettig is back for his senior campaign after throwing for 2,719 yards and 32 touchdowns (against only three interceptions) last season, but his top three targets have graduated. Cedar Falls counters with the return of QB Leyton Wolf, who passed for 1,556 yards and welcomes back receiver Carsten Meester.

Cedar Rapids Xavier at North Scott

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Eldridge

Records and rankings: Class 4A top-ranked Xavier was 7-4 last season; No. 9 North Scott was 9-3.

Overview: Xavier has won four straight in this series, including a 28-21 triumph last October. The Saints’ four losses in 2024 were their most in a season since 2014, but expect a marked improvement this fall behind returners like QB Cash Parks, RB Carter Hoffmann, receiver Ryan Kelly and many others. North Scott made it to the 4A semifinals last season and has won nine games or more for seven of the last eight seasons. The Lancers return top running back Evan Kruse.

Cedar Rapids Prairie at Linn-Mar

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Linn-Mar Stadium

Records and rankings: Prairie was 4-5 last year; Linn-Mar was 7-3.

Overview: This series returns after a two-year hiatus. Prairie could be the best of the Metro 5A teams after narrowly missing the playoffs last season, thanks to some quality skill returners. Duane Orr is the new head coach at Linn-Mar. The Lions advanced to the postseason in 2024 and will see a lot of new faces on the varsity after graduation hit hard.

Iowa City West at Iowa City High

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Bates Field

Records and rankings: West was 6-5 last season; City was 6-4.

Overview: Bet against another 40-39 offensive showcase that these teams put on display last season (City won it), because both teams graduated their prolific quarterbacks. In fact, this could evolve into a defensive battle. City returns its top three tacklers, West brings back three of its top five. The Little Hawks have won the last four Battles for the Boot, and the presence of RB Dawson Kahl (941 rushing yards, 17 TDs) could be a difference-maker in a down-to-the-wire dandy.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy at Dubuque Hempstead

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Dubuque (Dalzell Field)

Records and rankings: Kennedy was 3-6 last year; Hempstead was 6-3.

Overview: The last time Kennedy posted a losing season (3-8 in 2014), the Cougars followed that by reaching the state championship game. A repeat of that feat might be a stretch, but Kennedy should be better this season than its 3-6 predecessor. Hempstead pursues its first victory over the Cougars since 2020, and returns the QB/RB/WR trifecta of Avery Keehner, Jaden Montgomery and Landon McKay. It’s too early to call this a make-or-break, but it’s certainly pivotal for both.

Cedar Rapids Washington vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings: Washington was 3-6 last season; Jefferson was 5-4.

Overview: At 5-4, Jefferson is coming off of its first winning season since 2015. Now, the J-Hawks seek their first win over their archrivals since a 24-7 decision in 2019 (and second since 2001). Jefferson has a bona fide weapon on the edge in L.J. Nyenow, who caught 37 passes (19.6 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns. Washington counters with QB Grady McGuire, who passed for 10 TDs last season and ran for seven. The Warriors hope to compete for a playoff berth in Class 4A.

Marion at West Delaware

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Manchester

Records and rankings: Marion was 2-7 last year; West Delaware was 5-4.

Overview: West Delaware narrowly missed the Class 3A playoffs last year because of a series of close losses. The Hawks’ four defeats came by a combined 23 points, none by more than eight. Now they begin life post-Brent Yonkovic, who put up nearly 2,000 yards of total offense in 2024. Seniors Macoy Roling (574 rushing yards) and Jack Cantwell (348) become the features of the West Delaware attack. The Hawks and the Wolves are playing for the first time since 2019.

Iowa City Regina at Wilton

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Wilton

Records and rankings: Class 1A third-ranked Regina was 9-2 last year; Wilton was 10-2.

Overview: Wilton ended a long losing streak to the Regals at an opportune time, tripping them 21-14 in the Class 1A playoffs last year. The Beavers are 2A now, and the teams will continue their rivalry as non-district foes. Regina is loaded with firepower at virtually every offensive position, whether it’s QB Kyle Tracy (1,901 passing yards, 19 TDs), RB Savion Miller (922 rushing yards, 8 TDs) or WR Tate Wallace (51 receptions, 752 yards, 8 TDs). Wilton’s Hayden Hill collected 80 tackles last year.

Dubuque Wahlert at Western Dubuque

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Epworth

Records and rankings: Class 3A No. 7 Wahlert was 13-0 last year; Western Dubuque was 6-4.

Overview: After its run to the Class 3A state championship last year, Wahlert is pretty much starting over. The Golden Eagles were senior-laden in 2024; their top returner is Will Welbes, who amassed 88 tackles, second-most on the team. Western Dubuque figures to be a co-favorite in Class 4A District 3, along with North Scott. The Bobcats feature a near-1,000-yard running back in Drew Bergfeld, plus Bradley Brosius, who caught 37 passes for 407 yards and three touchdowns.

North Fayette Valley at Independence

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Independence

Records and rankings: North Fayette Valley was 9-2 last year; Independence was 8-3.

Overview: Independence football has never been better. The Mustangs have assembled seven consecutive winning seasons (55-16), highlighted by a 10-win campaign in 2022. Indee should compete for the 3A District 2 title, along with Clear Lake, Benton Community and West Delaware, though there are significant vacancies to fill. North Fayette Valley’s skill positions were similarly gutted, but the TigerHawks return their top two tacklers in Ryan Griffith and Jaxson Lundgren.

East Buchanan at Lisbon

When and where: 7 p.m. Friday, at Lisbon

Records and rankings: East Buchanan was 3-5 last year; Lisbon was 10-1.

Overview: After coming up just short of a trip to the Class A semifinals, Lisbon makes the climb to 1A. The Lions will do it with a reconstructed roster after graduation hit hard. Chase McFarlane (51.5 tackles) is back to help anchor the defense. East Buchanan dipped from three straight nine-plus-win seasons to 3-5 last year, but the Bucs might be poised to rebound somewhat behind juniors Keenan Pals and Brody McGrath, who combined for 1,171 rushing yards last season.

Alburnett at Center Point-Urbana

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Center Point

Records and rankings: Alburnett was 5-4 last year; CPU was 4-5.

Overview: As recently as 2021, Alburnett was competing as a Class A program. The Pirates are 2A now, and should contend in their new home (2A District 5). That recent enrollment growth is part of the reason that these former Tri-Rivers rivals are getting back together after a lengthy separation. Pirates junior Laken Caves is explosive out of the backfield. He rushed for 1,251 yards (7.2 per carry) and 16 touchdowns, and added five receiving TDs. CPU quarterback Brennen Merkle passed for six touchdowns last season.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com