4 Downs: Gazette staff dissects high school football questions

The Gazette’s Iowa sports staff and contributors dissect high school football like a frog in biology. Take in the knowledge from Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Scott Unash in 4 Downs:

1ST & 10: What team is most need of a win in Week 7?

Jeff Linder: I’m going to go with both teams involved in the Benton Community-Independence game. Class 3A District 2 has four teams ranging from elite (No. 1 Clear Lake) to very good (Benton and Indee) – not sure yet where West Delaware fits in the pecking order. All four would be in the playoffs if they started today, but it’s a stretch to assume that one district would get two at-large berths. That makes Friday’s game at Independence extremely important.

Jeff Johnson: Everyone? I don’t know, it’s not a great schedule this week, especially around the area. The Cedar Rapids Prairie-Cedar Falls game is big, though both teams still could make the playoffs in Class 5A. Cedar Rapids Kennedy probably needs to win out to get in, so Thursday night’s game at Kingston Stadium against Waterloo West is a must win.

K.J. Pilcher: The season is getting into crunch time. Small classes only have two regular-season games left and bigger schools are assured of just three games. Kennedy has a slim margin for error and faces Waterloo West. Both teams are just outside Class 5A top-16 in RPI. It might be an elimination game for the loser. In 4A, Clear Creek Amana hosts No. 5 Newton this week and plays at No. 6 Pella next week. The loss to Grinnell forced the Clippers to have to win the rest of the way. They could rally for one of the district’s two postseason berths. An at-large bid would be unlikely.

Scott Unash: There are several squads needing a win in Week 7 in a big way, but if I had to pinpoint one team it would be Kennedy. The Cougars stand 3-3 with traditional power in Bettendorf and Class 4A newcomer, Dallas Center-Grimes (4-2), for the final two games. The Cougars really need a victory Thursday on a short week over a 3-3 Waterloo West squad to keep their postseason hopes going.

2ND & LONG: If the game comes down to a last-second field goal, who is your pick to make the kick?

Jeff Linder: I saw Ryan Locke of Solon go 3-for-3 against Benton Community, but all three were inside 30 yards. No idea what kind of range he has, but accuracy from close in appears to be great. Cedar Rapids Xavier always has quality kickers, and Owen Vasquez (4-for-5 FG, 29-for-30 PAT) is the latest. If you want to go way out west, Glenwood’s Aaron Christian already has eight field goals (in 10 attempts), including a 52-yarder.

Jeff Johnson: Glenwood’s Aaron Christian is 8 for 10 this season, with a long of 52 yards. He’s a strong possibility. If you want an area guy, let’s go with Adam Salem of Iowa City West (5 of 5) or Junior Boxa of Cedar Rapids Prairie (4 for 4).

K.J. Pilcher: I have seen some really good kickers this season. Hard not to pick an all-stater who is perfect this season. Gabriel Hegelheimer hasn’t missed a kick this season. He has made all 28 extra-point attempts and made his only field goal attempt – a 33-yarder. The Regals’ potent offense haven’t had to settle for kicks this season, but if they do, they’re confident in the sophomore kicker. I would be, too.

Scott Unash: Kickers in high school football are getting better each and every year and are getting stronger legs. And with that, the kicking game is becoming more important. We have some dandy kickers in the Metro this season with Logan Barton of Cedar Rapids Washington, Junior Boxa of Prairie and Owen Vasquez of Xavier to name a few. If I need a kick under 35 yards, give me Boxa and Vasquez. If I have to have a field goal of over 50 yards, it's Barton. The kid has a rocket for his leg.

3RD & SHORT: From Gazette reader David Ryan via Facebook: Which 3A district catches your eye as one that could go any direction over the next three weeks?

Jeff Linder: It’s certainly not the strongest of the six districts, but District 6 has the potential to be a four-team free-for-all the rest of the way. Atlantic (4-2, 2-0) hold the cards to the race; the Trojans face all three of the other contenders – Greene County (4-2, 1-1), Harlan (2-4, 1-1) and Carroll (3-3, 2-0) – to close the season. It doesn’t appear that any at-large teams will come from this district, so it’s four teams for two playoff spots.

Jeff Johnson: District 2 is absolutely loaded with good teams: Clear Lake and West Delaware are 1-2 in the IHSAA’s RPI, Independence is 10 and Benton Community 12. Indee and Benton play this week; Clear Lake and West Delaware finish the regular season against each other. The race for first and second place (and automatic playoff bids) and at-large playoff bids will be fierce. In District 4, Mount Vernon, Davenport Assumption and Dubuque Wahlert all are unbeaten in district play and play each other the last three weeks. Buckle up.

K.J. Pilcher: Two area districts stand out. In 3A District 3, you have Mount Vernon at 5-1 and Central DeWitt, Davenport Assumption and Dubuque Wahlert are 4-2. The Mustangs face all three. Wahlert plays Assumption and Mount Vernon. The Sabers host Mount Vernon and then have the more favorable matchups for the final two weeks. Lots to determine, yet. 3A District 2 has Independence, Benton Community and even Charles City still vying for top-three spots. An impending championship clash between Clear Lake and West Delaware make this district very interesting.

Scott Unash: District 3 in Class 3A is the one to keep an eye on the last third of the regular season. The top three teams, Mount Vernon, Davenport Assumption and defending state champion Dubuque Wahlert will all face one another in a round robin. Only two of these top-10 rated teams will be assured of a postseason berth, the third will have to make it through the RPI. And don't forget about Central DeWitt at 4-2, which could play spoiler.

4TH & GOAL: From Gazette reader Jennifer Schulte via Facebook: Where will high school football be in 25 years (and) will it still be as vital as it is now?

Jeff Linder: There’s a good chance that none of the four of us will be covering high school football in 25 years. I can’t even begin to guess what the game will look like then. Safety measures seem to get better all the time, which means the sport will likely continue to thrive. I can’t imagine fall Friday nights without it.

Jeff Johnson: Hell of a question, Jennifer. Football is THE most popular sport in this country, so I guess it still will be vital. Here’s an interesting thought. How important will girls’ football be? Cornell College is beginning a flag football varsity program and the popularity of the sport is growing amongst females. Wouldn’t it be cool if we had girl-boy (or boy-girl) double-headers on Friday nights, like we do in basketball?

K.J. Pilcher: Football is unique. It is woven into the fabric of the fall for most communities. Friday nights are not just a highlight for players and coaches. Cheerleaders and marching band members perform in front of their biggest crowds during the year. Games are also social events for students and even community members, especially for smaller towns. Other events, like Homecoming, are tied into games, so I expect it to remain vital for more decades to come. The big questions are how the game will evolve, what will the participation numbers be like and how will the viewing experience change. The game constantly changes and athletes get better each year, so it should be even more exciting to watch. Hopefully, safety advances in equipment will improve participation.

Scott Unash: I really hope, and I firmly believe, that high school football will still be vital 25 years from now. High school Friday nights are still the backbone of the athletic year for nearly every high school not only in Iowa, but throughout the country. Now, will it look the same? Probably not. Looking in the crystal ball, I can see many more consolidated teams in the future, and I think that will ultimately include metro areas. You already are seeing that in Des Moines with Roosevelt and Hoover being combined, and I think more of that is probably going to come down the line. Not only due to numbers, but also to remain competitive.