News Summary

The Iowa high school football season commenced with exciting matchups across the state during Week 1. Teams like West Des Moines Valley and Iowa City Liberty emerged victorious in nail-biting games, while standout performances were showcased by players like Beau Burns of BGM. Several teams made their mark, including Cedar Rapids Xavier and Maquoketa Valley, dominating their opponents. As anticipation builds for Week 2, fans are eager for more thrilling contests that may shake up the rankings.

Friday Night Lights: Iowa High School Football Week 1 Roundup

This past weekend, the exciting kickoff of the Iowa high school football season took center stage as cities across the state gathered for what many call Friday Night Lights. Despite some challenging weather that pushed a few games into the early hours of Saturday morning, all scheduled matchups for Week 1 are now wrapped up, and the action did not disappoint!

Top Teams Turn Up the Heat

Among the most thrilling matchups this week, West Des Moines Valley, the state’s top-ranked team, barely edged out Dowling Catholic with a nail-biting score of 20-19. Next up for the Valley squad is Waukee Northwest, who also had a close encounter, defeating Ankeny with a score of 25-24. Both teams now find themselves tied in the rankings, making their upcoming face-off all the more exciting.

Iowa City Liberty had a close game as well, showcasing their resilience with a 15-14 victory over Cedar Falls, preparing to take on Southeast Polk next. Other notable performances came from Johnston, Southeast Polk, and Sioux City North, all of whom celebrated victories over their opponents.

Standout Performers Steal the Show

Highlighting individual talents, BGM’s senior quarterback, Beau Burns, had a phenomenal evening, amassing an astonishing 427 rushing yards and scoring six touchdowns in a decisive 47-14 win against Columbus. Not only did he lead all classes in rushing, but he also threw for 118 yards and added another touchdown to his remarkable performance.

Following closely behind in the rushing stats is Iowa Valley’s Nolan Kriegel, who clocked in at 369 yards and captured the title for the most total touchdowns scored in the state with 10 touchdowns to start the season. It’s clear that these young athletes are hitting the ground running!

Victorious Teams to Remember

Several teams shined brightly this week. Cedar Rapids Xavier (Class 4A) displayed dominance with a 31-0 win over North Scott, while Mount Vernon (Class 3A) rolled over Monticello with a score of 56-12. On the Class 2A scene, Carroll Kuemper displayed strength with a convincing victory against Cherokee, maintaining their status as the top-ranked team in the division.

In Class A, Maquoketa Valley sits proudly at No. 1 following their impressive 33-0 shutout against Starmont. Meanwhile, in the 8-player rankings, Algona Garrigan took the lead after a powerful showing over Kingsley-Pierson, finishing with a score of 60-20.

The Road Ahead

As we gear up for Week 2, the anticipation is building for exciting matchups on Friday, September 5. Keep an eye on games such as West Des Moines Dowling against Johnston and Iowa City Liberty taking on Southeast Polk. These contests are sure to be hotly contested and potentially shake-up the rankings as teams vie for wins.

Changes in the Rankings

After this electrifying opening week, a few teams have dropped out of the rankings. Harlan, previously holding the No. 18 spot, and Cedar Falls, ranked No. 24, found themselves on the outside looking in after losses. On the other hand, North Polk, Indianola, and Cedar Rapids Kennedy are receiving votes, showing that the competition is fierce across the board.

With such thrilling games already behind us and only more excitement on the horizon, Iowa high school football is back and as invigorating as ever. Be sure to grab your favorite team’s colors, rally your friends, and get ready for another week of unforgettable action!

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