News Summary

Iowa high school football week 2 brought several unexpected outcomes and standout performances. Notable games included Waukee Northwest shocking West Des Moines Valley and Iowa City Liberty avenging last year’s loss against Southeast Polk. The Newton Comets managed a tight win against defending champions North Polk, while Clear Lake continued their winning streak. Amidst the excitement, the rankings shifted significantly, and concerns regarding a shortage of football officials have emerged, impacting the season’s progression.

Exciting Upsets and Highlights in Iowa High School Football Week 2

Ah, Friday night lights in Iowa! This past weekend was a whirlwind of emotions as high school football teams battled it out, and boy, did we see some surprising outcomes and stellar performances! The air was buzzing with excitement as every corner of the state tuned in or headed to games, eager to catch their favorite teams in action.

Waukee Northwest Shocks West Des Moines Valley

Let’s kick things off in West Des Moines, where the Valley Tigers were riding high after a strong Week 1 victory over Dowling Catholic. But just when the hype seemed unshakeable, they faced off against Waukee Northwest and took a hit! The final score read 27-24, marking just the second victory in the series for Northwest against Valley, with their previous win being a nail-biter back in 2023.

Northwest’s star of the night was none other than Ryan Woodruff, who racked up an impressive 209 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His efforts were complemented by Mack Heitland, who slung the ball for 139 yards. On the other side, Valley’s quarterback Drake DeGroote did his best, throwing for 230 yards and showcasing his versatility with a rushing and passing touchdown. And let’s not forget Blake Dorenkamp, who added a touchdown with his solid 118 yards on the ground.

Iowa City Liberty Redeems Itself

Down in Iowa City, the Liberty High team was in avenging mode! After last year’s heartbreaking loss to Southeast Polk, they came roaring back in Week 2 with a commanding 38-20 victory. Liberty was looking like a force to be reckoned with, jumping to a stunning 38-0 lead before Southeast Polk managed to sneak in three touchdowns during the fourth quarter.

Leading the charge was Reece Rettig, who completed 24 out of 32 passes for 248 yards and five touchdowns. His key receiver, Pryor Reiners, was instrumental with seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, plus an additional 49 rushing yards.

Newton Comets Pull Off a Nail-Biter

Meanwhile, the Newton Comets were also on a victory roll, improving to 2-0 after a heart-stopping 16-13 win against defending Class 4A state champion North Polk. James Armstrong showcased his talent with 170 passing yards and a touchdown, while he also found the end zone on the ground.

No one could overlook Isaiah Hansen either, who led the Comets’ rushing attack with a formidable 166 yards and two touchdowns.

Clear Lake Continues Strong Start

On another note, Clear Lake is off to a perfect start, defeating Humboldt 23-17. Jaxson McIntire shone for Clear Lake, throwing for 115 yards and rushing for 88 yards. The standout special moment came when Kolby Hodnefield caught a touchdown pass, contributing to the team’s offensive success.

Shifting Rankings and Referee Challenges

As a wave of upsets rolled through, the Iowa high school football rankings were shook up considerably after Week 2. West Des Moines Valley, despite their strong start, dropped from the No. 1 spot following their unexpected loss. In a shake-up, Iowa City Liberty leaped to the No. 2 position in the latest IHSAA Top 25.

Not to be overlooked were other notable matchups, such as Sioux City East defeating Norwalk 23-13 and Dowling Catholic taking care of business against Johnston, winning 31-10.

As excitement brewed over the field, the IHSAA is facing its own challenges — a notable shortage of football officials is casting a shadow over the season. With about 175 to 180 games played each weekend, nearly 700 officials are needed on a given Friday night. The pressures of officiating, including differing rules from college and NFL football, time commitments, and extensive travel, are pushing many to reconsider their roles.

Sadly, negative parent behavior at games is adding to the issue, as officials face excessive criticism, leading to burnout. Long-time referees, like Scott Zahnle, have raised concerns about the safety of officials and have called for stricter penalties against hostile fan behavior.

As we look ahead to the subsequent weeks, there’s no telling what surprises await. One thing is for sure: Iowa high school football is heating up and promises to deliver plenty more drama and excitement!

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