THURSDAY
SCH @ SCE - Heelan is my pick, with an indication of whether or not they are tuned up with the running game. SCE also wants to flex their running game. Heelan had big losses to graduation on both sides of the ball. SCE had key injuries and will have one returning from an injury last season.
Bettendorf @ DA - A marquee matchup to start the season. The Bulldogs have seven starters returning and a strong sophomore class moving up. The Knights have lots of tacklers and some experienced folks on the offensive line. Look for the Bulldogs to wrestle away a victory as DA gets their new offensive backfield their first real work. But DA has an experienced crew on the defensive side of the ball. Will Bettendorf be looking ahead to their first game in a newly renovated stadium? I don't think so. Bett starts strong on offense and stays strong on defense. DA hangs tough with defense, but gives up field position with offense. Maybe some special teams play with shift the outcome of the game.
FRIDAY
CRK @ ICW - The winner of this game gets a boost to begin their season. ICW has the toughest 4A schedule and CRK should aim beyond the quarterfinals. Both have new coaches. I'm going with CRK, favoring a couple of strong classes over one of the strongest feeder programs in 4A football. Most people would go with ICW, so I'm calling this an upset.
WDMV @ Waukee - Waukee should be ready, this is a huge game for their season. Valley doesn't get pushed over and is used to being ready for big games to start the year. Waukee might have 87 footballers take the field to begin the season...forget about that 86 man Xavier squad last year...Waukee had it going on if that many strap it up. Waukee's potential weakness, the secondary, might not be meaningful early in the year. Their strengths, d-line and offensive production, might be ready to go. Valley has holes to fill, but some o-line returnees. Look for Waukee to come out strong, perhaps 87 man strong, in their opener and forge a victory.
SEP @ Johnston - Two teams with something to prove. Hard to predict how the momentum swings in this game. I think the experience of Johnston's line play is what proves out as they win.
CF @ ICH - Got to believe that Bates Field is a tough place for a home opener. With Pat Mitchell on the sideline, the Tigers matched up with the Little Hawks and their coach, Dan Sabers. But Mitchell is retired and Sabers is still there. CF's co-coach is now the "go to" coach, but I'm going to favor the Little Hawks at home. Caveat...I'd love to be surprised by a CF offensive explosion.
LM @ CRP - LM has lots of questions and lots of speed. CRP has lots to reload, but some standouts are back. Two coaches in about the same position of building a program with a couple of weaker classes to contend with. I'm going to go with LM on big plays, but would waffle and go CRP if it was a grind it out game.
WE @ M'town - Gotta favor M'town from a practical standpoint, but I hope like heck that WE has a successful season.
CRX @ WDMD - Boyle will be the key to the game. If he plays like the championship game, then it's a long ride home. CRX may have trouble moving the ball against WDMD. FG's favor the Maroon. CRX might get the running game going and cut down Boyle's clock. 44-13 was the last time they met and both teams emptied out seniors (CRX a few more). Look for Dowling to get by unless those 3A Saints can run the ball. Saints coaches are hard to beat twice in a row.
SCH @ SCE - Heelan is my pick, with an indication of whether or not they are tuned up with the running game. SCE also wants to flex their running game. Heelan had big losses to graduation on both sides of the ball. SCE had key injuries and will have one returning from an injury last season.
Bettendorf @ DA - A marquee matchup to start the season. The Bulldogs have seven starters returning and a strong sophomore class moving up. The Knights have lots of tacklers and some experienced folks on the offensive line. Look for the Bulldogs to wrestle away a victory as DA gets their new offensive backfield their first real work. But DA has an experienced crew on the defensive side of the ball. Will Bettendorf be looking ahead to their first game in a newly renovated stadium? I don't think so. Bett starts strong on offense and stays strong on defense. DA hangs tough with defense, but gives up field position with offense. Maybe some special teams play with shift the outcome of the game.
FRIDAY
CRK @ ICW - The winner of this game gets a boost to begin their season. ICW has the toughest 4A schedule and CRK should aim beyond the quarterfinals. Both have new coaches. I'm going with CRK, favoring a couple of strong classes over one of the strongest feeder programs in 4A football. Most people would go with ICW, so I'm calling this an upset.
WDMV @ Waukee - Waukee should be ready, this is a huge game for their season. Valley doesn't get pushed over and is used to being ready for big games to start the year. Waukee might have 87 footballers take the field to begin the season...forget about that 86 man Xavier squad last year...Waukee had it going on if that many strap it up. Waukee's potential weakness, the secondary, might not be meaningful early in the year. Their strengths, d-line and offensive production, might be ready to go. Valley has holes to fill, but some o-line returnees. Look for Waukee to come out strong, perhaps 87 man strong, in their opener and forge a victory.
SEP @ Johnston - Two teams with something to prove. Hard to predict how the momentum swings in this game. I think the experience of Johnston's line play is what proves out as they win.
CF @ ICH - Got to believe that Bates Field is a tough place for a home opener. With Pat Mitchell on the sideline, the Tigers matched up with the Little Hawks and their coach, Dan Sabers. But Mitchell is retired and Sabers is still there. CF's co-coach is now the "go to" coach, but I'm going to favor the Little Hawks at home. Caveat...I'd love to be surprised by a CF offensive explosion.
LM @ CRP - LM has lots of questions and lots of speed. CRP has lots to reload, but some standouts are back. Two coaches in about the same position of building a program with a couple of weaker classes to contend with. I'm going to go with LM on big plays, but would waffle and go CRP if it was a grind it out game.
WE @ M'town - Gotta favor M'town from a practical standpoint, but I hope like heck that WE has a successful season.
CRX @ WDMD - Boyle will be the key to the game. If he plays like the championship game, then it's a long ride home. CRX may have trouble moving the ball against WDMD. FG's favor the Maroon. CRX might get the running game going and cut down Boyle's clock. 44-13 was the last time they met and both teams emptied out seniors (CRX a few more). Look for Dowling to get by unless those 3A Saints can run the ball. Saints coaches are hard to beat twice in a row.
