It is here, we are on our way to M-TOWN.. We will find out more about the Bobcats as they host Waukee.    Two pretty stud QB’s on the field tonight.  We are looking forward to it..   Bob made some good points about this game and gave you tons of other things to look for tonight.

We owe you a ton of Video.. let’s start with PCM CMB STUFF

Madrid AHST

More on the way this week..

Power matchup results
Baxter-CMB 23, West Marshall 21 Both looking strong for post season run
Emmetsburg 31, Fort Dodge St. Edmond 17 E-hawks WOW!
Mason City Newman 21, Northwood-Kensett 18
Le Mars Gehlen Catholic 20, Akron-Westfield 9
North Sentral Kossuth 30, Armstrong-Ringsted 28 NK did it last year too.
Corwith CWL 54, Blairsburg NE Hamilton 21-CWL-making another run to the dome?
West Union North Fayette 22, Sumner-Fredericksburg 9-Union AGAIN.

Contender Pretender?
Urbandale 28, Johnston 17 Wake up the J-Hawks
Clinton 28, Davenport Assumption 21, OT-oh those River Kings do it again.
Jewell South Hamilton 21, Roland-Story 20-
Marshalltown 38, Mason City 21

Week 5 Surprise
Des Moines Christian 28, Truro Interstate 35 7
Dike-New Hartford 20, Gilbert 17
Fairbank Wapsie Valley 42, Lisbon 15 Wapsie to the title? I’m just sayin’
Gladbrook-Reinbeck 21, Aplington-Parkersburg 20

Pleasantville 40, Corydon Wayne 8 GO TROJANS!!!!

Here is the Dowling Ankeny Stuff as promised.

Rece Davis did the Play by Play Friday night.. I visited with Rece, Chris Spielman, prior to kickoff. These men were well prepared and a very gracious.  I observed Herm Edwards on the field prior to kick off also and he was also a real pro.  ESPN found a way to showcase this event with out taking away from the game. 

A quick interview with Jon Thompson. The superintendent of Schools for AP

some 4-A preseason thoughts..

8-MAN FOOTBALL

CLASS A

1-A

2-A

3-A

FOUND OUT THIS WEEK THAT ESPN WILL AIR FOOTAGE FROM OUR DOCUMENTARY “TOUCHDOWN IN THE HEARTLAND.”  IT CAN BE SEEN ON ESPN’S E:60 NEWS PROGRAM TONIGHT STARTING AT 6 CST.  ESPN WILL AIR PORTIONS IN THE PRE-GAME AND BROADCAST OF THE AP-DNH GAME ON FRIDAY STARTING AT 6PM CST.  THIS WILL ALSO AIR STATE WIDE IN IOWA ON LOCAL STATIONS.   WE WILL BE IN PARKERSBURG WITH A LIVE REPORT ON ABC-5 AT  5, 10, AND AT THE TOP OF THE BLITZ AT 10:30..    OUR BLITZ EXTRA PROGRAM FOR WEEK ONE WILL BE A LOOK BACK AT THE EMMETSBURG VS AP PLAYOFF GAME LAST SEASON. 

MORE DETAILS ON “TOUCHDOWN IN THE HEARTLAND” WILL BE RELEASED LATER THIS WEEK.

WE SHOULD HAVE SOME NEW VID UP THIS WEEK ON THE PRESEASON SHOW WE DID WITH MEDIA COM LAST WEEK,  IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT CHECK YOUR LOCAL MEDIA COM GUIDE..

Outback Look back

Hawk defense takes turn… first pass Tyler Sash with the pick.. Hawks defenders still throwing blocks after the whistle.. They are here for a fist fight.. Gamecocks wobbling and nearly on life support.. Greene.. Greene Greene.. TD Greene.. 14-0… 4:40 left in the first..

Defense continues.. SC QB Garcia Whacked. Fumble.. Sash on it..

  Offense seemed to get a little soft here. First a goofy pass to Moeaki a couple of incomplete throws to DJK one Greene rush for 5 yards.. This lead to a 45 yard FG miss by Murray.. Which I still have no Idea if it was close or not.. ESPN’s TV coverage of this game was not up to par.. They went through the motions and never got us to replays let alone catch the action as it happened. I had no real issues with the announcers.. Just though I had to use my DVR a little too much.. Offense’s third possession was a missed opportunity. I felt they had a game plan to include Moeaki.. I realize he is a talented player that has had some bad luck. But I feel featuring him in this game is a slight slap in the face of players like Brodell and Myers who have been reliable and consistent. Personal and selfish issue to me.. not a major deal, just an observation.

Gamecocks stop wobbling for a moment. Defense played a little bend don’t break.. Rush is getting heat but no sacks.. Fletcher gets the big pick in the end zone.. Parkers Boys hold again..

Start at 20.. Little pass to Morse.. Greene Run 1^st and 10. And we throw to a pass on 1^stdown to TE running vertical. Moeaki is the beneficiary here. It is a great call, for sure with kids like Tony, Brandon and Mr Risner.. But Go back to my personal/selfish side for a moment and I wish at some point in his career Myers would have been able to catch a vertical route on first down.

Great call anyway,, and overdue.. Leads to the Stanzi almost TD. Ruled down.. Greene finishes the deal.. 9-plays 80 yards.. 21-0 Gamecocks out cold but somehow still standing.. 8:09 left in the second

Defense back on field.. Hammer the Gamecocks on a big 3^rdand one.. It was cool….. Kroul and King were awesome on the play.. A moment that really defined what this team and defense were this year.. Cocks converted on 4^th and short.. And then Sash picked another one.. Made a nice run fumbled but Hawks got on it..

Then my selfish side gets a little more hot.. The hawks go Greene for 7… Good pass to DJK.. Moeaki again… then on second and 3 throw up a jump ball to Moeaki in the end zone.. No problem with the play call but not sure you throw up a ball in traffic to the softest player on your offense.. The guy is good.. But his effort on that play was weak. Sorry my “Man Crush” on Myers aside. I was miffed at that one.. Another missed opportunity, gamecocks get a moment to try to regain consciousness. D Holds….. Stanzi has a ball tipped and picked.. Hawks go to half up 21-0.… Cock-A-Doodle-Doo

The”Old”  Ball Coach goes to Smelly in the second half.. Up 21-0 and the cocks have a Smelly QB and a Succop(Pronounced Suck Up) for a kicker?? Really,, Iowa can’t lose to this dysfunctional train wreck. The Old Ball Coach looks like he is whispering to his coaches about football but I’m wondering if he is confirming Tee Times..

Anyhow, Smelly’s first pass not bad, but Fletcher knocks if from the WR.. IOWA BALL AGAIN..

OMG GREENE 5 carries Hampton 1… First and goal.. I think now is the time to reward one of my boys.. Throw it to Brodell or Myers right here.. But no.. Hampton.. Greene Twice for no gain.. FG.. Whoopee 24-0.. Game over.

Smelly then catches a little fire.. FG is good then..called off because of another error by the cocks.. Re-kick is no good.. Parker’s boys still have the shutout!

Offense on the field we are using all the play clock.. .. I hate this but understand it.. I have a tendency to want to destroy teams of lesser talent when given the chance.. Boom, we do get a delay of game… no matter.. We realize that Brodell and Myers are on the team.. Each catch a pass.. And Greene finishes it with ease.. 31-0.. On his way to the NFL.. No Doubt..

Cocks are done and frankly horrible. Do add 10 late points.. HAWKS knock the gamecock out of the kicker on the an onside kick.. come on?? DORK ball coach..     Hawks do get senior Jared Oberland a late(probably too late)carry.. And season over.

As I’ve posted before, I wanted more for this team.. Not a national title but more. The loss at Pitt still bothers me. However the Character and Leadership of this Senior Class is impressive. Goes to show you passion is always more powerful than talent. Talent doesn’t hurt.. And the Hawks have a bunch returning.. Hope the passion returns to the field next year…….Along with “Iowa’s ball coach”… He would be missed..

It is no fair to pick chalk and not pick upsets.. I think you can see by following the ICS/rankings that I post each week, that you can probably guess who I think will end up at the dome. Now how bout tonight.. How bout teams that would not have been in the playoffs last year, but will win in substate tonight and be part of the “Real State Playoffs”

Let me give you a few shots in the dark.. Indianola, Mason City and DM East would not have been in the playoff field if not for expansion.. I think all have a shot to win. I like East as a dog here, the Played a brutal schedule and ended the season with a couple wars. Mason City has speed and can score, and Johnston has lost a little MoJo so maybe the MoHawks can find it. Indy is just a good team, but so is Waukee the Indians will have to play awesome.

In 3-A I See a couple of 2 vs. 3 Matchups where the lower seed has a chance., but none I have a feelings.. So I will take a shot in the dark and take DCG over Webster City!

In 2-a lets take a major risk!! PCM is a 4 that is starting to play well.. IKM-Manning has been on my top 4 list all year. However, the Stangs are getting healthy, and they look to be gellin’

Coach Betts and DNH at 6-3 should handle an 8-1 Sumner Fred team but I believe the Wolverines are the higher seed so maybe this is not an upset special.

Staying in 2-A I like Wilton to upset West Burlington/Notre Dame (8-1)

In 1-A it seemed everyone love Griswold earlier in the year, I like Hinton to upset them tonight. Of course I’m taking the Trojans to beat the Hawks in Woodward? How could I pass that one up!! I’m also taking Tom Stone and Pekin to get upset over Maquoketa Valley, Delhi (6-3)

In A, I like road teams Alta and Earlham..Rockford and Wapsie Valley

In 8-man upset specials would include these road warriors Coon Rapids Bayard, say it isn’t so? But East Union over Melcher?? Going to be a dandy.. And Laurens-Marathon (7-2)Got too!! 

Finally I will say this, The Tigers are in the Quarters for sure, but what happens Friday November 7th.  Dowling may be rolling into to this game sky high with confidence.    Friday Quarterfinal night is going to be Awesome beware of the Maroons!   Have fun tonight! See you all later tonight.

LETS DEAL WITH THE TASK AT HAND. SEEING 32 TEAMS IN EACH CLASS PUT IN A BRACKET IS KIND OF COOL. BOB MENTIONED THE TROJANS NUMBERS DURING HIS 4 YEARS IN HIGH SCHOOL. PRETTY CRAZY TO THINK HE NEVER GOT TO STEP ON TO A FOOTBALL FIELD THAT WAS AN IHSAA PLAYOFF GAME. THE TROJANS WERE NOT BAD IN MY DAY, WE LOST A TOTAL OF 6 GAMES IN 4 YEARS AND I NEVER PLAYED IN ANY POST SEASON EITHER. SO I’M NOT GOING TO HAMMER THE NEW SYSTEM.

IN FACT, OUR HOME TOWN OF PLEASANTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IS A GREAT EXAMPLE TO LOOK AT UNDER THE NEW PLAN. WHILE, OUR GENERATION OF TROJANS RARELY MADE THE POST SEASON.. THESE DANG GENERATION I-PODER’S MIGHT NEVER MISS. GOOD OR BAD, THE POST SEASON EXPERIENCE GIVES YOU SOMETHING YOU DON’T LEARN IN THE REGULAR SEASON.
YOU COULD SEE IT IN OUR EARLY PLAYOFF CHANCES UNDER THE POWERHOUSE COACH DANKS WAS BUILDING. GETTING THERE, SEEMED TO BE GOOD ENOUGH BECAUSE IT WAS SO DAMN HARD. I THINK THIS WAS THE CASE FOR SCHOOLS, PLAYERS, AND COACHES ALL ACROSS THE STATE FOR MANY YEARS. THEN AFTER 3 OR 4 TRIPS TO THE POST SEASON THE TROJANS  FINALLY GOT A PLAYOFF WIN. THEN CAME DISTRICT PLAY, AND THE PLAYOFFS BECAME AUTOMATIC. WINNING IN THE POST SEASON BECAME A GIVEN. MANY SCHOOLS WITH TRADITION HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS PROCESS, SOME HAVE BROKE THROUGH FOR A TITLE. WE ARE STILL WITHOUT THAT TROPHY IN THE ROSE CITY… AND HAD THIS SYSTEM BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 72, I’M NOT SURE THAT WOULD BE THE CASE. I BELIEVE THAT OUR TRADITION WOULD HAVE BENEFITED FROM MORE TRIPS, PERHAPS BUILDING CONFIDENCE SEASON BY SEASON.
WE HAD SOME TERRIFIC TEAMS NOT EVEN GET A CHANCE. NOW WE HAVE A 5-4 TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS? DOES THIS BOTHER ME, SHOULD I BE UP IN ARMS. HELL NO! I HOPE THEY GET HOT AND WIN A COUPLE. IN FACT, I BELIEVE THEY MIGHT MAKE A RUN AND GET TO THE DOME. LETS GO PUT A PAD ON SOMEONE, I’M READY!!!
A LOT OF OLD SCHOOLERS MIGHT NOT LIKE THE NEW FORMAT, BUT WHAT ABOUT THESE NEW SCHOOLERS? I BET THESE KIDS LIKE IT. HOW COOL WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO BE ONE OF THESE KIDS ON a TEAM THAT MADE IT..   WAKE UP SATURDAY, FIND  YOUR TEAM, WHERE IT SITS IN THE BRACKET AND THEN THE POTENTIAL GAMES THAT LIE AHEAD.. WOW! I WOULD HAVE LOVED IT. SO THAT MEANS… I HAVE TO LIKE IT. TODAY’S IOWA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS, UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITY. I HOPE IN OUR CASE, THIS YEARS 5-4 TROJANS BOTTLE IT UP FOR ALL THE GREAT TEAMS THAT DIDN’T GET THE PRIVILEGE!!   . BOYS, TAKE THE BALL AND RUN………………AND FOR CRYING OUT LOUD PUT A PAD ON SOMEBODY!!

-Editor’s note:  I did step on the field for that 1982 playoff game.  I dressed and stood by one of the Murphy Construction space heaters on the sideline as a sophomore who did not get to play.  It was a thrill to get to go out onto the field for warmups and soak in the playoff atmosphere.  It was different than any other game. -Selby  

In all these years of covering high school sports certain kids make an impact on you.  Jeff Woody is one of them.  In my case, I don’t worry about where they will go to college or even try to project.   I do know when the kid is a special High School Athlete and to take time to soak in their ability and accomplishments as a prep.  A ton of wasted time projecting and not enough time enjoying the ride. 

Woody is one of those impact kids, as a sophomore with the Rams, he helped guide SE-Polk to the title Game.  He wasn’t the star, but he was a key part.  The kid that looked and smiled like the freckled boy on the Dairy Queen signs back in the 80′s, also plays like a throw back from that era.  Broken arm and all, I will never forget Bob’s call as Woody checked into the game against Valley and busted one for a TD.  Bob’s call was not memorable because it was Woody, but because he was in the game with that dang loaf of bread tied around his hand and arm.  I don’t know Jeff and his family very well, but they should be proud.  I’ve noticed an extremely positive vibe from this athlete since the first time we met him.   A trait winners and leaders seem to share.  Here is a Woody Highlight Package from the Dowling Game Last Week.

Woody and Grant Mayfield of Dowling rushed for more than 200 yards Friday Night. Here is a look at Mayfield.

Heading into week 6, yes week 6! The rankings have stayed the same here on ICS. Valley, Heelan, Solon, AP, Madrid and Stanton. Wait a second Bay just hit one out for the sox! Post season baseball can ruin a good thought on high school football. Back to the #1’s. I don’t see Valley, Heelan, or Stanton losing in the regular season. Solon will have it’s test later against Coach Cook and Regina. However, we will learn a ton about Madrid and AP this week. AHST is always solid and if the Tigers are the real deal we will know for sure after this non district contest on the road. Wickett and Mattewson are averaging more than 16 yard per touch. It is mind numbing to fathom what a machine this Madrid offense has been during the tenure of Coach Hinkel. Ed Thomas and the boys have a road test at Turkey Valley. I think this district could be the best top to bottom in 1-A, and the Junction boys will give the Falcons a good measuring stick as the regular season starts to close. Lester just got out of the 6th. No real other thoughts, I will leave you with some more highlights from our week one Blitz Extra between DNH and AP. Also, our thoughts are with coach Muller, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

1st Half 

Post Game

Had a chance to travel to Carroll tonight. I wanted to get a chance to see Blake Haluska up close. He reminded me a lot of Brett Meier. I saw Brett his Junior year against Harlan. In that game, Meier was under a ton of pressure and did not quite have the poise and moxie he later showed in his brilliant senior year. However, you could see the potential.

Tonight Blake took some shots early. In fact, he was sacked on the first play from scrimmage, but he marched the Tigers to the end zone on that opening series against DCG. Like Adam, Sean, and even Meier, this kid has the tools. I’m not sure Carroll is 5 td’s better than DCG, but Blake did not give the mustangs a chance to get back into the game. My thought is sign the kid now! ISU and Iowa were both after Meier. He proved that given talent around him to be a solid D-1 player. Austen Arnaud the same thing. These are kids you want to keep in state. Ask Iowa if they would roll the dice and take a chance on Joel Osborne? Yea? Duh… Just a thought. Couple thoughts….. Caleb Byers from Murray 6 td’s tonight,….STUD.
I’ve felt all along that I have Dowling ranked to low at #8 and they proved that to me tonight.. Maybe it’s Valley #1 Dowling #2.
Great win for Butch and West Branch tonight., and also for my Trojans!! Keep em’ going Coach K.!

1. Bubba Bingham

 Like Favre,

Bubba will always be loved in the Bingham house.  There are other things that Bubba and I understand that the 4 Ladies around here don’t.   That James Morris

Is a stud.  And it is stuff like this that we will focus on for the most part!! That’s just Iowa Classic Sports being Iowa Classic Sports(I mean isn’t it weird that Manny is gone forever?)
Now here is our MANNY BEING MANNY Tribute.. put to Whitney being Whitney.. How special!!

That is my first Blog and I’m sticking to it!