DUBUQUE – Ben Slezak could feel a substantial push in Cedar Rapids Xavier’s favor on nearly every snap of the ball Friday night. The Saints dominated the line of scrimmage throughout in a 31-0 victory that spoiled Dubuque Wahlert’s homecoming at the Rock Bowl.

“Wahlert’s line wasn’t very big, but they definitely were quick,” said Slezak, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior who made his presents felt on both sides of the line. “We just kept working hard all night and doing what the coaches told us.”
Dylan Martin scored on a 3-yard run …

SOLON — Now that was Spartan Football. At least that’s what Solon Coach Kevin Miller told his team Friday night.
The definition must be physically dominating an opponent with a suffocating defense and a battering ram of a running game.

The top-ranked Spartans handled Center Point-Urbana, 35-0, in a battle of Class 2A District 5 leaders at Spartan Stadium to win their 33rd straight game.
“Spartan football is when we come together as a team and play as one,” senior running back Andy Ashton said. “We just go out there and pound the …

CEDAR RAPIDS — It took Jer Garman a while to get his footing.
Well, it took two carries.
Garman scored five more touchdowns and Class 4A No. 4 Linn-Mar controlled every facet in a 38-13 Mississippi Valley Conference football triumph over Cedar Rapids Prairie last night at sloppy John Wall Field.
“It was slippery,” said Garman, who rushed for 201 yards on 26 carries, increasing his season total to 1,088. “I had to change to short, choppy cuts instead of long, drawn-out ones.”
Garman is a regular acquaintance with the end zone this season. …

IOWA CITY — Dan Sabers will accept a win any way it comes, but the Iowa City High football coach wasn’t overjoyed with his team’s performance Friday night.
The top-ranked Little Hawks slugged it out with Cedar Rapids Kennedy and held on 22-14 at Bates Field. Iowa City High (6-0) scored twice late and withstood a 95-yard kickoff return by Kennedy’s Joshua Simmons to hold on to the win.
“It was definitely a hard-fought game,” Iowa City High wide receiver John Chelf said. “Kennedy came down here with a great game plan, …

WEST BRANCH 20, PEKIN 14 — Travis Maher 116 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries and Jason Madsen added 12 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown as West Branch (6-0, 4-0) won at home.

LISBON 35, VALLEY 16 — Dacoda Ward had 22 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns to lead Lisbon (4-2, 3-1) at home. Blaine Everman had 20 carries for 123 and two touchdowns for Valley.

MARION — The road gets tougher. Considerably tougher.
But so do the mighty, mighty Indians. Quite an eye-popping homecoming display last night for Marion, which rolled up 55 first-half points in a 62-12 blowout of Anamosa at misty, chilly Thomas Park.
This was a complete and utter destruction of an outmanned opponent that’s 0-6. Marion (6-0) ends the regular season with three Class 3A, District 4 toughies against opponents with a combined 13-2 record going into last night.
That includes at unbeaten LaPorte City Union next week. So consider this a tuneup, with …

Following another exciting week in prep football, join Jeff Linder, KJ Pilcher,  and Jeff Johnson from the Gazette to talk about the games that just wrapped up.
FNL Wrap-Up Chat

Friday Night Lights: Oct. 2nd Edition