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Anamosa football coach Derek Roberts goes over the playbook with his offense at practice on Tuesday. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)

ANAMOSA — Derek Roberts faces an uphill climb at Anamosa High School.

A steep uphill climb.

Not only is he taking over a football program that has posted four victories in the past five seasons, he’s doing it while continuing his duties as the school’s athletics director.

“It’s a situation that would be difficult for anyone,” said Harold Roberts, Derek’s 76-year-old father, who had planned to assist his son before the relapse of an optical issue halted that arrangement. “I think he’s going to be stretched a little thin, especially this first year.”

Football coach. And athletics director. It’s not nearly as common of a combination as it used to be. The 35-year-old Roberts, in his eighth year as the school’s AD, joins a small area fraternity that includes Curt Ritchie of Williamsburg, Duane Orr of Mount Vernon (who added AD to his resume this school year), Jason Ohrt of South Winneshiek and Tony Johnson of Highland.

Ritchie manages, with much assistance from the Williamsburg administration.

“Our superintendent is in charge of ticket people. Our assistant principal and principal handle crowd control. The elementary principal and curriculum director take care of the officials. The superintendent takes care of the press box people,” Ritchie said.

“It’s a challenge, yes. But to be honest, it’s not as hectic as winter is for me. Winter is the busiest time as far as most nights in the gym.”

Of course, Ritchie is in charge of a formidable football program. Roberts doesn’t have that luxury.

Anamosa Coach Derek Roberts congratulates a Raider for a good play. (Becky Malewitz/SourceMedia Group News)

The Raiders were winless in 2009 under Matt Malausky, who resigned after the season. Numbers are extremely small for a Class 3A program — only 22 players are on the varsity roster.

What’s lacking?

“Effort and expectations,” Roberts said. “The way we play football here is not where it needs to be from an attitude perspective.”

The Raiders (0-1) lost their opener last week, 20-0, to Monticello. They travel to Tipton on Friday.

“I’m not concerned about the scoreboard,” said Roberts, a former all-state linebacker at Cedar Rapids Kennedy, from which he graduated in 1994. “We need to learn to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. We need 100-percent effort. We need a winning attitude.”

As athletics director, Roberts didn’t simply hire himself. The move was endorsed by the school’s superintendent, principal and board of directors.

When he took the job, he planned to bring along his father as an assistant. Harold Roberts, 76, was an assistant at the University of Iowa from 1967 through 1974, spending much of his effort as the head coach of the Hawkeyes’ junior-varsity squad.

He suffers from macular degeneration of the retina. When the condition worsened last week, the elder Roberts was forced to step aside.

“The time I spent with (the Raiders), I enjoyed very much,” said Harold, who lives in Cedar Rapids. “They gave great effort. They were coachable.

“They just need some victories and some confidence. Derek’s system is good. He needs more players, and they need to get stronger.

“They just need some time.”

Coach Roberts said the Raiders’ defense played “very well” against Monticello, noting that the Panthers scored twice with a short field.

“The 22 kids we do have are working hard,” he said. “We’ll get better each week. I promise you that.

“This is my passion. I think it’s my calling.”

KCRG TV9′s Matt Nelson was on the road with the Spartans and takes our 2nd behind the scenes look at The Program Solon Spartans.

2nd ranked (in class 3A) Solon will have a tougher game this Friday when they host 2A’s Top ranked Iowa City Regina.

“During the 2010-11 varsity basketball season, varsity girls teams may play two 16-minute halves during non-conference games with mutual agreement by both schools.  Conferences may also agree to play two 16-minute halves in all conference games if the conference adopts the policy for the season.  Please note that this experimental rule applies only to VARSITY contests and is NOT mandatory.  However, if a conference votes to adopt the rule for its conference games, ALL conference schools must participate,” IGHSAU assistant director Joel Oswald said.

“The rationale behind this experimental rule is to provide more flow and excitement to the game, reduce heat up/cool down situations, potentially give more players the opportunity to play due to starter fatigue, and to eliminate two frequent stall situations at the end of the two quarter breaks.”

The 16-minute experiment will not be used in the postseason.

FILE PHOTO: Linn-Mar's Jordan Beltramea leaps into the stands of Lions faithful after the Lions' win over Cedar Rapids Washington at Armstrong Field on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, in Marion. Linn-Mar won, 41-38. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Mark Atwater made a sparkling debut as the Linn-Mar quarterback, rushing for 275 yards and passing for 163 more in the Lions’ 43-15 thumping of Cedar Rapids Jefferson last week.

The Lions scored the first 29 points. Despite the lopsided win, Linn-Mar dropped two spots to No. 9 in the 4A rankings. Kennedy opened with a 35-7 loss at Cedar Rapids Xavier.

The Cougars turned the ball over on their first play from scrimmage, fell behind 14-0 within 4 minutes and never recovered.

Time & place: 7:15 p.m., at Kingston Stadium

Records: Linn-Mar is 1-0; Kennedy is 0-1.

Below are breakdowns of 10 of the top games this week, but we want to hear from you. Vote in our poll for the game you think has the chance to be the best.

LINN-MAR at CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Time & place: 7:15 p.m., Thursday at Kingston Stadium

Records: Linn-Mar is 1-0; Kennedy is 0-1.

Notable: Mark Atwater made a sparkling debut as the Linn-Mar quarterback, rushing for 275 yards and passing for 163 more in the Lions’ 43-15 thumping of Cedar Rapids Jefferson last week. The Lions scored the first 29 points. Despite the lopsided win, Linn-Mar dropped two spots to No. 9 in the 4A rankings. Kennedy opened with a 35-7 loss at Cedar Rapids Xavier. The Cougars turned the ball over on their first play from scrimmage, fell behind 14-0 within 4 minutes and never recovered.

FRIDAY

IOWA CITY REGINA at SOLON

Time & place: 7:30 p.m., at Solon

Records: Regina is 1-0; Solon is 1-0.

Notable: Without a doubt, the biggest game in the area this week. Class 3A second-rated Solon extended its winning streak to 42 games with a 35-13 drubbing of DeWitt Central while 2A No. 1 Regina jumped to a 35-point halftime lead and handled BGM, 42-6. Solon defeated the Regals in last year’s playoffs on the road to a third consecutive 2A championship.

MARION at BENTON COMMUNITY

Time & place: 7:30 p.m., at Van Horne

Records: Marion is 1-0; Benton is 1-0.

Notable: The Indians captured their 16th consecutive regular-season win last Friday, scoring 27 points in the third quarter of a 42-3 rout of Mount Vernon. Junior Colton Storla ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns. Marion moved into the 3A rankings this week, at No. 8. Benton opened with a 21-7 win over county rival Vinton-Shellsburg. Zach Twedt rushed for 141 yards and collected eight tackles.

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER at CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE

Time & place: 7:15 p.m., at John Wall Field

Records: Xavier is 1-0; Prairie is 0-1.

Notable: Class 4A fourth-rated Xavier was extremely impressive in its season-opening 35-7 win over Cedar Rapids Kennedy. The Saints forced a turnover on the first play from scrimmage and led 28-0 by halftime. Quarterback Andy Didio completed 11 of 12 passes for 112 yards. Coach Duane Schulte earned his 100th career win. Prairie stayed with Cedar Rapids Washington for a half before falling, 41-21, last week

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON at CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

Time & place: 7:15 p.m., at Kingston Stadium (Jefferson is the home team and its fans will be on the west side).

Records: Washington is 1-0; Jefferson is 0-1.

Notable: The city’s oldest existing rivalry has tilted heavily to the east in recent years, and 4A No. 10 Washington is favored once again. The Warriors erupted for 34 second-half points in a 41-21 win over Cedar Rapids Prairie last week. Alex Carr rushed for 257 yards on 25 carries. Jefferson surrendered 467 yards of offense in a 43-15 loss to Linn-Mar. Alex Baxter rushed for 108 yards; Tanner Unkel scored both touchdowns.

LISBON at WEST BRANCH

Time & place: 7 p.m., at West Branch

Records: Lisbon is 1-0; West Branch is 1-0.

Notable: Class A No. 10 Lisbon goes up in class and on the road for what will likely be its toughest challenge of the season. The Lions opened with a 20-0 triumph over Valley Community behind Tait Simpson’s two touchdowns. The 1A third-rated Bears are coming off a 27-13 win over rival West Liberty. Travis Maher scored a pair of touchdowns.

CLAYTON RIDGE at ELKADER CENTRAL

Time & place: 7 p.m., at Elkader

Records: Clayton Ridge is 2-0; Central is 1-0.

Notable: Both teams are riding potent rushing attacks. Clayton Ridge’s Jeremy Greve rushed for 214 yards in last week’s 38-34 victory over Cascade. Central counters with Zack Tade, who netted 330 yards on 25 carries as the Warriors dumped MFL MarMac, 31-6. Clayton Ridge is ranked eighth in Class 1A; Central is No. 5 in Class A.

OELWEIN at NORTH FAYETTE

Time & place: 7:30 p.m., at West Union

Records: Oelwein is 1-0; North Fayette is 1-0.

Notable: Traditional Class 2A powerhouse North Fayette goes after a second straight win over a 3A school to start the season; the Hawks whacked Waukon, 42-6. Next week, the second-ranked Hawks will begin pursuit of a seventh straight district title. Oelwein started impressively, defeating a solid Sumner-Fredericksburg squad, 27-10.

INDEPENDENCE at UNION

Time & place: 7:30 p.m., at Dysart

Records: Independence is 1-0; Union is 1-0.

Notable: Independence’s 27-game losing streak is history; the Mustangs rallied from a 17-7 halftime deficit to beat Waterloo Columbus, 27-24. Blaize Cabell netted 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns as the Mustangs picked up their first win since 2006. Union overcame an early 13-point deficit to knock off Decorah, 35-20, behind Wesley Burnside’s 228 yards and two touchdowns.

ALBURNETT at IOWA VALLEY

Time & place: 7:15 p.m., at Marengo

Records: Alburnett is 1-0; Iowa Valley is 1-0.

Notable: Winless a year ago, Alburnett snapped a 10-game losing chain in Week 1 with a 33-6 win over North Linn. Mitch Harger highlighted a strong Pirate running attack, rushing for 188 yards. Iowa Valley defeated English Valleys, 20-14.

OTHER METRO/IOWA CITY GAMES

Iowa City West (1-0) at Dubuque Hempstead (0-1), 7:15 p.m.

Waterloo West (0-1) at Iowa City High (1-0), 7:15 p.m.

Part 1 – How special is the first Friday night?

Part 2 – How hard is it to move up a class in prep football?

Part 3 – Division 1 talent at the high school level