http://www.iahsaa.org/football/District%20Information/2010_FOOTBALL_SCHEDULES.txt

A couple notes:

Solon debuts as a 3A school with a game at DeWitt Central in Week 1. Solon has won 41 straight games and captured the last three 2A state titles.

Meskwaki Settlement School will play its first game on its home field with a Week Zero game against Central City.

Other fun Week 1 matchups:

Benton Community at Vinton-Shellsburg

Center Point-Urbana at Williamsburg

Dyersville Beckman at Western Dubuque

East Buchanan at Starmont

Highland at Lone Tree

Monticello at Anamosa

Mount Vernon at Marion

North Linn at Alburnett

Pekin at Sigourney-Keota

South Winneshiek at Turkey Valley

Tipton at North Cedar

Union at Decorah

Washington at Mid-Prairie

West Branch at West Liberty

Iowa City High's A.J. Derby escapes from John Chelf of Cedar Rapids Xavier during their game at Xavier Sept. 11. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

The debate came to a conclusion Wednesday, for now at least. A.J. Derby will play quarterback at Iowa.

This is from Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz also called Derby, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder a “Tim Tebow” type of athlete. He also said if Iowa changes its style of offense to accommodate Derby’s skills, so be it.

“That’s our intent is for him to play quarterback,” Ferentz said at his signing day news conference. “We’re eager to see how he can progress and improve.

“And if things change in our style a little bit, that’s fine. Down the road, we think that he’s a guy that can win and lead the football team. We’re really impressed with what he did this past year.”The Iowa City High all-stater made it official when the Hawkeyes signed 21 players to scholarships Wednesday.

Iowa’s class includes Derby and Solon’s James Morris, the premier players in Iowa this season. The class has three U.S. Army All-American Bowl participants in Derby, tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz and offensive tackle Andrew Donnal.

For the first time in Ferentz’s 11-plus seasons, Iowa signed three players from the Washington D.C./Baltimore area with Gilman School linebacker Jim Poggi and defensive tackle Anthony Ferguson Jr. and DeMatha High School running back Marcus Coker.

But, yes, Ferentz did say “if things change in our style a little bit.” He was talking offense and Derby. For Ferentz, that’s a fairly bold statement.

Derby led Iowa City High to a 14-0 season and a Class 4A state title. He completed 99 of 187 for 1,820 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He rushed 142 times for 752 yards. He averaged 40.8 yards a punt and picked off two passes on defense.

Here are facts and figures that support the QB choice maybe more than anything else: Derby was City High’s first two-year captain and led the Little Hawks to a 24-1 record in two seasons as starting QB.

“He’s a winner,” Ferentz said. “And on top of that, we think he’s got a lot of upside at the quarterback position.”

Derby has been steadfast in his desire to play quarterback.

“Most recruiting Web sites just have me listed as an ‘athlete,’ like I might play something else,” Derby said. “But the Iowa coaches and I are set on quarterback.”

Derby was a Parade All-America last weekend as an “all-purpose” player. He was listed on the U.S. Army All-American Bowl west roster as a defensive back but played quarterback and finished 1 of 6.

There’s always the noise from fandom about his possibly playing another position, which is understandable. His dad, John, was an outstanding linebacker for Iowa’s 1991 Rose Bowl team.

Ferentz always thought “athlete.”

“A year ago at this time, I would have probably told you there’s no question in our minds he was a tremendous football player, tremendous athlete, kind of a Tim Tebow discussion, if you will,” Ferentz said. “And that’s really how we envisioned him.”

And then Derby, who’s enrolled and will participate in spring practice, went to a session at an Iowa football camp this summer. He opened Ferentz’s eyes to the quarterback possibilities.

“He really impressed us with the progress and improvement that he had made,” Ferentz said. “He clearly had been working on his footwork, throwing the football, that type of thing.

“We were just all tremendously impressed. And after that, we thought, boy, this guy, he’s got a lot of upside at quarterback. I think we’re getting a tremendous football player, a tremendous person.”

Senior Ricky Stanzi, barring anything crazy, has QB locked down for 2010. In 2011, it’ll be junior James Vandenberg, who nearly lifted Iowa to victory at Ohio State last season, junior John Wienke and Derby.

Maybe the debate isn’t over. Ferentz slipped that in there, too, Wednesday.

“If that (quarterback) doesn’t work down the road, there’s probably a lot of things he could do,” Ferentz said.

Maybe it’s just beginning.

Erika Conner will play volleyball at Mount Olive, N.C.

Maddy Becker will run cross country at Iowa State University.

Shay Gutman will play football at Upper Iowa University.

Andre Dawson will play football at the University of Northern Iowa.

Saxon Dolan will play football at Grand View University.

Matt Huffer will play football at the University of South Dakota.

Iowa State football recruits David Sims (left) and Zack Spears listen to head coach Paul Rhoads speak about the school's 2009 recruiting class during a news conference Feb. 4, 2009, in Ames. (AP)

Today is Signing Day for Division I and II football programs, with the nation’s four and five-star prep players inking their official letters of intent to places like Iowa, Iowa State, Florida and Notre Dame.

We’ll let you know what’s happening every step of the way today. Here’s what we’re planning:

• Watch Kirk Ferentz’s news conference live at 3:30 p.m. on www.KCRG.com
• Watch video of signing day ceremonies from Mid-Prairie, Cedar Rapids Washington and Linn-Mar high schools later today, right here at IowaPrepSports.
• Join The Gazette’s Marc Morehouse as he takes your questions and recaps the day from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at www.GazetteOnline.com
• And Morehouse’s On Iowa blog will have videos of Iowa’s 2010 recruiting class.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy junior Christian French said Tuesday night that Iowa officially offered him a football scholarship last weekend. It’s the second offer for French, joining one from the Iowa State Cyclones.

“Yeah, it’s exciting,” French said.

Christian French

Iowa assistant coaches Reese Morgan and Erik Campbell were at Kennedy’s basketball game against Cedar Rapids Jefferson last Friday night. The 6-foot-6 French is the Cougars’ starting center.

He played safety, running back and wide receiver this past season for the Kennedy football team, carrying the ball four times and not catching a pass. He was Kennedy’s third-leading tackler.

French said Iowa is looking at him as either a tight end or defensive end.

“I’m just keeping every door open,” French said. “I’m not making any decisions right now. I’m just keeping every door open, every opportunity (alive) – basketball and football. Right now, I’m just focused on my basketball season.”

French said he has gotten some basketball looks from Division II schools. He is attractive for coaches in both sports because of his size, long arms and ability to run.

He was asked which sport he prefers.

“Right now, it’s basketball because it’s basketball season,” he said with a smile. “I just go season by season. I love them both.”

Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Christian French (right) tackles Cedar Rapids Washington's Andre Dawson during their game at Kingston Stadium this past fall.

Derrick Loveless and the Solon Spartans will compete in Class 3A football the next two seasons. Solon won the last three Class 2A state championships and carries a 41-game win streak. (The Gazette)

A new challenge awaits Kevin Miller and his football juggernaut at Solon High School.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released its district assignments for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, and the Spartans will compete in Class 3A.

“We knew we’d be right on the (2A/3A) bubble. We figured we’d either move to 3A now, or in two more years,” Miller said.

Solon has won the last three 2A state championships and carries a 41-game winning streak.

“It’s a challenge, but with challenge comes opportunities,” Miller said. “We’re going to need more depth, and we’re going to have to work harder than we’ve ever worked before.”

The Spartans were assigned to 3A District 6. They’ll compete with Benton Community, Clear Creek Amana, Grinnell, Mount Vernon, South Tama, Washington (Iowa) and Williamsburg.

That means Highway 1 rivals Solon and Mount Vernon will meet in a district game and will not play in Week 1, as they have in recent years.

In other news of note:

* Once a Class 4A powerhouse, Newton has dropped to 3A. The Cardinals will compete in 3A District 8.

That leaves 47 schools in 4A — 23 in the west side, 24 in the east. Sixty-eight percent of them will advance to substate play.

* Like Solon, Center Point-Urbana has been promoted to 3A. South Winneshiek, the 2009 1A state runner-up, is elevated to 2A.

* Midland is the area’s only newcomer to the eight-man game.

So his decision to attend Stanford University of somewhat of a homecoming.

An all-state lineman at Linn-Mar High School, Parry orally committed to play football as a preferred walk-on at Stanford. He visited the campus last weekend.

“Both of my parents were born and raised in San Francisco, and all of my cousins, aunts and uncles are out there,” said Parry, who stands 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds.

Oh, and the academics program doesn’t hurt, either.

“David is a very goal-oriented kid. He has worked hard and earned this, so it’s a great opportunity to combine academics and athletics for him,” said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth. “There’s no doubt he’ll be successful.”

Parry is looking at a political-science major which might lead him to law school.

He is tagged as a defensive lineman.

“I feel more comfortable on the offensive line, but the more I work on the defensive line, the more I like it,” he said.

Parry was a key cog as Linn-Mar enjoyed a breakout season last fall. The Lions won the MVC Valley Division title, went 9-2 and reached the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

He intends to take a class and participate in late-summer camp, and is hopeful he can earn a scholarship this fall.

“If not this year, next year for sure,” he said.

Parry also had opportunities at Iowa, Navy, Northern Iowa and several Ivy League schools.

“He had a really good visit. We’ll just wait and see,” said Linn-Mar Coach Bob Forsyth.

Parry has a visit lined up this weekend at Stanford, may visit the Naval Academy, and has several Ivy League schools on his list.

“Dave is an extremely gifted kid academically,” Forsyth said.

Cedar Rapids Washington's Andre Dawson tries to break a tackle during the first half of their Class 4A state first-round playoff game against Cedar Rapids Kennedy on Nov. 2. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — It wasn’t just football that turned Andre Dawson toward the University of Northern Iowa.

It wasn’t just the business school.

It was Mom.

Dawson, an all-state running back at Cedar Rapids Washington, orally committed to play at UNI in a press conference at Washington Thursday afternoon.

“It’s hard for Mom to travel, so this put a smile on her face,” Dawson said.

Hilda Dawson is a breast-cancer survivor who still had medical issues related to the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she has taken.

“Andre told me that he loved me more than he loved (the possibility of) playing (FBS) football,” Hilda said. “That was priceless to me.”

Dawson said he had 11 scholarship offers, and that he chose UNI over Purdue, Kansas and Michigan State.

“It just came down to where I could play where my family could see me,” he said.

The single-season and career rushing leader at Washington, Dawson rushed for 2,212 yards on 301 carries and scored 28 touchdowns as the Warriors finished 9-3 and reached the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

“UNI is going to be getting a Shonn Greene-type back,” said Washington Coach Tony Lombardi. “I truly believe that.”

Dawson is a second cousin of Dedric Ward, who played at Washington and UNI, then enjoyed a productive NFL career.

If football takes him no further than college, he’s hoping the business degree helps him open a restaurant after his career ends.

“I’m not the greatest cook, though,” he said.

A left tackle on offense and a defensive end, Huffer (6-foot-7, 240 pounds) was a first-team all-stater as the Warriors finished 9-3 and reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs.

“They have a nice indoor facility. I mean, it’s not as good as the UNI-Dome, but it’s nice,” said Huffer, who also considered UNI, along with South Dakota State, Augustana (S.D.), Northwest Missouri State and Nebraska-Omaha.

“I’m going to be a criminal justice major, and they had that at South Dakota. And I like the schedule that they play. They go on the road quite a bit, and I like that.”

USD’s 2010 schedule includes road trips to Central Florida, Minnesota, California-Davis, Southern Utah and Lamar.

Huffer said he plans on red-shirting this coming season.

Washington Coach Tony Lombardi considers Huffer one of the top linemen he has ever coached.

“Matt moves extremely well. He’s got great speed and agility,” Lombardi said. “He’s extremely physical at the point of attack. He understands the intensity needed on the football field.”

As for Andre Dawson, Lombardi said the running back will make a visit to Northern Iowa this weekend, Northern Illinois next weekend.

Michigan State is still in play, Lombardi said; Kansas and Wisconsin are not.