Will Roth, who quarterbacked Linn-Mar to a 9-2 record and a spot in the Class 4A playoffs, has committed to the University of Northern Iowa.
Roth stands 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds. He picked UNI over North Dakota.
“UNI is a great fit for me,” said Roth, who plans to major in accounting and finance. “I really liked the coaches. Their offensive coordinator (Mario Verduzco) is one of the best quarterback coaches in the county.”
Roth passed for 1,686 yards and 11 touchdowns with eight interceptions as the Lions won a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional …

SOLON — Kevin Miller’s road to coaching success took some twists and turns along the way, but it was almost an inevitable destination for him.
Coaching baseball convinced him to switch focus from business to education while attending Loras College, where he played on the DuHawk basketball team. Football is where he made his mark and achieved success.
Miller has coached Solon to three consecutive state titles and a 41-game win streak, including the 2009 Class 2A title in the Spartans’ fourth straight state finals appearance.
Miller was introduced to coaching by helping …

SOLON — He’s all right with Ash and big with Brock. Pikachu is perfect.
“I love Pokemon,” James Morris said of the Nintendo-created video-game, card-game, book, movie craze. “I’ve always liked it, thought it was the coolest thing ever.
“I like imagination type stuff. That’s how I am. I can be sitting there for 15 minutes and not say anything, just because I’m daydreaming, thinking about different things.”
You know the football James Morris. He’s arguably one of the best all-around football players this area has seen.
He’s a two-time Gatorade Player of the …

Here’s a look at the 2009 Gazette Communications all area high school football team.   This all leads up to the offensive and defensive player of the year, coach of the year and overall player of the year.  Join the Gazette’s Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and KJ Pilcher for a LIVE CHAT this Friday from 11:30am-12:30pm to discuss the selections.
OFFENSE
Quarterback A.J. Derby Iowa City High 6-4 223 Sr.
Back James Morris Solon 6-1 210 Sr.
Back Andre Dawson Cedar Rapids Washington 6-2 212 Sr.
Back Jer Garman Linn-Mar 5-9 170 Jr.
Receiver Colin O’Connor Cedar …

Here’s a look at the 2009 Gazette Communications all area high school football team.   This all leads up to the offensive and defensive player of the year, coach of the year and overall player of the year.  Join the Gazette’s Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and KJ Pilcher for a LIVE CHAT this Friday from 11:30am-12:30pm to discuss the selections.
DEFENSE:
Lineman David Ryberg Cedar Rapids Xavier 5-11 215 Sr.
Lineman Evan Constant Solon 6-1 205 Sr.
Lineman Matt Popelka North Tama 6-2 220 Sr.
Lineman Zach Schmidt Wapsie Valley 6-3 255 Sr.
Linebacker Saxon Dolan Cedar …

The Gazette’s Jeff Linder, KJ Pilcher and Jeff Johnson will chat live with you about the offensive and defensive all area high school football teams, and preview the offensive, defensive, coach and player of the year awards that will be announced on Sunday.
The Gazette Communications All Area Prep Football Teams

A Solon running back has been named Iowa’s Gatorade Player of the Year, for the second year in a row.
James Morris earned the honor during the 2008-2009 school year and again for the 2009-2010 school year.
Solon beat Boyden Hull-Rock Valley 38-7 to win the 2009 class 2A state football title for the 3rd straight year. The Spartans become the first 2A team ever to win 3 straight championships. Solon has won 41 straight games. Their last loss came back in the 2006 state title game.
James Morris led the way with …

WINTHROP — Mike Stafford, who coached East Buchanan to football prominence, has vacated his coaching post.
“When he retired from teaching two years ago, he made us aware that he would coach one or two more seasons,” said East Buchanan athletics director Pat Schloss. “Saturday, he informed us that this would be his last season.”
Stafford was the head coach at EB for 27 years, compiling a 165-95 record. The Bucs were 6-4 this season, earning a Class A substate berth.
He coached the Bucs to 14 postseason appearances. They advanced to the …

A.J. Derby’s time at Iowa City High may come to an end sooner than expected. Rumors have circulated about whether the All-state football standout will forego his senior basketball season and enroll for the spring semester at the University of Iowa.
When attempting to contact Derby, his mother, Kelly, did confirm he had fulfilled his requirements to do so but is only considering the idea at this time. She added that could not speak for A.J. About the decision but he will be supported whatever that decision is.
Derby led the Little …

CLASS 3A
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
Tight end — Adam Cave, jr., Harlan; Wide receivers — Nick Berger, sr., Sioux City Heelan; Jared Wauters, sr., Union; Linemen — Kyle Bauer, sr., Carroll; Mark Langenfeld, sr., Harlan; Brandon Scherff, sr., Denison-Schleswig; Austin Blythe, jr., Williamsburg; Nathan Seibert, sr., Dallas Center-Grimes; Quarterback — Zach McCabe, sr., Sioux City Heelan; Backs — Tanner Susin, sr., Centerville; Dylan Barrett, sr., Harlan; Cord Slaymaker, sr., Williamsburg; Kicker — Dustin Hiserote, sr., Sergeant Bluff-Luton; Utility — Michael Kaufman, sr., Harlan.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Linemen — Jordan Thelen, sr., Carroll; Kyan Fahn, sr., Harlan; …