Aplington-Parkersburg’s win over Humboldt (0-1) not only was the first for new Falcon head coach Alex Pollock, but it was also the school’s first victory over a Class 3A school.
The game was truly a Thomas family affair as Greg Thomas, Wildcats’ head coach, is the brother of the late Ed Thomas. Both had wanted to coach against each other, but were never able to arrange such a game. Calling the plays for A-P was Ed’s son, Todd Thomas.
The Falcons (1-0) gained 395 yards on 67 carries and were led by …

Aplington-Parkersburg made it official late Thursday night, announcing the hiring of 2002 A-P graduate Alex Pollock as the school’s new head football coach.
The hiring still must be approved by the district’s school board. Sportswriter Jeff Linder first posted news of the hiring Thursday afternoon.
Pollock will follow the team’s co-coaches from the 2009 season — Al Kerns, who has retired from coaching, and John Wiegmann, who will return to his former role as defensive coordinator. Kerns and Wiegmann served as co-coaches last season, after legendary coach Ed Thomas was killed …

 
Alex Pollock would not confirm Thursday that he’s about to be hired as the next football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg.
His older brother did.
Pollock is likely to be officially announced the permanent coach at A-P on Friday, according to Andy Pollock, via a Twitter message at 10 p.m.
The 26-year-old Alex Pollock was the defensive coordinator at Augsburg (Minn.) College.
KCRG-TV reported late Thursday night that Pollock has “verbally agreed to take the job and they are working on finalizing the details.”

Aaron Thomas, the school’s athletics director, said early in the day that a new football …

IOWA CITY HIGH at C.R. JEFFERSON (Thursday)
Time & place: 7:15 p.m., at Kingston Stadium.
Records: City High is 8-0; Jefferson is 1-7.
What’s at stake: For City High, an unbeaten regular season and the possibility of a No. 1 seed in the Class 4A East playoffs.
 
C.R. KENNEDY at DUBUQUE WAHLERT
Time & place: 7:15 p.m., at the Rock Bowl, Dubuque.
Records: Kennedy is 3-5; Wahlert is 2-6.
What’s at stake: Kennedy guarantees a substate berth with a win. Wahlert could slide into the postseason with a win and some assistance.
 
LINN-MAR at IOWA CITY WEST
Time & …

So here’s where we’re at as we head to Week 9:
CLASS 4A EAST
Twelve of 16 berths have been determined, including two league champions.
Iowa City High (8-0) has clinched the MVC Mississippi Division title while Clinton (8-0) is the Mississippi Athletic Conference champion.
Linn-Mar (7-1) can win the MVC Valley Division crown if it defeats Iowa City West.
Other qualifiers, in current order, are Bettendorf (7-1), Cedar Rapids Washington (6-2), Dubuque Hempstead (6-2), Cedar Falls (6-2), Cedar Rapids Xavier (6-2), Pleasant Valley (5-3), Davenport Assumption (5-3), North Scott (5-3) and Davenport Central (4-4).
Four teams — …

This is the final week of the prep football regular season and there are still sub-state berths up for grabs. Gazette Communications journalists will be discussing and breaking down Week 9 games and playoff scenarios.
Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson and myself will be conducting a pair of live chats Friday. Look for the links at www.iowaprepsports.comfor a chat from noon to 1 p.m. and a second one recapping results and sub-state match-ups from 11 p.m. to midnight, following the night’s action.
Join in and share your thoughts, questions and your favorite food …

Benton Community rallied from a 12-7 halftime deficit to down DeWitt Central, 20-12 last night in Van Horne.
Zach Tweedt completed 7-for-11 passes for 111 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown to Mitch Lester. Tweedt also had 28 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Mark Himmelsbach had 14 carries for 102 yards rushing including a 29-yard touchdown for the Bobcats (3-2, 2-1 3A-4).

CENTER POINT-URBANA 31, TIPTON 12 — Dylan Ramsey had 16 carries for 89 yards and four touchdowns for host Center Point-Urbana (4-1, 3-0 2A-5).
WEST BRANCH 34, BELLE …

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Mark Becker

It’s now up to a district court judge to determine whether Mark Becker is competent to stand trial for the murder of former Aplington-Parkersburg head football coach Ed Thomas. A hearing was held this morning in Mason City, with two experts making vastly different statements about Becker’s mental state.
Fort Dodge psychologist Dan Rogers performed a mental evaluation of Becker at the request of Becker’s lawyer. Rogers met with Becker twice and according to Rogers Becker showed the classic symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia.
“He has the delusions. He has …

PARKERSBURG — A red wave of Aplington-Parkersburg fans applauded in unison last night as their Falcons jogged off the field at halftime.
Nestled among the nearly 4,000 fans who packed Ed Thomas Field were about a dozen sporting similar red T-shirts that read “Becker.”
On a night when the community paid one last round of respects to legendary coach Ed Thomas, the irony lies with Aplington-Parkersburg senior Scott Becker. His brother, 24-year-old Mark Becker, is accused of fatally shooting Thomas in front of 20 students June 24 at the school’s weight facility. …

The Aplington-Parkersburg football team will play its first game in 35 years without head coach Ed Thomas tonight against longtime rival Dike-New Hartford.
ESPN will broadcast the game and you can watch it live on KCRG-TV9 with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. The newscast also will report live from the game at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
You can catch a live chat during the game right here to talk about what’s happening.
Dike – New Hartford @ Aplington – Parkersburg