Iowa
Top Iowa high school football games in Iowa City area in Week 8, and our predictions
Owen Bock talks Solon’s Week 7 win over Washington
Solon sophomore Owen Bock scored a 65-yard touchdown in a 42-0 win over Washington in Week 7 of the Iowa high school football season.
Week 8 of the Iowa high school football season will be another opportunity for all six Iowa City-area teams to boost their resumes as they inch closer to the end of the regular season.
The rivalry game between Iowa City Liberty and Iowa City High will headline the action on Friday, Oct. 17. Iowa City Regina will play in its last regular season game of the year.
Here are our predictions for each local football matchup in Week 8.
Iowa high school football predictions Week 8
Iowa City Liberty at Iowa City High
Iowa City Liberty (6-1), Iowa City High (1-6): The Little Hawks earned their first win of the season in a 59-14 road win over Des Moines East in Week 7. That momentum may be short-lived when they take on a Liberty team that has won three games in a row, with its most recent victory being a 28-14 road win over Pleasant Valley.
Liberty junior Brody Beaver has made up for lost time on the ground as of late. The running back, who missed time this season with a hamstring strain, rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in Week 7. He has added an element to Liberty’s offense that has opened the pass game for quarterback Reece Rettig. Let’s not forget a Liberty defense that has created opportunities for that offensive success.
It seemed that the Little Hawks laid out their frustration against the Scarlets in Week 7 with elite performances across the board. Sophomore quarterback Chris Kabaiza threw for 323 yards and five touchdowns, while Chayse Newton nabbed 14 passes for 145 yards and two scores. Dominic Roe led the team with 132 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. The City High defense had its best performance this season, holding Des Moines East to 14 points.
Don’t expect the Little Hawks to have that same productivity against the Lightning. Liberty has too much talent to fall behind by double digits and its resume speaks for itself. Iowa City Liberty 50, Iowa City High 16
Louisa-Muscatine at Iowa City Regina
Louisa-Muscatine (0-7), Iowa City Regina (7-0): This game is a mismatch of epic proportions. The 7-0 Regals will face a Louisa-Muscatine team that earned its last win in September of 2020.
Regina quarterback Kyle Tracy put up video game numbers in a 49-8 win over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont last week. He went 7-for-7 passing for 372 yards and six touchdowns in two quarters played. Don’t be shocked if Tracy surpasses that total in what should be an easy blowout win for the Regals in their regular season finale. Iowa City Regina 55, Louisa-Muscatine 6
Solon at Mount Pleasant
Solon (7-0), Mount Pleasant (6-1): After a dominant 42-0 win over Washington, the Spartans shift their attention to a Mount Pleasant team that has won three games in a row entering Week 8.
The Panthers are coming off a 35-34 win over Keokuk, a team that the Spartans shut out, 77-0, in Week 5. Sure, Mount Pleasant has dropped one game this season but they haven’t had the same strength of schedule as the No. 1 team in Class 3A.
The Spartans have been in a single one-score game this season, with six of their wins coming by double digits. Their dominance will continue on the road against the Panthers. Solon 45, Mount Pleasant 12
Iowa City West at Prairie
Iowa City West (6-1), Prairie (4-3): With blowout victories over Muscatine and Davenport Central, wins have been easy to come by for the Trojans as of late. Prairie is a gritty football team with talent that can strike at a moment’s notice. The Trojans will have to keep their heads on a swivel in Week 8.
The Hawks’ run game is led by Dawson Kahl, a former City High running back that has rushed for 642 yards and seven touchdowns on 84 carries this season. Senior David Fason is an Iowa football commit who leads the team in tackles (46.5), tackles for loss (25.5), sacks (8), receptions (25) and receiving yards (409).
The Trojans have their own Division I talent with Julian Manson, Colin Whitters and Ethan Headings with a number of other elite playmakers who can step up when their number is called. Iowa City West will do enough to win in a tight game. Iowa City West 38, Prairie 35
Clear Creek Amana at Pella
Clear Creek Amana (3-4), Pella (6-1): CCA dropped a 31-19 home game to No. 2 Newton in Week 7 without standout quarterback Conlan Poynton and will face Pella, the No. 3 team in Class 4A this week. Sophomore Texton Bollers got his first full start at quarterback against the Cardinals. He completed 14-of-26 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown with an interception.
Pella is coming off a 35-0 win over Oskaloosa in Week 7. The Dutch’s defense has compiled nine interceptions, the fifth most in 4A. Offensively, they are ranked fourth in passing completions (102) and passing attempts (163).
Pella has won the last three meetings between the two teams by double digits entering their 2025 showdown. This season’s Clippers squad is a gritty bunch, but they’ll have their hands full against a Dutch team that operates at an elite level. Pella 32, Clear Creek Amana 21
Marc Ray is the high school sports reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He can be reached at MARay@gannett.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.