Iowa high school football's Week 3 featured an OT slugfest, a top-4 battle in 5A and a rivalry blowout

Will Kennedy, Des Moines Register
·19 min read
Valley quarterback Michael Provenza accounted for 206 yards and two touchdowns in Week 6.

Week 3 of the Iowa high school football season has come and gone now, with several exciting matchups happening all around the state.

A few top-10 teams went down and the Little Cy-Hawk game between Ames and Iowa City has been absolutely bonkers. There was clashes between titans in 5A as Dowling handed Ankeny its first loss of the campaign. Des Moines Hoover, who nearly didn't field a team in 2022, got its first win of the season.

We had all that and more Friday night. Catch all the biggest highlights and get a look back at all of our coverage of the week that was around the football fields of Iowa.

Catch up on Week 3 action

11:00 p.m. Little Cy-Hawk goes to Iowa City

The Little Hawks dominated in the second half and earned a 55-19 win over No. 9 Ames. The win moves City to 2-1 on the year and the Little Cyclones fall to 2-1.

10:40 p.m. We got a running clock

Iowa City is putting the hurt on No. 9 Ames right now in the Little Cy-Hawk game. It's 55-19 late in the third quarter and the refs have decided to move to a running clock to speed things along. Unless something miraculous happens, Ames will be getting its first loss on the season tonight.

10:20 p.m. Nevada rolls away with a win

The Cubs struggled early, but walked away with a big 49-26 win over Roland-Story to move to 2-1.

10:10 p.m. Lewis Central remains undefeated

The No. 1 Titans toppled No. 7 Norwalk quite easily, running away with a 49-27 win to remain flawless on the season.

9:56 p.m. Hoover earns first win

Des Moines Hoover got its first win of the season with a nail-biting 35-33 win over Sioux City West.

Pretty impressive stuff from a program that nearly didn't field a team this season.

9:50 p.m. Lewis Central running it up

The No. 1 ranked team in Class 4A is racking up the points on No. 7 Norwalk. Titans take a 22- point lead after Braylon Kammarad hit Curtis Witte from about 30 yards out.

Norwalk has a long way to go and not a lot of time to do it, just under 10 minutes left in this one.

9:45 p.m. Ronnie Major- difference maker

The Iowa City running back has his third score of the first half to give the Little Hawks a 41-19 lead over No. 9 Ames with under a minute to go in the half.

This kid is pretty good!

9:40 p.m. Nevada stormed back

We didn't see a ton of updates on this game, but last we checked Nevada was down. But, the Cubs didn't let an early deficit get in their heads. They now lead 35-19 headed into the final quarter.

9:38 p.m. Hoover hanging on by a thread

The Huskies had a big lead, but now lead by just two after a Sioux City West touchdown. Hoover up 35-33 late in the fourth quarter as they search for their first win of the season.

9:30 p.m. I just can't keep up with Iowa City- Ames

Every time I look up somebody scores again. Now Iowa City leads 34-19 and needed just two plays to answer after another Jalen Leuth score. His team may be down, but the Little Cyclones' wideout is having himself a night.

It's not even halftime

9:23 p.m. Dowling takes down Ankeny

The No. 4 Maroons got their second straight win, topping No. 3 Ankeny 17-10. It's the first loss of the season for the Hawks.

9:21 p.m. Urbandale tops Valley

The J-Hawks came away with their second win of the season Friday night. Urbandale got a field goal in overtime and then the defense held strong and caused a turnover to topple No. 7 WDM Valley.

9:20 p.m. Iowa City humming

Perhaps Kirk Ferentz could take some pointers from City High. Ronnie Major got his second score of the night, on consecutive carries. This time he hit paydirt from 18 yards out to give the Little Hawks a 27-12 lead over No. 9 Ames.

9:15 p.m. Lewis Central pulling away

No. 1 Lewis Central got a bit of a scare when Norwalk scored to make it a 7-point game. But the top team in Class 4A doubled its lead on a Braylon Kammrad touchdown pass to Luciano Fidone to make it 35-21 late in the third quarter.

9:10 p.m. Little Cy-Hawk is wild

After Ames went down to make it a one-point game on another connection between Dallas Sauser and Jalen Leuth, City High scored on the first play of their next drive thanks to a 67-yard score from Ronnie Major.

Little Hawks up 20-12 with 8:50 left in the first half.

9:05 p.m. Free football for Urbandale and Valley

The J-Hawks and No. 7 Tigers are headed to overtime with the teams tied at 7. Wouldn't be shocked if a turnover ends up winning it with the way both defenses have been playing in that one.

9:00 p.m. Dowling WR dazzles

Dowling wideout Cooper Nicholson came down with an absolutely insane grab for 23-yards on fourth down. He jumped into the air and ripped the ball out of an Ankeny defender inside the five-yard line. The Maroons couldn't hit paydirt after a penalty, but the grab set up a field goal to extend their lead.

Dowling up 17-10 with about four minutes left in the contest.

8:55 p.m. Ames' offense wakes up

The No. 9 Little Cyclones found their first score of the Little Cy-Hawk game thanks to a 2-yard strike from Dallas Sauser to Jalen Leuth on fourth and goal. That capped a seven-play, 8--yard scoring drive.

Little Hawks up 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.

8:45 p.m. WDM Valley ties Urbandale

It's a defensive slugfest, but we've finally got some more points for the first time since the opening quarter. No. 7WDM Valley ties it up on a Michael Provenza 14-yard QB Keeper.

All knotted up at 7 just about halfway through the final quarter.

8:40 p.m. Oh boy, Hawks got the momentum now

Just a few plays after that big run for Ankeny, they force a Jaxon Smolik fumble and recover it in Dowling territory. They have the ball with the chance to take the lead late in the third.

8:37 p.m. Ankeny's offense is potent

Hawks RB Jazan Williams rattled off an 80-yard scoring run cutting through the Dowling defense to cut their deficit to just four points. Maroons lead 14-10. Just under four minutes to play in the third quarter.

8:35 p.m. Norwalk won't quit

Every time it looks like No. 1 Lewis Central is pulling away, the Warriors claw back into the game. After falling behind 28-7, No. 7 Norwalk cut the deficit to just 14. Landon Hochstein connected with Dillon Ranck from a few yards out for a score. It's the second TD connection for the pair tonight.

Lewis Central up 28-14.

8:30 p.m. Dowling extends its lead

The No. 4 Maroons have No. 3 Ankeny on the ropes after a one-yard Jaxon Smolik QB keeper touchdown. The drive was entirely on the ground and came after a Hawks three-and-out to start the second half.

Ankeny has made a habit of making games close this season, but the Maroons are up 14-3 halfway through the third.

8:26 p.m. That was fast

The best offense in Iowa City belongs to the Little Hawks. It took just two minutes and change for City High to march down the field and find the endzone. Drew Larson ended the drive with a one-yard score but the PAT was no good.

Iowa City up 6-0 on No. 9 Ames early in the first.

8:25 p.m. Don Bosco doing Don Bosco things

The best team in 8-man football is asserting its dominance yet again. The Dons are up 56-6 at halftime over Collins-Maxwell.

8:19 p.m. Roland-Story up on Nevada

The No. 10 Cubs were searching to get back on track after a surprising loss a week ago, but Roland-Story isn't having it. The Norseman just took a 13-7 lead on a Luke Patton score from one yard out.

They're just about halfway through the second quarter in that one now.

8:15 p.m. Little Cy-Hawk finally underway

The game between No. 9 Ames and Iowa City High got pushed back because of an absurdly long freshman game. It's just kicking off now about an hour after the scheduled start time.

City High will start the game with the ball.

8:10 p.m. Norwalk answers

I guess I spoke too soon. Pretty much immediately after my last update, No. 7 Norwalk broke its scoreless drought. Quarterback Landon Hochstein set up the score with a big run before finishing off the drive with a 12-yard strike to Dillon Ranck.

Norwalk still behind 21-7 to No. 1 Lewis Central

8:05 p.m. Lewis Central pulling away

It was deadlocked for a while, but Class 4A No. 1 Lewis Central has put up 21 straight points on No. 7 Norwalk to take a three-score lead. The Titans caused a turnover early in the second quarter and Jonathan Humpal capitalized on about a three-yard run. It's his second score of the night.

8:02 p.m. Special teams pay off for Kennedy

No. 6 Cedar Rapids Kennedy just took the lead on Class 4A No. 9 Washington early in the second quarter. Cade Thorstenson nabbed a blocked punt in the end zone and they tacked on a PAT to make it 7-0.

8:00 p.m. Halftime in tonight's marquee 5A games

In a battle between two top-5 squads, No. 4 Dowling and No. 3 Ankeny, the Maroons hold a 7-3 lead. Both teams scored on their first possession and it's been pretty dull since.

Urbandale leads No. 7 WDM Valley 7-0 at the half as well.

7:55 p.m. Centennial putting it on Waukee

The Jags are up 21-3 at the end of the half against Waukee. Ankeny Centennial is searching for its first win of the sea, and Elijah Porter is making sure he does everything he can to help his team get it. He's got all three scores for the Jags tonight so far.

7:45 p.m. Hoover came to play

The Huskies are looking real good right now. They're up 21-7 on Sioux City West. Hoover got this one on a 30-yard pass from Braden Dill to Moses Gorh with just about five minutes left in the first half.

7:40 p.m. Wind is whippin'

Mother nature is playing a role in a Class 4A top-10 battle between No. 7 Norwalk and No. 1 Lewis Central. Norwalk got the ball down to the 20-yard-line and set up for a 37- yard kick and well... it was on target, but the wind absolutely stopped the ball in its tracks.

I mean, just look at this video. That should be a crime.

Game still scoreless in the first half.

7:37 p.m. Regina hits on a deep shot

The Regals QB, Gentry Dumont, connects with his wideout Steven Liu to go up 14-0 on Mid-Prairie. That's Liu's first score of the season.

7:35 p.m. Bishop Heelan scores first TD of 2022

The Crusaders finally hit paydirt for the first time this season thanks to a 27-yard run from Quinn Olson halfway through the first frame. They're all tied up at 7 with Spencer.

7:30 p.m. Des Moines North falling behind

The Polar Bears are searching for their first 3-0 start since 1977, but they're down to Sioux City North 14-8 at the end of the opening frame.

7:25 p.m. Regina dominant early on

The Regals have a 7-0 lead over Mid-Parairieat the end of the first quarter after a 40-yard strike from Gentry Dumont to Jackson Naeve. That doesn't sound like a massive deficit, but the Regina defense has been stifling. They've forced a turnover on downs and nabbed an interception in the Golden Eagles' two possessions so far.

7:20 p.m. Hoover comes alive

Hoover is still searching for its first win of the season after nearly folding the program last spring. They're out to an early 7-0 lead now on Sioux City West after a Josh Nichols 50+ yard scamper

7:17 p.m. SEP is No. 1 for a reason

Just under three minutes into the game and the Rams are already up 21-0 on Waukee Northwest.

Runningback Abu Sama scored his seventh TD of the season to open the scoring for SEP. Cole Rogers picked off a pass on the ensuing Wolves possession and Harry Gibson found the endzone just seven seconds later. The Rams got another turnover too on the next drive and Connor Moberly found Joe Zelenovich immediately after to go up 21-0.

All that happened in just over a minute of game time. Is that good?

7:15 p.m. Urbandale out in front

The J-Hawks, who are coming off an upset loss last week, wasted no time getting back in a groove. Ben Booth found the endzone from 13 yards out to take an early 7-0 lead over No. 7 WDM Valley.

7:10 p.m. Dowling takes an early lead

The No. 4 Maroons marched right down the field on their first drive against No. 3 Ankeny. The stream cut out so we're not too sure who scored it, but we definitely know it's 7-0 early in the first

Hawks are driving now though.

7:05 p.m. We have points!

Tristen Cummings hits paydirt for what we think is the first points of the night across the state. He got in from 14 yards out on the first play of the drive for Bedford.

Bedford up 6-0 on Lenox.

6:35 p.m. Creston looking smooth

The Panthers (2-0) are taking on Denison-Schleswig (1-1) tonight in what should be a fun matchup. But more importantly at the moment, Creston unveiled some new uniforms for this week and they look clean.

6:21 p.m. Expect fireworks in Little Cy- Hawk

While tomorrow's matchup between Iowa and Iowa State will force the entire state to come to a shutdown tomorrow, tonight's matchup between Iowa City and No. 9 Ames should be a lot of fun.

Both teams are tied for the most passing touchdowns in Class 5A with seven. I bet the big Hawkeyes wish they could have just one of those.

Everything you need to know for Week 3

What we're covering in Week 3

If you're stuck at home or you're out of town and can't make it to a game, check out some of the options to stream games online or over the radio. If you can't find a stream for your favorite school, then stick right here. This blog is your one-stop shop for real-time updates on what's happening on football fields around Iowa. Plus, just like we have been all season, we'll have our reporters on the scene at the most intriguing games around the state to give you the best coverage you could possibly hope for.

Veteran high school reporter Cody Goodwin (@CodyGoodwin) will be checking out Urbandale take on No. 7 WDM Valley. Both teams come into this matchup with 1-1 records, but the J-Hawks were stunned last week and fell out of the top-10 in Class 5A while the Tigers dropped a tough game to No. 1 Southeast Polk. Recruiting /high school sports reporter Alyssa Hertel (@AlyssaHertel) will be in the city checking out undefeated Class 4A No. 7 Norwalk going head-to-head with Class 4A No. 1 Lewis Central in a battle of titans in the second largest class.

Joe Randleman (@JoeRandleman) is just north of Ames to see Roland-Story welcome in Class 3A No. 10 Nevada. Both squads are coming off close Week 2 losses and are looking to bounce back tonight. Raven Moore (@Raven_xreport) is in Iowa City to watch Regina welcome in Mid-Prairie. The Golden Hawks come into the contest undefeated and the Regals split their opening two games.

Finally, Matt Levins will be near the Illinois border to watch Mediapolis travel to West Burlington-Notre Dame. The Falcons have lost two straight to open the season and Mediapolis comes into this one with an unblemished record.

On top of the reporters out and about tonight, we'll also have staff photographers capturing the best images from the action all across the state, including Joseph Cress (@josephwcress) who will be out at the Little Cy-Hawk game between Ames and Iowa City High.

And I'll be mining information from them and social media to bring you everything you need to know that's happening in Iowa high school football tonight.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa high school football final scores, highlights from Week 3

Recommended Stories