Jampacked weekend of area football

Week 3 of the 2024 Iowa high school football season may just be the hottest date on the calendar, and that’s good for area fans, because it’s coming up this Friday night.

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By happenstance, many of the area’s most important matchups, specifically against each other, all fall on the third full Friday night of the season.

Here is a rundown of what to look out for on the football field this Friday night.

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Fairfield 1-1 at Washington 2-0

The Highway 1 rivalry returns to Case Field, and the hosting Demons may be in line to win more games in the opening month than the 2023 squad did all fall.

Washington’s stellar defense has helped the team start 2-0, allowing just 20 total points in those two games, and four total touchdowns from quarterback Logan McDole hasn’t hur the Washington’s case.

On the visiting end, however, is a team that just ran for an incredible 472 yards and eight touchdowns against Fort Madison.

Last season, Fairfield won its first game in the rivalry since 2008, holding off the Demons 23-20. Now, it’s Washington that wants to flip the tables back around.

Tipton (2-0) at Mt. Pleasant (1-1)

Mt. Pleasant hasn’t won on its home field at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex since the year 2020, but after breaking their road losing streak two weeks ago, it seems the Panthers are poised to knock down that barrier soon.

The Panthers fell part late in what turned into a 21-point loss to West Burlington last week, despite another stellar outing from running back Payton Walker.

So far, the visiting Tipton Tigers have passed the test. Tipton comes into Mt. Pleasant with a perfect 2-0 record, having outscored opponents 133-6 this season.

Winfield-Mount Union (2-0) at WACO (2-1)

It’s becoming a yearly occurrence that next door neighbors Winfield-Mount Union and WACO play in the one of the highest-staked games of the year in the Union coverage area.

Once again, WMU and WACO look to be legitimate playoff threats, and now the two teams will meet in a showdown with early playoff implications.

The Warriors had won four out of the last five contests before a 34-8 win from the Dome-bound WMU squad last fall. Now, in Wayland, WACO will try to get back on top in the rivalry.

No. 7 (8-Player) Iowa Valley at New London

The Iowa Valley-New London season series has been quite the high-scoring affair, with the winning team putting up 68 points or more in the last four contests.

New London looks for revenge for a 68-22 road loss last season, but it won’t be easy. The Tigers are undefeated, ranked and coming off a huge win against WACO just one week ago.

Sigourney-Keota (1-1) at Mid-Prairie (0-2)

The Cobras and Golden Hawks may have just one win between them so far this season, but don’t let the record fool you. All three of those losses have come against ranked opponents.

In a game between two playoff teams from last year, the Cobras look to win their fourth out of the last five against Mid-Pririe. Sigourney-Keota won a wild 41-35 game last year, earning revenge for a 23-20 Mid-Prairie victory one year prior.

Highland (1-1) at Van Buren County (0-2)

Last season, Van Buren County hung on tight to a 28-22 win over Highland, but the Warriors will have to figure out something to stave off the Huskies this time around.

Highland comes in 1-1, having only given up 14 total points over the first two weeks. VBC has shown some defensive prowess as well, meaning this one might just be a grinder.

Columbus (1-1) at No. 8 (A) Lisbon (2-0)

Columbus scored 51 points last week against Wapello, but the Wildcats face a different animal this Friday.

Lisbon, the eighth-ranked team in class A has scored 78 points so far this fall, and has yet to relinquish a point on defense.

Pekin (2-0) at Danville (1-1)

A couple of legitimate district threats meet up in Danville as Pekin looks for its biggest win yet.

The Panthers are off to a ridiculous start so far, outscoring opponents 130-0 in two games. Danville promises to be Pekin’s toughest test yet.

Davis County (2-0) at Cardinal (0-2)

It hasn’t been easy going for Cardinal in the first two weeks of the season, and the Comets have another tough opponent coming in on Friday night.

Davis County erased a 19-0 lead to win in Week 1, and then put 56 points up in Week 2, and now the Mustangs come to Eldon with a 2-0 record.