The Audubon Wheelers football team will lift the lid on a new season early with a week zero match-up this Saturday against Winfield-Mt. Union. They will do so with a new leadership group after the departure of a stellar senior class that led them to the State Semifinals last season. Star quarterback Gavin Smith is gone along with many other impact players such as Braden Wessel, Jackson Deist, Carter Andreasen, Matthwe Beisswenger, Joey Schramm, Garrett Christensen, Alex Foran and more. Audubon Head Coach Sean Birks said it’s not easy to replace one of their most decorated classes ever but plenty of guys have been waiting their turn.

Coach Birks has some thoughts on who those next leaders will be but more will need to emerge.

The Wheelers get a quick start to the season as part of a week zero Saturday doubleheader that will be hosted by Martensdale-St. Marys. The Wheelers will face Winfield-Mt. Union on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with that game followed by Southeast Warren vs. WACO at 5:00 p.m. Coach Birks said it was something that just fell into place for everyone.

Both Winfield Mt. Union and WACO wanted to get in an early game because they each lost a game last year due to another program folding the season. Coach Birks said it will be great for Audubon and Southeast Warren to both get in that early game as well before they meet in Week 1.

The rebuilding effort of coach Brent Barnes at Grinnell College gets ready for year two with today’s (Thursday’s) start of practice. The Pioneers had their first full season since 2018 a year ago. The 2019 season was shut down after three games due to lack of numbers and the entire 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID. Grinnell finished 2-8 last season.

Rebuilding the roster was the first chore. The Pioneers are still young but Barnes expects a roster of more than 55 players to open practice.

Barnes says the Pioneers are still a young team but gaining experience.

Barnes has recruited nationally to restock the roster and says it reflects the student body at Grinnell College.

The Pioneers open the season at home on September 10th against Monmouth College.

Iowa sophomore Cooper DeJean is not sure what position will eventually be his home on defense. The former OABCIG star has spent time in preseason working at corner, safety as well as the cash position, a hybrid linebacker/safety position for the Hawkeyes.

DeJean has been working on special teams as a return specialist and also as a holder on field goals and PATs.

DeJean says the limited experience he got last year was a plus.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says DeJean will make an impact wherever he plays.

The Hawkeyes open September third at home against South Dakota State.

Sites for the 2022 IHSAA and IGHSAU state qualifying meets for all four classes of cross country are now available.

Team assignments and meet information for each site will be released the week of October 10.

With adjusted dates for postseason cross country, Class 4A and Class 3A meets will begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19. Class 2A and Class 1A meets will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 20.

The state meet in Fort Dodge is split over two days, with 1A and 2A racing on Friday, October 28, following by 4A and 3A races on Saturday, October 29.

Scheduling between state qualifying and the state meet is to accommodate IGHSAU regional volleyball dates.

The IHSAA and IGHSAU do not charge admission for state qualifying meets.

2022 STATE QUALIFYING MEET SITES

CLASS 4A Wednesday, October 19

• Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln
• Dubuque, Senior
• Indianola
• Marshalltown
• Pleasant Valley

CLASS 3A Wednesday, October 19

• Glenwood
• Humboldt
• Pella
• Washington
• West Delaware, Manchester

CLASS 2A Thursday, October 20

• Monticello
• Oelwein
• Pella Christian
• Shenandoah
• Unity Christian, Orange City

CLASS 1A Thursday, October 20

• ACGC
• Cascade
• Central Decatur
• Central Springs
• Regina, Iowa City
• Ridge View
• South Hardin
• Southwest Valley

STATE MEET

Class 1A—Friday, October 28

Class 2A—Friday, October 28

Class 3A—Saturday, October 29

Class 4A—Saturday, October 29

Iowa’s Logan Jones says it only took him a few days to make the decision to move to offense. The former Lewis Central standout began his Hawkeye career as a defensive lineman before being approached during winter conditioning about the opportunity to move to center to replace All American Tyler Linderbaum.

Jones says he is still learning as the new season approaches.

Jones says one of the biggest adjustments has been making the blocking calls at the line of scrimmage.

Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett says Jones made the transition quickly.

Barnett says Jones just needs game experience.

The Hawkeyes open September third at home against South Dakota State.

Iowa State’s Jirehl Brock feels he is ready to become the featured running back for the Cyclones. After spending a couple of seasons behind All American Breece Hall, Brock stepped into the starting role in a Cheez-It Bowl loss to Clemson and finished with 42 yards of rushing on 14 carries.

Brock is a redshirt junior but knows he will have plenty of competition for playing time from some young running backs.

Brock says they hope to carry on a tradition of outstanding running backs that includes Hall and David Montgomery.

And he says good running back play is a key for the offense.

Hall is tough to replace but coach Matt Campbell says the Cyclones are talented and deep at running back.

Campbell says while Brock is a veteran there is competition at that spot.

The Atlantic cross country teams are hosting a midnight glow run at the end of Wednesday, August 17th into early Thursday, August 18th at the Trojan Bowl. Atlantic head cross country coach Dan Vargason said it’s simply a way to generate some excitement around the season and have a little fun.

The event will start with a kids run (400M) lap around the track at midnight. That will be followed by the open mile for anyone that wants to come up and run at 12:05 a.m. The boys cross country team will then run their mile at 12:20 a.m., followed by the girls team at 12:35 a.m.

Anyone in the community is welcome to come and enjoy the event and there is no cost.

American Football Coaches Association FCS Top 25

1. North Dakota State (24)  624
2. Montana   567
3. South Dakota State (1)  566
4. Montana State  560
5. Villanova  493
6. Kennesaw State  453
7. Sacramento State  452
8. Missouri State  405
9. Southern Illinois  379
10. Stephen F. Austin  362
11. East Tennessee State  352
12. Eastern Washington  337
13. Chattanooga  294
14. UIW  277
15. UT Martin  257
16. SE Louisiana  254
17. Jackson State  245
18. Holy Cross  184
19. Delaware  172
20. Weber State  141
21. Northern Iowa  119
22. UC Davis  101
23. Mercer  78
24. Rhode Island  66
25. Richmond  22

1. Alabama  0-0  1566
2. Ohio State  0-0  1506
3. Georgia  0-0  1455
4. Clemson  0-0  1292
5. Notre Dame  0-0  1242
6. Texas A&M  0-0  1212
7. Utah  0-0  1209
8. Michigan  0-0  1203
9. Oklahoma  0-0  956
10. Baylor  0-0  884
11. Oregon  0-0  831
12. Oklahoma State  0-0  814
13. North Carolina State  0-0  752
14. USC  0-0  711
15. Michigan State  0-0  631
16. Miami  0-0  476
17. Pittsburgh  0-0  383
18. Wisconsin  0-0  365
19. Arkansas  0-0  348
20. Kentucky  0-0  332
21. Mississippi  0-0  324
22. Wake Forest  0-0  303
23. Cincinnati  0-0  265
24. Houston  0-0  263
25. BYU  0-0  234

Others receiving votes: Tennessee 180, Texas 164, Iowa 163, Penn State 160, LSU 55, Fresno State 32, Minnesota 31, UCF 27, Purdue 17, Mississippi State 15, Auburn 15, Kansas State 14, Florida 14, North Carolina 9, Boise State 5, Appalachian State 4, Air Force 4, South Carolina 2, Utah State 2, UCLA 2, San Diego State 2, Nebraska 1