Iowa Prep Sports Podcast

The Prep Football Huddle podcast is Dome bound. So are 28 Iowa high school football teams. The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Jeff Linder review last week’s quarterfinal games and preview this week’s UNI-Dome semifinals on this episode.

Who will advance to the UNI-Dome? Those 28 state semifinal spots will be determined this week. The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher preview the Iowa high school state football quarterfinals on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast.

It’s all about the playoffs now on the Prep Football Huddle podcast. After quickly reviewing the Round of 32, The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Jeff Linder preview the Round of 16 in all seven Iowa high school football classes on this week’s episode. Plus, their picks for the 28 teams that will advance to the UNI-Dome.

It’s playoff time in Iowa high school football, at least for Class 2A, 1A, A and 8-Player. K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder preview the Round of 32 in those classes and looks at what’s at stake in the final week of the regular season for 5A, 4A and 3A teams on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle.Plus, stick around for our trivia game of “Who Wants More?” and a prep football edition of “Match Game.”

It’s getting down to crunch time on the Prep Football Huddle podcast. This week’s show with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder delves into eye-opening Week 7 wins from Solon, Marion and more, the updated playoff picture and Week 8 games to watch.We take time to remember Wally Sheets, the former Cedar Rapids Washington coach who died last week.At the end of this episode we play a trivia game of “Who’s Got More?”

Cedar Rapids Kennedy and West Branch started the 2023 Iowa high school football season 0-2 against tough schedules but have won every game since, including a pair of eye-openers last week. The Prep Football Huddle podcast with The Gazette's Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher discusses those teams and more noteworthy resurgences this week.Plus, a look around the area for Week 6 takeaways, RPI and district standings and games to watch in Week 7.

Parity has been one of the main storylines of this Iowa high school football season. What were the most surprising developments in Week 5? The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder discuss on the Prep Football Huddle podcast.Plus, a look at the updated rankings, both from The Gazette and the Iowa High School Athletic Association, our midseason MVPs and Week 6 games to watch.

The Iowa high school football regular season is basically halfway over and still surprising us. This week’s Prep Football Huddle podcast includes reactions from The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson to eye-opening wins for Starmont, Solon West Delaware and more.We have a full look back at Week 4 takeaways and also look ahead to the best Week 5 games.Don’t miss the end of this week’s episode, where we play a prep football version of Match Game.

Another week of turmoil in the Class 4A Iowa high school football top 10. Among a big group of really good teams, which ones are set to emerge as the best? That’s how this episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast with The Gazette's Jeff Linder, K.J. Pilcher and Jeff Johnson kicks off.Also included this week: Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s resurgence continues, Marion opens its new stadium and Mount Vernon says goodbye to its old facility, plus games and players to watch this week.

A couple big results in Week 2 of the Iowa high school football season caused a bit of a rankings shake-up in this week’s Gazette poll. The Prep Football Huddle podcast breaks it all down, including:• Williamsburg’s win over Cedar Rapids Xavier• Iowa City Liberty’s win over Iowa City High• Cedar Rapids Kennedy starts 0-2 against a tough schedule• Cedar Rapids Jefferson improves to 2-0• A class-by-class look at the updated rankings• How well do you know your stats? We play a game of “Who has more?”

Plenty of teams impressed in Week 1 of the 2023 Iowa high school football season. Who stood out? K.J. Pilcher and Jeff Linder discuss their top takeaways and look ahead to Week 2 on the Prep Football Huddle podcast.

It might not feel like football season outside, but take one look at the Week 1 Iowa high school football schedule and the anticipation will ramp up quickly.There are plenty of standout games Friday night (and Saturday) that we preview in the first Prep Football Huddle podcast of the season. Plus, a class-by-class look at our preseason rankings and storylines to watch.

After a few days to reflect, the Pinning Combination is ready to break down an expanded Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling tournament.Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs helps us determine the standout teams and wrestlers from each of the three classes. Plus, where does Ben Kueter rank among the all-time greats?» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school wrestling coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Pinning Combination episodes on YouTube

The weather will affect some postseason Iowa high school boys’ basketball games Thursday night, but by this time next week the girls’ state tournament field will be set and the boys’ substate tournaments will be underway in all four classes.With a lot of postponements Thursday, basketball fans can spend their night with the latest episode of The Gazette’s Prep Basketball Podcast, where we discuss the postseason paths for favorites and dark horses.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school basketball coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Iowa Prep Sports episodes on YouTube

It’s time for the traditional Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling tournament, this year in an expanded, four-day format. The Gazette’s K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs have a class-by-class preview on this week’s episode of the Pinning Combination.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school wrestling coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Pinning Combination episodes on YouTube

This week’s episode of the Prep Basketball Podcast begins with a look at the Iowa high school girls’ basketball regional brackets in 3A, 2A and 1A. Who are the favorites to advance to state?Also:Cascade girls’ basketball coach Mike Sconsa steps away as he awaits a kidney transplant.Big wins for the Mount Vernon boys.The top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys keep rolling.Games to watch this week.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school basketball coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Iowa Prep Sports episodes on YouTube

This week’s episode of the Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs previews three big days at Xtream Arena, starting with the first IGHSAU state tournament and followed by the IHSAA state duals tournament.Also: Takeaways from the girls’ regional tournaments, boys’ conference tournaments and boys’ regional duals.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school wrestling coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Pinning Combination episodes on YouTube

This week’s episode of the Prep Basketball Podcast begins with a discussion about the controversy surrounding Monday night’s Iowa City High-Fairfield game.Also:Which teams are hot right now? Including the Marion and Linn-Mar boys and North Linn and Elkader Central girls.Is attendance in high school basketball down? Will it ever recover?A look at this week’s top games to watch.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school basketball coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Iowa Prep Sports episodes on YouTube

This week’s episode of the Pinning Combination podcast with Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs looks ahead to a big weekend of Iowa high school wrestling, previewing regional tournaments for the girls and conference tournaments for the boys.Also:Breaking down the boys’ wrestling regional dual assignments.Takeaways from last week’s tournaments, including the Prairie Title Tournament, Clyde Bean Duals and Ed Winger Classic.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school wrestling coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Pinning Combination episodes on YouTube

Cedar Rapids Kennedy is the new No. 1-ranked team in Class 4A boys’ basketball. The Cougars backed it up in their first game since the rankings release with an impressive win at Dubuque Senior. This week’s Prep Basketball Podcast with The Gazette's Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson delves into the Cougars’ strengths, including their depth.Benton Community and Marion also have new all-time scoring leaders, notable accomplishments for Jenna Twedt and Brayson Laube.Plus, a look at some upcoming games to watch.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school basketball coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Iowa Prep Sports episodes on YouTube