Drake takes the outright lead in the Pioneer Football League race into the final month of the season as the Bulldogs get set to visit Butler. Drake is 4-0 while Butler is a game back after toppling Dayton on the road.

That’s coach Joe Woodley. Drake has won the last nine games in the series but the last four have been decided by an average of five points.

Woodley says true freshman quarterback Logan Inagawa will lead the Bulldogs duing the stretch run. Chase Spellman has missed the last two games as he continues to battle an injury.

Butler dual threat quarterback Reagan Andrew is the focus of the Drake defense. Andrew ranks second in the PFL in total offense.

Iowa State receiver Brett Eskildsen says the Cyclones sare not lacking confidence despite a three game losing skid. ISU takes a 5-3 record into Saturday’s game at home against Arizona State.

Eskildsen says there is still plenty to accomplish this season.

Iowa State offense has moved the ball well but Eskildsen says they need to di a better job of finishing drives.

Iowa State safety Jamison Patton says the Cyclones are trying to limit mistakes as they get ready to host defending Big 12 champ Arizona State. The Cyclones gave up more than 300 yards of passing in last week’s 41-27 loss to BYU.

With Sun Devil star quarterback Sam Leavitt being ruled out of the game due to injury the Cyclone defense will face former Nebraska and Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims.

Patton says losing to the Sun Devils in last year’s Big 12 championship game is fresh in their memory.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke was named to the Naismith Trophy National Player of the Year Preseason Watchlist on Thursday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Stuelke was also tabbed First Team Preseason All-Big Ten by the coaches and media earlier this month.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native returns as Iowa’s top scorer and rebounder for her senior season, averaging 12.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Stuelke started 32 games in 2024-25 and was named Second Team All-Big Ten in back-to-back seasons. In her freshman season, she was named the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year.

Stuelke is 1-of-20 Hawkeyes all-time to have amassed 1,100+ points and 600+ rebounds in their career.

Iowa is set to host Ashland University in an exhibition contest tonight at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on B1G+.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa senior Bennett Stirtz has been named to the 2026 National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, it was announced Thursday by the NABC.

Stirtz was also selected as a preseason second-team All-American by the Field of 68 on Thursday morning.

It is Stirtz’s third preseason All-America nod, as he was also named a preseason All-American by both CBS Sports (second team) and the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook (fourth team).  The Liberty, Missouri, native is also on the Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watch List and is a preseason All-Big Ten selection by Blue Ribbon, USA Today Network and in a media vote by the league office.

Stirtz, who is in his first season as a Hawkeye, was an All-American by three outlets during the 2024-25 season at Drake.  He was also tabbed as the Missouri Valley Conference Larry Bird Player of the Year and Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year.

He led the MVC in scoring (19.2), steals (2.21) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.86), while ranking second in assists (5.7).  He also led the NCAA in minutes played, averaging 39:22 per game.

Stirtz is one of five players from the Big Ten Conference on the list, along with UCLA’s Donovan Dent, Purdue’s Trey Kaufman-Renn and Braden Smith and Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg.

The 2026 NABC Division I Player of the Year will be selected by a nationwide vote of Division I head coaches at the conclusion of the regular season.  It will be announced the week of the 2026 Men’s Final Four.

The Hawkeyes open the 2025-26 season Nov. 4, hosting Robert Morris at 7:30 p.m. (CT) inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  Season and single-game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are available at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.

The Bishop Heelan Crusaders will open the class 3A playoffs by hosting the Atlantic Trojans on Halloween night. Much like the Trojans, the Crusaders had their win streak snapped in the final game of the season. However, it was not enough to prevent the 7-2 Crusaders from hosting an opening round matchup. Head coach Jon Lafluer is grateful to be back in the postseason and says the players are ready for the opportunity.

One of the highlights of Bishop Heelan’s play this season has been their defense. Prior to their week nine loss, the Crusader defense had not allowed more than 20 points since a September 12 loss to Sioux City East (the only time this season they’ve allowed more than 21). LaFleur credits the players willingness and is pleased at what his defense has accomplished this season.

Offensively, the Crusaders are led by senior running back Kasen Thomas. The University of Iowa commit has amassed 1,076 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. In addition to his physical attributes, LaFluer stated his intelligence, and dedication has helped him succeed.

Although Thomas is a big part of the offense, expect the Crusaders to showcase a balanced gameplan. Quarterback Noah Conley has thrown for over 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns, while three receivers have over 225 yards. This includes their leading receiver, senior tight end Caden Lester.

LaFluer was complimentary of the Trojans and knows that they will bring a physical brand of football along with a talented run game. He understands that keeping an eye on Ethan McNeal will be pivotal.

As far as expectations, LaFluer said both teams will try to do similar things, especially in the physicality department. However, as with most big game he said self-inflicted wounds can make a massive difference.

You can catch all the action on KJAN with pregame coverage beginning at 6:30 pm. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm.

Iowa Class 2A Regional Finals 

Aplington-Parkersburg – 3 vs Riverside – 2

Dike-New Hartford – 3 vs Treynor – 0

Grundy Center – 3 vs Woodward-Granger – 1

Wapsie Valley – 3 vs Union – 0

Sumner-Fredericksburg – 3 vs Regina Catholic – 2

Denver – 3 vs Bellevue – 0

Hinton – 3 vs Emmetsburg – 0

Beckman Catholic – 3 vs Jesup – 1

Class 1A Regional Finals 

Sidney – 3 vs St. Mary’s, Remsen – 1 

East Mills – 3 vs St. Albert – 0

Janesville – 3 vs IKM-Manning – 0 

St. Ansgar – 3 vs Coon Rapids-Bayard – 0 

BCLUW – 3 vs Ankeny Christian – 1

Gladbrook-Reinbeck – 3 vs Springville – 0 

North Tama – 3 vs Cedar Ridge Christian – 0 

Dunkerton – 3 vs Holy Trinity Catholic – 2

In heartbreaking fashion, the Riverside Bulldogs fell to Aplington-Parkersburg 3-2 in the 2A region 7 final Wednesday night. It was a close, back-and-forth affair that (with one exception) saw neither side pull away. The teams split the first two sets in nearly identical fashion, with the winning team coming from behind. Although the Bulldogs took set three in dramatic fashion, Aplington-Parkersburg dominated set four to force an all-decisive fifth set. Down early, Riverside rallied to pull ahead late and had multiple match points. However, the Bulldogs surrendered the last three points, ending their hopes of a second straight state tournament appearance.

Set one showcased the kind of match it would be. Close, hard-fought, and thrilling. Although the Falcons got out to a slim lead, the points went back and forth. It took well into the set for Aplington-Parkersburg to grab a somewhat sizable 5-point lead. However, at this point, Riverside flipped the script, going on a 4-0 run. It didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to take over, and they closed out a 25-21 set one win on another 4-0 run.

Set two was almost a mirror image of set one. However, this one went the way of the Falcons. In set one, it seemed like Aplington-Parkersburg had the edge while Riverside played with the lead more in set two. However, the Falcons turned the tide late to take set two 25-21.

The biggest moment of an important third set came late. After more of the same back-and-forth play, the Bulldogs found a moment that propelled them to within a set of a state tournament appearance. Akin to a Hail Mary in football, Sydney Somers stuck an arm and swung, just desperate to get the ball over the net from well behind the service line. Not only did it get over the net, but it fooled the Falcons, who let it hit the floor completely swinging the momentum to the Bulldogs. They rode this momentum to a 25-23 win.

After getting dominated in set four, the Bulldogs needed to find a response for the first fifth set of the season. It seemed as though they had found it. After trailing early, Riverside clawed its way back into the final set. After teetering on the edge, they took a two-point lead late. Riverside seemed to be playing on the front foot as play continued. However, the Falcons did exactly what a team needs to win late in a final set and found three straight points to win the match. Bently Rone led the team in assists with 28 while having 12 kills and 14 digs. Somers led the offense with 17 kills, while Sophia Fenner led the defense with 16 digs. The Bulldogs gave everything they had. They battled hard, played great defense, and rarely let the moment become too big for them. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.

Head coach Brooke Flathers was extremely proud of the fight her team put up.

She was also proud of her two seniors Bently Rone and Madison Kelley and what they’ve have accomplished both individually and for the program.

Although they fell short of the state tournament, there is a lot to be proud of. Finishing with a 38-1 record the Bulldogs dominated at nearly every step along the way. A lot of people will remember this season for many reasons. However, Flathers will remember this group for the fun that they had.

The loss stings. What seemed so close is now far away. However, the Bulldogs return a vast majority of their roster, so there is little doubt that the Bulldogs will be in the conversation for the state tournament next year.

The Montezuma Football team is set for a second-round playoff battle with Audubon Friday night. The Braves come off a home win against East Union 46-28 and now have won four games in a row. Montezuma Head Coach John Beck says the offense starts on the line and has been vastly improving each and every week.

The Braves are led by Senior Quarterback Brady Boulton. The three-year starter has thrown for over 1,500 yards which places fifth in 8-man on the year, and 29 touchdown passes ranking third at the 8-man level. The ability to pass as often and as accurately with Boulton has been huge for the Braves in Beck’s eyes. He also believes the senior’s point guard role on the basketball team helps him distribute the football as well.

Montezuma has several targets in their receiving core in Seniors Luke Brennan and Broox Stockman along with Junior Dane Strong. This can create difficulty for a defense.

When scouting Audubon, Beck noticed the notorious size the Wheeler team has.

The Braves’ offense will need to stay consistent to compete with Audubon.

You can catch all the action on KJANTV from Audubon with coverage beginning at 6:30 P.M. and kickoff is scheduled for 7 P.M..