Iowa Prep Sports Podcast

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

With regional duals sites out this week and Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association rankings now determining qualifiers in all three classes, The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs discuss whether the current system could be improved.Plus, a look back at the week in Iowa high school wrestling, including a close J-Hawk Invitational team race and what makes Wilton so impressive.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school wrestling coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Pinning Combination episodes on YouTube

There are more rankings to discuss on this week's Prep Basketball Podcast with The Gazette's Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson. Will we see shake-ups at the top?Last week's River Valley Shootout made us wonder if there is room for more events like this — or even conference tournaments.Plus, our Subtext subscribers chimed in with their questions: What are the best neutral sites for postseason games? Can anyone in the MVC beat the Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys?» 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

On this episode of the Pinning Combination, The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs highlight the standouts from another big weekend of high school wrestling for boys and girls, including tournaments at Benton Community, Anamosa and Ames.» 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 Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder bring back the Prep Basketball Podcast in 2023 with a loaded first show.First up, a quick run through the season so far — which boys' and girls' teams have stood out? Then, it's on to the season's new elements. How has the shot clock affected play? How have the Iowa High School Athletic Association's official rankings worked?Finally, we discuss Linder's conference realignment wish list. How would these changes benefit the Iowa high school sports landscape?» 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

The Pinning Combination podcast is back from the holiday break!The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs hand out their midseason awards — MVP, coach of the year and team of the year — and take a look at the duals and tournaments to watch during the first week of January.» Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram» Iowa high school wrestling coverage on The Gazette.com» Full Pinning Combination episodes on YouTube

K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs share their impression of the United World Wrestling's World Cup, breakdown college and high school results and look ahead to upcoming tournaments.

The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs discuss who stood out at the Dan Gable Donnybrook and other Iowa high school wrestling tournaments last weekend on this week's Pinning Combination podcast.

The Pinning Combination is back! The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs talk all things Iowa wrestling.In the first Iowa Prep Sports segment of 2022-23, the start of IGHSAU wrestling has been rejuvenating for the sport. And, a look at the top Gazette area boys' teams to watch this winter.

There are seven games left in the 2022 Iowa high school football season. Which seven teams will leave the UNI-Dome with state championship trophies? The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher make their picks for all seven and break down the Gazette-area games on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle.» Sign up for the free Iowa Prep Sports newsletter

The Iowa high school football playoffs move to the UNI-Dome this week with the semifinals in all seven classes. The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher help kick off the week with the Prep Football Huddle podcast. We look back at the quarterfinals, discuss the top storylines and break down this week's matchups

Who got a promising draw? Who got the “Group of Death”? The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder break down the Iowa high school football playoffs Round of 16 pairings on this week's Prep Football Huddle.First, a look at the Linn-Mar at Cedar Rapids Prairie rematch. Could the IHSAA have avoided pairing the two one week after their regular-season finale? Then, it's on to the other notable Week 9 results, who's going where in the playoffs and our Round of 16 picks.» Subscribe to the free Iowa Prep Sports newsletter

Week 9 of Iowa high school football is the last week of the regular season for some (5A, 4A, 3A), the first round of the playoffs for others (2A, 1A, A, 8-Player). The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher break it all down on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle.From playoff scenarios and the RPI impact to the most-intriguing Round of 32 games and predictions, this episode has talking points for every class.

At this point in the Iowa high school football season, we have enough data points to know some tiers have emerged in most classes. It looks like there is a clear top four in Class 5A, with Pleasant Valley backing up its spot there last Friday against Iowa City High. Harlan seems to be in a tier of its own in 3A. And in 1A, well, there are a lot of really, really good teams and West Branch is certainly one of them. The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss the top teams and their top takeaways from Week 7 on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle. Plus, a look ahead to the biggest Week 8 games and what's on the line playoff-wise.

With the release of the first official Iowa high school football RPI standings of the season, The Gazette's Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson break down what stands out on this week's Prep Football Huddle podcast. Plus, a look at the most compelling districts, deepest classes, biggest wins of Week 6 and the top Week 7 games to watch.

Did it seem like there were more blowouts than usual in Iowa high school football last Friday? The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder consider whether that's a trend or an anomaly on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle and discuss what else stood out in Week 5, including Sigourney-Keota knocking off 1A No. 1 Pella Christian. Plus, a look at 70 years of high school football at Kingston Stadium and what that facility means to Cedar Rapids. Then, previewing the biggest Week 6 games.

From Iowa City Liberty and Marion, to Cascade, East Buchanan and more, The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson run through the most-impressive wins of Iowa high school football Week 4 on the latest episode of the Prep Football Huddle podcast. Plus, a look ahead to the biggest Week 5 games, including the Battle for the Boot between Iowa City High and Iowa City West. Are you part of our Iowa Prep Sports text group? https://joinsubtext.com/iowaprepsports (Sign up for free to chat about Iowa high school football).

Who should be the No. 1-ranked team in Class 1A of Iowa high school football? The latest Gazette poll has five different teams getting No. 1 votes, with Dyersville Beckman getting the nod. The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss that parity, more takeaways from Week 3 and Week 4 games to watch on the latest Prep Football Huddle podcast. » https://subscribepage.com/prepsports (Subscribe to the Iowa Prep Sports newsletter)

The Prep Football Huddle with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher, Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder discusses the best of Week 2 of the Iowa high school football season, including Mount Vernon stunning Solon, Iowa City Liberty beating Linn-Mar and Williamsburg ending Van Meter's regular-season win streak. Plus, will the IHSAA's guidelines for NIL have any impact on Iowa high school sports? And a look at the top Week 3 games to watch.

Which Iowa high school football teams impressed us the most in Week 1? The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss Iowa City Liberty's eye-opening win over Iowa City High in the Clash at Kinnick, Williamsburg shutting down Iowa City Regina and more on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle. Plus, a look at the games to watch in Week 2, our Survivor game and answering questions from our text group (https://joinsubtext.com/iowaprepsports (join here)).

The Prep Football Huddle is back! The Gazette's Jeff Linder, Jeff Johnson and K.J. Pilcher preview the 2022 Iowa high school football season and Week 1's top games, including the Iowa City Liberty-Iowa City High clash at Kinnick Stadium. Among the topics covered on this week's podcast: How the Clash at Kinnick was set up and if it will continue Big games on Thursday night this week Cedar Rapids Jefferson's rebuilding project The Gazette's preseason rankings A closer look at Williamsburg, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Cedar Rapids Prairie and more The first week of our Iowa high school football "Survivor" predictions game » https://subscribepage.com/prepsports (Subscribe to the Iowa Prep Sports newsletter)

Former Iowa and Cedar Rapids Kennedy football player Dalles Jacobus joins The Gazette's John Steppe on the Hawk Off The Press podcast to discuss his new single, "We Wave" and his budding music career. (https://on-iowa-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (From the On Iowa Sports network))

Former Solon High School football coach Kevin Miller is the guest on this week's Hawk Off The Press podcast. Ahead of the NFL Draft, Miller explains what it was like coaching Tyler Linderbaum in high school and what NFL teams can expect to get from Iowa's All-America center. (From https://on-iowa-podcast.captivate.fm/listen (The Gazette's On Iowa Sports podcast network))

The Gazette's Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson break down the girls' state basketball tournament that starts next week and discuss the regional finals from Tuesday and Wednesday. Plus, a look at what's happened in boys' basketball district and substate games and what's coming up. » https://www.facebook.com/iowaprepsports/ (Like Iowa Prep Sports on Facebook) » https://twitter.com/iowaprepsports (Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter) » https://www.instagram.com/iowaprepsports/ (Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Instagram)

The Iowa high school state wrestling tournament delivered once again. The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher (https://twitter.com/kjpilcher (@kjpilcher)) and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs (https://twitter.com/JHawkforever (@JHawkforever)) break it all down, from the team races to the standout individual performances on this segment of the Pinning Combination, a show about all things wrestling in Iowa. Related reading: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-prep-sports/mississippi-valley-conference-trio-make-saturday-night-the-norm/ (4 more takeaways from the state wrestling tournament) » https://www.facebook.com/iowaprepsports/ (Like Iowa Prep Sports on Facebook) » https://twitter.com/iowaprepsports (Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter) » https://www.instagram.com/iowaprepsports/ (Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Instagram)

From East Buchanan to Springville and many more, The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder discuss the latest boys' and girls' basketball storylines as the postseason rolls on. And by the way, the shot clock era is approaching. "Savor" these last few games without it ...

The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs discuss the standout performances from the sectional tournaments and regional duals and preview Saturday's districts on this segment of the Pinning Combination podcast. » https://www.facebook.com/iowaprepsports/ (Like Iowa Prep Sports on Facebook) » https://twitter.com/iowaprepsports (Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Twitter) » https://www.instagram.com/iowaprepsports/ (Follow Iowa Prep Sports on Instagram)

The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder break down the postseason pairings for Class 3A and 4A boys, take a look back at Friday's Cedar Rapids Kennedy-Cedar Rapids Washington doubleheader and run down the area conference races on the Prep Basketball Huddle.

The regional pairings are in for Iowa girls basketball, and so are the district and substate assignments for boys basketball. The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder discuss on the latest Prep Basketball Huddle.

It was a historic weekend for wrestling in Iowa as the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced it would sanction the sport for the 2022-23 season. The Gazette's J.R. Ogden was at Xtream Arena in Coralville https://www.thegazette.com/wrestling/girls-wrestling-going-up-up-up/ (for the announcement) during the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association state tournament and joins The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs on the Pinning Combination to talk about the scene. Now, what's next? There are a few questions to answer as the IGHSAU prepares for its first wrestling season and we break them down one by one. Plus, it was another busy weekend of boys' wrestling tournaments and we preview this Saturday's conference tournaments.

In Iowa high school boys' basketball, we have the Associated Press poll. BC Moore and Varsity Bound have metrics-based rankings. Prep Hoops Iowa has its own set of rankings. So who does it best, and how should sportswriters rank teams in different parts of the state? The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union ranks teams itself and uses that for the postseason. What are the pros and cons of that system? The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder discuss on the latest Prep Basketball Huddle after talking about the notable games of the week. That includes Cedar Rapids Kennedy's convincing boys' win over Dubuque Hempstead and Iowa City High taking its first two losses on the girls' side.

Jeff Linder and Jeff Johnson take a look at Gazette area Iowa high school basketball storylines on the Prep Basketball Huddle podcast. Iowa City West knocked off 4A No. 4 Cedar Rapids Prairie on Tuesday, continuing the parity in the Mississippi Valley Conference. It's a similar story for the girls in the Wamac as Solon beat Marion. Speaking of the Wamac, Grinnell will make the move there in 2023 from the Little Hawkeye Conference. What's next for conference realignment?

The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs look at the weekend that was in Iowa high school wrestling, including takeaways from Cedar Rapids Jefferson's J-Hawk Invitational, Marion's Loyd Shaffer Invitational and Solon's Ed Hadenfeldt Invitational. Plus, a look at the week ahead.

The Gazette's Jeff Johnson and Jeff Linder are bringing back the Prep Basketball Huddle! In the first episode of 2022, a look at the top storylines in each of the Gazette area conferences (Mississippi Valley, Wamac, River Valley, Tri-Rivers, Northeast Iowa, Upper Iowa and South Iowa Cedar). Plus, the depth of Class 2A boys, Hannah Stuelke's record-breaking night for Cedar Rapids Washington and more.

The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs take a look at the weekend wrestling action, including West Delaware's win at the Benton Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod Invitational, Vinton-Shellsburg's potential and takeaways from Ames' Jack Mendenhall Invitational. Plus, is Linn-Mar a wrestling school now? And a trophy idea for the Cedar Rapids Kennedy-Cedar Rapids Xavier dual.

It's the first episode of the Pinning Combination in 2022! The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs preview the Benton Bobcat Jerry Eckenrod Invitational and other big tournaments coming up this weekend.

K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs look back at the first big weekend of high school wrestling tournaments and previewing this week's action on the Pinning Combination!

The Pinning Combination returns with K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs talking all things Iowa high school wrestling.

In the final Prep Football Huddle of the 2021 season, The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher preview this week's Iowa high school state football championship games and make their picks. Plus, another look at the gap between Central Iowa and Eastern Iowa in the state's biggest class, and a look back at how our preseason rankings held up.

The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher break down the Iowa high school football state semifinals, with predictions for each game in all seven classes on this episode of the Prep Football Huddle.

All the scores from the Iowa high school football playoffs Round of 16, plus a look at the quarterfinal matchups in all seven classes.

The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, K.J. Pilcher and Nathan Ford have a class-by-class preview of the Iowa high school football playoffs Round of 16 on this week's Prep Football Huddle.

All the scores from the first round of the Iowa high school football playoffs in 2A, 1A, A and 8-Player and postgame reports from key Week 9 regular-season games on our Friday night postgame show.

It's time for the postseason in four Iowa high school football classes. The round of 32 is this week in 2A, 1A, A and 8-Player. The Gazette's Jeff Johnson, Jeff Linder and K.J. Pilcher discuss the most intriguing matchups on this week's Prep Football Huddle. Plus, a look at some of the big Week 9 regular-season games in 5A, 4A and 3A and what's at stake.