Top Dogs in 4A Set: #1 Dowling Catholic vs. #2 Waukee

As Iowa and Iowa State will meet for their annual rivalry game. there’s another big game that you should know about, and it’s an early season showdown between the top dogs in Class 4A.

The Battle between #1 Dowling Catholic vs. #2 Waukee is your CISN Game of the Week, presented by CenturyLink.

After a 49-0 thrashing of Urbandale, the top-ranked Maroons looks to keep their 16-game unbeaten streak intact. Quarterback Ryan Boyle is the linchpin for the Maroons offensive  attack (16-25, 241 yds, 1 TD). He’s not alone, as Isaiah Patton, Cole Deskin compliments Boyle with the ground game, and Charlie Schulte is the big play guy at wide receiver. Max Morris and Jo Jo Jok continues to play solid on the defensive line, as linebacker Rodney Harris and free safety Nick Wilson continue to make big stops.

Waukee comes into Friday matchup 2-0, after a wild 48-41 win at Southeast Polk. Trevor Allen and Pat Gray has been the 1-2 punch for the Warriors, combining for 676 total (rushing & receiving) yards and 7 touchdowns. Ben Ferkin continues to be the steady hand under center (19-30, 260 yds, 5 touchdowns) for Waukee, finding multiple receivers such as Allen, Michael Jacobson, and Koy Schneiter. On the defense, you could say it’s an all-star cast, because everyone makes a play, as linebacker Kyle Boulanger leads the Warriors with 16.5 tackles, with cornerback Cedric Dobbins and defensive end Anthony Nelson involved in key plays. However, Gray is out this week with a leg injury according to Waukee Head Coach, Scott Carlson.

Dowling knocked Waukee out of the 2013 playoffs in a 14-9 contest back in November. You can bet the boys in purple have not forgotten.

Who: #2 Waukee (2-0) at #1 Dowling Catholic (2-0)

Where: Valley Stadium, West Des Moines, Iowa

When: Friday, September 12th, 7:30pm kickoff

The Facts: Waukee outlasted Southeast Polk in a 48-41 shootout last week. Dowling had no problems handling Urbandale in a 49-0 rout. Pundits predicted that this game could be a major game in Class 4A. That dream is about to become a reality, as both teams bring in a high-powered offense loaded with stars.

Things to watch:

• Will Waukee’s defense handle Dowling’s offense, after last week’s contest with SE Polk?
• Will this be “the game” that finally puts Waukee in the 4A elite category?
• How will Dowling’s defense control Allen, Ferkin and the spread offense?
• Can the Warriors find the “next guy in” to fill the void of Pat Gray?
• Could this be a potential “game of the year” or a preview to a UNI-Dome match-up?

Waukee – Projected Starting Lineups

Offensive starters – QB Ben Ferkin, RB Trevor Allen, FB Trevor Speight, SE Adam Rose, FL Koy Schneiter, TE Michael Jacobson, T Erik Nelson and Luke Peters, G Brandon Krantz and Tyler Pfaltzgraff, C Jarrod Martin

Defensive starters – DE Anthony Nelson and Jon Rozeboom, DT Nick Tweeten and Greg Jurich, LB Kyle Boulanger, Cole Kitzman, and Drew Lienemann, CB Cedric Dobbins and Jacob Fay, FS Carter Bothwell, SS Ross Vogel

Special Teams – P Tyler Speight, K Joey Gale, KR/PR Trevor Allen, Koy Schneiter, and Nathan Keck

Dowling Catholic – Projected Lineups

Offensive starters – QB Ryan Boyle, TB Isaiah Patton, FB Gray Gochenour, SE Eric Fardal, FL Charlie Schulte, C Cole Wymore, G Joe Brett and Kevin Vaughn-Carber, T Elijah Swehla and Conner McPhee, TE Ben McNeal

Defensive starters – FS Nick Wilson, CB Dante Campero and Michael Zachary, Rover Kevin McMurray, WLB Jordan Theis, MLB, Rodney Harris, Bandit Gray Gochenour, Stud Max Morris, T Ross Carpenter, NG Steven Johnson, Whip Jo Jo Jok,

Special Teams- P/K Nick McLellan, Holder Frankie Mauro, LS Quinn Sonntag, PR Michael Zachary, KR Joe Gorsche

We will have a live blog of the game (Twitter hashtag #CISNliveblog). Check in to see any story lines develop and stats as they become available, and we’ll keep you updated on other happenings as the night progresses.

Paul Yeager, Mark Kenkel, and Jim Kirby will have the call of the game. Follow us on Twitter @CISportsNet

Our Audio Game of the Week, presented by Scheels, will be the Battle of Ankeny, as the Jaguars of Ankeny Centennial (2-0) square off against the Ankeny Hawks (1-1). Dar Danielson will have your play-by-play call on CISN. Ankeny is the home team in that one.