Cedar Rapids Jefferson goes for its second straight 4-0 start when it hosts Des Moines East on Thursday

The following are area football capsules for Week 4 of the Iowa high school football season:

Overview: Jefferson is a solid favorite to reach 4-0 for the second consecutive season. There is a common opponent in the mix: Jefferson whipped Des Moines North, 53-6, last week; East had to sweat out a 20-16 triumph over the Polar Bears two weeks prior. Plus, the J-Hawks drubbed the Scarlets, 56-12, last year in Des Moines. Jefferson's Vernon Benda has been the epitome of efficiency, completing 78 percent of his passes. L.J. Nyenow Jr. is his primary target, catching 13 passes for 200 yards. East suffered its first loss of the season last week, 35-6 to Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln. Qwaden Clearwater has rushed for 301 yards and three touchdowns.

Overview: There are about a half-dozen primo games in Class 5A alone, and this certainly is one of them. The Lions have bashed their first three opponents by a 112-17 margin, but those three teams are a combined 1-8, so this represents the Lions' tallest hurdle yet. RB Dylan Muszynski is fifth in 5A in rushing yards (543) and third in rushing TDs (nine), and Tyree Alons (4.5 sacks) leads the Lions' defense; their 5.7 ppg allowed is No. 1 in the big-school class. Bettendorf outlasted Pleasant Valley in overtime in Week 1. The Bulldogs have a perimeter weapon in Hayden Morrison, who has 13 catches, including a 98-yard touchdown.

Overview: For two schools that are 110 miles apart, this has become a fun rivalry. The teams met in the postseason four times from 2014 to 2018, splitting the four games, and are meeting in the regular season for the fourth straight year. Pella won it last season, 31-21. The Dutch edged Indianola in a top-10 matchup last week, 24-22, behind a memorable performance from Emmanuel Diers (208 rushing yards; six catches for 123 yards). Each of Xavier's first three games have been decided by seven points or less, including last week's 21-17 loss at Western Dubuque. Xavier's Ryan Kelly has 23 receptions (most in 4A) for 347 yards and two TDs.

Overview: Prairie opened some eyes with a 30-20 home victory over three-time defending 5A state champion Southeast Polk last week, holding the Rams to 19 yards rushing. But the Hawks had little time to gloat about it, because another stiff challenge awaits. Pleasant Valley's only defeat came in Week 1, against archrival Bettendorf. The Spartans have raked in the rushing yards (416 per game), led by 558 yards from Elijah Rodney and 549 from QB Harrison Fierce, the latter of whom has also thrown for six touchdowns. Prairie receiver David Fason has caught 18 passes (five for touchdowns). The Hawks' leading tackler is a sophomore, Carsyn Hand.

Overview: Liberty has a multitude of players on various 5A state statistical leaderboards. Junior QB Reece Rettig is No. 1 in passing yards (874) and tied for the lead in passing touchdowns (10). Dallas Miller is second in receiving yards (412, on 21 catches). And Landon Bell and Sutton Koller are 1-2 in tackles, with 33 and 29.5, respectively. The Lightning score a lot (44.3 points per game), but allow quite a bit, too (35.7 ppg). Both teams suffered their first loss of the season last week (Liberty to Pleasant Valley, 42-28; Cedar Falls to Ankeny Centennial, 31-14). Davarrion Clark has been the Tigers' featured back, with 70 carries for 478 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Overview: The Boot has resided on the east side of town for the last two years (West possessed it for five years prior to that). Both teams have a prolific quarterback. Four-year starter Jack Wallace is second in 5A in passing yards, with 778. He has completed 73 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns (against three interceptions). City counters with Bobby Bacon (636 yards, five TDs, three INTs). West's Mason Woods has caught 16 passes for 284 yards and three scores. Expect a shootout; it might take 35-40 points to win.

Overview: Kennedy has owned this rivalry recently, winning the last three games by verdicts of 48-7, 27-6 and 45-7. The Cougars are favored again in a game that can accurately be termed as must-win. A tough schedule and some choppy play in all three phases have the Cougars in a tough spot at 0-3. QB Vinny Gianforte has passed for 507 yards, and must be aware of Washington's Wyatt Young, who leads 5A in sacks, with seven. The Warriors got in the win column last week with a 36-6 victory over Davenport West behind 301 rushing yards. Washington has recorded nine takeaways through three games.

Overview: Regina won its first three games by healthy if not overwhelming margins, and faces probably its weakest opponent on its schedule Friday. Kyle Tracy was efficient in the Regals' 31-21 victory over Mediapolis last week, completing 14 of 17 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns. The Regals are averaging 191 yards passing and 178 more rushing. Regina won last year's encounter, 49-12.

Overview: The latest installation of the Highway 1 rivalry could be a defensive slugfest. Solon is allowing 7.7 points per game, Mount Vernon 8.3. The Mustangs played their first close game of the season last week, passing a 15-13 test at Benton Community. Ethan Wood made the clinching play, stripping the ball free on Benton's final drive. Solon is effective offensively, too, averaging 414 yards per game. Eddie Johnson paces the rushing attack (461 yards, seven TDs) while QB Ty Bell is the triggerman for the passing game.

When and where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, at Decorah

Records and rankings: Both teams are 3-0. Independence is ranked No. 6 in Class 3A; Decorah is No. 6 in 4A.

Overview: Last year's meeting (a 21-7 Independence triumph) was the first time these teams have met since 2019. They have two common opponents (Waukon and Crestwood), and the victory margins are similar, so this looks like a coin-flip contest. Independence has one of the area's best pass-catch combos in E.J. Miller and Brady Kurt, the latter of whom leads 3A in receiving yards, with 429 (on 26 receptions). Decorah is more ground-oriented, led by Trevor Kuennen (286 rushing yards, three TDs).

Overview: After winning three consecutive one-score games, Washington faces its toughest test to date. Grinnell has topped the Demons three straight times since they began this series in 2021. Washington QB Logan McDole has completed 75 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Grinnell counterpart Brady Coffman is even more efficient (eight TDs, no INTs). Grinnell's Broc Heishman is averaging 30 yards per catch, with five touchdowns in his eight receptions.

When and where: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Eldridge

Records and rankings: Western Dubuque (2-1) is ranked No. 8 in Class 4A: North Scott (3-0) is No. 2.

Overview: Western Dubuque bested North Scott twice last year, including a 21-7 postseason victory on the Bobcats' path to the 4A state final. For similar success against the Lancers on Friday, they must find a way to slow prolific passer Chase Smith, who has passed for 673 yards and leads 4A in passing touchdowns (10) and total TDs (13). This is another stiff challenge for the Bobcats, who have survived the second-most difficult schedule in 4A (according to BC Moore). They edged Cedar Rapids Xavier, 21-17, last week, holding the Saints scoreless in the second half.