Comets to face Waterloo East for the 1st time since 1965

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

Sometimes the simplest of solutions are doomed — if not destined — to become convoluted.

For instance, the proposed “solution” to the NBA playoff conundrum that continually snubs teams from the continually superior Western Conference is to have 16 of the top teams based on W-L record regardless of conference affiliation qualify for the postseason. In fact, the WNBA has already adopted such a format.

Though in the NBA that would probably go over for a season or two before more cries of injustice would emerge with pleas to incorporate “weighted wins” for adjusted W-L records because WC teams would likely still be at a disadvantage due to tougher schedules.

For this high school football season, the Iowa High School Athletic Association made some tweaks to postseason criteria while involving “weighted wins”.

After keeping the amount of postseason teams per class at 16, only the district champion or teams tying for a district championship will receive automatic qualifications. But due to the recent district realignments, most teams now play more non-district games (4) and less district games (5).

Thus, all nine regular-season games now count toward postseason qualification.

The remaining at-large postseason qualifiers will be determined by a Ratings Percentage Index formula using three criteria: 1. Team’s overall win-loss percentage (accounting for 37.5 percent of the index); 2. Team’s opponents’ win-loss percentage (37.5 percent); 3. Team’s opponents’ opponents’ win-loss percentage (25 percent).

The Charles City Comets, part of the Class 3A-District 3, have just finished the non-district portion of their schedule with a 3-1 record. Though the four games were against Class 2A programs, the Comets have victories over perennial power Union and traditionally tough New Hampton. And the wins against Union and Oelwein came with both opponents coming into the games with winning records.

On Friday, the Comets will open the district portion of the schedule with an away game against Waterloo East. The game will take place at Memorial Stadium, located adjacent to Central Middle School, 1320 Katoski Dr., Waterloo. Kickoff will be approximately at 7:30-7:45 p.m.

The Comets and Trojans haven’t faced each other for 53 years. Waterloo East won that last matchup by a score of 51-0.

So far this season, the Comets have been effective on both sides of the ball — especially in terms of ground offense and ground defense. Charles City is averaging 5 yards per rushing attempt while limiting opponents to well under 3 yards per attempt.

Sophomore Trever Heitz leads the team with 356 yards on 82 carries (4.3 ypc). Senior Dylan Koresh has 260 rushing yards (8.4 ypc) and junior Elliott Sinnwell has 187 (6.2).

Junior quarterback Marcus Cranshaw, who is the catalyst of the Comets’ flexbone option offense, leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.

Senior linebacker Kelly Ward leads Charles City’s defense with 20 solo tackles. Koresh and Alec Elsbernd each have two sacks, and De’Ontaye Hoefer has two interceptions for the Comets.

The Trojans are winless through four games, but can be explosive on offense. They have put up a combined 69 points during their last two losses against Webster City and Newton.

Approaching the halfway point of the regular season, Trojan junior quarterback Dylan Reyes is 107 yards away from reaching 1,000 passing yards. His favorite target is Tyrell Newman, who has 327 yards receiving while averaging 23.4 yards per catch.

Senior Kendall Robison leads Waterloo East with 353 rushing yards (6.9 ypc).