Jeff Johnson

With NIL exploding and a lawsuit filed to possibly allow major junior players in Canada the chance to play college hockey, how that all could affect the United States Hockey League is a burgeoning topic of discussion.

Mount Mercy University announced Friday it will begin a varsity football program in the 2026 season. The school constructed a large athletics facility near campus in 2017 that included a football stadium. The stadium’s goal posts have always pointed away from the field, so as not to interfere with the other sports played there.

There were 38 points scored in a wild and wacky fourth quarter Friday night at Kingston Stadium between Cedar Rapids Washington and Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Logan Barton provided the final three, a 25-yard field goal with just over three seconds left that lifted the Warriors to a 30-27 win.

The Independence football team is ranked No. 6 in Class 3A. The Mustangs found themselves trailing a good North Fayette Valley club late in the first half Friday night, but a late second-quarter touchdown and big second half lifted the Mustangs to a convincing 42-14 win.

Center Point-Urbana led Wamac Conference rival Marion after the first inning of their Class 3A state baseball tournament quarterfinal Monday afternoon, 2-1. But heavy rains fell, delaying the game for three hours, with Marion dominating play after it resumed and winning in five innings, 12-2.

University of Iowa pitcher goes in 9th round

The University of Iowa has hired Sean Kenny as its baseball program’s new pitching coach. He has 28 seasons of college coaching experience.

Jeremy Lee’s first home start for the Cedar Rapids Kernels was a disaster earlier this month. He didn’t get anyone out and gave up seven runs. But he was brilliant Thursday night in out-pitching a first-round draft pick and getting the victory in a 4-1 win over Beloit. It was a boost for a rotation that has three of its members on the injured list.

Chandler was offensive coordinator for Lightning past 3 seasons

Your fourth update of the season

Club misses ECHL playoffs but drew 4,878 fans for its finale over weekend

Liam Coughlin, Nick Campoli and Kevin McKernan face multiple charges

Sophomore southpaw from Iowa City High holding hitters to .165 batting average

Addy comes to the Warriors from Des Moines North

Our championship picks: West Des Moines Valley, Davenport Assumption, Hudson, North Linn

No. 7 Trojans fall in Class 4A substate final

The schools were No. 1 in first poll, though Decorah had to work its way back toward the top spot

A career 2023 season earned the Cascade resident an offseason contract and a spot in Milwaukee’s starting rotation

Preston Ries of Monticello and Holden Arnaman of West Branch are the players of the year in their respective divisions

Lions use strong 4th quarter to pull away from a tie after 3 quarters to win a Class 1A district boys’ basketball opener, 64-47