Week 7 football capsules

Non-district

Grundy Center (5-1) at Mason City Newman (2-4)

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Last week: North Tama defeated Grundy Center 14-13. Postville squeaked out a 22-21 win against Newman.

Previous meetings: The Spartans defeated Newman 21-20 in Grundy Center last season. Grundy Center has won each of the last three meetings between the teams.

GC notes: After last week's loss to North Tama, the Redhawks are firmly in control of the district with only games against BCLUW and GMG (combined 0-12 record) remaining. The Spartans' playoff fate rests on the IAHSAA's RPI used to determine at-large playoff qualifiers. After Week 6, GC is ranked 12th by the RPI calculation, which would be enough to get an at-large spot if the season ended today. For now, Grundy Center only has to worry about crunching those numbers if they take another loss. With traditionally-tough teams like Hudson and Wapsie Valley waiting in the wings, the Spartans should look for a complete all-around performance against Newman that can boost confidence for next week's home finale against the Pirates. Zach Opheim is tied for ninth in Class A for rushing touchdowns scored with 11. Logan Knaack is close behind with 10.

MCN notes: The Knights have taken a step back from last season's team that won a playoff game against North Tama last season. Max Burt completes 58.5 percent of his passes with six interceptions and nine touchdowns. Cade Schilling, John Fitzsimmons and Jack Maznio share the load in the running attack, with Schilling finding paydirt the most with four touchdowns. Newman doesn't give up much defensively, but also struggles to find offensive momentum, which has resulted in games like a 20-14 win against winless Nashua-Plainfield or last week's loss to 2-4 Postville.

Class A District 7

BCLUW (0-6, 0-3) at ...