Back on August 2nd, a co-worker of mine wrote about the Clash at Kinnick. Iowa City High and Liberty High will get to open up their 2022 football season playing on the field that holds so many memories for so many Hawkeye football fans and Iowans in general. For these two rival schools, this will be the fifth time these teams have met with the series tied at 2-2.

Julie James
Julie James
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On a very exciting night for high school football in Iowa, let's take a little trip down memory lane. When was the last time a high school football game was played at Kinnick Stadium? According to KCRG, it was 42 years ago, in 1980. The CR Washington Warriors faced off against the Bettendorf Bulldogs for a trip to the 4-A title game.

Two former players from each team sat down with KCRG to watch an old film of the game, share a few laughs, and enjoy some incredible memories of playing high school football in the historic stadium.

Bill Happel, a graduate from Washington, and Hap Peterson, a graduate from Bettendorf both played in that football game, and both went on to eventually be Hawkeyes according to KCRG.

Hap Peterson recalls Bettendorf's black and gold jerseys.

We were black and gold, so we sure felt like Hawkeyes in that stadium for sure.

Bill Happel told KCRG, that everyone was pretty excited.

We were excited because it's Kinnick and I think for every little kid in this area, it's a dream to play at Kinnick.

In the old film of the game that they watched, there's actually a play involving both Bill and Hap. On a QB option play, the Washington QB tries to pitch the ball to Bill as he was getting hit and the ball ends up on the ground. Bill picks up the ball and is immediately tackled in the backfield by his eventual Hawkeye teammate, Hap. Bill tells KCRG with a laugh

I couldn't even allude Hap Peterson, that's pretty sad.

The Bettendorf Bulldogs do eventually go on to win the game 35-12 and earn a trip to the 4-A title game that year.

I know most kids aren't incredibly excited that their summer vacation is over but one thing I always enjoyed about school coming back was high school football. I didn't play but some of my favorite memories come from watching our school's games with all of my friends in the stands. Students from both schools will surely be in for a lifetime memory tonight.

Good luck to both teams playing as I'm sure it will be a great game. Don't let it go by too fast without taking some time to enjoy the moment. This game will be something these players remember for the rest of their lives.

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