What happened: Tri-Center Community School District placed head football coach Jake Gentile and his entire staff on administrative leave ahead of a Week 7 game against Missouri Valley, while confirming student-athlete safety was never at issue. Principal and boys basketball coach Chad Harder, who previously coached junior high football, stepped in as interim head coach for the rest of the season, marking the program's fourth head coach in three years after Gentile succeeded 2025 coach Steve Peterson.

Why it matters: The staff overhaul hits as Tri-Center navigates its second season in Class 1A, posting a 4-5 record last year and a 2-6 mark this fall after winning the Class A state championship at 12-1 two years ago. After dropping their first four games of 2026, the Trojans routed Red Oak 51-7 and beat Missouri Valley around losses to Treynor and Shenandoah to secure a playoff berth.

What to watch: Tri-Center travels to face defending Class 1A state champion West Lyon in Friday night's first-round playoff matchup.