1st Edition: Week 1 Games and Players to Watch

We are just one day away from week 1 of the Iowa High School football season. Even though it won’t be the first games played in 2020, most teams will be kicking off for the first time. Here are a few games and players to watch out for as the 2020 football season kicks off for the first time - for these teams. Watch for multiple editions before football games kickoff Friday night.   Class 3A - Pella vs. Dallas Center-Grimes Usually, rankings depend on what poll you look at - in this case - no matter what poll you look at, this game pits 1 vs. 2. This is the seventh straight year these two teams have played. In those seven, they have met eight times with Pella winning seven of those eight times. The lone win for DCG came in 2017 when they won 10-7 early in the season. Pella came back and won when it counted in the quarterfinals; on their way to a runner-up finish that year. This year could be similar to that 2017 season. The Dutch and Mustangs could be on a collision course to meet again in the postseason. Players to watch for - [player_tooltip player_id="23840" first="Ryan" last="Mace"], Pella - Mace threw for 1,735 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. The Dutch have high hopes this season, and a lot will ride on their senior quarterback. Mace is currently the #4 ’21 quarterback on the Prep Redzone rankings. Scouting - Mace has great physical stats for the next level 6’4" 210. He can move with that frame when he needs to. Last season Mace scrambled 77 times for 202 yards and 5 touchdowns. The ball gets out quickly when watching film on Mace. Will be on college’s radars for the class of 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="23893" first="Grant" last="Nelson"], Pella - Like Mace on offense, this won’t be a special season without big-time players making big-time plays for the Dutch. On defense, that player could be 2021 linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id="23893" first="Grant" last="Nelson"]. Nelson recorded 45.5 tackles and 3 sacks a year ago. What the Dutch will really need is someone other than [player_tooltip player_id="23826" first="Kody" last="Huisman"] making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Scouting - Watching film, the first thing you notice is his eyes. He sees the play develop from different angles. You can also notice he must be a film study guy. He seems to recognize opponents’ plays and anticipates what’s next. Runs downhill extremely well to blow up plays. He may not get in the stat book for every play, but what doesn’t show up in stats shows on film. [player_tooltip player_id="23888" first="Zach" last="Brand"], DCG - Will be a workhorse for the Mustangs this season who have lofty goals. Brand. Brand was the top rusher a year ago with 792 yards and 6 touchdowns, but he is a guy you can consider an ATH. He could play a couple of different positions for college teams down the road. Currently holds an offer from NAIA powerhouse Grandview. He will be on the radar of Division II, and FCS coaches this season. He did take a junior day visit to Ames to check out a high-level power five team. Scouting - No matter what the film tells you, he is a team captain, which means Brand’s leadership qualities are there. He’s not a one-trick pony (Pun somewhat intended) he caught out of the backfield for over 9-yards per catch. Add that to his 5-yards per run, and you’ll come up with some first downs. On film, he shows both power and finesse. He can run between the tackles for 5-yards or outside the tackles making sure the 12th defender (the sidelines) doesn’t limit the play. Brody Burgher, DCG - The Mustangs will be leaning on guys like Nic Lawton and [player_tooltip player_id="23921" first="Blake" last="Willey"], especially in big games like week 1 vs. 3A favorite Pella. What could help tip the scale for DCG? This season is big games out of guys like Brody Burgher. Burgher added 40 tackles last season and will need to have a big year. Will draw attention from DIII, NAIA, and DII coaches this season. Scouting - 6’2" 225 for a body frame heading into this season campaign. Active in both track and wrestling. Those are two things that light the eyes of college coaches. Has the speed to be a great edge-rusher, but with the 6’2" frame, he has the ability to add size and play the middle. Linebacker? Will beat most off the line and doesn’t give up is what you see on film. Has active hands to fight off the first block and get to the football.   Class A West Hancock vs. Class 2A Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Cross-County rivalry with nearly 70 games between the two teams. Players to watch - Cole Kelly, West Hancock - Kelly is one of those shadowed players that will enter the spotlight this season. When he takes the first snap Friday night, he will become a four-year varsity player, which says a lot. Last year he ran for 1,184 yards helping the Eagles to a Class A title. An athlete that didn’t get much notoriety for those yards because he ran next to Iowa’s rushing champion and now Central College football player Tate Hagen, and Josef Smith, who is now an Iowa Hawkeye. Scouting - Last year, Kelly ran behind four seniors and a junior. Two of those linemen were given all-state honors for their efforts. This year Kelly will have a less experienced line so we will see his full potential. He is also the ’guy’ this year to add an additional leadership role. He is a strong runner. Won’t always beat the linebackers to the hole, but if you come looking for a tackle, hopefully, you’re ready for a fight because Kelly won’t just lay down. He also uses his blocks when they are there, he doesn’t try to take on 11 guys by himself when he has 10 others there to help. Joe Pringnitz RB, GHV - A guy some may not know much about, but he is on some college radars of college I’ve talked to. Last season, he played against the Class A state champs, Class 2A semifinalist, Class 2A quarterfinalist, another Class 2A playoff team, another Class 1A playoff team, and had to try and rush against [player_tooltip player_id="23944" first="Aaron" last="Graves"]. Ran for 663 yards and five TD’s last season. Scouting - He is a runner that hates to hit the ground. Watching film, many occasions he’s near the ground but keeps fighting for extra yards. Good feet - able to put the moves on if he needs. Could play offense or defense at the next level. Isaac Knutson ATH, GHV - Knutson ran against the same schedule as Pringnitz last season. Ran for 702 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught nine passes for 87 yards and one touchdown. Had 41.5 tackles for the Cardinals last season. Scouting - I have him listed as an ATH because he could play multiple positions at the next level. Program - 6’1" 175. Quick feet and gets to the edge. Probably won’t catch him once he’s in the third level.   Now from Cross-County rivals to Cross-Town rivals for our next game.   Class 4A - Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial A relatively new rivalry since the school split into two schools but one that has and will continue to produce high-caliber games. Last season Ankeny Centennial was the team to beat and won the game, 17-14. This year the roles have somewhat reversed. Ankeny Centennial will be a good football team, but the Hawks have their sights set on the UNI-Dome. Players to watch - [player_tooltip player_id="23828" first="Jase" last="Bauer"], Ankeny - The Hawks attack starts with the highly touted senior quarterback. Bauer - who is currently uncommitted - threw for 2,207 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. Scouting - Prep Redzone’s Matthew Collentine says, "He’s got a cannon for an arm and the accuracy to match. When he finds room to run it into the open field, he’s just as dangerous there too. Currently, he has FCS offers." [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"], Ankeny - Colin went crazy as a sophomore, he rushed for 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. We will see what his junior season brings, but most have high hopes. Scouting - 5’10" 175 Colin had incredible vision for a sophomore runner last season, and that will only improve the next two seasons. Catches before heading down the field when in the flats out of the backfield. Caught 10 passes for 132 yards last year, I see that number going up this season. Coach trusts him with the football in big spots, which is a plus for a younger runner. [player_tooltip player_id="32681" first="Tyler" last="Johnson"], Centennial - Tyler is a sleeper, but a must-watch for college coaches this season. He currently holds six offers from high-level DII and NAIA schools. Scouting - Speed, Speed, Speed - Johnson has speed. 6’1’" 205. He’s an athlete you could but on either defense or offense at the next level. A hard runner that’s not afraid of contact but could also throw a move. Jackie Wells, Centennial - Defensive lineman for the Jags. 22.5 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss last season as a junior. Has seen movement from some D1/FCS schools. Scouting - Award-winning wrestler jumps off the page to start. He checks in at 6’4" 230 with long arms. Gets extended and uses his eyes looking for the football. Wells doesn’t give up on plays even if the football is in the second level.