1st Edition: Week 2 Games and Players to Watch

Week 2 of the Iowa High School football season is nearly upon us, but we need to know what games to watch for this week before it gets here. The last couple of days have been rough for teams due to positive COVID-19 tests. Many teams have suspended their season, which is also challenging for their opponents. Let’s take a look at some key matchups to watch for this week of the football season. Look for more editions of games and players to watch before kickoff on Friday night. Clear lake vs. Iowa City Regina The first game we’re taking a look at came to us because of COVID-19, unfortunately. It was announced yesterday afternoon that Osage would suspend their season due to COVID-19, which left Clear Lake without an opponent. A few hours later, it was announced that the Lions would host Iowa City Regina, who was also without a game. This one might be one of the week’s best games, and both teams will have just one day to prepare. Regina is also proving that they aren’t afraid to play anyone. Last week, the Class A Regals hosted 4A Pleasant Valley in week 1. If Regina isn’t able to beat Clear Lake, they might be one of the best teams to start the season 0-2. Players to watch - [player_tooltip player_id="23835" first="Ashton" last="Cook"], Regina - The ’21 signal-caller is one of the best in the business. He is currently fourth in his class in our Prep Redzone player rankings. In the week one loss, Cook passed for 246 yards and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id="23898" first="Alec" last="Wick"], his favorite target, caught ten passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns in week 1. Wick is the 11th best WR ’21 prospect and will also have to have a big game. Sam Aitchison, Regina - Aitchison will need to be a difference-maker with a Clear Lake offense that can move the football. Aitchison was the Regals leading tackler last week with nine. He was one of their top guys last season as a sophomore. [player_tooltip player_id="23915" first="Jaden" last="O’Brien-Green"], Clear Lake - O’Brien-Green had a monster 11 yards per rush last week in Clear Lake’s opener. The ’21 running back will be put to the challenge with the Regina defense on the other side of the ball. He stands at 5’10" 180 and is dangerous in the open field. Carson Toebe, Clear Lake - I hate to have both of the players to watch for on the same side of the ball, but the quarterback position was a huge question mark for the Lions coming into 2020. Junior Carson Toebe stepped up in week 1 to show he could handle the job but faces his first test against a championship-contending team. He threw for 292 and four touchdowns in the Lions week one win over AP. West Des Moines Valley vs. West Des Moines Dowling Valley - Dowling, what more could you ask for? A rematch of last year’s championship in Iowa’s largest class will play out in week 2. The teams split last year, but Dowling won the important one. Dowling has won 10 of the previous 17 rivalry meetings, seven of which have been in the playoffs. Players to watch for- [player_tooltip player_id="22519" first="Jake" last="Rubley"], Valley - The Kansas State recruit is the best quarterback in the state and will play in his first Valley-Dowling game. The Valley offense will need him to be sharp against a Dowling team with a chip on their shoulders. [player_tooltip player_id="23814" first="Jayden" last="Williams"], Valley - Again, we will stay with two offensive players because the Valley offense will need to score points to win this game. The offense for Valley rebounded, but they didn’t have the start they wanted against Roosevelt in week 1. Williams will be Rubley’s teammate at Kansas State next year and is part of the reason he’s at Valley. The future Wildcats have just one main goal this season; gold in November. Austin Klein, Dowling - Klein was one of my top big school defenders in week 1, grabbing two interceptions to help the Maroons beat Indianola. Klein will need to come up big again this week against Valley. Zach Schwager, Dowling - Schwager rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the Moorns 25-14 week 1 win. He will play against a more formidable defense in week 2, but expect a big game from the senior. OABCIG vs. Spirit Lake This might be one of the top unrated games in the state this week. The Indians didn’t perform the way most thought they would in week 1, but keep an eye on them. They return many pieces from their playoff team from a year ago. They might not win this game, but don’t count them out until the final horn. Players to watch Brent Scott, Spirit Lake - The senior quarterback didn’t have his best game in week 1 against West Sioux, but it wasn’t just him. The Indians offense sputter, racking up only 219 yards of total offense and just one touchdown. Watch out for Scott this week, and let’s see what he can do against the 1A favorites. The backfield, Spirit Lake - This is a first. Instead of players to watch, I want to see how the entire backfield for the Indians responds this week. Spirit Lake is known for an offense that will run, run, run, run, then burn a sleeping corner for a huge gain or touchdown. The problem in week 1 for the air attack was the lack of a rushing attack. [player_tooltip player_id="23817" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"] is the lazy answer when it comes to players to watch for; I’m pretty sure everyone in the stadium Friday night will know where #1 is on the field. Griffin Diersen, OABCIG - The Sophomore is someone I’m looking at and watching this week. In their week 1 blowout, Diersen ran for 5.4 yards per carry and caught three passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id="23962" first="Easton" last="Harms"], OABCIG - Harms is one of the top recruits for WR in 2022 and started his junior campaign with three receptions for 68 yards. It will be interesting to see how Harms comes out in week 2. Jacob Lemming, Prep Redzone’s National Director of Scouting, says," Harms is a talented prospect in the class of 2022. (I) really think he’s gonna see his recruiting stock rise quickly".