Breaking Down The Class 1A Third Round Games

Just 16 teams remain standing in each class in Iowa as the race heats up to reach the UNI-Dome. Teams are now just three wins away from becoming state champions, but after two weeks filled with plenty of lopsided results, the intensity rises to another level now. Here’s a look at some of the key players in each game this week: POD A Hull Western Christian at OABCIG We all know about [player_tooltip player_id="23817" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"] by now, as the super-talented University of Iowa commit continues to light up scoreboards around the state. But DeJean isn’t the only standout on the OABCIG roster. Wide receivers [player_tooltip player_id="23962" first="Easton" last="Harms"], Trust Wells, Cameron Sharkey and Griffin Diersen are all making names for themselves. Each presents a little something different to the wide-open offense, and DeJean makes sure to get them all involved. Hull Western Christian plays great defense, allowing under 15 points in each of its past four games. That unit will be tested, though, by this wide-open offense. They have forced 22 turnovers including 12 interceptions. Emmetsburg at West Sioux The post-Hunter Dekkers West Sioux team has continued to add to the history of the school. Dylan Wiggins has stepped in and thrown for 1,474 yards with 17 touchdowns as a sophomore, taking advantage of the likes of Caden Budde, Blake Van Ballegooyen and others. Emmetsburg will line up and run it at you, showing its versatility with Ben Dunlap in the passing game. Dunlap has thrown for 553 yards with seven touchdowns and is one of the top athletes in state. POD B South Central Calhoun at South Hamilton This could be the game of the week in Class 1A as the Titans and Hawks are going to hit, hit and hit all night long. South Central Calhoun earned a thriller over Dike-New Hartford last week and have been on a roll since a loss to Southeast Valley. Blake McAlister is the next in a long line of versatile offensive players with Brennan Holder being the featured back. For South Hamilton, Trevor Thompson has over 1,200 yards as the team has rushed for 2,838 with 40 touchdowns. The defense has allowed over 10 points just twice this season. Denver at Southeast Valley Southeast Valley’s [player_tooltip player_id="23944" first="Aaron" last="Graves"] is incredible. Graves is one of the top junior players in the state and forces teams to gameplan around him - as a lineman. And when you do that, it allows Kolson Kruse and his weapons to light up the scoreboard. Kruse, a junior as well, has thrown for almost 900 yards with 21 combined touchdowns. Kaleb Scott is a big-play threat in the passing game and all Lathe Muench does is find his way to the end zone. Also a junior, this Jaguar team will be a top state contender next year as well. Denver escaped at Cascade last week, winning 21-19. The Cyclones feature Isaac Besh and Ethan Schoville. Besh has 944 yards passing and 15 touchdowns with Schoville adding 616 on the ground. POD C Pella Christian at Van Meter This has been an incredible run for Van Meter, winning 66 games since the 2015 season. And once again, they are in the running for a state championship. Jack Pettit, a junior, has thrown for 848 yards with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions, adding 545 and 11 TDs on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id="23999" first="Dalten" last="Van Pelt"], also a junior, has 1,102 yards and 14 TDs on the ground. Pella Christian is well-tested having faced Des Moines Christian and Monroe-PCM early in the season before reeling off a 6-1 record. Sophomore Isaac Kacmarynski continues to make a name for himself with over 1,700 yards of offense and 19 touchdowns. Underwood at Mount Ayr Strap it up with Underwood and Mount Ayr, as these are two of the very best in the class. It will be a battle of sophomore quarterbacks as Jaixen Frost leads Mount Ayr and Alex Ravlin paces Underwood. Frost has over 700 yards of offense and seven touchdowns with Ravlin posting 1,468 yards passing, 430 yards rushing and 21 TDs. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id="23877" first="Brayden" last="Wollan"] for Underwood as the senior has 33 receptions for 630 yards and eight touchdowns. Wollan gets everything out of his 5-foot-11, 155-pound frame, showcasing great speed in the open field. POD D Mediapolis at Waterloo Columbus Anthony Isley is just a sophomore, but college scouts need to make sure to get to a game and mark him down. The Mediapolis talent has rushed for 954 yards with 11 touchdowns while making 57 tackles on defense including 16.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks. He’s also been a difference-maker with three turnovers, including two interceptions. Waterloo Columbus boasts junior quarterback Carter Gallagher, as he has completed 57 of 104 for 1,098 yards with 11 touchdowns while adding 433 and eight scores on the ground. Dyersville Beckman at Sigourney-Keota For years under now-Webster City head coach Bob Howard, Sigourney-Keota was dominating teams left and right. Well, the Cobras are back, sitting at a perfect 8-0 and looking towards a state title. Sam Sieren leads the offense with over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. Sieren is untouchable in the open field and has an excellent Robin to his Batman in [player_tooltip player_id="23868" first="Brady" last="Duwa"], who has over 600 yards from scrimmage. Beckman will try to slow him down with quarterback Nick Offerman, as the senior has thrown for 1,216 yards, rushed for 593 and has 25 combined touchdowns. Trent Koelker is a big-play target with 39 catches for 700 yards and eight scores.