Breaking Down The Class 2A 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: <strong>POD A</strong> <em>Estherville-Lincoln Central at Central Lyon/George-Little Rock</em> How about this one for getting on the scoreboard? Good luck. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock, or CL/G-LR is one of just three unbeatens left in 2A. They have also dominated this series, winning each of the past five games by at least 10 points. The last meeting, though, came in 2017. The Lyon held off Unity Christian in their most recent game, 34-27, which came after a 20-16 win in the regular season finale over West Lyon. Sophomore <strong>Zach Lutmer</strong> is a name to remember, as he has over 1,800 yards of offense and 24 touchdowns. For Estherville-Lincoln Central, or E-LC, junior quarterback <strong>Ryan Schiltz</strong> directs the offense. Schiltz has completed 84 of 152 for 1,242 yards with 22 touchdowns, adding 302 yards and five scores on the ground. <em>West Lyon at Spirit Lake</em> Spirit Lake runs everything through senior quarterback <strong>Brent Scott</strong>. On the year, Scott has completed 109 of 190 passes for over 1,500 yards with 15 touchdowns, adding another 500 and nine TDs on the ground. Looking to contain Scott will be West Lyon’s <strong>Dawson Ripperda</strong>. The junior has 41 tackles with 12 being for loss including six sacks. The Wildcats clipped Sioux Center last Friday, 16-14. Also of note, the Indians have pitched three consecutive shutouts over Clear Lake, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura and Okoboji since a 34-27 victory vs. fellow playoff qualifier Estherville-LC. <strong>POD B</strong> <em>Atlantic at West Marshall</em> These have been two of the hottest teams down the stretch as the weather has cooled off. Atlantic comes in having not allowed a single point since the third quarter of a September 11 game vs. Greene County, which is still alive in the playoffs. That’s 21 consecutive quarters without an opposing team reaching the end zone. The Trojans have 19 interceptions on the season led by six from <strong>Grant Sturm</strong>. They have also recorded 17 sacks and 43.5 tackles for loss. <strong>Brendan Atkinson</strong> and <strong>Cael Pulido</strong>, seniors, have five and 5.5 sacks each and are constantly causing problems in the backfield. West Marshall might be the best offense Atlantic has faced during that stretch. The Trojans - yes, matching nicknames - have scored 107 points in their last two games including a 60-0 win over Centerville last week. Junior <strong>Preston Pope</strong> is a dangerous threat, having ran for almost 1,600 yards with 21 touchdowns. The 200-pounder mixes power with speed and does a tremendous job of waiting patiently for his blockers to create a hole before bursting through. <em>Greene County at Monroe-PCM</em> Another of the unbeaten teams is Monroe-PCM, as the Mustangs have pitched four shutouts in their last five games. That includes a 61-0 victory over Saydel last Friday night. <strong>August Stock</strong> has taken over the offense, as the sophomore quarterback has thrown for 888 yards, ran for almost 300 and has 20 combined TDs. <strong>Aiden Anderson</strong>, a junior, has 735 yards and nine scores on just 70 carries. Greene County also advanced with a shutout, downing Clarinda, 24-0. The Rams have surrendered just six total points in their last three games. Junior <strong>Bryce Stalder</strong> has thrown for over 1,100 yards with 15 touchdowns, adding 540 and eight scores on the ground. These are two very young teams with many of the leaders being juniors or sophomores. <strong>POD C</strong> <em>Tipton at Camanche</em> This is a rematch of a September 11 meeting won by Camanche, 35-12. Prior to that, Tipton had scored wins in both 2019 and 2018, winning four in a row in the series and leading it 8-3 in the past 11. For the Indians, <strong>Jordan Lawrence</strong> has continued to shine at wide receiver. The senior has 53 receptions for over 700 yards including 10 touchdowns. Junior quarterback <strong>Mike Delzell</strong> has completed 100 of 150 for 1,659 with 16 scores. Tipton relies on <strong>Payten Elijah</strong> to break opposing defenses down. The senior has thrown for just 241 yards, but has almost 1,100 on the ground with 15 touchdowns. <em>West Liberty at Williamsburg</em> The final of the three unbeatens still standing, Williamsburg, welcomes in West Liberty. These two last met in 2017 with West Liberty posting a 14-0 victory. Williamsburg has been nearly unstoppable this year, recording three consecutive shutouts. <strong>Levi Weldon</strong> is the leader on both sides of the ball. The senior has over 1,100 yards of offense and 18 scores while recording 43.5 tackles including 8.5 for loss on defense. The 6-foot-0 senior is a tremendous tackler and uses his skills on offense to follow the ball on defense. West Liberty will use junior <strong>Jahsiah Galvan</strong> to slow him down. Galvan has almost 1,400 yards and 11 scores rushing. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Galvan is both fast and strong, allowing him to run past and over would-be defenders. <strong>POD D</strong> <em>Monticello at Waukon</em> Waukon has dominated this series, winning each of the past five games by double figures. However, the two did not meet in the regular season this year. [player_tooltip player_id="23896" first="Creed" last="Welch"] makes the offense go for the Indians. The senior, who is receiving plenty of college interest, has thrown for 861 yards, ran for almost 500 more and has 21 touchdowns. Monticello escaped vs. Crestwood last week to advance, earning a 28-27 victory. The only loss on the season for the Panthers came to Camanche, which plays this week as well. Quarterback <strong>Luke Lambert</strong> has been lighting up the scoreboard. The senior has completed 109 of 161 for almost 1,700 yards with 17 TDs, adding another 434 and five on the ground. <em>Independence at Solon</em> <strong>Marcus Beatty</strong> is one of the top running backs in the junior class, as the Independence talent has 1,434 yards and 14 scores. He also benefits from a standout quarterback in <strong>Mitchell Johnson</strong>, as the sophomore has 925 yards and 15 TDs in the air. Solon counters with senior <strong>Jackson Ryan</strong> and sophomore <strong>Blake Timmons</strong>. Ryan has ran for 865 yards and 10 TDs, with Timmons completing 48 passes for 858 yards and 12 scores, with another 548 and seven TDs on the ground. A player to watch is Solon senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="23939" first="Carson" last="Shive"], as he has a motor that leads to tackles. Shive has 66 stops on the season including 8.5 for loss.