Class 2A Playoffs: Closer Look At North Central Iowa Games

Thirty-two teams remain standing as we embark on the second week of the playoffs here in Iowa. Chilly temperatures greeted those that battled it out last week to advance, and that will likely be the case again around the state. But on the gridiron, the action should be hot and intense as everybody wants to take that next step towards making the UNI-Dome. Here’s a look at the matchups involving north-central Iowa teams this week in Class 2A prep football: <strong>Clear Lake at Spirit Lake</strong> Spirit Lake pitched back-to-back shutouts to conclude the regular season, but know they will be in for a challenge against Clear Lake this week. The Lions advanced with a 35-14 triumph vs. Garner-Hayfield/Ventura and own a win last year over Spirit Lake, 21-7. Carson Toebe, who doubles as a basketball standout for Clear Lake, has thrown for 1,239 yards and 13 touchdowns on 73 of 157 passing. He also has 332 yards and six scores on the ground with [player_tooltip player_id="23915" first="Jaden" last="O’Brien-Green"] adding 463 and six. It is very likely that Toebe's future is on the basketball court, but he is definitely giving college coaches reason to reach out this year. His size and arm strength make him an intriguing recruit. Spirit Lake’s Brent Scott has thrown for 1,328 yards and 13 touchdowns with another 428 and nine rushing scores. Vance Katzfey is his favorite target after catching 24 balls for 389 yards and three TDs during the season. The schedule for Spirit Lake saw them take on defending state champion OABCIG, 2019 state semifinalist Algona and Estherville-LC in consecutive weeks. The Indians went 2-1 during that stretch before finishing the year off with wins over Okoboji and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura by a combined score of 96-0. <strong>Algona at Estherville-Lincoln Central</strong> Following a slow start to the season, Algona has turned things around, winning four straight including a 42-2 victory over Cherokee in the first round last week. The Bulldogs had to replace many key pieces to a team that reached the state semifinals a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id="23975" first="Tyler" last="Manske"] leads the team with 815 yards passing, 452 yards rushing and 15 total TDs. Noah Nelson is one of his favorite weapons, as Nelson has almost 500 total yards and eight scores. Many wondered if Manske would be able to carry the load on offense without all those weapons he had around him last year. Consider the question answered as he continues to lead this new group of Bulldogs. For Estherville-Lincoln Central, Ryan Schiltz has completed 77 of 136 passes for 1,152 yards and 22 touchdowns, adding three more scores on the ground. Matt Christensen leads the Midgets with 567 receiving yards and nine scores, with Zavion McMurrian adding eight rushing TDs. <strong>Iowa Falls-Alden at Independence</strong> Following a tough stretch of games, Iowa Falls-Alden bounced back by knocking off Hampton-Dumont/CAL last week, 28-18. Karson Sharar surpassed 1,000 yards, as the senior enters with 1,035 and 13 scores this year on the ground. Samuel Off has balanced out the offense, throwing for 1,107 yards and seven TDs. Much like the aforementioned Carson Toebe of Clear Lake, many feel Sharar will select basketball for his next stop. But if he decides to play football at the next level, someone is going to be very blessed with a standout two-way player. Blake Janssen, Nolan Frohwein and Sam Weaver all have at least 16 catches and 200 yards receiving. Since a loss to Camanche back in September, Independence has been perfect, reeling off three wins including a 12-7 triumph vs. New Hampton. Marcus Beatty has 1,182 yards and 13 scores on the ground for the Mustangs, with Mitchell Johnson adding 751 yards in the air and 11 TDs. <strong>Clarinda at Greene County</strong> Earlier this month, Greene County used a fourth quarter touchdown to down Clarinda, 22-15. The Rams will try to make it 2-for-2 when it matters most this week in second round playoff action. Bryce Stalder ran for 117 yards and three scores in that first meeting, with Nathan Black adding 152 yards on the ground. Stadler, a junior, has thrown for over 1,000 yards with 13 TDs, with Black adding 539 and five rushing. Stadler has taken control of the Greene County offense with both his big-arm and quick feet. Wyatt Schmitt, a sophomore, directs the Clarinda offense. Schmitt has 821 yards passing with eight TDs, adding 254 and five more on the ground. Tadyn Brown, also a sophomore, has 624 and eight rushing touchdowns. &nbsp;