Key Player In Each Class 1A Quarterfinal Playoff Game

A mix of traditional powers and those looking to begin a long run comprise the eight teams still standing in Class 1A. West Sioux will have the inevitable task of taking on defending Class 2A state champion OABCIG while Twin Lakes Conference and district rivals South Central Calhoun and Southeast Valley meet in a rematch. Underwood battles Van Meter and Waterloo Columbus tries to slow down Sigourney-Keota in the other two matchups. Here’s a look at a key player from each team in each game. <strong>West Sioux at OABCIG</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="23817" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"], OABCIG (2021)</em> You hate to state the obvious, but you also cannot overlook the production of [player_tooltip player_id="23817" first="Cooper" last="DeJean"]. A year after leading OABCIG to the state title in Class 2A, the University of Iowa commit has the Falcons poised to repeat with a crown in 1A. DeJean is as electric a playmaker as you will find. With the ball in his hands, he can make any play and any run a touchdown in a matter of seconds. DeJean has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards, ran for almost 900 and scored 42 offensive touchdowns. <em>Dylan Wiggins, West Sioux (2023)</em> For the past few years, West Sioux has contended for state titles under current Iowa State University quarterback Hunter Dekkers. Well, the Falcons are right back in the thick of it behind new signal caller Dylan Wiggins. One of the top quarterbacks in the Class of 2023, Wiggins brings great size to the position. He is more of a pocket passer, completing 135 of 238 for 1,925 yards with 20 touchdowns while adding 231 and a score on the ground. <strong>South Central Calhoun at Southeast Valley</strong> <em>Blake McAlister, South Central Calhoun (2022)</em> This rematch will be hard-hitting, in-your-face football from the first whistle to the last. For South Central Calhoun, getting junior speedster Blake McAlister the ball is key. McAlister is a do-it-all-type player for the Titans, running for 907 yards and 11 scores while adding 16 receptions for 214 yards and a pair of TDs. He is also an opportunistic player on defense, having recorded over 10 tackles for loss and a pick. <em>Kolson Kruse, Southeast Valley (2022)</em> Knowing that University of Iowa commit and top-ranked player [player_tooltip player_id="23944" first="Aaron" last="Graves"] is protecting one side of the line makes everything a little easier when you are quarterback Kolson Kruse. But the Southeast Valley junior has shined in his role, recording 23 total touchdowns and over 1,600 yards. Kruse is a natural playmaker just like on the basketball court, which allows him to overcome defenses with his athleticism. <strong>Underwood at Van Meter</strong> <em>Alex Ravlin, Underwood (2023)</em> Another talent out of the Class of 2023 at the quarterback position is Alex Ravlin. The Underwood signal caller leads the way with over 1,700 yards passing and 27 combined touchdowns. Ravlin does an excellent job of looking off his first target and scanning the field for the open receiver. Thirteen different Underwood players have a reception with four of those having recorded at least 12 on the year. <em>Jack Pettit, Van Meter (2022)</em> Try and find a quarterback more accurate and focused than Van Meter’s Jack Pettit. The junior has completed over 62 percent of his passes this year with 15 touchdowns and just one interception. Pettit also is gifted with speed, racking up nearly 700 yards and 14 TDs to form a potent 1-2 punch out of the backfield with classmate [player_tooltip player_id="23999" first="Dalten" last="Van Pelt"]. <strong>Waterloo Columbus at Sigourney-Keota</strong> <em>Caden Hartz, Waterloo Columbus (2022)</em> If Waterloo Columbus is going to pull the upset on Sigourney-Keota and advance to the UNI-Dome, watch for Caden Hartz to make some big plays. Hartz has 28 receptions for 619 yards and six scores on the season. The junior wide receiver is averaging over 22 yards per catch and is just the deep threat target needed for classmate Carter Gallagher. Hartz mixes great size - 6-foot-1, 175 pounds - with track speed to separate from defenders. <em>[player_tooltip player_id="23868" first="Brady" last="Duwa"], Sigourney-Keota (2021)</em> Sigourney-Keota features one of the top rushing attacks in the state led by Sam Sieren. But what makes the Cobras so dangerous and ready to strike is senior [player_tooltip player_id="23868" first="Brady" last="Duwa"]’s big-play abilities. Duwa has returned four kickoffs and punts back for touchdowns this year, averaging nearly 41 yards on kickoff returns and 32.5 on punt returns. He also has five interceptions, recovered two fumbles and made 25 tackles on defense. Oh, and do not forget that Duwa is the leading receiver for Sigourney-Keota with 14 receptions for 311 yards and six scores. This is the type of game-changer that could really improve any college program out there.