MVPs From The Class A State Playoff Quarterfinals

Some big-time programs will head to Cedar Falls and the UNI-Dome to form the Class A semifinals as Iowa City Regina, Council Bluffs St. Albert, Saint Ansgar and Grundy Center advanced. Who makes it into the finals will be interesting to see. Here’s a look at the MVPs from the quarterfinals. <strong>Iowa City Regina 32, Wapsie Valley 27</strong> <em>Theo Kolie, Iowa City Regina (2021)</em> The perfect balance to the passing attack of [player_tooltip player_id="23835" first="Ashton" last="Cook"] at Iowa City Regina is Theo Kolie. Kolie ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow win over Wapsie Valley. He also hauled in three passes for 52 more yards. <em>The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder has the size to be a dominant force on defense at the next level. Kolie’s skills would transition very nicely to that side of the football.</em> <strong>Council Bluffs St. Albert 24, Logan-Magnolia 0</strong> <em>Sam Rallis, Council Bluffs St. Albert (2021)</em> A true difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball, Sam Rallis showed that in the quarterfinals. The Council Bluffs St. Albert senior picked off two passes, returning one for a touchdown as his team shut Logan-Magnolia out. Rallis is a talented wide receiver, catching 25 passes for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He is also dangerous in the return game with two scores there. <em>Plain and simple, this is the guy who changes the outcome of games.</em> <strong>Saint Ansgar 49, MFL MarMac 14</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="23848" first="Ryan" last="Cole"], Saint Ansgar (2021)</em> Despite falling in a 14-0 hole there was zero panic from Saint Ansgar against MFL MarMac. And why would there when you have [player_tooltip player_id="23848" first="Ryan" last="Cole"] on your team. Cole ran for 259 yards and accounted for five touchdowns on the night, pushing his team to the semis. <em>One of the best RBs from a tradition-rich program, Cole showed his hands in this one, hauling in a touchdown pass. </em> <strong>Grundy Center 20, West Hancock 14</strong> <em>Zach Opheim, Grundy Center (2021)</em> The rematch of the Class A title game belonged to Grundy Center, as they knocked off defending state champion West Hancock. Zach Opheim was the difference, as the senior running back hit paydirt twice. He finished with 124 yards on 25 carries, adding 8.5 tackles on defense. <em>Opheim is as effective a runner inside the numbers as he is when he gets outside. He is capable of churning out the hard-earned yards and moving the ball. </em>