Prep Redzone Iowa's Team of the Week | 1st Edition

Prep Redzone Iowa highlights eleven of the top performances statewide and across classifications to bring you the first team of the week of the 2021 season. See why these dominant performances stood out; congratulations to the players who helped lead their team to victory. These players stormed right out of the gates and are primed for big years. Get to know them now. [player_tooltip player_id="148361" first="Caden" last="Matson"], QB, Humboldt, <a href="https://twitter.com/CadenMatson">Twitter</a> 15-16 ATT / 233 YDS / 5 TD The efficiency of Matson’s week 1 performance was off the charts. Only one incompletion and one-third of his completions went for touchdowns. He simply could not miss and was so impressive when rolling and throwing on the run. His best throw of the night was a dime on the sideline while on the move with pressure closing in. Jakob Nelson, WR, North Scott, <a href="https://twitter.com/JakobNelson7">Twitter</a> 10 REC / 147 YDS / 4 TD Nelson absolutely went off in week 1 with a huge stat line and some jaw dropping film. He put so much on display. Davenport North kept their Corners backed off all night and Nelson still got behind coverage. It is hard to decide if his best play of the night was when he took a bubble to the house or went up and over a defender in the end zone. [player_tooltip player_id="23972" first="Caeden" last="Da Silva"], WR, Nevada, <a href="https://twitter.com/caeden_da">Twitter</a> 7 REC / 209 YDS / 3 TD Da Silva was already one of the fastest Wide Receivers in the state, but after seeing his week 1 film he is now also in the conversation for best route runner. His ability to sell routes and lose coverage was on full display. He absolutely torched bracketed defenders in a Cover 2 look to get wide open for a touchdown over the middle. [player_tooltip player_id="98692" first="Marcus" last="Beatty"], RB, Independence, <a href="https://twitter.com/MarcusLBeatty1">Twitter</a> 31 CAR/ 249 YDS / 4 TD Beatty clearly worked on his craft in the offseason as he appeared to be running in week 1 with a new found extra gear. He posted a crazy stat line that shows off both explosive play ability and unparalleled durability. Beatty looked to be in mid-season form making a lot happen by eluding and bull dozing defenders on a short touchdown run. [player_tooltip player_id="23969" first="Joshua" last="Jenkins"], RB, Des Moines Lincoln, <a href="https://twitter.com/FlexgodJ">Twitter</a> 11 CAR / 152 YDS / 4 TD Jenkins is dangerous with the ball in his hands and that was especially the case in week 1 when taking tosses, sweeps, or counters. He simply could not be caught and did a terrific job of extending plays with sharp cuts and stiff arms. Jenkins worked off his blocks well all night, especially when he patiently set up behind his Guards on a 32 yard house call. [player_tooltip player_id="152817" first="Beau" last="Knobloch"], OL, Winterset, <a href="https://twitter.com/BeauKnobloch">Twitter</a> 9 Pancakes 0 Pressures Knobloch played a big role in Winterset’s week 1 decisive win over Carlisle. The Huskies cruised behind outstanding blocking averaging nearly 8 yards per carry as a team, led by Knobloch, who got plenty of movement on defenders and brought violent hands all night. On one play he peeled off a double team to demolish a backer with expertise. [player_tooltip player_id="152884" first="Ben" last="Kueter"], TE, Iowa City High, <a href="https://twitter.com/Benkueter1">Twitter</a> 3 REC / 90 YDS / 2 TD Kueter shined all night on both sides of the ball; he might be Iowa’s most underrated player, but that won’t be the case for long. He took a two yard flat route up the field 77 yards for a score and there wasn’t a defender who had a chance of catching him. Kueter put some vicious blocks and tackles on film, too. He is no doubt one of Iowa’s best two-way players. [player_tooltip player_id="105176" first="Cole" last="Garwood"], LB, Urbandale, <a href="https://twitter.com/cole_garwood">Twitter</a> 13.5 TOT / 9 SOLO / 3 SACKS / 6 TFL Garwood led the charge in week 1 keeping a tough Bettendorf team out of the end zone and limiting them to just 3 points and under 100 total yards. Garwood was a machine at Inside Linebacker; he diagnosed, covered ground, and got to the ball better than you could imagine. His blitzing and pass rush is as impressive as his run defense. [player_tooltip player_id="148363" first="Wyatt" last="Voelker"], LB, West Delaware, <a href="https://twitter.com/wyattvoelker">Twitter</a> 12.5 TOT / 11 SOLO / 1 SACK / 5 TFL / 14 CAR / 74 YDS / 2 TD Voelker did it all for his team on both sides of the ball in week 1 racking up tackles and pounding the rock at the highest level. He brought a heavy physical presence and it was clear on film that opponents began to shy away from his contact, especially as a lead blocker or ball carrier. There was no escaping him on defense; Voelker is still a top Linebacker in Iowa. Nick Eaton, DE, Ankeny, <a href="https://twitter.com/neaton52">Twitter</a> 3.5 TOT / 2 SOLO / 2 SACKS / 2.5 TFL Eaton was a powerhouse off the Edge for the Hawks in week 1. He has exceptionally quick feet, a big time motor, and knows how to finish plays. He ran down his first of two sacks almost sideline to sideline. His second came on a very well timed stunt where he went inside, blew up the guard with violent hands, and bent back into the pocket to get home. [player_tooltip player_id="100889" first="Jake" last="Erickson"], S, Fort Dodge, <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeErickson_21">Twitter</a> 9 TOT / 7 SOLO / 2 TFL / 5 CAR / 72 YDS / 1 TD Erickson did it all and helped his team out big on offense and defense on the Dodgers way to a victory over Mason City. He found the end zone on a 63 yard scamper into the boundary where he broke a couple tackles and then burst into space. His athleticism is undeniable and his run support kept the Mohawks in check all night.