Exciting Playoff Matchups On Deck Around North Central Iowa

From here on out, it is all playoffs all the time around north central Iowa. The second round for some, and first for others, hits the gridiron this Friday night and we are in for some incredible matchups. Let us take a look at four of those games set for this week in the playoffs and a key player in each one. <strong>Bondurant-Farrar vs. Fort Dodge</strong> For the Dodgers, the move down from competing against the likes of Dowling and Valley in the postseason is an intriguing one. Will their size and experience playing those heavyweights help? As they like to say, the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs can be how your "prime-time" players perform. Fort Dodge has a big-time prospect at wide receiver in junior [player_tooltip player_id="104716" first="Javion" last="Jondle"]. He has already made recruiting trips to Iowa and Iowa State, and comes into the night with 48 receptions for 814 yards and seven touchdowns. Jondle has a size advantage checking in at 6-foot-3 and almost 200 pounds with great speed. Has Bondurant-Farrar played anyone like that this season? It could definitely be a spot for the Dodgers and head coach Nik Moser to take advantage of. Getting the ball into the hands of Jondle should be a priority, both in terms of going for the home run ball and moving the chains with screens and quick passes. Jondle can do it all, so there is no issue with that. <strong>Clear Lake at Central Lyon</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="98644" first="Carson" last="Toebe"] remains one of the top basketball prospects in the state. But the senior can also ball on the football field. Toebe has 1,345 yards passing, 939 yards rushing, 17 passing touchdowns and 16 more on the ground. And the Lions will need all of that when they tangle with Central Lyon. This is easily one of the best quarterback vs. quarterback matchups of the week, as Toebe and Clear Lake meet [player_tooltip player_id="152617" first="Zach" last="Lutmer"] and Central Lyon. Fun fact, both are nicknamed the Lions. For Toebe, it has been an incredible season. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound dual threat led Clear Lake to a come-from-behind win over Unity Christian, throwing for almost 200 yards. He has excellent field vision, great arm strength and off-the-charts athleticism that make him very, very tough to contain. <strong>OABCIG at Greene County</strong> How’s this for a second round contest. We get the two-time defending state champion and top-ranked Falcons from OBACIG hitting the road to face Greene County. For the Rams, it all starts with [player_tooltip player_id="98647" first="Bryce" last="Stalder"]. A senior, Stalder is as accurate a quarterback as you will find. He has completed 70 of 109 passes for almost 1,300 yards with 17 TDs. As has become the trend, though, just being an accurate and strong armed QB isn’t enough. Stalder is also deceptively quick, rushing for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Stalder will need to be at his best against Bennett DeJean and OABCIG. His ability to limit turnovers, move the ball and chew up the clock will be keys. <strong>Hampton-Dumont/CAL at Humboldt</strong> We’ve talked all year about [player_tooltip player_id="148361" first="Caden" last="Matson"] of Humboldt, but there is another fun target for the Wildcats to watch. Junior wide receiver Will Orness has become the top option for Matson in the passing game. With good size, Orness is a great target, catching 57 passes for 931 yards and 14 touchdowns. He does a tremendous job of watching the ball into his hands before using good speed to break free from defenders. Orness’ talents are at the top of his class. He should be primed for a big night to showcase himself once more on the field.