IA Playoffs | 8-Player to 2A | Favorites, Sleepers, Dark Horses

The playoffs start now for Iowa’s 8-Player, A, 1A, and 2A classifications. Take a look below as Prep Redzone Iowa highlights one favorite, one sleeper, and one dark horse from each. Can an unknown slide in and take it all? Are there teams that are being overlooked that can make a run? Or will the programs that have led the pack all season remain out front? Find out who you should be keeping an eye on below. 8-Player Favorite: Remsen St. Mary’s The Hawks have a tremendous amount of depth. Players like Running Back [player_tooltip player_id="152686" first="Brenden" last="Fisch"] and Quarterback Cael Ortmann have been the source of big time production; they have a balanced attack that is exceedingly hard to defend in the world of 8-player football. The defending champions know firsthand that defense doesn’t always win it all, but it helps, and the Hawks have only allowed 11 points per game. There is no reason they couldn’t go back to back. Sleeper: Audubon Audubon’s only blemish on their season came against top-rated CAM in a relatively close game just a few weeks ago; don’t dismiss them. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="147454" first="Gavin" last="Smith"] has had quite a high school career and is one of the best playmakers in 8-player football. He shares carries with Carter Andreasen and having two highly capable ball carriers is a big commodity. Wide Receivers Matthew Beisswenger and Braden Wessel round out an offense that has a lot of skill. Dark Horse: Fremont-Mills Fremont-Mills made a run last year and, with a lot of the same players on the roster, they have the talent and experience to do it again. Their losses came to CAM, Audubon, and Lenox: the Knights are battle tested. [player_tooltip player_id="148871" first="Jake" last="Malcom"], [player_tooltip player_id="156642" first="Braxton" last="Blackburn"], [player_tooltip player_id="152844" first="Paxten" last="Van Houten"], [player_tooltip player_id="152701" first="Payten" last="Van Houten"], and Taylor Reed are a talented corps that contribute on both sides of the ball. They improved throughout the season and could be primed to take a crack at unfinished business. A Favorite: West Hancock The Eagles scored 304 points this year; they only allowed 32. Their formula of mercilessly pounding the ball and playing outstanding defense was bred for the postseason. The backfield of Matthew Francis, [player_tooltip player_id="148884" first="Kane" last="Zuehl"], Braden Walk, and Logan Leerar had their way against everyone out of the Wing T. It may not be until the semi-finals, at the earliest, that they find themselves in the midst of some real competition. They are simply operating on another level. Sleeper: Logan-Magnolia There is a bottleneck at the top of Class A football right now; not enough credit is given to the Panthers. Their only loss came in an extremely close contest against Woodbury Central and they are as talented as anyone. [player_tooltip player_id="147972" first="Gavin" last="Maguire"] is one of the best rock toting Fullbacks around and that defense anchored by Rex Johnson and [player_tooltip player_id="148848" first="Jordan" last="Kerger"] is no joke. With signature wins coming against Tri-Center and IKM-Manning there is no reason to sleep on this team. Dark Horse: Lisbon Lisbon is a program that should be discussed among the top 1A contenders, but maybe due to strength of schedule just isn’t. They are a very talented team, though, and should make things very competitive with programs that are favored heading into the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="208664" first="Aiden" last="Hansen"] has been nothing short of dominant at Tight End and on the Defensive Line. [player_tooltip player_id="147977" first="Jamien" last="Moore"], Max Kohl, and Gavin Wollum have been outstanding two-way skill players. The Lions are for real. 1A Favorite: Van Meter Van Meter may be as clear cut of a favorite heading into the playoffs as there has ever been. They have posted shutouts in 6 of their 8 games and averaged 47 points per contest. [player_tooltip player_id="23999" first="Dalten" last="Van Pelt"] and [player_tooltip player_id="148359" first="Jack" last="Pettit"] have been unstoppable on offense. [player_tooltip player_id="148775" first="Casey" last="Trudo"], [player_tooltip player_id="105166" first="Ben" last="Gilliland"], [player_tooltip player_id="147983" first="Reese" last="Moore"], and Lincoln Olsen have been putting together a defensive masterpiece. There are quality opponents in the field, but anyone that runs into the Bulldogs is in for a daunting task. Sleeper: West Sioux West Sioux has experienced a decade of success and excellence. They are just a few years removed from their last state title and loaded with offensive firepower. The Falcons have been there before and have what it takes to get back. [player_tooltip player_id="104080" first="Dylan" last="Wiggins"] has torched defenses through the air. Headlined by [player_tooltip player_id="148734" first="Aaden" last="Schwiesow"] and [player_tooltip player_id="105182" first="Brady" last="Lynott"] the Falcons have five players with 20 or more catches. A team that can score as fast and often as West Sioux should not be slept on. Dark Horse: Denver The Cyclones have an impressive roster and the right system to upset some teams and punch their ticket to the UNI-Dome. [player_tooltip player_id="152688" first="Ethan" last="Schoville"] and Caylor Hoffer have been dangerous out of the backfield and Tye Bradley has taken advantage of the passing game that opens up. [player_tooltip player_id="148779" first="Braden" last="Powers"] is one of the top Defensive Ends around and lives in the backfield. This team is on the rise and it has what is needed to contend. Denver has turned it around and is seeing results. 2A Favorite: OABCIG Beckett Dejean isn’t quite on pace to replicate what his older brother did last year to help the Falcons win it all, but he is very close; what he is doing is impressive for a Junior and first year Varsity Quarterback. He has plenty of talent around him, too: [player_tooltip player_id="23962" first="Easton" last="Harms"], Gabe Winterrowd, [player_tooltip player_id="152906" first="Treyten" last="Kolar"], Carter Hoefling, and Beau Nieman have OABCIG in prime position to repeat. Playing in arguably the toughest district in 2A makes the Falcons a favorite to go all the way. Sleeper: Waukon The defending state champions graduated plenty of seniors that won it all last year. They lost their first game, just like last year’s team, and have been on a roll ever since. It would appear the Indians have reloaded and have the right combination of new talent and veteran experience. [player_tooltip player_id="24012" first="Lincoln" last="Snitker"] and Pat Hennessy lead the charge on both sides of the ball; they have a strong supporting cast. Quarterback Noah Hatlan appears to have things firing on all cylinders lately. Dark Horse: Estherville Lincoln Central The Midgets might be the best 3 loss team in Iowa. They came up just short in the regular season against top Humboldt, OABCIG, and Southeast Valley teams. There are a number of less successful programs with a better record; don’t dismiss the Midgets because of it. Estherville Lincoln Central is right on the verge of what could be a great playoff run. Players like [player_tooltip player_id="119142" first="Zavion" last="McMurran"], [player_tooltip player_id="147461" first="Ryan" last="Schiltz"], [player_tooltip player_id="156652" first="Owen" last="Larson"], and [player_tooltip player_id="148736" first="Daryl" last="Jensen"] are some of the best around.