IA Playoffs | 8-Player to 2A | Favorites, Sleepers, Dark Horses
In this article:
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?…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 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 Brenden Fisch Brenden Fisch 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Remsen St. Mary's | 2023 IA 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 Gavin Smith Gavin Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Audobon | 2022 IA 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. Jake Malcom Jake Malcom 5'11" | 150 lbs | DB Fremont-Mills | 2022 IA , Braxton Blackburn Braxton Blackburn 5'9" | 155 lbs | LB Fremont-Mills | 2024 IA , Paxten Van Houten Paxten Van Houten 5'9" | 170 lbs | WR Fremont-Mills | 2023 IA , Payten Van Houten Payten Van Houten 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Fremont-Mills | 2023 IA , 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, Kane Zuehl Kane Zuehl 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB West Hancock | 2022 IA , 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. Gavin Maguire Gavin Maguire 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Logan-Magnolia | 2022 IA is one of the best rock toting Fullbacks around and that defense anchored by Rex Johnson and Jordan Kerger Jordan Kerger 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Logan-Magnolia | 2022 IA 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. Aiden Hansen Aiden Hansen 6'4" | 235 lbs | DL Lisbon | 2022 IA has been nothing short of dominant at Tight End and on the Defensive Line. Jamien Moore Jamien Moore 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Lisbon | 2022 IA , 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. Dalten Van Pelt Dalten Van Pelt 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Van Meter | 2022 State IA and Jack Pettit Jack Pettit 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Van Meter | 2022 IA have been unstoppable on offense. Casey Trudo Casey Trudo 6'2" | 195 lbs | DL Van Meter | 2022 State IA , Ben Gilliland Ben Gilliland 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Van Meter | 2023 IA , Reese Moore Reese Moore 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Forest City | 2022 IA , 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. Dylan Wiggins Dylan Wiggins 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB West Sioux | 2023 State IA has torched defenses through the air. Headlined by Aaden Schwiesow Aaden Schwiesow 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR West Sioux | 2022 IA and Brady Lynott Brady Lynott 6'2" | 200 lbs | DB West Sioux | 2023 State IA 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. Ethan Schoville Ethan Schoville 6'0" | 175 lbs | RB Denver | 2023 IA and Caylor Hoffer have been dangerous out of the backfield and Tye Bradley has taken advantage of the passing game that opens up. Braden Powers Braden Powers 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Denver | 2022 IA 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: Easton Harms Easton Harms 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR OABCIG | 2022 State IA , Gabe Winterrowd, Treyten Kolar Treyten Kolar 6'2" | 150 lbs | LB OABCIG | 2023 IA , 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. Lincoln Snitker Lincoln Snitker 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Waukon | 2022 State IA 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 Zavion McMurran, Ryan Schiltz Ryan Schiltz 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB Estherville Lincoln Central | 2022 IA , Owen Larson Owen Larson 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB Estherville Lincoln Central | 2024 IA , and Daryl Jensen Daryl Jensen 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Estherville Lincoln Central | 2022 IA are some of the best around.