Championship Preview | Top Playoff Performers | SEP vs. Ankeny

Several players from each program have played a pivotal role in getting to the first ever 5A title game and a rematch of last year's 4A championship. Take a look below at the athletes who have had impressive individual success and made significant contributions to their team through three rounds of playoff action. They will need to continue these trends to turn dreams into reality and hoist the trophy Friday night at the dome. Each team features several impact players; will someone on this list be the difference maker or will someone who has been a little quiet lately step up? Southeast Polk [player_tooltip player_id="23947" first="Jaxon" last="Dailey"], QB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10061822/Jaxon-Dailey">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/jaxon1538">Twitter</a> Don’t overlook the value of turnovers and hidden yardage; Dailey hasn’t thrown an interception yet this postseason and is playing great complimentary football. He takes his shots when they are there, runs the ball effectively, and, most importantly, protects the ball and makes good decisions. His veteran presence has been invaluable. [player_tooltip player_id="23942" first="Xavier" last="Nwankpa"], DB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10061863/Xavier-Nwankpa">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/xaviernwankpa01">Twitter </a> Nwankpa has caught a couple of touchdowns, returned one on a kickoff, and even threw a touchdown pass so far this postseason. He is a big time player making clutch plays in moments that matter the most. Nwankpa’s heroics have been featured many times this fall and he is showing, now more than ever, how much he is capable of. [player_tooltip player_id="148732" first="Cole" last="Filloon"], WR <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10061871/Cole-Filloon">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Cole_Filloon">Twitter</a> Filloon stepped up in a massive way against Dowling Catholic; his 4 receptions, 101 yards, and 2 touchdowns delivered what was needed to survive and advance against top competition. One was an 80 yard game changer and the other was a circus catch on a trick play. He gives the Rams the threat they need when they have to throw the ball. Abu Sama, RB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12782759/Abu-Sama">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/AB3_sama">Twitter</a> Sama has carried 50 times this postseason for 234 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has proven he can handle high volume against some of the best run defenses in Iowa; his style gives the Rams an added dimension and excellent change of pace out of the backfield. There is no quit in Sama’s runs, which have been tough, gritty, and physical. [player_tooltip player_id="100804" first="Andrew" last="Reed"], LB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10061878/Andrew-Reed">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/reed3410">Twitter</a> The Rams have not allowed a team to rush for 100 yards; Johnston had -29. Reed, who has sealed off rushing lanes all season, is still shutting it down and then some. He’s brought pressure and terrific coverage from the middle of the field. Reed picked one off against Dowling and had a Sack against Johnston that showcased a great pass rush. [player_tooltip player_id="220467" first="Caleb" last="Chebuhar"], LB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12808744/Caleb-Chebuhar">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CalebChebuhar">Twitter</a> Chebuhar has been as important as anyone when it comes to the Rams’ success defending the run. The Sophomore has done an incredible job of defeating blocks and stuffing gaps from the backside of formations. Chebuhar made a touchdown saving play inches in front of the goal line against Dowling; he’s tallied 15 tackles so far. Draven Woods, DL, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12808742/Draven-Woods">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Draven_woods54">Twitter</a> Woods recorded 5 sacks and 21.5 TFL in the regular season; through three postseason games he has 4 sacks and 6 TFL. The pressure he has gotten on the Quarterback against excellent Offensive Linemen has been impressive as he continues to elevate his game. Disrupting the pocket will be a key to victory in the championship and he can do it. Obald Niyonkuru, DL, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12782624/Obald-Niyonkuru">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Obaldn">Twitter</a> Niyonkuru was very steady through the first two weeks plugging up inside gaps and assisting teammates. He erupted in the semis against City High for 9.5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 interception, and 2 batted passes. His dominance on the interior of the Defensive Line has paid personal dividends and elevated the Rams’ entire front seven. Ankeny [player_tooltip player_id="23967" first="Colin" last="Kadolph"], RB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11103176/Colin-Kadolph">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KadolphColin">Twitter</a> Kadolph put together a gigantic semifinals performance that brought his offensive playoff totals to 616 total yards and 8 touchdowns. Ankeny’s new record holder in every rushing and scoring category has arguably been MVP of the Iowa playoffs to this point. He looks as confident and dynamic as ever behind Ankeny’s pulling Guards. [player_tooltip player_id="104081" first="JJ" last="Kohl"], QB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11882528/JJ-Kohl">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/JJKohl3">Twitter</a> Kohl hasn’t needed to yet, but he has shown through three postseason games that he can put the team on his back if necessary. He has thrown 6 touchdowns on just 46 attempts through the first three rounds. He threw a long sideline fade for a touchdown across the field from the right hash against Valley that was right on the money. Brady McCullough, WR, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11295378/Brady-M-McCullough">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/bradymc18">Twitter</a> McCullough has been a model of consistency this postseason, scoring in each of Ankeny’s three contests on a relatively low volume of targets. He ran as crisp of a red zone route as you could ask for against Northwest to shake man coverage and get his feet down in bounds. McCullough is a matchup nightmare at a speedy 6’4. [player_tooltip player_id="104798" first="Joseph" last="Kingston"], OL, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12764734/Joseph-Kingston">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/joe74kingston">Twitter</a> There aren’t many Offensive Linemen out there who can get a two for one on a downblock like Kingston can. The way he pins and washes Defensive Linemen then releases to an Inside Linebacker to seal an alley on Power is elite. Blocking like that has led Ankeny to an average of 208 rushing yards through three playoff games. [player_tooltip player_id="100843" first="Tamden" last="Webb-Tate"], LB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16270782/Tamden-WebbTate">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/TamdenWebbTate">Twitter</a> One of the most impressive team statistics to this point in the playoffs is how Ankeny has only given up 117 yards rushing through three games. Webb-Tate’s dominance near the line of scrimmage has been a big contributing factor. He has posted a whopping 18.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 6.5 TFL during this impressive stretch. [player_tooltip player_id="23955" first="Ryan" last="Crandall"], DB, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11103172/Ryan-Crandall">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ryancrandall4">Twitter</a> Ankeny has jumped out to commanding leads and forced teams into predictable situations. They have had no success with Crandall looming over the top and bottling everything up; opponents have only managed 4.1 yards per play against the Hawks this postseason. His 20 tackles have severely limited offenses. [player_tooltip player_id="23957" first="Braden" last="Simonsen"], DL, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11103383/Braden-Simonsen">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/BradenSimonsen">Twitter</a> Simonsen has been a consistent source of chaos in the backfield all season. He has lined up everywhere across the front this postseason on his way to 11 tackles and 2 sacks; the result of the matchup problems he creates for opponents. His explosiveness, body control, and ability to track the ball has been a deadly combination. Sean Gavin , Edge, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11103150/Sean-Gavin">hudl</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanGavinn">Twitter</a> The pressure Ankeny has established through stunts, blitzes, and superior technique is what nightmares are made of. Gavin, on top of 14 tackles and 2 sacks, has been a source of violent, momentum seizing plays. He wrecked a Quarterback in the mesh and destroyed a Quarterback’s blindside on a sack among other big postseason hits.