NW Iowa Watch List: 5A

As we stare down the barrel of football camp opening in August, here are some names in NW Iowa who will have an impact on their high school teams this coming fall. Northwest Iowa has quite a bit of talent in the DI, D2 and NAIA ranks. Their are several prospects in this area who will be leaning heavily on their senior film to get them noticed as iron sharpens iron in this part of the state. I have broken this list down into a two part series starting with the Class 5A MRAC prospects and then will branch out to our surrounding districts which include 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.   SIOUX CITY EAST: The Black Raiders new head coach Mike Winklepleck will make his debut August 19th on the road at Glenwood in a rare week zero game. The Black Raiders open up camp on August 1st one week earlier than anyone else in Iowa. Coach Winklepleck inherits a veteran roster with (9) returning starters on defense. Senior DE [player_tooltip player_id=’105144’ first=’Nick’ last=’Wells’] 6-3 (250) recently verbally committed to South Dakota State on July 2nd is a wrecking ball on the outside. Wells posted (73) tackles as a junior and piled up (24.5) TFL. With Wells likely to face some double team situations, senior DT [player_tooltip player_id=’247875’ first=’Cale’ last=’Pittenger’] 6-1 (250) who holds a current Morningside University offer will see his interest rise and will be the beneficiary inside after racking up (32.5) tackles and (24.5) TFL as a junior. Pittenger uses his hands well and is a solid technician inside. Pittenger understands pad level and the importance of playing gap sound football within the scheme of the defense. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id=’24025’ first=’Brady’ last=’Wavrunek’] 5-11 (200) is a solid hitter and reliable tackler at the second level. Wavrunek tallied (57.5) tackles and (7.5) TFL last fall and is inline to have a big senior year. On the offensive side of the ball the Black Raiders return skilled TE/WR [player_tooltip player_id=’152853’ first=’Kelynn’ last=’Jacobsen’] 6-2 (200) who is coming off a (53) reception season for (724) yards and (5) touchdowns. Jacobsen is a good route runner with soft hands and will stick his nose in to block to spring the run game downfield when needed.   SIOUX CITY NORTH: The Stars of head coach Mitch Mohr are coming off a (6-3) record and have a few prospects to keep an eye on this season. Senior OT [player_tooltip player_id=’320673’ first=’Chase’ last=’Keller’] 6-3 (285) has been receiving interest from several colleges along the D2 level. Keller is a classic mauler inside and moves well laterally. Keller most importantly is a finisher when blocking and will have two very good RB’s to block for this fall. Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id=’156577’ first=’Dayton’ last=’Harrell’] 5-10 (160) rushed for (527) yards in his varsity debut while scoring (7) touchdowns. Harrell is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield as he also tallied (17) receptions. Look for Junior TE/WR Zach Hesse 6-3 (195) to breakout this fall in the passing game to help take heat off a running game that teams will be focusing on.   SIOUX CITY WEST: The Wolverines of head coach Brandon Holmes has a trio of potential prospects that should have big senior seasons. Senior WR [player_tooltip player_id=’152845’ first=’Lamarion’ last=’Mothershead’] 6-4 (185) currently holds an offer from Grand View University and several others are showing interest. Mothershead is a talented athlete that competes in basketball as well but his frame is well suited to give defenses fits in coverage because of his ability to catch in traffic and high point the football due to his basketball skills. Mothershead (9) receptions in 2021 should see his touches go up considerably this fall. Senior [player_tooltip player_id=’152843’ first=’Keavian’ last=’Hayes’] 6-0 (185) WR is an explosive athlete in the open field and the Wolverines will need to get creative on offense to showcase his ability to make people miss in space. Senior LB Terrance Topete 5-9 (195) is a solid football player with great instincts. Topete pursues the football with good angles and is a reliable tackler. When you put the film on, Topete is easy to locate as he is usually around the football.

As we stare down the barrel of football camp opening in August, here are some names in NW Iowa who will have an impact on their high school teams this coming fall. Northwest Iowa has quite a bit of talent in the DI, D2 and NAIA ranks. Their are several prospects in this area who will be leaning heavily on their senior film to get them noticed as iron sharpens iron in this part of the state. I have broken this list down into a two part series starting with the Class 5A MRAC prospects and then will branch out to our surrounding districts which include 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.