Week 1 Reactions: Top Performers From North Central Iowa

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh man, while Week 0 was nice, Week 1 was the full-meal for the state of Iowa and the 2022 prep football season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And boy did it bring with it some magical moments already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams took to the gridiron around the state, and here in north-central Iowa, we saw some very memorable performances from players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look back at some of those from Week 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320675' first='Gavin' last='Batta'] - South Central Calhoun - QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the years, South Central Calhoun has been a run-first program under Bryan Case. The Titans, though, have never completely shied away from throwing the football. And this year, they could be even more of a pass-happy attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='320675' first='Gavin' last='Batta'], a junior returning starter, took advantage of his opportunity vs. East Sac County last week, throwing for 308 yards with four touchdowns. He completed 13 of 21 passes, and even added a rushing score to his night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Batta is a smart, athletic quarterback who will be a three-year starter by the time it is all said and done. He is efficient with the football and knows when to make the right read. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320690' first='Johnny' last='Dickerson'] - St. Edmond - WR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, [player_tooltip player_id='320690' first='Johnny' last='Dickerson'] showed a big-play ability. However, consistency was still needed out of the then-junior. Now, a year older, Dickerson flashed just that in the season opener for St. Edmond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lengthy threat, Dickerson hauled in two highlight-reel touchdowns in the end zone in a 65-19 victory for the Gaels over Ar-We-Va. He finished the night with five catches for 88 yards while also playing defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dickerson has soft hands, as evident by his all-hands first TD catch. He works his body and uses his frame to his advantage against defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='252221' first='Alex' last='Manske'] - Algona - QB/S</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How about this for your first start as quarterback? Throw three touchdowns, run for 104 yards and a score, oh, and make 10.5 tackles on defense. That was the night for Algona sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='252221' first='Alex' last='Manske'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manske, an all-stater as a freshman on the defensive side of the ball, replaced his brother, Tyler Manske, under center for the Bulldogs. He directed the offense to 33 first-half points in a 39-27 victory over Emmetsburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler Manske helped Algona get to the state semifinals as a sophomore, and his brother just might be able to do the same if he keeps this up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='104719' first='Bryer' last='Prochniak'] - North Union - RB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior, [player_tooltip player_id='104719' first='Bryer' last='Prochniak'] carved up defenses, rushing for over 1,000 yards. After last Friday night, he is well on track to eclipse that number with ease this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prochniak racked up 175 yards and four touchdowns in a win for North Union over Okoboji. He averaged eight yards per carry and formed a deadly 1-2 duo with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='320625' first='Carter' last='Morphew'], who had 110 yards of his own. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors only really needed to work the ground game, but Prochniak is an exceptional receiver out of the backfield, as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='152539' first='Connor' last='Carver'] - Fort Dodge - QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It came in a tough loss to rival Mason City, but Fort Dodge senior [player_tooltip player_id='152539' first='Connor' last='Carver'] nearly helped the Dodgers rally. Carver threw for 208 yards, completing 20 of 39, while also running for 76 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carver accounted for four total touchdowns, and constantly found his top target, [player_tooltip player_id='104716' first='Javion' last='Jondle'], who had 10 receptions for 90 yards and a score. Expect the Dodgers to continue to rely on Carver as they move forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->