Week 1 Reactions: Top Performers From North Central Iowa
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Oh man, while Week 0 was nice, Week 1 was the full-meal for the state of Iowa and the 2022 prep football season. And boy did it bring with it some magical moments already. Teams took to the gridiron around…
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Continue ReadingOh man, while Week 0 was nice, Week 1 was the full-meal for the state of Iowa and the 2022 prep football season.
And boy did it bring with it some magical moments already.
Teams took to the gridiron around the state, and here in north-central Iowa, we saw some very memorable performances from players.
Here is a look back at some of those from Week 1:
Gavin Batta Gavin Batta 6'4" | 175 lbs | QB South Central Calhoun | 2023 IA – South Central Calhoun – QB
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.
Gavin Batta Gavin Batta 6'4" | 175 lbs | QB South Central Calhoun | 2023 IA , 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.
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.
Johnny Dickerson Johnny Dickerson 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR St. Edmond Ft. Dodge | 2023 IA – St. Edmond – WR
Last year, Johnny Dickerson Johnny Dickerson 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR St. Edmond Ft. Dodge | 2023 IA 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.
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.
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.
Alex Manske Alex Manske 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Algona | 2025 State IA – Algona – QB/S
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 Alex Manske Alex Manske 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Algona | 2025 State IA .
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.
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.
Bryer Prochniak Bryer Prochniak 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB North Union | 2023 IA – North Union – RB
As a junior, Bryer Prochniak Bryer Prochniak 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB North Union | 2023 IA 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.
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 Carter Morphew Carter Morphew 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB North Union | 2023 IA , who had 110 yards of his own.
The Warriors only really needed to work the ground game, but Prochniak is an exceptional receiver out of the backfield, as well.
Connor Carver Connor Carver 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Fort Dodge | 2023 IA – Fort Dodge – QB
It came in a tough loss to rival Mason City, but Fort Dodge senior Connor Carver Connor Carver 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Fort Dodge | 2023 IA nearly helped the Dodgers rally. Carver threw for 208 yards, completing 20 of 39, while also running for 76 yards.
Carver accounted for four total touchdowns, and constantly found his top target, Javion Jondle Javion Jondle 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Fort Dodge | 2023 State IA , who had 10 receptions for 90 yards and a score. Expect the Dodgers to continue to rely on Carver as they move forward.