NW Iowa HS Football Previews For 9/23

Lawton Bronson (2-2) @ #3 Woodbury Central (4-0) Kickoff: 7:00 PM @ Moville   Highway 20 just outside of Sioux City has a great game on tap this Friday night as a couple traditional rivals get together. The Eagles will fly the 6.6 miles down the road to battle #3 ranked Woodbury Central. This is a series recently dominated by the hometown Wildcats and the Eagles are looking to strike through the air and are in pursuit of what would be a huge upset in the Iowa Class A associated press poll top 10.   The Wildcats have carved up their first four opponents by a combined score of 163-26. The offense is yet to score less than (40) points a game and is being led by junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='248046' first='Drew' last='Kluender'] who has thrown for (1,227) yards and (14) touchdowns. The running game is led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='152758' first='Max' last='McGill'] (285) yards and (3) touchdowns. Senior RB Ryder Koele has added (162) yards on the ground and (5) scores. A trio of wideouts have performed well with senior Will DeStigter (18) receptions for (314) yards and (3) scores along with junior Eric McGill (18) catches for (455) yards and (8) touchdowns. Senior WR Kyan Schultzen has tacked on (17) receptions good for (295) yards and (3) trips to the end-zone. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='152758' first='Max' last='McGill'] (28.5) tackles and (4.5) TFL is the leading tackler for a defense that allows just (6.5) points per game. Schultzen another LB checks in with (15.5) stops and junior CB Eric McGill has racked up (14.5) tackles so far this season.   The Eagles pack an offense as well with junior QB Braden Heiss who has passed for (1007) yards and (11) touchdowns. The running game can be effective when the passing game is humming. Senior RB Brayden Williams has rushed for (238) yards and (1) score. Sophomore RB Cowan Jaminet has added (109) yards on the ground. The talented wide receiver group for the Eagles is the bread and butter of the offensive attack.   The Eagles are led by talented go to junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='211690' first='Caleb' last='Garnand'] who has (23) receptions for (276) yards and (4) touchdowns. Senior RB Williams has (19) catches out of the backfield for (107) yards. Sophomore speedster Louden Grimsley (16) grabs for (250) yards and (3) scores is emerging on the outside along with junior WR Jesse Oehlerking (15) catches for (247) yards and (3) touchdowns. The Eagle defense is led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1418222' first='Marcus' last='Silva'] with (23.5) tackles and (7.5) TFL and Jaminet with (19.0) tackles. The Eagles defense is really going to have to settle in and turn away some Wildcat scoring drives to make this into a four-quarter game.   ANALYSIS: The Wildcats are off to a great start and ranked #3 but to date have not dealt with any adversity or seen a passing attack like the Eagles will feature. Wildcat opponents have completed 40/101 pass attempts for only (463) yards and allowed just (2) touchdowns through the air. The Wildcats have faced primarily ground oriented attacks. If the weather cooperates, this could be an epic shootout. The Eagles have a tough time stopping the oppositions rushing attack which ultimately could be the difference in the game. The Eagles need to be +2 in turnover margin to spring the upset. The stage is set for what should be a fantastic high school football game.   PREDICTION WILDCATS 35 EAGLES 27     <h2>7 SIOUX CITY EAST @ ANKENY CENTENNIAL</h2>   KICKOFF: 7:00 PM AT ANKENY CENTENNIAL STADIUM The Black Raiders have their first true road test this season as they put their #7 ranking on the line when they hit the road to meet up with a (2-2) Ankeny Centennial team coached by an Iowa high school football legend in Jerry Pezzetti. The Black Raiders enter this contest averaging (39.2) points per game on offense and their defense is only allowing (9.0) points a game. The Jaguars are scoring at a (22.2) per game clip on offense and allowing (15.7) per contest defensively. Something has to give here.   The Jaguars offense is led by junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='118822' first='Trenton' last='Smith'] 6-1 (205) who has passed for (585) yards and (2) scores and has rushed for (100) yards on the ground. The feature back in the running game is junior RB Elijah Porter (396) yards and (7) touchdowns is the main threat offensively. Backup RB senior Easton Miller has added (116) yards and (3) scores. The downfield receiving threat is junior TE [player_tooltip player_id='212833' first='Chase' last='Schutty'] 6- 4 (195) who has a team leading (16) catches for (218) yards and (1) score. Senior WR Nick Severson has (11) receptions for (101) yards and RB Porter has (11) catches for (107) yards. The Jaguar defense is led by senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='105167' first='Zach' last='English'] 6-0 (200) who has a team leading (28.5) tackles and (3.0) TFL. Senior DT [player_tooltip player_id='105141' first='Brody' last='Targgart'] (23.0) tackles and (5.5) TFL has been a force up front. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='320383' first='Colton' last='Kitt'] (22.5) tackles and (2.5) TFL is another solid player for the defensive unit.   The Black Raider offense has been moving the ball well behind senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='300098' first='Cole' last='Ritchie'] 6-2 (200) is completing (72%) of his passes for (1,109) yards and (6) touchdowns. The running game is paced by senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='24025' first='Brady' last='Wavrunek'] (207) yards and (7) scores. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='203402' first='Brecken' last='Schossow'] has had his moments as well with (98) yards rushing and (6) touchdowns. The Black Raider passing game has been extremely productive featuring senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='152853' first='Kelynn' last='Jacobsen'] 6-2 (195) with (36) receptions for (467) yards and (2) touchdowns. Senior Destiny Adams 5-10 (175) has (11) catches for (119) yards and a score. Senior Preston Dobbs 6-4 (190) has had a nice season as well with (9) catches. Wavrunek out of the backfield has (8) receptions for (167) yards and a score.   The Black Raider defense led by a pair of seniors in the defensive line includes division 1 prospect DT [player_tooltip player_id='247875' first='Cale' last='Pittenger'] (29.0) tackles and (14.5) TFL and South Dakota State commit DE [player_tooltip player_id='105144' first='Nick' last='Wells'] (37.5) tackles and (15.5) tackles have been taking turns terrorizing offensive backfields and are tone setters for one of the better defensive units in NW Iowa. Senior LB Wavrunek has been on his game with (38.5) tackles and (7.0) TFL. Linebackers Schossow (20.5) tackles and junior Daniel Durio (17.5) tackles have done a good job on the second level. The defensive secondary will be a key this week in run support. Senior CB Carter Reekers 5-10 (170) with (16.0) tackles and sophomore Dane Milton (17.5) tackles will be counted on heavily this week as will senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='247910' first='Dalyn' last='Tope'].   ANALYSIS: The Black Raiders have a very big opportunity in front of them here as yes, they are 4-0 but want to put their stamp on a marquee victory and make a statement in central Iowa on Friday night. This is a talented bunch of athletes that believe in themselves and their coaches and have very good chemistry on both sides of the ball. Ankeny Centennial lost to Ankeny by a touchdown 17-10 a few weeks back. The Jaguars are a very good football team however, I look for them to get ambushed at home due to their one-dimensional rushing attack. This will be a barn burner.   PREDICTION BLACK RAIDERS: 20 JAGUARS: 17

Access all of Prep Redzone

Continue reading this article and more.

NW Iowa HS Football Previews For 9/23

In this article:

Access all of Prep Redzone

Photo Gallery: Mid-Prairie at West Liberty

QB Confidential: Updating Progress of Top Signal Callers

NW Iowa Game Preview: Woodbury Central vs Gehlen Catholic

IA Class 5A Recap From Week 4 2026

Closer Look at Sophomores Standing Out