Class A: Key Performers To Watch In Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class A semifinals hit the UNI-Dome turf on Thursday in Cedar Falls, with West Hancock battling Lynnville-Sully followed by Grundy Center meeting Woodbury Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All four teams are well-deserving of reaching this point, as none of the four have suffered a defeat to date. That, of course, is about to change. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of the key players who will likely play a big impact in which team hands the other their first "L" of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mitchell Smith - West Hancock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the opportunity a few years back to cover West Hancock and they were one of the more physical teams I have ever seen in person. While the Eagles still tend to love playing that brand of football, with Mitchell Smith at quarterback, they have evolved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith has thrown for 702 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year, completing 39 of 74 passes. He has a big-play target in [player_tooltip player_id='247896' first='Rylan' last='Barnes'], and can still hand it off to Kale Zuehl with success. But Smith is also a capable runner, racking up 893 yards and 10 touchdowns himself. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156493' first='Corder' last='Noun Harder'] - Lynnville-Sully</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more unique names in the state, Lynnville-Sully running back [player_tooltip player_id='156493' first='Corder' last='Noun Harder'] is as just difficult to stop as he is spell. The junior has rushed for 1,741 yards and scored 27 touchdowns on 146 attempts this year, adding another 137 yards and two scores in the passing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Lynnville-Sully to come out a winner and advance to the finals, they will need to get that same kind of familiar production out of Noun Harder they have come to expect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='320787' first='Colin' last='Gordon'] - Grundy Center</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Replacing a legendary figure at quarterback can be difficult, but Grundy Center's [player_tooltip player_id='320787' first='Colin' last='Gordon'] has made it look easy. The junior has completed 108 of 154 passes this year for 1,693 yards with 18 touchdowns. He has also rushed for another 406 yards and 10 scores, while also playing a key role on the defense for the Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gordon has 16.5 tackles, a sack, three stops for loss and two interceptions. You can bet he will be in the right place at the right time on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='248046' first='Drew' last='Kluender'] - Woodbury Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Typically, the smaller classifications feature more run-heavy offenses. That is not the case at Woodbury Central. And for good reason. The unbeaten Wildcats rely on [player_tooltip player_id='248046' first='Drew' last='Kluender'], a junior with a big-time arm. Kluender has completed 61 percent of his passes this year for 3,105 yards with 35 touchdowns and just six interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kluender has incredible targets in Eric McGill, a 1,000-yard receiver, Will DeStigter, Kyan Schultzen and a capable running back in [player_tooltip player_id='152758' first='Max' last='McGill']. This Woodbury Central offense is one of the best in the state, and will definitely test the Grundy Center defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->