Top Week 4 Games in Each Class, Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at Week 4 top games and players in them for each class:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week:&nbsp;</strong>Waukee Northwest (2-1) at Dowling Catholic (3-0) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>The Maroons look determined in their run for another state championship, dominating Ankeny, 35-14, last week. Northwest has bounced back from a tough 23-17 setback at Johnston in Week 1. Dowling has won the three meetings in this series by an average score of 34-12. We find out if one of the newer big schools in the state can match up with a traditional power. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: </strong>Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='294444' first='Sam' last='Johnson'] has carried a lot of the load for the Wolves' offense in '23. The senior has thrown three touchdowns, adding 251 yards rushing and five scores. Classmate Will Retz has been his favorite target, catching 10 balls for 185 yards and a TD, while junior [player_tooltip player_id='1280894' first='Maverick' last='Inman'] (9-150-1) also has been a reliable pass-catcher. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='248018' first='Harry' last='Leinen'] has disrupted opposing offenses with 20.0 tackles (19 solo, 7.5 for loss), 2.0 sacks and an interception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior signal caller Dante Cataldo has shown efficiency for Dowling, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 381 yards and a touchdown. He's kept defenses honest by running for 122 yards (5.3 YPC). Junior running back Ra'Shawd Davis has rushed 80 times for 514 yards and nine TDs, while seniors [player_tooltip player_id='208615' first='Curtis' last='Horras'] (6-151-1) and Hank Brown (8-117-0) have stood out as receivers. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1278782' first='Dylan' last='Manning'] has posted a team-leading 24.0 tackles (13 solo, 2.0 for loss) with 2.0 sacks, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='320773' first='Zach' last='Smid'] has 15.5 tackles (10 solo, 1.0 for loss). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in 5A:</strong> Iowa City West at City High; Johnston at Ankeny; Ankeny Centennial at Southeast Polk; Bettendorf at Linn-Mar; Cedar Rapids Prairie at Pleasant Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week:&nbsp;</strong>North Scott (3-0) at Western Dubuque (2-1) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>Top-ranked North Scott faces a difficult road test at the No. 5 Bobcats. The Lancers own a two-game winning streak in the series after Western Dubuque won four in a row. North Scott holds a 5-4 edge in the series. The Bobcats suffered their first loss of '23 last week, falling 22-20 at defending state champion Xavier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch:&nbsp;</strong>It's been written before in this space but it bears repeating - North Scott quarterback Kyler Gerardy is one of the state's best players. The senior quarterback has completed an astonishing 85.0 percent of his passes for 689 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. He rushed for a team-best 452 yards (12.6 YPC) and six scores. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1402859' first='Jerrod' last='Lee'] has 216 yards and three TDs on the ground, and Hunter Fox, [player_tooltip player_id='305767' first='Carson' last='Lage'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1279117' first='Cash' last='Bowe'] have been the top receivers. Colin Albrecht, Nolan Engelbrecht, Owen Jordahl and Luke Belken are among the players standing out on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1279823' first='Tanner' last='Anderson'] helps power the Western Dubuque offense with 583 passing yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. He's complemented by Grant Glausser, who's rushed for 517 yards (8.1 YPC) and five scores along with catching three passes for 122 yards and two TDs. Receivers Colin McDermott (12-229-3) and [player_tooltip player_id='320880' first='Brock' last='Carpenter'] (7-144-2) keep opposing defenses honest. Derek Hoerner, Mason Ruden and Hunter Quagliano lead a stingy Bobcat D. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in 4A:</strong> Norwalk at ADM; Lewis Central at Bondurant-Farrar; Humboldt at North Polk; Gilbert at Boone. Maquoketa at Marion. Council Bluffs Jefferson at Lincoln. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week:&nbsp;</strong>Nevada (3-0) at Hampton-Dumont-Cal (3-0) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>A pair of unbeaten teams square off having split their previous four meetings. Nevada is riding a two-game winning streak in the series after a thrilling 24-23 triumph last season. These schools are overwhelming the opposition through three weeks and now get to test their mettle against one another. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: </strong>Nevada junior [player_tooltip player_id='1406631' first='Connor' last='King'] has thrown for 402 yards and six touchdowns with 146 yards and a score on the ground. His job has been made easier by running back [player_tooltip player_id='247944' first='Cason' last='Stevenson'] (504 rushing yards, 4 TDs) and receiver Jacob Khounsourath (13-238-5). Kyle Kingsbury has made significant contributions on both sides of the ball. Junior Jackson Burlage leads the defense with 31.0 tackles (16 solo, 4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack) and has support from Will Palmer, [player_tooltip player_id='1242277' first='Isaac' last='Williams'] and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior quarterback Gavin Meader headlines the H-D-C offensive attack. He's posted 313 yards and five touchdowns passing to go with 250 yards and eight scores on the ground. Seniors Brody Walton and Karter Janssen form a strong one-two punch at running back with Tucker Heeren (9-167-3) stressing defenses as a receiver. Juniors Austin Hanson and Taylor Mahler along with seniors Cael Burmester, Karter Janssen and Aiden Polk are doing work on D. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in 3A:</strong> Williamsburg at Fort Madison; Solon at Mount Vernon; Assumption at Wahlert; Decorah at Independence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week: </strong>Western Christian (3-0) at Cherokee Washington (3-0) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>In the first-ever meeting between these programs, they come into the contest ranked among the state's Top 6 in 2A, according to the AP poll. They like to score. Western is averaging 33.7 points per game, while Washington checks in at 47.7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: </strong>Junior quarterback Kaden VanRegenmorter has accounted for three touchdown passes and two scores rushing for Western. Running back Tyler Mantel (44-364-7), and receivers Uchan Harberts (10-104-1) and Karsten Moret (6-83-1) have played key roles in a potent attack. On defense, Teague VerVelde, Taeten Kollis and Noah Hilbrands have stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Washington, sophomore signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1221948' first='Jaxon' last='Paulsrud'] has contributed three passing and seven rushing touchdowns. Running backs Logan Allender and Logan Allender have teamed up for 663 yards and eight scores on the ground, and Alec Schossow (7-83-1) has led the receiving corps.  Paulsrud, [player_tooltip player_id='1687045' first='Blake' last='Lovell'], Tru Timmerman and Tru Timmerman lead the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in 2A:</strong> Van Meter at Treynor; Central Lyon/George-Little Rock at Sheldon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week: </strong>Underwood (2-1) at AHSTW (2-1) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>There are quite a few interesting matchups in this class, but we chose this matchup of two AP Top 10 outfits. Underwood rolled in this contest a year ago, 55-6. That avenged a 47-14 thumping it took at AHSTW in '21. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: </strong>Underwood has received 697 passing yards and seven touchdowns from sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1221934' first='Garrett' last='Luett'] and 384 yards rushing with three scores from senior Maddox Nelson. Receivers Josh Ravlin (15-134-0), Mason Boothby (12-292-4), Easton Robertson (8-100-2) and Jack Vanfossan (10-120-1) all chip in. On defense, Nelson, Boothby, Vanfossan, Nick McKenzie and Sam Schoening are producing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nick McKenzie has provided four passing and three rushing touchdowns for the Vikings. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='245821' first='Luke' last='Sternberg'] (315 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and Kayden Baxter (190 receiving yards, 3 TDs) are other offensive weapons. Baxter, Blake Akers (25 solo tackles), Kyler Sandbothe (19 solo), [player_tooltip player_id='252322' first='Henry' last='Lund'] (13 solo), Nick Denning (20 solo) and Seth Pope (17 solo) help form a stingy defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in 1A:</strong> MFL MarMac at Aplington-Parkersburg; ; Dike-New Hartford at Sumner-Fredericksburg; Columbus Catholic at Hudson; Grand View Christian at Ogden; Pleasantville at Pella Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week: </strong>Madrid (3-0) at Lynnville-Sully (3-0) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>The top-ranked team in the class, Lynnville-Sully, plays host to the No. 8 Tigers. Madrid won the first three games of this series by an average score of 54-7, but the Hawks have claimed the last two meets by an average margin of 29-14. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: </strong>Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1359880' first='Preston' last='Wicker'] has tossed four scores and run for nine more this season. Senior running backs Tyler Fuller and Nash Ramirez have combined for 502 rushing yards and three TDs. Senior receivers Jayce Fuson and Kyle Kruckenberg have teamed up for 15 catches with a pair of touchdowns each. Wicker, Kruckenberg, Ramirez, Alexander Kasner and Terrin Lawrenson form a solid defensive foundation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynnville-Sully has gotten a touchdown pass and five more rushing from junior Lannon Montgomery. [player_tooltip player_id='156493' first='Corder' last='Noun Harder'] and CJ Nikkel each has scored twice on the ground and averaged more than 6.8 yards per carry. Blake Van Wyk has caught six balls for 97 yards and a TD. Nikkel and Van Wyk are disruptive defenders, while Wyatt Mathis and [player_tooltip player_id='1360359' first='Terran' last='Gosselink'] rack up tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in Class A:</strong> North Union at West Hancock; ACGC at South Central Calhoun; Central Decatur at Mount Ayr; Southwest Valley at Earlham; Wapsie Valley at North Butler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eight Player </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game of the Week: </strong>Winfield-Mount Union (3-0) at Montezuma (3-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Setup: </strong>Make a note that this is a mid-afternoon game on Saturday. Many eyes with interest in eight-player football will be locked in to see the result. Montezuma comes into the contest unranked but is 7-0 all-time against the Wolves. Winfield-Mount Union is unbeaten and ranked second in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: </strong>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1352853' first='Jake' last='Edwards'] has throws for 502 yards and seven touchdowns, while Iowa Hawkeye commit [player_tooltip player_id='156461' first='Cam' last='Buffington'] has a combined 659 yards rushing and receiving with 11 scores for the Wolves. Cole Milks also threatens opponents as a runner and pass-catcher. Army pledge, [player_tooltip player_id='156532' first='Abram' last='Edwards'], stands out as a two-way force, and Buffington creates havoc as a defender, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montezuma quarterback Brady Boulton has accounted for 22 touchdowns (17 passing, 5 rushing) and is completing 65.4 percent of his throws. Garrett Watts (18-327-9) and Cruz DeJong (11-144-3) have served as the top targets, and Broox Stockman lends a hand running and receiving. Watts, Stockman, Carter Michalek and David Rose are enjoying strong seasons on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Marquee Matchups in Eight Player:</strong> Gladbrook-Reinbeck at Dunkerton; East Union at Bedford; Glidden-Ralston at Baxter; Lansing Kee at Don Bosco; St. Edmond at Audubon; Iowa Valley at English Valleys; Moravia at Southeast Warren</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->