Top Week 5 Games in Each Class, Players to Watch
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Let’s take a look at Week 5 top games and players in them for each class: Class 5A Game of the Week: Cedar Rapids Kennedy (2-2) at Iowa City High (2-2) The Setup: Here’s hoping these two traditionally strong programs stay on…
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Continue ReadingLet’s take a look at Week 5 top games and players in them for each class:
Class 5A
Game of the Week: Cedar Rapids Kennedy (2-2) at Iowa City High (2-2)
The Setup: Here’s hoping these two traditionally strong programs stay on each other’s schedules more frequently. They did not face each other from 2014-2020. They’re in a tough group with unbeaten Bettendorf. The winner here stays in the hunt with the loser facing a steep uphill climb.
Players to Watch: Kennedy quarterback Vincenzo Gianforte is completing 65 percent of his throws for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns against one interception. Cyrus Courtney Cyrus Courtney 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2024 IA (35 catches, 661 yards, 6 TDs) is his favorite target. Running backs Trevor Scott and Jacob Doyle Jacob Doyle 6'1" | 210 lbs | RB Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2025 State IA have combined for 70 carries for 412 yards and three scores. Offensive tackle Nick Brooks Nick Brooks 6'8" | 340 lbs | OL Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2025 State IA is verbally committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes. On defense, Calvin White, Anthony Huber, Sam Adams and Christian Gasper stand out.
Junior Bobby Bacon Bobby Bacon 6'0" | QB Iowa City | 2025 IA has filled in nicely for injured City starting quarterback Drew Larson Drew Larson 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Iowa City High | 2024 State IA , completing 60 percent of his passes for 620 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Miles Parlet has rushed for 442 yards and three scores, and Carsen Newton (27-279-2) and Jeremiah Madlock Jeremiah Madlock 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR City | 2024 IA (14-328-2) have stood out as receivers. Dax Judge Dax Judge 6'3" | 225 lbs | OL Iowa City | 2024 IA , Sam Kueter Sam Kueter 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Iowa City High | 2024 State IA , Holdon Clay, Jalyn Ford and Jake Mitchell lead an improving Little Hawk defense.
Other Marquee Matchups in 5A: Ankeny at Iowa City West; Waukee at Johnston; Linn-Mar at Cedar Falls; Hempstead at Bettendorf; Liberty at Prairie.
Class 4A
Game of the Week: Glenwood (3-1) at Lewis Central (2-2)
The Setup: Glenwood has just a 17-14 loss at Harlan as its only blemish this season. Lewis Central reached the state championship game last year and has won the last six meetings in this series.
Players to Watch: Senior Kayden Anderson has completed 67.6 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions for Glenwood. Payton Longmeyer (24-313-3) has been his go-to guy. Kellen Scott, Tristan Meier and Trent Patton Trent Patton 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Glenwood | 2024 State IA all are chipping in at running back. Brodie Schafer, Nolan Clark and Logan Hughes lead a strong defense.
Junior quarterback Brady Hetzel has 909 yards and eight touchdowns with five interceptions passing in his first season as a starter for Lewis Central. Receiver Curtis Witte Curtis Witte 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB Lewis Central | 2024 State IA (18-378-3) has built on a excellent junior season, while Brody Patlan, Kamdyn Cross Kamdyn Cross 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Lewis Central | 2024 IA and Chance Chappell are powering the running game. Cross, Witte, Owen Thomas, Caleb Moore Caleb Moore 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Lewis Central | 2024 State IA and Nathan Beyenhof have been in a group standing out on defense.
Other Marquee Matchups in 4A: ADM at Boone; Ballard at Indianola; Bondurant-Farrar at Newton; Winterset at Norwalk.
Class 3A
Game of the Week: Harlan (3-1) at Creston (4-0)
The Setup: Creston defeated Lewis Central, 22-20, while Harlan fell to the Titans, 21-20. Harlan has won this match-up in each of the last six seasons.
Players to Watch: Harlan quarterback Will Arkfeld has thrown for nine touchdowns and three interceptions while adding three scores on the ground. Noah Schmitz has rushed for 230 yards, and receivers Cade Sears Cade Sears 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Harlan | 2024 State IA (17-399-6) and Brehden Eggerss (12-99-2) have stressed defenses through the air. Matthew Sorfonden Matthew Sorfonden 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Harlan | 2024 State IA has been a tackling machine, and Sears, Landen Kaufman and Franz Reisz Franz Reisz 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Harlan Community | 2024 State IA also have stood out defensively.
Creston’s Cael Turner Cael Turner 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Creston | 2024 IA has performed like one of the state’s better signal callers. He’s completed 68.5 percent of his passes for 1,201 yards and 14 touchdowns without an interception. He’s also scored twice on the ground. Brennan Hayes Brennan Hayes 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB Creston | 2024 IA has rushed for 559 yards and five TDs, while he and Brandon Briley have served as big-play receivers. Dillon Starlin, Jack Walter, McCoy Haines, Lucas Travis and Max Chapman Max Chapman 6'3" | 235 lbs | OL Creston | 2024 IA have enjoyed strong seasons on defense.
Other Marquee Matchups in 3A: Charles City at Algona; Hampton-Dumont-CAL at Humboldt; Heelan at Sioux Center; Clear Lake at Webster City; Fort Madison at Assumption; Maquoketa at West Delaware.
Class 2A
Game of the Week: West Lyon (4-0) at Western Christian (4-0)
The Setup: Western Christian snapped a five-game skid in this series with a 21-7 victory last season in Inwood. West Lyon was ranked No. 3 in this week’s 2A AP Poll with the Wolfpack one spot behind it.
Players to Watch: Bryson Childress is a dual threat at quarterback for West Lyon. He’s thrown for 594 yards and nine touchdowns with no interceptions, and rushed for 151 yards (5.1 YPC) and a score. Tate Hawf Tate Hawf 5'11" | 195 lbs | RB West Lyon | 2025 State IA has 284 yards and seven TDs rushing, and has added eight receptions for 141 yards and three scores. Carson Hoogeveen (12-241-3) has stood out at receiver. Jaxan Huyser Jaxan Huyser 6'0" | 200 lbs | ATH West Lyon | 2025 State IA , Evan Hildring Evan Hildring 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB West Lyon | 2026 State IA and Ridge Kramer have been racking up tackles.
Western Christian quarterback Kaden VanRegenmorter also has stressed defenses with his arm and legs, accounting for four touchdowns throwing and four more running. Tyler Mantel has rushed for 465 yards and seven scores, while Karsten Moret (12-216-2) and Uchan Harberts (14-125-1) have shined as receivers. On defense, Mantel, Barret Bleeker and Teague VerVelde have performed well.
Other Marquee Matchups in 2A: Central Lyon/George-Little Rock at Cherokee Washington; Kuemper Catholic at Greene County; Clarke at Van Meter.
Class 1A
Game of the Week: Grundy Center (4-0) at Columbus Catholic (3-1)
The Setup: It’s a Thursday-nighter and the first-ever meeting between two schools separated by 30 miles. Top-ranked Grundy Center has cruised since pulling out a 7-6, opening-game victory against Dike-New Hartford. Columbus fell by a touchdown to West Branch but has been dominant otherwise.
Players to Watch: Colin Gordon Colin Gordon 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Grundy Center | 2024 IA has 551 yards passing, 237 yards rushing and a combined eight touchdowns for Grundy Center. He’s joined by Justin Knaack and Brody Zinkula in a productive ground attack. Tiernan Vokes Tiernan Vokes 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Grundy Center | 2025 State IA (14-22-4) and Tanner Laube (12-131-2) have been top targets in the passing game. Vokes, Zinkula, Trent Cakerice Trent Cakerice 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Grundy Center | 2024 State IA , Ryder Ross and Ryker Thoren Ryker Thoren 6'1" | 165 lbs | DL Grundy Center | 2025 IA help form a strong defensive foundation.
Quarterback Carter Lockert Carter Lockert 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Columbus Catholic | 2024 IA is completing 76.0 percent of his passes for Columbus. He’s thrown for 12 touchdowns (3 INTs) and run for three more. Parker Kjeldsen has 608 yards and five scores on the ground, while Myles Gardner Myles Gardner 6'3" | 180 lbs | LB Columbus Catholic | 2025 State IA (20-373-4), Nick Merrifield (19-260-6) and Parker Kjeldsen are threats as receivers. Gardner, Merrifield, Aiden Hosch and Mason Knipp Mason Knipp 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Columbus Catholic | 2024 IA have sparked the defense.
Other Marquee Matchups in 1A: Sumner-Fredericksburg at MFL MarMac; AHSTW at Treynor; Aplington-Parkersburg at Denver; Sigourney Keota at Pleasantville.
Class A
Game of the Week: Saint Ansgar (4-0) at Nashua-Plainfield (4-0)
The Setup: These teams have played 11 times with Saint Ansgar winning 10 of those meetings. The Saints have claimed the last three victories in the series via shutout.
Players to Watch: Junior Jayce Schwiesow has thrown for 402 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions, and added 96 yards and a score on the ground. Connor King, Christian Michels and Regan Witt have combined for 515 yards and 10 scores rushing. Hunter Hillman (11-169-3) and Dylan Brumm (6-167-2) have led the receiving corps. King, Michaels, Witt and Korben Michels have shined defensively.
Nashua-Plainfield quarterback Tucker Franzen is completing 67.7 percent of his passes and has thrown four touchdowns without an interception. Running backs Titus Evans and Aiden Gelner have teamed up for 1,135 yards and 13 scores rushing. Trae Geise has been a strong two-way player as has Eli Kalainoff. Tyler Zimmer, Jackson Carey and Tate White Tate White 6'1" | 195 lbs | DL Nashua-Plainfield | 2024 IA have excelled on defense.
Other Marquee Matchups in A: North Linn at East Buchanan; Lisbon at Pekin; Earlham at Madrid; South Central Calhoun at IKM-Manning; North Tama at Wapsie Valley.
8-Players
Game of the Week: Janesville at Gladbrook-Reinbeck
The Setup: It’s the first meeting between the two schools. Their lone loss this season is a 36-15 setback for Janesville against No. 6 Clarksville.
Players to Watch: Janesville’s Dane Appleby has thrown for five touchdowns and run for 503 yards and six scores. Talan Pletz has 229 ground yards and two TDs, while Trevor Forey has caught 10 balls for 160 yards and five touchdowns. Appleby, Forey, Daniel Britt, Gabe Meaney, Kole Haan and Logan Lashbrook have done well on defense.
Isaac Clark Isaac Clark 5'10" | 135 lbs | QB Gladbrook Reinbeck | 2024 IA has completed 65.9 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and no interceptions for Gladbrook-Reinbeck. He’s added four rushing scores. Austin Vaverka has run 16 times for 190 yards and five TDs on the ground. Drew Eilers Drew Eilers 6'3" | 200 lbs | DL Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2025 State IA and Hudson Clark Hudson Clark 5'10" | 155 lbs | ATH Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2026 State IA each has caught five touchdowns. Eilers, Clark, Vaverka, Michael Boyd, Treyvon Herron Treyvon Herron 5'8" | 160 lbs | ATH Gladbrook-Reinback | 2027 IA and Garrett Gebel have led the squad defensively.
Other Marquee Matchups in 8-Player: Clarksville at Turkey Valley; Edgewood-Colesburg at Lone Tree.