Week 2 Whip-Around: Statements Being Made
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The data rolled in after Week 2 of prep football action around the state. Some developments this season were predictable while others have surprised. Either way, statements have been made. Programs have served noticed that they’ll be a factor in…
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Continue ReadingThe data rolled in after Week 2 of prep football action around the state. Some developments this season were predictable while others have surprised.
Either way, statements have been made. Programs have served noticed that they’ll be a factor in championship pursuits.
Here are some schools that have shined early on:
Bettendorf
Bettendorf ranks as a name-brand program with seven state championships to its name. It’s odd when the Bulldogs aren’t competing for titles.
That was the case last season when they slumped to 3-6 after finishing 5-5 in ’21. They entered this season motivated to get it going back in the right direction.
Bettendorf delivered a statement in Week 1 with a 30-10 win against rival Pleasant Valley, a team that beat it, 44-14, last fall. Friday, the Bulldogs improved to 2-0 with a convincing 48-0 victory against Davenport West. They started ’22 at 0-4 and dropped the first two contests the year before.
They’re leaning on the running game and a stingy defense. Quarterback Charlie Zimmerman has three rushing touchdowns and two more passing. Running backs Gavin Barta Gavin Barta 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Bettendorf | 2024 IA , Will Taylor and Jacob Whipple have a combined 52 carries for 359 yards and six TDs. Cooper Agosta leads the D with eight solo tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, while Dylan McCormick has six solo tackles (2.0 for loss) and an interception.
Bettendorf can make another statement the next two Fridays. It’s traveling to Urbandale first before a trip to Linn-Mar. The matchups could play a key role in determining postseason matchups.
Williamsburg
Perhaps nobody has made a louder statement in ’23 than Williamsburg. The Class 3A Raiders dominated 1A West Branch in their season-opener. They followed it up by stunning defending state 4A champion Xavier, 21-20, Friday in Cedar Rapids. The Saints had lost a combined three games during the previous three seasons.
Williamsburg is receiving strong quarterback play from senior Kellen Cockrell (65.1 completion percentage, 9 combined TDs). Iowa Hawkeye commitment Derek Weisskopf Derek Weisskopf 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Williamsburg | 2024 State IA has six catches for 84 yards and a touchdown with 13 solo tackles on defense. Braylon Wetjen, Rayce Heitman Rayce Heitman 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Williamsburg | 2025 State IA , Clayten Steckly, Micah Lang and Ian Stumpff also have played well.
Williamsburg plays host to rival Clear Creek Amana next week before heading to Fort Madison.
Norwalk
Norwalk served notice in Week 1 with a 52-32 triumph against a Carlisle squad that whooped it, 49-28, in ’22. The Warriors followed it up by outlasting rival Indianola, 21-14, Friday. Indianola won last year’s matchup, 45-33.
Senior Aidan Harder Aidan Harder 6'3" | QB Norwalk | 2024 IA is off to a great start for the Warriors, completing 68.0 percent of his passes for 804 yards and eight touchdowns with only one pick. Sophomore Eli Robbins Eli Robbins 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Norwalk | 2026 State IA has 12 catches for 403 yards and three scores, while Keilor Rodman Keilor Rodman 5'10" | 155 lbs | WR Norwalk | 2024 State IA has 10 grabs for 211 yards and three TDs. Defensively, all 18.0 of Will Clark’s tackles are solo with 4.0 for loss. He also has an interception.
Grundy Center
Defending Class A champion Grundy Center moved up a level this season. It delivered a 31-7 statement win Friday against rival Aplington-Parkersburg, which reached the second round of the 1A playoffs in ’22. Grundy Center topped Dike-New Hartford, 7-6, in Week 1 after beating the Wolverines, 17-14, a year ago.
The impressive 2-0 start comes on the heels of a 13-0 mark in ’22. The Spartans are seeking an appearance in a state championship game for the fifth season in a row. They can lean on senior quarterback Colin Gordon Colin Gordon 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Grundy Center | 2024 IA along with classmate Trent Cakerice Trent Cakerice 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Grundy Center | 2024 State IA , a preferred walk-on lineman commitment for Iowa. Brody Zinkula is a tackling machine, while fellow junior, Tiernan Vokes Tiernan Vokes 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Grundy Center | 2025 State IA , disrupts opposing offenses.
North Polk
North Polk opened the season with victories against two of 4A’s top teams in ’22. The Comets topped Bondurant-Farrar, 43-39, in Week 1 before besting Carlisle, 43-7, on Friday. Those opponents were a combined 18-4 last fall.
Isaac Zoske Isaac Zoske 6'3" | 163 lbs | QB North Polk Alleman | 2024 IA , a senior quarterback, has completed 60 percent of his passes for 496 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. Colton Manock Colton Manock 5'11" | 155 lbs | WR North Polk Alleman | 2024 IA has turned six receptions into 208 yards and three scores. BJ Tate has rushed for 145 yards and three TDs. Nathan Feldman, Brayden Foster Brayden Foster 5'10" | 175 lbs North Polk Alleman | 2024 IA and Cohan Torres Cohan Torres 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB North Polk Alleman | 2024 IA have stood out on defense.