Breaking Down Class 1A Playoffs 1st Round
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The winner of the last two Class 1A state championships, Van Meter, is playing up in 2A this season. Grundy Center, which won the Class A title in 2020, is competing in 1A this fall. The Spartans are the top-ranked…
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Continue ReadingThe winner of the last two Class 1A state championships, Van Meter, is playing up in 2A this season. Grundy Center, which won the Class A title in 2020, is competing in 1A this fall. The Spartans are the top-ranked team.
Let’s take a look at this week’s Round 1 games in 1A:
4th Place at 1st Place
Ridge View (4-4) at Emmetsburg (6-2)
Emmetsburg is chasing its seventh win in a row after it dropped games against 2A playoff teams Central Lyon/George-Little Rock and Estherville Lincoln Central. The E-Hawks rely on a running game powered by Jace Nelson-Brown, Gavin Swanson and Carson Baak. Baak, Bradyen Yates, Jacob Fiene, Ryan Wirtz and Justin Wirtz help them stop the run. Lucas Heilman, Isaac Goettsch, Asher Endrulat Asher Endrulat 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2024 IA and Cayden Clausen Cayden Clausen 6'1" | 185 lbs | OL Ridge View | 2024 IA stand out for Ridge View.
Cascade (2-6) at Grundy Center (8-0)
Grundy Center is seeking its 22nd consecutive victory in this one, the last loss coming to West Hancock in the ’21 Class A state title contest. Senior quarterback Logan Knaack engineers a powerful Spartan offense that also includes Dayne Zinkula, Dexter Whitehill, Austin Betts and Colin Gordon Colin Gordon 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Grundy Center | 2024 IA . Knaack, Zinkula, Whitehill, Clay Saak Clay Saak 5'11" | 170 lbs | LB Grundy Center | 2024 IA and Patrick Brown lead a stingy defense. Cascade will need big games from Will Hosch Will Hosch 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Cascade | 2024 IA , Nathan Schockemoehl, Cass Hoffman and others if it wants to pull off the upset.
Hudson (5-3) at MFL MarMac (7-1)
MFL MarMac is pursuing a trip to the UNI-Dome after falling a step short of the state semifinals a year ago. The Bulldogs come in having won four games in a row since a 13-9 setback against Sumner-Fredericksburg. Senior quarterback Carver Blietz-Bentien Carver Blietz-Bentien 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB MFL-Mar-Mac | 2024 IA is hurting the opposition with his arm and legs. Wyatt Powell Wyatt Powell 5'11" | 175 lbs | LB MFL-Mar-Mac | 2024 IA , Quinn McGeough and Bryce Radloff also contribute to a sound running attack with Radloff and Brandon Christofferson standing out at receiver. Blietz-Bentien, Radloff, Bryce Diehl, Tristen Koehn Tristen Koehn 5'8" | 160 lbs | LB MFL-Mar-Mac | 2024 IA , Kade McElwaine are holding it down on defense. Camden Davis, Kiean Crile, Lyle Olsen Lyle Olsen 5'9" | 155 lbs | DB Hudson | 2024 IA , Drew Sundine, Josh Gilbert, Drew Roberts and Jaedyn Heasley lead upset-minded Hudson.
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (3-5) at Regina, Iowa City (7-1)
Regina emerges with a district championship following a blowout of previously unbeaten Wilton a week ago. The Regals are outscoring opponents by an average score of 42.3-12.5 behind an offense led by senior quarterback Gentry Dumont, Tate Wallace Tate Wallace 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB State IA , William Aitchison, Jackson Naeve, Ty Joss and Alex Jensen. Naeve, Wallace, Noah Clark, Andrew Greve, Ian Udell, Jack Clark and others shine on defense. The Rockets will rely on Russell McCrea, Landon Glosser, Brooks Moore, Corbyn Padgett and Blake Jager Blake Jager 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont | 2024 IA in trying to slay the giant that is Regina.
Shenandoah (3-5) at OABCIG (6-2)
OAGCIG embarks on the postseason riding a five-game winning streak which led to an unbeaten district championship. Brysen Kolar, Jaxx DeJean Jaxx DeJean 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH OABCIG | 2027 State IA , Kelton Ladwig, Ethan Behrendsen Ethan Behrendsen 5'10" | 145 lbs | WR OABCIG | 2024 IA and Jack Gilbert Jack Gilbert 6'1" | 200 lbs | ATH OABCIG | 2026 IA are among the guys making the offense work well. DeJean, Kade Spotts Kade Spotts 6'1" | 175 lbs | LB OABCIG | 2026 State IA , Andrew Parks, Bodie Hansen, Karsen Hoefling and Dayton Ullrich lead a deep defense. Shenandoah will look to ground the Falcons with a group led by Jade Spangler, Jayden Dickerson, Brody Cullin Brody Cullin 5'8" | 145 lbs | WR Shenandoah | 2024 State IA and Gage Sample.
West Central Valley (3-5) at Sigourney/Keota (7-1)
Sigourney Keota is steamrolling opponents by an average score of 45.1-13.5, leading to its current seven-game winning streak after a season-opening loss to PCM. Cobra quarterback Sawyer Stout stresses defenses with his passing and running abilities. He receives plenty of help on offense from Kale Clarahan, Issac Bruns and Cole Kindred. Kindred, Jake Moore, Aiden McGuire, Evan Vittetoe and Ashton Schwab are key components on a strong defense. Nate Gerling, Jathan Edgington, Trenton Naragon, Landon Osberg, Zach Teague and the rest West Central Valley squad are smelling upset.
Denver (5-3) at South Hamilton (7-1)
South Hamilton is outscoring its opponents by 33.1 points per game in sweeping through district play. The Hawks’ run-heavy attack includes productive ball carriers in Nick Severseike, Ashton Williams, Tjerdan Johnson, Kolby Hodnefield, Landon Greufe, Noah Gunderson and Jose Babcock. Williams, Owen Duns, Carter Stolee and Owen Renaud help make South Hamilton salty on defense. Denver is looking to halt a three-game skid behind key contributors Jaxon Sanderson, Micah Grier, Evan Dorn, Keaton Rothmeyer, Alex Moran and Logan Beaty Logan Beaty 6'3" | 250 lbs | OL Denver | 2024 IA .
East Sac County (4-4) at Underwood (7-1)
Underwood’s lone blemish this season is a seven-point setback against 2A unbeaten Van Meter. Sophomore quarterback Garrett Luett Garrett Luett 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Underwood | 2026 State IA along with Maddox Nelson, Graham Jensen Graham Jensen 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB Underwood | 2024 IA , Josh Ravlin, Mason Boothby and Jack Vanfossan stand out on an offense averaging 41.0 points per game. Jensen, Vanfossan, Boothby, Easton Robertson, Sam Schoening and Maddox Nelson lead a defense yielding just 5.9. East Sac County needs big performances from talented players like Tate Lahr, Landon Grindle Landon Grindle 5'8" | 165 lbs | ATH East Sac County | 2025 IA , Charlie Veit, Luke Wernimont and Bradyn Burns.
3rd Place at 2nd Place
Pocahontas Area (4-4) at Waterloo Columbus Catholic (6-2)
Columbus Catholic has three wins in a row and a second-place district finish to Grundy Center on its resume. Quarterback Carter Lockert Carter Lockert 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Columbus Catholic | 2024 IA , running back Parker Kjeldsen, and receivers Nick Merrifield and Myles Gardner Myles Gardner 6'3" | 180 lbs | LB Columbus Catholic | 2025 State IA lead a balanced Sailor offense averaging 34.5 points per game. A defense spearheaded by Gardner, Nick Merrifield, Aiden Hosch and Mason Knipp Mason Knipp 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Columbus Catholic | 2024 IA is allowing just 13.0. Pocahontas Area seeks a road win behind the efforts of Ryan Sommerlot, Gabe Ehn, Trevor Sturhenberg, Dominic Aljets and Ethan Behrens.
AHSTW (5-3) at Hinton (5-3)
This matchup could prove to be an exciting one. The teams appear evenly matched. Hinton prefers running the ball and playing stiff defense. On offense, quarterback Gabe Anderson, Bode Binneboese, Brooks Binneboese and Cole Friessen power the rushing attack. The Binneboeses, Anderson, Kyle Leary, Brogan Lake, Jacob Bishop Jacob Bishop 6'2" | 170 lbs | OL Hinton | 2025 IA and Karson Ludwig shine on defense. Camden Soukup, Luke Sternberg Luke Sternberg 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH AHSTW | 2025 State IA , Kayden Baxter, Gavin Newcomb and Blake Akers help give AHSTW a chance in this one.
Dike-New Hartford (5-3) at Manson NW Webster (3-5)
This game should be interesting. Quarterback Logan Moline is joined by talented NW Webster skill players Kamden Birkey, Matt Condon and Caydin Anderson Caydin Anderson 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Manson Northwest Webster | 2024 IA . On defense, Condon, Birkey, Grayson Klocko, Grant Pohlman and Tatuem Hanson make plays. For Dike-New Hartford, quarterback Colin Meester heads a dangerous offense that also includes standouts Noah Borcherding, Micah Walston, Devon Lotts and Carson Costello. Zachry Adelmund, Jack Severson and Jayce Jensen anchor a resistant Wolverine defense.
Ogden (4-4) at Pella Christian (6-2)
Pella Christian enters the playoffs a winner in four of its last five games. Quarterback Caleb Van Arendonk along with Benny Schirz, Cooper Spronk, Johnson Morgan, Isaiah Breems and Camden Parker play important parts in the Eagles fielding a dangerous offense. The defense is sparked by Spronk, Schirz, Trevor Veenstra Trevor Veenstra 6'4" | 255 lbs | LB Pella Christian | 2024 State IA and Brecken Ritzert. Colby Rohe, Cayden Dudley Cayden Dudley 6'3" | 225 lbs | LB Ogden | 2026 State IA , Quintin Hoskins, Keaton Westberg, Carsen Moorman and Nathan Comer make Ogden an interesting underdog.
South Hardin (4-4) at Sumner-Fredericksburg (7-1)
Sumner-Fredericksburg’s lone loss is a 10-point home defeat to Dike-New Hartford five games ago. The Cougars feature an efficient quarterback in Davis Van Sickle along with a trio of productive running backs in Noah Henderson, Jaxon Willems Jaxon Willems 6'1" | 175 lbs | RB Sumner-Fredericksburg | 2024 IA and Jesse Jones. Henderson and Willems are the receiving leaders, too. The defense relies on Willems, Jones, Jaymison Howard Jaymison Howard 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Sumner-Fredericksburg | 2024 IA , Achilles Quigley, Kallen Wilharm and Grant Henderson. Peyton Welch, Jaxson Drury, Sam Benson, Ethan Klendworth, Logan Faris, Caden Steding and Sean May are among a talented group at South Hardin.
West Sioux, Hawarden (4-4) at Treynor (7-1)
Treynor is the second-place outfit from Underwood’s district. Cardinal quarterback Ben Casey Ben Casey 5'10" Treynor | 2025 IA enters the postseason with 20 touchdowns throws and three rushing scores. Danny Kinsella, Karson Elwood Karson Elwood 6'2" Treynor | 2024 IA and Jace Tams also excel on offense, while Zack Robbins, Aaron Ehmke, Caleb Cooper, Brady Phelps and Joey Bittner deliver for a deep defense. Blake Wiggins Blake Wiggins 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB West Sioux | 2026 State IA , Tranquilino Flores Topete, Kolton Koopmans Kolton Koopmans 6'2" | 195 lbs | TE West Sioux | 2025 State IA , Bode Wilkens and Keegan McMillan Keegan McMillan 6'0" | 260 lbs | OL West Sioux | 2024 State IA help form a solid foundation for West Sioux.
Pleasantville (5-3) at West Branch (5-3)
West Branch is the second-place team in District 5, ahead of a Wilton team that defeated it due to a three-way tiebreaker with Regina. Got it? Anyway, the Bears play strong defense with Logan Wright, Reese Trepanier, Cale Seydel, Cooper Gates, Shae Farmer and Trenton Schutte among the standouts. Sophomore Brennen Dale is emerging as a dual-threat quarterback with Zach Capper and Auron Marsh also chewing up ground yard and Joe Hamann contributing at receiver. Braylon Bingham Braylon Bingham 6'2" | 165 lbs | QB Pleasantville | 2027 IA , Caleb Cook, Yusef Gulley Yusef Gulley 6'2" | 155 lbs | WR Pleasantville | 2025 IA and Dayson Leerhoff are standing out at Pleasantville.
Wilton (7-1) at Woodward-Granger (4-4)
Finishing third in District 5 after a three-way tiebreaker with West Branch and Regina, Wilton is the rare 7-1 squad traveling in Round 1. The Beavers’ offense is guided by quarterback Drew Keith Drew Keith 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Wilton | 2025 IA and features balance with running back Owen Hassell and receiver Cade Souhrada. On defense, Owen Milder, Kane Willey Kane Willey 5'11" | 210 lbs | DL Wilton | 2026 State IA , Damian Pestle Damian Pestle 5'8" | 150 lbs | RB Wilton | 2025 IA and Carter Drake Metzger make moving the ball tough on opponents. Woodward-Granger plays host with a strong collection of players in Oliver Potter, Talan Fuson Talan Fuson 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Woodward-Granger | 2026 State IA , Max Dalton and Kane Mahler-Moreno.