Breaking Down Class A Playoffs 1st Round

We will have a new champion in Class A Football this season with defending champ Grundy Center's move to 1A. The previous two winners, Britt West Hancock and Iowa City Regina, are in this field and contenders for the crown this fall.   Let's take a closer look at this week's first-round playoff games in Class A:   4th Place at 1st Place   Mount Ayr (4-4) at ACGC (8-0)   ACGC is outscoring opponents by an average of 35.4-20.3 points en route to a perfect regular-season record and the District 7 championship. The Chargers rely heavily on a rushing attack led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1359887' first='Jathan' last='South'], [player_tooltip player_id='252324' first='Mike' last='Fuller'], Anthony Solorzano and Nate Chance that piled up 3,020 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground. Solorzano also is a receiving threat. On defense, South, Chance, Tegan Slaybaugh and [player_tooltip player_id='156556' first='Payton' last='Jacobe'] stand out. Mount Ayr will count on big games from Jackson Ruggles, [player_tooltip player_id='1197489' first='Dyson' last='Thompson'], Tyler Martin, Tate Dugan,Matt Larson, Dalton Barnes and Bracken Collier.   Tri-Center, Neola (3-5) vs. Akron-Westfield (7-1), at LeMars   Akron-Westfield is riding a seven-game winning streak into the postseason following a 7-6, season-opening setback to Ridge View. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='156584' first='Laytin' last='Koch'] enters the postseason with 10 touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores. The senior is supported by [player_tooltip player_id='156640' first='Ian' last='Blowe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='252346' first='Tatum' last='Wilken'] on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='156648' first='Jack' last='Terpstra'], [player_tooltip player_id='252346' first='Tatum' last='Wilken'] and Carter Wilken are the top receivers. Blowe, Terpstra, [player_tooltip player_id='252346' first='Tatum' last='Wilken'], Ashton McCully, Lane Hemmelrick and Trayden Goodman anchor a stingy defense. Isaac Wohlhuter, Carter Kunze, [player_tooltip player_id='1668461' first='Zach' last='Nelson'] and Tristin Gunderson hope to lead Tri-Center to the upset.   North Linn (6-2) at Lisbon (8-0)   Lisbon is dominating opponents, winning every game by an average of almost 40 points. The Lions are appearing in the playoffs for a fourth season in a row. In '23, their high-scoring offense is led by Dakota Clark, [player_tooltip player_id='320800' first='Baylor' last='Speidel'], Henry Neymeyer, [player_tooltip player_id='1359934' first='Gage' last='Holub'] and [player_tooltip player_id='320803' first='Jonah' last='Reiling']. Reiling, Speidel, Neymeyer, Clark, Jacob Walerius, Tiernan Boots, Reid Fridley, [player_tooltip player_id='320802' first='Indiana' last='Ferguson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='320801' first='Matthias' last='Kohl'] all shine for a stiff defense. North Linn will lean on Jake Van Etten, Breckyn Betenbender, Landen Helmrich, Cole Griffith, Lane Sommerfelt, Austin McMahon and Cael Benesh in pursuit of the upset.   IKM-Manning (4-4) at Madrid (8-0)   Madrid reaches the postseason for the third year in a row and for the 29th time in its history. The latest edition of the Tigers is paced offensively by [player_tooltip player_id='1359880' first='Preston' last='Wicker'], Nash Ramirez, Tyler Fuller and Kyle Kruckenberg at the skill positions. Ramirez, Kruckenberg, Wicker, Terrin Lawrenson, Jayce Fuson and Alex Saxton play key roles on defense. IKM-Manning is a dangerous first-round opponent with Ben Ramsey, [player_tooltip player_id='1700977' first='Davis' last='Rasmussen'], Ben Langel, Ross Kusel and [player_tooltip player_id='1700975' first='Jace' last='Starman'] at the forefront.   Sibley-Ocheyedan (2-6) at Saint Ansgar (8-0)   The top-ranked team in Class A, Saint Ansgar is knocking off the opposition by an average of 33.6 points per game and are in the playoffs for the 19th time in the last 21 seasons. The Saints have 2,142 yards and 33 touchdowns rushing with [player_tooltip player_id='1406631' first='Connor' last='King'], Tyson Kline, Christian Michels, Regan Witt and quarterback Jayce Schwiesow carrying the bulk of the load. King, Christian Michels, Korben Michels, Hunter Hillman and Chase Nestvedt are among the defensive leaders. Dominic Marco, Dalton Wingate, Kayne Julius, [player_tooltip player_id='1221956' first='Dawson' last='Kreykes'], Cassidy Henrichs and Michael Block will try to lead Sibley-Ocheyedan to the major upset.   North Butler (6-2) at Starmont (7-1)   Starmont embarks on the postseason play after not really being challenged in District 4, where it outscored opponents, 213-26. Nick Willfong, the quarterback, along with Anthony King, Keaton Moeller, Avery Vaske and Isaiah Maker make the Saints potent on offense. Defensively, Vaske, Moeller, King, Owen Recker, Sawyer Beatty and Andrew Harkin bring the heat. North Butler looks for a difficult road win behind the play of Brody Wangsness, Tanner Arjes, Griffin Buss, Hunter Rademaker and Stroker Koop.   Danville (4-4) at Wapsie Valley (7-1)   Wapsie Valley comes into the playoffs having outscored the opposition, 228-14, in winning a District 3 championship. Traeton Sauerbrei, [player_tooltip player_id='1360051' first='Kanen' last='Decker'], Garrett Miller, [player_tooltip player_id='1360044' first='Hunter' last='Curley'] and Ian Buzynski stand out offensively for a Warrior team making its fourth consecutive postseason appearance. On defense, it relies on Sauerbrei, Decker, Jacob Schoer, Jackson Adair, Jonah Frost and Josh Leistikow. Jaden Bauer, Hayden Logan, Ayden Doyle, Kessler Whaley, Titus Svoboda and Byers Nealey will try to help Danville advance.   North Union (5-3) at Woodbury Central (8-0)   No. 2 Woodbury Central comes out of District 8 with a lot of momentum following a dominant regular season. The Wildcats will be appearing in their third consecutive postseason thanks, in part, to the exploits on offense from [player_tooltip player_id='248046' first='Drew' last='Kluender'], Zack Butler, Eric McGill, [player_tooltip player_id='1197475' first='Jayden' last='Lloyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1466909' first='Sam' last='Monk']. Kluender, McGill, Butler, Logan Jensen, [player_tooltip player_id='1094714' first='Jackson' last='Reblitz'], Holden Koele and Colby Gilbert are among a group holding it down on defense. For North Union, Grady Madden, [player_tooltip player_id='320836' first='Landon' last='Hagedorn'], [player_tooltip player_id='320837' first='Preston' last='Guerdet'], Talan Priester, John Waller and [player_tooltip player_id='320838' first='Colin' last='Rasch'] are key reasons why the Warriors won five games.   3rd Place at 2nd Place   Maquoketa Valley (6-2) at Columbus Community (6-2)   This should be a good one with two solid teams facing off. Columbus is outscoring opponents by more than 30 points per game. Sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1360486' first='Trevor' last='Phillips'] engineers a Wildcat offense averaging almost 50 PPG. The unit also includes talented players like [player_tooltip player_id='156492' first='Kaden' last='Amigon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1360482' first='Riley' last='Kaalberg'], Angel Venzor and Cael Phillips. Defensively, Amigon, Kaalberg, Cole Storm, Russell Coil, Elliot Wessley, Markell Zapiensz and Tyson Kaalberg stand out. [player_tooltip player_id='986657' first='Lance' last='McShane'] has 1,779 and 28 touchdowns rushing for a solid Maquoketa Valley program, which also leans on [player_tooltip player_id='1242831' first='Brady' last='Wall'], [player_tooltip player_id='1360440' first='Taten' last='Intorf'], [player_tooltip player_id='156639' first='Aidan' last='Salow'], Nathan Beitz, [player_tooltip player_id='1360436' first='Dylan' last='Knipper'] and Lukas Chestnut.   Central Decatur (5-3) at Earlham (5-3)   Earlham is in the postseason for a third year in a row and for the 15th time as a program. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='252234' first='Caleb' last='Smith'] leads the way for the Cardinals' offense this season with 1,152 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing. Quarterback Blake Reynolds is efficient, and the unit gets a boost from Ryan Stiles, Ty Forcht, Jeret Petersen and Klayton Wolken. Stiles, Blaine Tiedemann, [player_tooltip player_id='252234' first='Caleb' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1695291' first='Keeghen' last='Reed'], Ty Willem and Jeret Petersen get the job done on defense. For Central Decatur, [player_tooltip player_id='156619' first='Kale' last='Rockhold'], Sam Boothe, Nash Dykes, [player_tooltip player_id='156533' first='Matthew' last='Foltz'] and Dean Layton stand out.   South Winneshiek (5-3) at East Buchanan (6-2)   East Buchanan is back in the playoffs for a third consecutive year and chasing its first-ever state championship. The Buccaneers are led by Iowa Hawkeye offensive line commitment [player_tooltip player_id='125574' first='Cody' last='Fox']. The two-way lineman helps pave the way for talented running backs [player_tooltip player_id='248020' first='Tanner' last='Thurn'], [player_tooltip player_id='156581' first='Hunter' last='Bowers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1199295' first='Keenan' last='Pals']. On defense, he teams up with Gavin Reck, Carter Wilgenbusch, Tod Dawes and Clay Wilgenbusch. South Winneshiek is counting on stalwarts Kyle Kuboushek, [player_tooltip player_id='320857' first='Brady' last='Ohrt'], Nolan Sabelka, [player_tooltip player_id='320858' first='Parker' last='Timp'], Eric Kriener and Brody Tieskoetter.   South Central Calhoun (5-3) at Logan-Magnolia (7-1)   Like East Buchanan, Logan-Magnolia features one of the state's top two-way lineman in [player_tooltip player_id='573561' first='Grant' last='Brix']. The Panthers have a five-game winning streak and are in the playoffs for a fourth season in a row. [player_tooltip player_id='252349' first='Evan' last='Roden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1360023' first='William' last='Anderson'] and Calvin Collins shine with Brix on offense. Rex Meeker, Wes Vana, [player_tooltip player_id='1693438' first='Carson' last='Edney'] and Adam Roden are getting work done on defense. Gavin Batta, Zach Trott, Brock Nattress, [player_tooltip player_id='533059' first='Keegan' last='Soard'], Naylan Gulbranson, Cole Higgins and Zach Trott give South Central Calhoun a chance at an upset.   Pekin (6-2) at Lynnville-Sully (7-1)   Lynnville-Sully is perfect outside of a mid-September loss to Madrid. The Hawks are in the postseason for a third year in a row and seeking their first state title since 1986. Lannon Montgomery and CJ Nikkel comprise a running back duo with 1,045 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing. [player_tooltip player_id='156493' first='Corder' last='Noun Harder'], Lucas Sieck and Blake Van Wyk also play important roles on offense. For the defense, Nikkel, Van Wyk, Jack Bowlin, [player_tooltip player_id='1360359' first='Terran' last='Gosselink'], Klayton Van Dyke and Dawson James disrupt opponents. Pekin is counting on Will Adam, Sven Dahlstrom, [player_tooltip player_id='1199307' first='Henry' last='Adam'], Robert Brown and Alton Williams.   Kingsley-Pierson (6-2) at MMCRU (6-2)   These teams appear fairly well matched. MMCRU wins games with a strong offense led by Jonah Petersen, [player_tooltip player_id='1242834' first='Brayson' last='Mulder'], Dawson Pick, [player_tooltip player_id='607083' first='Kyler' last='Bork'] and [player_tooltip player_id='252309' first='Jace' last='Colling']. The Royals hold up well defensively with a group that includes Bork, Colling, John Schmillen, [player_tooltip player_id='1360443' first='Jeremy' last='Bjick'], Kaden Steffen and Noah Galles. Kingsley-Pierson is playing in the postseason for a third campaign in a row thanks to the play of Beau Goodwin, Brady Collins, Kevin Wright, Landon Howe, [player_tooltip player_id='1699486' first='Tyler' last='Koch'], Cole Thomas and others.   Lake Mills (6-2) at Nashua-Plainfield (6-2)   The third-place teams playing at the second-place squads in this class feature some interesting matchups and this game is no exception. Nashua-Plainfield is back in the postseason for a third year in a row. Tucker Franzen, Aiden Gelner, Titus Evans, Jackson Carey, Trae Geise, Dylan Blanchard, Aiden Sullivan and [player_tooltip player_id='156621' first='Tate' last='White'] stand out for the Huskies. Beau Kaufman, Logan Bacon, Carter Christianson, Alex Mannes, [player_tooltip player_id='1278901' first='Aiden' last='Stensrud'] and Lance Helming shine for a Lake Mills team tested against a tough schedule   Gehlen Catholic, LeMars (4-4) at West Hancock (7-1)   West Hancock as two state championships and a runner-up finish during the last four seasons. The Eagles are in the playoffs for a 27th time overall. Mitchell Smith, Jaxen Peterson, Kale Zuehl, Gustavo Gomez and Kellen Smith lead a balanced offensive attack. Peterson, Kellen Smith, Mitchell Smith, Creighton Kelly, [player_tooltip player_id='247996' first='David' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1359313' first='Brady' last='Bixel'] lower the boom on defense. Gehlen Catholic is on a three-game winning streak with the help of Kale Pearson, Cole McCarty, Chance Kallsen, William Harpenau, Gabe Wiltgen and others.

We will have a new champion in Class A Football this season with defending champ Grundy Center's move to 1A. The previous two winners, Britt West Hancock and Iowa City Regina, are in this field and contenders for the crown this fall.