Breaking Down Class A Playoffs 1st Round
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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…
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Continue ReadingWe 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 Jathan South, Mike Fuller Mike Fuller 6'1" | 235 lbs | RB ACGC | 2025 State IA , 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 Payton Jacobe Payton Jacobe 6'2" | 230 lbs | OL ACGC | 2024 IA stand out. Mount Ayr will count on big games from Jackson Ruggles, Dyson Thompson Dyson Thompson 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Mount Ayr | 2027 IA , 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 Laytin Koch Laytin Koch 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Akron-Westfield | 2024 IA enters the postseason with 10 touchdown passes and 10 rushing scores. The senior is supported by Ian Blowe Ian Blowe 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB Akron-Westfield | 2024 State IA and Tatum Wilken Tatum Wilken 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Akron-Westfield | 2025 State IA on the ground. Jack Terpstra Jack Terpstra 6'0" | 165 lbs | DB Akron-Westfield | 2024 State IA , Tatum Wilken Tatum Wilken 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Akron-Westfield | 2025 State IA and Carter Wilken are the top receivers. Blowe, Terpstra, Tatum Wilken Tatum Wilken 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Akron-Westfield | 2025 State IA , Ashton McCully, Lane Hemmelrick and Trayden Goodman anchor a stingy defense. Isaac Wohlhuter, Carter Kunze, Zach 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, Baylor Speidel Baylor Speidel 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Lisbon | 2024 IA , Henry Neymeyer, Gage Holub and Jonah Reiling Jonah Reiling 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Lisbon | 2024 State IA . Reiling, Speidel, Neymeyer, Clark, Jacob Walerius, Tiernan Boots, Reid Fridley, Indiana Ferguson Indiana Ferguson 5'8" | 205 lbs | OL Lisbon | 2024 IA and Matthias Kohl Matthias Kohl 6'0" | 200 lbs Lisbon | 2024 IA 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 Preston 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, Davis Rasmussen, Ben Langel, Ross Kusel and Jace 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 Connor 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, Dawson Kreykes Dawson Kreykes 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Sibley-Ocheyedan | 2026 State IA , 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, Kanen Decker, Garrett Miller, Hunter 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 Drew Kluender Drew Kluender 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Woodbury Central | 2024 State IA , Zack Butler, Eric McGill, Jayden Lloyd Jayden Lloyd 5'6" | 130 lbs | ATH Woodbury Central | 2027 IA and Sam Monk. Kluender, McGill, Butler, Logan Jensen, Jackson Reblitz Jackson Reblitz 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Woodbury Central | 2024 IA , Holden Koele and Colby Gilbert are among a group holding it down on defense. For North Union, Grady Madden, Landon Hagedorn Landon Hagedorn 6'0" | 205 lbs | RB North Union | 2024 IA , Preston Guerdet Preston Guerdet 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR North Union | 2024 IA , Talan Priester, John Waller and Colin Rasch Colin Rasch 6'1" | 220 lbs | OL North Union | 2024 IA 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 Trevor Phillips engineers a Wildcat offense averaging almost 50 PPG. The unit also includes talented players like Kaden Amigon Kaden Amigon 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Columbus | 2024 State IA , Riley Kaalberg, Angel Venzor and Cael Phillips. Defensively, Amigon, Kaalberg, Cole Storm, Russell Coil, Elliot Wessley, Markell Zapiensz and Tyson Kaalberg stand out. Lance McShane Lance McShane 6'3" | RB Maquoketa Valley | 2024 IA has 1,779 and 28 touchdowns rushing for a solid Maquoketa Valley program, which also leans on Brady Wall Brady Wall 6'0" | 165 lbs | QB Maquoketa Valley | 2026 State IA , Taten Intorf, Aidan Salow Aidan Salow 6'4" | 255 lbs | LB Maquoketa Valley | 2024 IA , Nathan Beitz, Dylan 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 Caleb Smith Caleb Smith 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Earlham | 2025 IA 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, Caleb Smith Caleb Smith 5'10" | 160 lbs | RB Earlham | 2025 IA , Keeghen Reed, Ty Willem and Jeret Petersen get the job done on defense. For Central Decatur, Kale Rockhold Kale Rockhold 6'0" | 170 lbs | DL Central Decatur | 2024 IA , Sam Boothe, Nash Dykes, Matthew Foltz Matthew Foltz 5'11" | 140 lbs | TE Central Decatur | 2024 IA 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 Cody Fox Cody Fox 6'4" | 265 lbs | OL East Buchanan | 2024 State IA . The two-way lineman helps pave the way for talented running backs Tanner Thurn Tanner Thurn 5'8" | 150 lbs | LB East Buchanan | 2024 IA , Hunter Bowers Hunter Bowers 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR East Buchannan | 2024 State IA and Keenan Pals Keenan Pals 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB East Buchanan | 2027 IA . On defense, he teams up with Gavin Reck, Carter Wilgenbusch, Tod Dawes and Clay Wilgenbusch. South Winneshiek is counting on stalwarts Kyle Kuboushek, Brady Ohrt Brady Ohrt 6'0" | 160 lbs | QB South Winneshiek | 2024 IA , Nolan Sabelka, Parker Timp Parker Timp 6'3" | 185 lbs | RB South Winneshiek | 2024 IA , 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 Grant Brix Grant Brix 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Logan Magnolia | 2024 State IA . The Panthers have a five-game winning streak and are in the playoffs for a fourth season in a row. Evan Roden Evan Roden 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Logan-Magnolia | 2025 State IA , William Anderson and Calvin Collins shine with Brix on offense. Rex Meeker, Wes Vana, Carson Edney and Adam Roden are getting work done on defense. Gavin Batta, Zach Trott, Brock Nattress, Keegan Soard Keegan Soard 6'4" | 195 lbs | WR South Central Calhoun | 2024 IA , 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. Corder Noun Harder Corder Noun Harder 5'9" | 155 lbs | RB Lynville-Sully | 2024 State IA , Lucas Sieck and Blake Van Wyk also play important roles on offense. For the defense, Nikkel, Van Wyk, Jack Bowlin, Terran Gosselink, Klayton Van Dyke and Dawson James disrupt opponents. Pekin is counting on Will Adam, Sven Dahlstrom, Henry Adam Henry Adam ATH Pekin | 2027 IA , 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, Brayson Mulder Brayson Mulder 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH MMCRU | 2026 State IA , Dawson Pick, Kyler Bork Kyler Bork 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn-Remsen-Union | 2024 State IA and Jace Colling Jace Colling 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR MMCRU | 2025 State IA . The Royals hold up well defensively with a group that includes Bork, Colling, John Schmillen, Jeremy 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, Tyler 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 Tate White Tate White 6'1" | 195 lbs | DL Nashua-Plainfield | 2024 IA stand out for the Huskies. Beau Kaufman, Logan Bacon, Carter Christianson, Alex Mannes, Aiden 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, David Smith David Smith 6'1" | 210 lbs | DL West Hancock | 2024 IA and Brady 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.