Season Preview: Class 5A Group 4 Players to Watch

While not as flashy as some other groups, 5A-4 showed last year that it's dangerous. Waukee Northwest knocked off state semifinalists Ankeny Centennial and West Des Moines Valley during the regular season. Valley , a fellow 5A-4 occupant, went on to reach the state semifinals.   The Northwest and Valley rosters will be loaded again. The Tigers might boast more talent than any team in the state. It looks like an uphill battle for the other squads chasing supremacy in 5A-4, but they still can enjoy successful campaigns.   Here's a closer look the group:   West Des Moines Valley   Outlook: After beginning the season with four consecutive losses and starting 1-5, Valley made its magical run to the UNI-Dome. The Tigers picked up playoff victories at Waukee and Pleasant Valley. Momentum was built heading into 2024, snd they're returning a roster capable of being the last one standing.   They employed sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'] as their starting quarterback last season, and he became more comfortable with time. A huge step could be in the offing with Iowa State pledge [player_tooltip player_id='847795' first='Xzavion' last='Robinson'] back at receiver after an injury wiped out '23. [player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283945' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] thrived seeing more reps in his absence. It's the best WR trio in the state. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='847993' first='Darius' last='Mason'] is adept at carrying and catching the ball. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1279870' first='Zach' last='Schemper'] is committed to North Dakota, and offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1209595' first='Marcus' last='McGregor'] is pledged to Wyoming.   The high-powered offense should be complemented nicely by a sound defense. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1280032' first='Cam' last='Cribari'] is heading to two-time defending FCS champion South Dakota State. [player_tooltip player_id='933187' first='Andrew' last='Price'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533051' first='Gage' last='Olsen'] join him in a loaded secondary.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1361677' first='Ryan' last='Arbab'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1273296' first='Derek' last='Ellens'], OL; Zander Freeze, LB; Dane Christiansen, S; Jarome Horn, DL; [player_tooltip player_id='582192' first='Jayden' last='Davison'], ATH; [player_tooltip player_id='233119' first='Dante' last='Sciorrotta'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='262734' first='Moses' last='Bunn'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241401' first='Alonzo' last='Jimenez'], DL; Donault Moore, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241402' first='Anthony' last='Mershon'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1241405' first='Trent' last='Grevengoed'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241406' first='Carlo' last='Bocanegra'], OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1241403' first='Caden' last='Flewellyn'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1240477' first='Joe' last='Mausser'], OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1241420' first='Luke' last='Wolter'], LB.   Waukee Northwest   Outlook: Northwest won five in a row to end the regular season, which included a victories against Valley and Ankeny Centennial. It earned a postseason home game, but Centennial spoiled that with a 35-7 triumph. The disappointment likely lit a fire under the returning Wolves, who would like to bury that memory.   They'll be replacing starting quarterback Sam Johnson, who also led the team in rushing. Talented running backs Caleb James and [player_tooltip player_id='1361719' first='Ryan' last='Woodruff'] will help the transition as will receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1280894' first='Maverick' last='Inman']. [player_tooltip player_id='1240556' first='Greyson' last='Beattie'] shows a lot of promise on an improving offensive line. [player_tooltip player_id='1361723' first='Andrew' last='Eastman'] is an active linebacker, and [player_tooltip player_id='1280014' first='Jack' last='Vinyard'] disrupts proceedings from his defensive line position. [player_tooltip player_id='1361736' first='Josiah' last='DeYoung'] can contribute as a two-way performer.   Other Players to Watch: Tanner Jackson, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1361738' first='Julian' last='Sweeney'], QB; Will Koenig, WR; Takoh Mbentah-Walsh, RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1204438' first='Joe' last='Vinyard'], TE; [player_tooltip player_id='1619483' first='Austin' last='Van Horn'], DL; Damarko Moore, DL; Abraham Parker, DL; Promese Niyonkuru, OL; Cole Tietz, OL; Jordan Green, WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1240482' first='Ayden' last='Gabrielson'], K/P; [player_tooltip player_id='1240481' first='Jackson' last='Davis'], TE; [player_tooltip player_id='1240480' first='Brady' last='Fitz'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1240570' first='Michael' last='Dunagan'], WR.   Ames   Outlook: Following an 0-3 start against tough competition, the Little Cyclones claimed victory in three of their final six games. It included dominant results against Ottumwa and Marshalltown, and they're returning enough talent to experience more success in '24.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'] makes plays with his arm and legs. He'll have one of the state's top young receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='1241492' first='Jeffrey' last='Roberts'] at his disposal along with dangerous running back [player_tooltip player_id='252230' first='Jamison' last='Poe']. [player_tooltip player_id='1241505' first='Matt' last='Hall'] is a rising tight end/linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1279720' first='Corbin' last='Blair'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1279718' first='Athian' last='Deng'] are talented linemen. Blaeton Busano, [player_tooltip player_id='1417921' first='Colden' last='Bray'] and Jackson Winkey return after standing out on defense a year ago. Austin McIntire is a proven place kicker.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1241494' first='Elijah' last='Cosby'], RB/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241491' first='Torian' last='Cotton'], WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1811136' first='Braxtyn' last='Brown'], WR; Leo Jensen, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241504' first='Johari' last='Muigai'], DB;   Ottumwa   Outlook: The Bulldogs enjoyed a pair of two-game winning streaks last season but they represented their only victories. Consistency and matching up better with the two top teams in this group are priorities if they want to push their way into the postseason for the first time since '14. There are pieces in place to make that happen.   Starting quarterback Matthew Mitchell returns as does leading rusher [player_tooltip player_id='252336' first='Cameron' last='Manary'], who is also a standout linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1417948' first='Koby' last='Chanthalavanh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1241507' first='Brannon' last='Flattery'] shine at running back and defensive back. [player_tooltip player_id='1417944' first='Dylan' last='Forney'], Ezekiel Payton, Trae Brown and Mazen Damerval are factors in the trenches. [player_tooltip player_id='1699719' first='Joel' last='Hallgren'] is a weapon in the kicking game.   Other Players to Watch:  Justin Ockenfels, RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1699723' first='Tyler' last='Schaus'], DB; Parker Derby, LB; Nolan Heller, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241508' first='Hayden' last='Palmer'], OL.   Waterloo West   Outlook: The Wahawks lost a heartbreaking, 21-19 decision to Ottumwa last senior night at Memorial Stadium. The loss kept them from finishing with a winning record for the first time since '17. On the bright side, they knew they were returning experienced playmakers locked in on achieving it and more this coming fall.   Offensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1221926' first='Carson' last='Nielsen'] is Prep Redzone's top overall player in the junior class. The Iowa commitment will be protecting [player_tooltip player_id='1581831' first='Brady' last='Dean'], who's back at quarterback. They'll be joined by productive running backs in Ben Frazier and [player_tooltip player_id='1234336' first='Deztin' last='McMurrin']. DeSean Kemp and Bryce Westemeier stand out as receivers and defensive backs. [player_tooltip player_id='848100' first='Dalten' last='Aldrich'] shines at linebacker and chips in at running back.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1238633' first='Torian' last='Doss'], WR; Nathanael Kline, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619314' first='Tucker' last='Satterlee'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1238637' first='Braiden' last='Riggle'], DL; Julius Jones, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1238634' first='Michael' last='Moeller'], WR.   Marshalltown   Outlook: Marshalltown lost its first four games last season before defeating Ottuwma and Des Moines Lincoln, two teams that finished with better records. The Bobcats enjoyed a winning mark in '22 and return a lineup that could make the postseason for the first time since '20.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1619522' first='Jacob' last='Hayes'] is back after a solid sophomore season. Xayvion Anderson stresses defenses as a runner and receiver then turns around and does the same to opposing offenses. [player_tooltip player_id='1417776' first='Johan' last='Gomez'] contributes at tight end and on the defensive line. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1183051' first='Davis' last='Ragland'] delivers as does defensive lineman Lincoln Barker.   Other Players to Watch: Nicholas Wise, RB/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1417902' first='Owen' last='Eaton'], DL; Ignacio Macias, DL; Jaxson Hinkle, DL; Sam Greazel, DB.

While not as flashy as some other groups, 5A-4 showed last year that it's dangerous. Waukee Northwest knocked off state semifinalists Ankeny Centennial and West Des Moines Valley during the regular season. Valley , a fellow 5A-4 occupant, went on to reach the state semifinals.