Scouting Reports: Pleasant Valley at Iowa City West

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/10/photo-gallery-pleasant-valley-at-iowa-city-west/">PHOTO GALLERY</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa - </strong>Iowa City West started fast Friday night and didn't let up. <a href="https://yourprepsports.com/2024/10/19/woods-and-wallace-shine-as-west-high-knocks-off-third-ranked-pleasant-valley/">The Trojans overwhelmed visiting Pleasant Valley, 49-35, in an important Class 5A matchup</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West took a major step forward in its pursuit of its first playoff berth since 2020. It improved to 5-3 with a game at Cedar Rapids Prairie next week wrapping up the regular season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans (6-2) lost for the first time since an overtime setback against Bettendorf in the season-opener. Friday's loss dinged their postseason positioning heading into next week's senior night contest against 7-1 Linn-Mar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We published <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/scouting-reports-urbandale-at-iowa-city-west/">scouting reports</a> from the Trojans' game against Urbandale earlier this season. Here are additional West reports and the first rundown of PV from Friday: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["252328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67140d17ab57e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">VanWetzinga didn't play center Friday night, his likely position when he joins the Hawkeyes next season. Instead, he showed his athleticism by playing fullback and scoring a pair of touchdowns. VanWetzinga also impacted the game on the defensive line. He's a powerful athlete who could succeed on the interior of either line in college, but his skill set at center is very intriguing. VanWetzinga has steadily improved throughout his prep career and has a chance to be a difference maker at Iowa if he stays on his current trajectory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1278822"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671417931ab0a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like VanWetzinga, Schmeltzer stands out on both sides of the ball. He's more linear than his classmate, showing potential as a tight end and coming off of the edge. Schmeltzer is a good athlete who plays with physicality. He performs well within the PV system and has a chance to blossom in college with that discipline and a frame capable of adding strength without the loss of athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1320126"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671417931ab6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pleasant Valley takes advantage of Fierce's athleticism and speed at quarterback. He's one of the team's leading rushers and is an efficient passer that cashed in on opportunities there. A college program can bet on his natural ability and feel for the game. Fierce could be molded into a productive member of the secondary or, perhaps, a slot receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361707"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1535332,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671417931abc7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Diaz has put together a really sound high school career. He holds down left offensive tackle on this year's squad, using good footwork and plenty of power for success. Diaz's physicality, frame and agility would work well if a college wanted to slide him inside. There he can be used in space as well as for plowing ahead in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1038029"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671419bc5fc16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barnett has increased his reps as the season has progressed is making great strides as a.ninth-grader in the state's largest class. He looks really comfortable at right guard on offense, getting movement in the run game and showing an advanced feel for pass pro. Barnett also shines as an active defender up front, playing with good leverage. There's potential for a really bright future in football, and he's also a star in throws on the track team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238635"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671422ab3a710"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Headings is a good all-around athlete who's made a lot of progress on the gridiron. He housed a screen pass early in the game against Pleasant Valley, displaying quickness and sharp cutting in the open field. Headings accelerates quickly. His set of skills works well at receiver and keeps open the door for other positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1361552"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-671422ab3a75b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With playmakers all around the Trojan offense, Butali often is overshadowed. He's a key piece in helping balance the attack, however. He runs hard and keeps his legs churning, always fighting for extra yards. While he's not a burner, Butali is football fast with good instincts for the position, including vision and quick cuts. He's a reliable receiver and willing blocker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->