2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 3

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-1/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-2/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 2</a>   No need to squint anymore when looking to the start of the Iowa high school football season. A new campaign kicks off on Aug. 29 with teams from across the state pursuing that magical run to a November appearance in the UNI-Dome.   Prep Redzone Iowa is getting readers ready for the action with group and district previews. Next up is Class 5A Group 3:   AMES   2024 Record: 1-8   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'], QB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241494' first='Elijah' last='Cosby'], RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1617718' first='Brennan' last='Swanson'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1241491' first='Torian' last='Cotton'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1241504' first='Johari' last='Muigai'], DB;  [player_tooltip player_id='1700970' first='Brandon' last='Johnson'], DE;  [player_tooltip player_id='1811136' first='Braxtyn' last='Brown'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1632044' first='Casey' last='Wilhite'], OL.   Notable Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='1241492' first='Jeffrey' last='Roberts']; Jackson Winkey; Colden Bray; Blaeton Busano; Athian Deng.   Key Games: Aug. 29 at Marshalltown; Sept. 5 at Urbandale; Sept. 26 at Des Moines Roosevelt   Outlook: There's no denying Ames lost some talented players after the 2024 campaign. Roberts transferring to Dowling was a big hit. That said, the Little Cyclones should be excited. They return an accomplished group of student-athletes capable of taking a sizable step forward. Cantonwine leads the charge as a dual-threat quarterback. He's an excellent athlete with developing skills at the position. He appears poised for a super senior season. Cantonwine can take comfort in having the talented receiver tandem of Swanson and Cotton. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1241505' first='Matt' last='Hall'] flashes potential. Cosby is an excellent breakout pick for 2025. Wilhite will anchor an offensive line looking for improvement as a group. Muigai and Brown can be counted on in a strong secondary, and Johnson is disruptive up front.   ANKENY   2024 Record: 6-5   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='401669' first='Daniel' last='Larmie'], RB; [player_tooltip player_id='897474' first='Andrew' last='Brandhorst'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1619654' first='Owen' last='Fischer'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1105160' first='Dawson' last='Whitinger'], LB; La'Marious Clark, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619403' first='Nathan' last='Becker']; LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1687041' first='Owen' last='Liechti'], OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1238537' first='Zach' last='Breitbach'], OL.   Notable Losses: Luke Anderson; Caden Henkes; Evan Irlmeier; Kinnick Vos; Tristan Hill; Ben Taylor; Ez Pinks; Manning Allen; Andrew Haase; Kingston Ukpabi; Karsten Bernholtz; Ryan Harrington; Jack Dorfler; Sam Sandvig.   Key Games: Sept. 5 at Waukee; Sept. 19 at Centennial; Oct. 17 vs Valley   Outlook: After a slow start to 2024, when it lost three of its first four games, Ankeny was a tough out. The Hawks defeated Dowling and Valley before reaching the state quarterfinals, where they dropped a 21-13 decision at Iowa City Liberty. Graduation losses will be challenging to overcome, but Ankeny returns plenty of production and with a strong program foundation that traditionally reloads. Larmie and Brandhorst rank among the best players at their positions statewide. Fischer is prepared for a bigger role. Leichtie (Columbia) and Breitbach anchor what should be a solid O-Line. Whitinger, a relentless performer, teams up with Becker as an impressive 1-2 punch at linebacker. [player_tooltip player_id='1691619' first='Kael' last='Roush'] has waited his turn and is prepared to compete to be QB1.   COUNCIL BLUFFS LINCOLN   2024 Record: 5-4   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1619672' first='Andre' last='Rogers'], RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1421462' first='Christopher' last='Lee'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1692354' first='Grant' last='Hughey'], TE; [player_tooltip player_id='1619332' first='Rylan' last='Dorr'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619450' first='Rolando' last='Olivares'], DB; Kowen Dighton, LB.   Notable Losses: Etienne Higgins; Isaiah Lusajo; Aiden Sandbothe; Cael Hansen; Parker Henry; Jonathan Amador Zavala.   Key Games: Sept. 19 at Council Bluffs Jefferson; Oct. 3 at Ames; Oct. 10 vs Des Moines Roosevelt   Outlook: The Lynx will face a manageable schedule, needing to stack wins if it hopes to reach the playoffs in a non-covid season for the first time since 2014. There's reason for optimism that it can happen. Rogers is a reliable running back capable of carrying the load. Hughey is a tight end with breakout potential. Lee and Olivares are playmakers in the secondary, while the same can be said about Dorr and Dighton on the defense's second level. Matchups with rival Jefferson, Ames and Des Moines Roosevelt set up as swing games for Lincoln.   DES MOINES ROOSEVELT   2024 Record: 1-8   Top Returnees: Jayden Shields, RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1704093' first='Evan' last='Wold'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619424' first='Ty'Jon' last='Bradford'], DB.   Notable Losses: Jonah Calderon; Ty Scott; Eddie Fulton; Alex Phanthoudeth; Rylan Malloy; Agustan Christensen; Quentin Harrison;  Isaac Karla; Louden Plumb; Mohamed Guma.   Key Games: Aug. 29 vs Des Moines Lincoln; Sept. 5 at Des Moines East; Oct. 17 vs Ottumwa   Outlook: Graduation hit the Roughriders hard after the 2024 season. They'll be replacing plenty of lost production from a one-win squad. It opens up a lot of opportunities for student-athletes on the west side of Des Moines. Their top returnees should be motivated after a tough campaign. Shields is a talented young running back that could break out this fall. Wold and Bradford give Roosevelt a pair of playmakers in the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='1361567' first='Kai' last='Molzen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1700984' first='Apollo' last='Potter'] are among a group of guys pushing for more game reps.   JOHNSTON   2024 Record: 8-3 (5A State Quarterfinalist)   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1616438' first='Emri' last='Jones'], RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1198833' first='Bryce' last='Beachem'], WR/DB; Tino Daye, WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1619376' first='Max' last='Mincks'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619510' first='Caleb' last='Gbarjolo'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1687003' first='Cohen' last='Vannausdle'], OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1241376' first='Colton' last='McClish'], OL;   Notable Losses: Will Nuss; D'Angleo Barkue; Nathan King; Vincent Peterson; Kolby Gibbons; Austin Gray; Andrew Kallen; Jacob Helgeson; Micah Cook; Jeffrey Scott; Nick Darling;   Key Games: Aug. 29 vs Waukee; Sept. 19 vs Iowa City Liberty; Oct. 17 at Southeast Polk   Outlook: The Dragons fell, 38-35, at Valley, a crushing way to end the 2024 campaign a victory short of the UNI-Dome. Winning eight games was an accomplishment, however, and this group should be motivated to take the next step. Nuss' successful run behind center ends, leaving big shoes to fill. Johnston will be tasked with replacing a talented graduating class, overall. [player_tooltip player_id='1221251' first='Trevin' last='Helming'] is a prime candidate to take over at quarterback. Jones, Daye and Beachem are dangerous skill players, the latter also shining on defense. Vannausdle and McClish (Northwest Missouri State) anchor what could be an O-Line serving as a team strength. Mincks messes up opposing game plans, and Gbarjolo delivers in the secondary.   SIOUX CITY EAST   2024 Record: 6-4   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1238521' first='Cal' last='Jepsen'], QB; [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'], DB-TE; [player_tooltip player_id='1619632' first='Quinton' last='Ashcraft'], WR; Austin Sheppard, WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1617667' first='Tanner' last='Hamilton'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1105157' first='Christopher' last='Ford'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='856405' first='Jack' last='Ohman'], DE; [player_tooltip player_id='773219' first='Jacob' last='Breyfogle'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619359' first='James' last='Hogancamp'] Jr., LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241400' first='Colin' last='Pittenger'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1617668' first='Kuper' last='Fritz'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1583610' first='Landan' last='Monk'], DL/OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1105159' first='Darrian' last='Anderson'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1075432' first='Isaiah' last='King'], OL.   Notable Losses: Myles Wegher; John Yates; Louden Grimsley; Dane Milton; Manasse Kasongo Malu; Jacob Borall.   Key Games: Sept. 12 at Bishop Heelan; Sept. 26 at Ankeny; Oct. 10 at Johnston   Outlook: The Black Raiders will be competing for their fourth playoff appearance in the row. The previous three trips ended in the opening round. East boasts the roster to take the next step. Jepsen and Clayborne are veteran playmakers whose athleticism stands out. Ashcraft and Sheppard provide Jepsen with high-end targets in the passing attack. King is an excellent O-Line anchor. Ohman, Monk, Anderson, Pittenger, [player_tooltip player_id='773219' first='Jacob' last='Breyfogle'], [player_tooltip player_id='1619359' first='James' last='Hogancamp'] Jr., Fritz, Hamilton and Ford are reliable performers covering all three levels of the defense. The Raiders are one of the more intriguing groups among 5A outfits in 2025.

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