2025 Team Preview: Pleasant Valley Spartans

Since 2020, the Pleasant Valley Spartans have consistently ranked among the top teams in Class 5A Iowa, having posted 7+ wins in each of the last 5 seasons. 2024 was no different, thanks in part to a strong run-game that finished with the second most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns among Class 5A teams and a promising group of young defenders, the Spartans finished the season 7-3, with a 7-2 regular season record. However, the Spartans were upset in the first round of the playoffs, giving up a 7 point lead heading into the 4th quarter and losing 24-21 to the eventual state champions, Southeast Polk. Several of the Spartans' key starters on the offense graduated following last season, though with much of the defense being retained for next season, it will be interesting to see how this revamped unit will look as they once again aim to contend in the state playoffs this year.   Here are 6 players from the Spartans that will lead the way for this team in 2025!    [player_tooltip player_id='1619479' first='Micah' last='Herlich'] is expected to be a major two-way factor for the Spartans in 2025. As a CB, Herlich recorded 38.5 tackles (32 solo) and an interception. As a HB, Herlich ran for 249 yards and a touchdown on just 28 carries, averaging an impressive 8.9 yards per carry. Playing as a slot-back out of a wishbone formation, Herlich often took lateral handoffs where he would run outside the box, where he showed great vision and the ability to gash through the lanes to break out into the open field as a speedy threat. Herlich also plays with a great level of tenacity, showing a will to fight through contact, while also helping out as a run-blocker for his fellow RBs. As an outside CB, Herlich is versatile both against the run and the pass, proving to match up against WRs step-by-step, with his interception showing potential with his ball-skills, while also proving effective in limiting the opponent's outside-run ability. Herlich will move up toward the top of the RB depth chart in 2025 following the departure of both of the team's 1000 yard rushers last season, and with that, Herlich could shoot toward the top of the rankings by the end of his senior year.     Seeing a solid amount of playing time as a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1584396' first='Dane' last='Cox'] made the most of his limited reps and is looking to take a big step forward heading into his junior year. Cox recorded 20.5 tackles (14 solo), 2.5 sacks, and his 7 TFLs ranked good for 2nd most on the team. Cox plays with a low pad-level and does a solid job at shedding blockers and gaining leverage to get around them and in front of the ball-carrier to make the tackle. Despite his smaller size for a DT, Cox was able to hold his ground and drive blockers backwards, while also showing a solid combination of rips, spins, and bull-rush moves to win on the line. Cox has time to build on his physique, which should further build upon his solid technique, and heading into 2025, Cox should cement his position as a full-time starter on the defensive-line for the Spartans.     Josh Mahieu's size and physique for the Spartans is impossible to ignore, with the potential to dominate on both sides of the trenches next season. Mahieu is best suited on the interior, as a Guard or Nose Tackle, and despite having limited film from last season, Mahieu showed flashes of his ability to win on the line, taking on double-teams often, and it was difficult trying to run his direction even when being blocked, as Mahieu was able to snatch the ball-carrier as they were going by him to make the stop. Mahieu is certainly worth watching as a potential plug for a run-defense at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1696154' first='Landon' last='Lensch'] shined as the signal-caller for the Spartans' freshman team last season, and he's poised to earn the starting role on the varsity team as a sophomore. Dualing as a QB and Free Safety, Lensch boasts plenty of athleticism to play both positions at a high level. Lensch has a tall, commanding presence in the pocket, a southpaw with a strong arm and great mobility that fits with the triple-option style very well. In the secondary, Lensch has excellent closedown speed to limit yards after the catch on short passes while also covering the deep zones, while showing great ball-skills and vertical ability to get up in the air and pick off passes. Lensch's skills should translate well on the varsity lineup, and he's bound to find plenty of reps on that unit very soon.     An explosive cog that fits the LB/Safety hybrid role well, [player_tooltip player_id='1691196' first='Graham' last='Rima'] is another solid force against the run for the Spartans' defense. Rima recorded 29 tackles (20 solo) and 3 TFLs in 2024. Rima showed a natural ability in filling the open gaps both outside and inside the box, doing a great job at moving laterally and maintaining his balance going against blockers attacking him off-center. Rima has great range as a sideline-to-sideline defender, being able to chase down the outside run/screen passes very well to minimize gains. Rima could see his numbers go up greatly in 2025 as one of the returning leaders for the Spartans' defense, which should boost his stock as a viable option heading into the next recruiting class.     Another great piece for the Spartans' run-defense is ILB [player_tooltip player_id='1617632' first='Luke' last='Knutson'], who has plenty of potential to emerge as a leader for Pleasant Valley entering his junior season. In limited appearances last season, Knutson recorded 14.5 tackles (8 solo), 2 TFLs, and a sack. Knutson showed flashes as a force over the middle, showing solid vision and awareness in deciphering where the play is going, while playing with a quick burst off the line and being able to shoot the interior gaps to force pressure in the back-field, while also covering the middle-hook zones against the pass. Knutson will have a much bigger role for the Spartans in 2025, and he is easily one of the biggest break-out candidates to watch out for in Class 5A Iowa heading into next season.

Since 2020, the Pleasant Valley Spartans have consistently ranked among the top teams in Class 5A Iowa, having posted 7+ wins in each of the last 5 seasons. 2024 was no different, thanks in part to a strong run-game that finished with the second most rushing yards and rushing touchdowns among Class 5A teams and a promising group of young defenders, the Spartans finished the season 7-3, with a 7-2 regular season record. However, the Spartans were upset in the first round of the playoffs, giving up a 7 point lead heading into the 4th quarter and losing 24-21 to the eventual state champions, Southeast Polk. Several of the Spartans' key starters on the offense graduated following last season, though with much of the defense being retained for next season, it will be interesting to see how this revamped unit will look as they once again aim to contend in the state playoffs this year.