Scouting Cedar Falls at Iowa City Liberty

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/photo-gallery-cedar-falls-at-liberty-2025/">PHOTO GALLERY</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa - </strong>Friday night's Cedar Falls-Liberty game finished with a flurry. The ending won't be something anyone involved will soon forget. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The visitors took a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter and held it until the final minute. Liberty scored a touchdown and boldly added a two-point conversion with 1:01 left in regulation. Cedar Falls, with just one timeout, drove deep into Lightning territory on the ensuing but ran out of time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are scouting reports on guys who stood out in the contest: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552779"],"_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-68b2f9131fcd4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I saw a lot of Rettig and Liberty last season. He shined as a first-year starter surrounded by veteran weapons. With several of the key ones graduated, it was fair to wonder how Rettig would respond in the 2025 season-opener against Cedar Falls. He answered those questions with authority in leading his team to a come-from-behind win. Quite simply, Rettig is a gamer. He's tough as nails with a knack for the spectacular in key moments. He's unfazed by pressure and bounces back from mistakes. Rettig threw several interceptions in the opener. Tough to say if they were all on him. It didn't matter in crunch time. He made plays with his arm and legs. Rettig was even more deceptive than last year in running the read option and other plays where he can identify and react. He calmly and comfortable moves the pocket, throwing well running in either direction. Rettig is what he is, an undersized signal caller. But if you can get past that and appreciate his winning traits, you see a college quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584432"],"_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-68b2face84397"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hanks caught my attention last season with his performance at Liberty. It was good getting to scout him again in the 2025 season-opener back at Liberty. The junior is a modern-day linebacker, a quick athlete that can get physical. Hanks showed that against the Lightning, running sideline to sideline and firing forward through gaps. Once he identifies the play, Hanks is very fast to the football, getting downhill in a hurry. He's a fundamentally sound tackler, breaking down the ball carrier and dropping him in his tracks. Hanks' athleticism allows him to stick with receivers in coverage. The arrow is definitely pointing up for Hanks, who is already among the best 2027s in Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1552812"],"_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-68b2feac2ff23"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bell exemplifies how Liberty has built a winner with guys lacking traditional physical measurements grinding and competing. That was on display in the 2025 season-opener against Cedar Falls, when Bell impacted the action on both sides of the ball. And I'm not sure he even had a catch as a tight end, even though he's fully capable of inflicting damage on the opponent with the ball in his hands. Bell mostly contributed on offense by being a ferocious blocker, which the Lightning needed against a tough Tiger defense. Defensively, he delivered key plays and did his job carrying out assignments. Bell may not have one standout trait outside of toughness, but he does a lot of things well and would be an asset to plenty of programs on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221969"],"_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-68b2feac2ffac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Drake did well in securing a commitment from Ubben. He enjoyed a fine junior season and got his senior campaign off to an impressive start in the season-opener at Liberty. The Cedar Falls defense suffocated an electric Lighting offense, and Ubben was a key reason why. Liberty loves to attack to the right with its option and misdirection. Ubben was having none of that, staying home and setting the edge on the left side of the Tiger defense. He's technically sound, knowing when to pursue and when to hold the line. Ubben moves well laterally and is athletic. His frame is such that it can add good weight at the next level, giving Ubben a sizable ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617593"],"_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-68b30126b168a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Lightning needed someone to step up on offense after losing key contributors to graduation. Reiners showed during the 2025 season-opener against Cedar Falls that he'll pick up plenty of the slack. The junior caught passes, took handoffs and complete a pass off of an option play. Reiners fits the mold of Liberty predecessors in his role as a multi-dimensional contributor on offense. He pulls it off with speed, athleticism, toughness and a good feel for the game. Reiners keeps defenses on their toes by making them prepare and react to his diverse abilities. They also make him an interesting college prospect and one to watch during the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1860800"],"_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-68b30126b1730"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the best parts of a new season is being exposed to new talented student-athletes. That was the case in Cedar Falls' 2025 opener at Liberty. While it wasn't the greatest night for the Tiger offense, Reilly showed he belonged at the varsity level. The sophomore lineman fits well as an athletic interior lineman that can mix it up in close quarters or pick off defenders blocking out in open space. Reilly is strong, especially for his age, and operates with a good pad level and a solid base. His hands are well placed more often than not, and Reilly keeps them active and working to his advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->