Class 1A Recap from Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kicking off the 2025 season on a high note, Class 1A had 3 games on Thursday to start the year before the remainder of the group took the field on Friday night to start this season. This group did not disappoint, as there was a lot of excitement and buzz generating from the top returning teams this season and a slew of engaging games that were fought to the bitter end. Several of these games were out of conference matchups between teams from higher or lower divisions in the state as well. We recap all of the madness that happened from week 1 to start this season in Class 1A Iowa!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Games:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Springs</strong> vs. Newman Catholic: <strong>28-27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the Thursday games from Class 1A, a shootout to start this week with a bang that came down to the wire, Central Springs entered the fourth quarter down 21-14. The Panthers took the lead 28-21 late in the 4th quarter, but the Knights' put a scoring drive together, striking back with just over a minute to play. However, they made a costly decision with a fake PAT attempt which failed, allowing the Panthers' to hold on to a 1 point win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Braydin Crum (SR)</strong> - In contention for the best performance from Class 1A in week 1, Crum had 4 catches for 106 yards, 2 2PT conversions, and a 65 yard touchdown grab to go with a team-high 7.5 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and an interception as he proved to be the X-factor in the Panthers' comeback win.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harlan Community vs. <strong>Underwood</strong>: <strong>33-29</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Underwood burst out of the gates and started their year off on a high note as they were in control for the entire game. Taking a 14-0 lead after the first quarter, they never let up as the offense emerged with 485 total yards of offense this week, putting the Eagles' at the forefront of the Class 1A picture after a somewhat uneven campaign last season.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1221934' first='Garrett' last='Luett'] (SR)</strong> - The senior QB and future Hawkeyes' baseball player started his final campaign strong, finishing 16 of 26 for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for 67 yards on 15 carries. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bellevue</strong> vs. Cascade: <strong>22-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Following a lightning delay, Cascade emerged with an electric second-half resurgence down 22-6 with just over 20 minutes left in the game. Cascade rallied with 14 unanswered points, and got the ball back with just over a minute to play, driving the ball all the way down to Bellevue's 15 yard line to set up a winning field goal attempt. Sadly, the kick ended up short, and Bellevue held on for a close win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1614201' first='Cal' last='Bonifas'] (SR) - </strong>Bonifas finished 21 of 34 for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns that helped build the Comets' lead to where Cascade was ultimately unable to recover. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union Community</strong> vs. New Hampton: <strong>22-19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>New Hampton built a 19-7 lead early in the 4th quarter, and despite Union struggling to find a rhythm during the game, they were able to click at the right time with several big plays, including a 60 yard touchdown pass which helped pave the way for their comeback. After forcing a 3 &amp; out, the Knights engineered a drive in which they scored the game-winning touchdown in the last minute to start the 2025 season strong for the Knights.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Caden Sorensen (SR) - </strong>Sorensen had a very up and down game, finishing 6 of 17 for 76 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a pick, while adding a team-high 69 yards on 9 carries. Sorensen was able to step up at the right time with big plays, including a critical scramble run to convert a 4th down play on the final drive. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cardinal vs. <strong>New London</strong>: <strong>36-32</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maybe the most erratic game of the week, but also one of the most thrilling between two teams that were at the bottom of the group. The Tigers' outpaced the Comets with 441 total yards of offense, including a whopping 327 yards on the ground, averaging 8.2 yards per carry against the Comets' defense. In the end, the battle came down to critical errors, as the Comets lost 3 fumbles, which played a difference as New London held on for a close win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: London Franklin (SR) - </strong>Despite throwing 3 picks over the air, London Franklin had a spectacular performance on the ground, rushing for 207 yards on just 19 carries and 4 touchdowns, while also adding 5.5 tackles on defense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Notable Results from Week 1: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbus Catholic vs. <strong>Beckman Catholic</strong>: <strong>49-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belmond-Klemme vs. <strong>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows: 44-30</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesup vs. <strong>Dike New-Hartford: 48-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aplington-Parkersburg vs. <strong>Grundy Center: 35-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hinton </strong>vs. Gehlen Catholic: <strong>32-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Valley</strong> vs. Lynnville-Sully: <strong>47-36 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saint Ansgar</strong> vs. South Hamilton: <strong>59-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MVAOCOU</strong> vs. Missouri Valley: <strong>41-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Central Valley</strong> vs. Nodaway Valley: <strong>40-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Durant</strong> vs. Northeast: <strong>32-27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry vs. <strong>Ogden: 18-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Treynor </strong>vs. Riverside: <strong>42-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earlham vs. <strong>South Central Calhoun: 20-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Marshall vs. <strong>South Hardin: 28-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Albert vs. <strong>Tri-Center: 49-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regina Catholic</strong> vs. Wilton: <strong>42-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 1:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1621125' first='AJ' last='Harder'] (JR) - Tri-Center: 20/29, 304 yards, 3 touchdowns, 5 carries, 27 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1844227' first='Peyton' last='Welch'] (SR) - South Hardin: 10/16, 202 yards, 3 touchdowns, 8 rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB Manny Cameron (SR) - MVAOCOU: 24 carries, 211 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1/1 passing for 34 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB Adan Goldapp (JR) - Tri-Center: 25 carries, 207 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR Treyton Hafele (SR) - Cardinal: 4 catches, 143 yards, 3 touchdowns, 6 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH Braydin Crum (SR) - Central Springs: 4 catches, 106 yards, a touchdown, 7.5 tackles (3 solo), 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH Colby Gast (SR) - Durant: 4 catches, 131 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 carry for 16 yards, 66 return yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1241534' first='Cayden' last='Dudley'] (SR) - Ogden: 8.5 tackles (6 solo), 5.5 TFLs, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 7 carries for 48 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 reception for 17 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Carson Mueggenberg (SR) - Ogden: 10 tackles (6 solo), 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Tommy Tanner (SR) - Hinton: 10 tackles (All solo), 2 TFLs, 2 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->