Class 5A Recap from Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We missed a recap last week of the top conference in the state of Iowa, but this week, we cover Class 5A as they conclude their 2nd game of the 2025 season, and so far, the shakeup is impressive, with several mid-to-lower level teams from the conference emerging toward the top of the standings currently and looking to maintain their strong starts going forward. We take a look at what went down in Class 5A Iowa in week 2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Games:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Iowa City Liberty </strong>vs. Southeast Polk: <strong>38-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In the rematch of the Class 5A seminfinals from last season, the Lightning entered the game fueled by the devastating loss came out of the gates on fire, and they completely throttled the Rams through the first 3 quarters. With 371 yards of total offense, the Rams barely had any answers for the Lightning all game, and they failed to find much traction in the passing game for much of the day. By the time the Rams finally found their rhythm, it was too late, and the Lightning would finish with a statement win, putting themselves very much in position to be the top contender for the Class 5A state championship in 2025. </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='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'] (SR) - </strong>Rettig tore apart the Rams' offense with not much resistance, finishing the game 24 of 32 for 248 yards, 5 TDs, and 2 INTs, while rushing for an additional 34 yards on 9 carries. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Waterloo West </strong>vs. Dubuque Senior: <strong>34-27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Having lost the last 5 matchups against Dubuque, Waterloo West entered this game with extra motivation, and they used that to their full potential, emerging to a 34-13 lead during the 3rd quarter, with the Wahawks controlling the run-game with 282 total rushing yards. However, the Rams refused to go out silently, engineering a late rally to cut the deficit to 7 late in the game, but Waterloo West recovered the ensuing onside kick over the last few seconds of the game, preventing an opportunity for a last-ditch hail-mary attempt, and ultimately snapping the losing streak to the Rams.</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='1421478' first='Melakhi' last='Hickey'] (SR) - </strong>In the effort of disrupting Dubuque's offense, no one did more to cause chaos for the Rams' offense than Hickey, who finished the night with 9 tackles (8 solo), 4.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Valley vs. <strong>Waukee Northwest: 27-24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Waukee Northwest ended up with their second straight close win to start the 2025 season as they took on a highly-favored Valley team which blew out the Wolves last season. However, if it's any indication, this is certainly not the same team that went 4-5 last year, as the Wolves were in control for practically the entire game. The teams nearly matched each other in terms of offensive production (Waukee Northwest outgained valley 406-380), but the big difference came with mistakes on Valley's side, as three brutal interceptions pitted the Tigers and stalled their comeback attempt. With the win, Waukee Northwest now moves up as the #1 ranked team in Class 5A right now, showing that they are taking multiple leaps forward following 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='1361719' first='Ryan' last='Woodruff'] (SR) - </strong>Slicing his way through a run-defense that allowed just 34 total rushing yards last week, Woodruff ran for 209 rushing yards on 30 carries (7 YPC) and 2 TDs while adding 25 receiving yards on 1 catch. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Pleasant Valley vs. <strong>Cedar Falls: 21-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite entering as underdogs at home, and having lost their previous 4 matches to Pleasant Valley, Cedar Falls was able to grind out a huge win. Despite some early game miscues with 2 turnovers, the Tigers willed their way back in and kept the pace with the Spartans' potent offense, while also forcing several critical stops. In the end, Cedar Falls scored a late touchdown thanks to great starting field-position following a shanked punt, and the Spartans' final drive ended with a turnover on downs, giving the Tigers the win and putting themselves in contention within this competitive conference.</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='1221958' first='Ian' last='Fuchtman'] (SR) - </strong>After missing the first game of the season due to injury, Fuchtman's season got off to a rough start with a lost fumble on the Tigers' first drive of the game. However, Fuchtman shook it off and finished the night with 178 yards on 21 carries (8.5 YPC) and a rushing TD as he proved critical in Cedar Falls' 4th quarter comeback win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Des Moines Roosevelt </strong>vs. Des Moines East: <strong>41-33</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Des Moines Roosevelt snapped a 9 game losing streak dating back to last season against Des Moines East, who beat them last season 25-20. The Roughriders completely dominated the first 3 quarters, thanks in part to the run-game which finished with 296 total rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground, the Roughriders led 41-8 with less than 3 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. However, the Scarlets made a furious 4th-quarter rally, scoring 25 unanswered points and making it a one-possession game with just a minute and a half to go. Ultimately, the Roughriders recovered the ensuing onside kick to wipe the comeback attempt and snap their losing streak. </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='1895624' first='Jayden' last='Shields'] (SO) - </strong>Leading the way for a stellar run-game, Shields finished the game with 212 rushing yards on 24 carries (8.8 YPC) and 3 rushing TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Games from Week 2:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Indianola </strong>vs. Carlisle: <strong>13-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ottumwa vs. <strong>Dallas Center-Grimes: 49-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Council Bluffs Lincoln</strong> vs. Sioux City North:<strong> 34-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dubuque Hempstead vs. <strong>Iowa City West: 56-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prairie </strong>vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy: <strong>38-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Jefferson</strong> vs. Muscatine: <strong>42-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linn-Mar vs. <strong>Ankeny Centennial: 35-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sioux City East</strong> vs. Norwalk: <strong>23-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ames vs. <strong>Urbandale: 41-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnston vs. <strong>Dowling Catholic: 31-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ankeny </strong>vs. Waukee: <strong>26-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa City High vs. <strong>Bettendorf: 21-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marshalltown</strong> vs. Waterloo East: <strong>43-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 2:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'] (SR) - Iowa City Liberty: 24/32, 248 yards, 5 touchdowns, 2 INTs, 34 rushing yards on 9 carries</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1234329' first='Vernon' last='Benda'] (SR) - Cedar Rapids Jefferson: 17/24, 281 yards, 5 touchdowns, 1 INT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='401673' first='Javaris' last='Morgan'] (SR) - Ankeny Centennial: 217 rushing yards on 10 carries, 4 rushing TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1895624' first='Jayden' last='Shields'] (SO) - Des Moines Roosevelt: 212 rushing yards on 24 carries (8.8 YPC), 3 rushing TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1238635' first='Ethan' last='Headings'] (SR) - Iowa City West: 4 receptions, 170 yards (42.5 YPC), 4 TDs, 3.5 tackles (3 solo), 2 TFLs, 27 kick return yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1619617' first='Braiden' last='Johnson'] (SR) - Des Moines East: 13 receptions, 192 yards, 3 TDs, 1 2PT conversion, 6 tackles (4.5 solo), 1.5 TFLs, 1 INT, 21 kick return yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1361747' first='David' last='Fason'] (SR) - Prairie: 7.5 tackles (7 solo), 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 receptions, 29 yards, 2 pancakes, 3 punts (47.7 AVG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1421478' first='Melakhi' last='Hickey'] (SR) - Waterloo West: 9 tackles (8 solo), 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Izzah Gordon (JR) - Cedar Falls: 11 tackles (9 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Wyatt Freking (SR) - Bettendorf: 10 tackles (8 solo), 3 TFLs, 1 forced fumble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->