Class 5A Recap from Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding off our recap of week 4 in Iowa, the competition in Class 5A Iowa has been close, with 3 teams sitting undefeated and 11 teams right behind them at 3-1, the competition for the top spots are stiff, and as for the teams that are currently trailing them, they may need to start finding a consistent groove fast or they may be blown out of the water. We take a look at what went down in Class 5A Iowa as we begin the second half of the 2025 regular season!</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">Iowa City Liberty vs. <strong>Johnston: 27-24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In a widely anticipated matchup between these two contenders, Liberty exploded out of the gate, taking a 14-3 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, the Dragons went scored 14 unanswered in the second quarter to take the lead, and they ultimately never gave it back up. Pitted by 3 critical turnovers, the Dragons were able to control the ball during the second half, capitalizing off of the mistakes from the Lightning to build a 10 point lead with 8 minutes remaining. The Lightning scored with just over a minute left, but by then, it was too late, and the Dragons ran out the clock to secure a statement win, handing the Lightning their first loss of the season, and placing themselves as legitimate contenders to make a deep run this postseason. </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='1616438' first='Emri' last='Jones'] (JR) - </strong>Proving most critical for Johnston's big plays on offense, Jones ran for 103 yards on 29 carries and a rushing TD while catching 2 passes for 34 yards and a receiving TD. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Marshalltown </strong>vs. Des Moines East: <strong>29-27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After suffering their first loss of the season against Mason City, Marshalltown came on the road to take on Des Moines East on their homecoming night. Despite being favored, the Scarlets managed to make things difficult for the Bobcats' defense as they outpaced them in total yardage (371-339). While Des Moines East had a very well balanced offense, they had no answers toward stopping the Bobcats' run-game, which compiled up 314 total rushing yards and an average of 8.5 YPC. Marshalltown was able to stay one step ahead of the Scarlets for much of the game and ultimately, the Scarlets last ditch efforts ended with a turnover on downs, allowing Marshalltown to pull off the win to spoil homecoming night for the Scarlets. </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='1814131' first='Jamison' last='Niehouse'] (JR) - </strong>Niehouse completed his only completion of the game on Friday night for a 25 yard TD while rushing for 67 yards on 7 carries (9.6 YPC) and a rushing TD and adding 5 tackles (All solo) on defense in a fruitful performance. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Southeast Polk vs. <strong>Dowling Catholic: 45-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>What was supposed to be an anticipated rematch between these two close rivals following a 35-34 thriller last season turned into a completely one-sided affair as Dowling Catholic pretty much sealed the game by the end of the first half as they built a 38-0 deficit. Southeast Polk was out of rhythm nearly the entire game, with their passing game failing to gain much ground, and their potent run game, which put up over 400 yards last week was limited to a season-low 159 total rushing yards while the Maroons dialed up 423 yards of total offense as the Rams simply could not stop them. The loss for the reigning 5A champs signals some deficiencies that could hurt them as the season progresses, while the Maroons win showcases their potential to make a deep run in the playoffs.</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='401674' first='Joey' last='Nahas'] (SR) - </strong>Nahas picked apart the Rams' secondary on Friday night, finishing 20 of 28 for 314 yards and 4 TDs over the air while adding 14 rushing yards. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Iowa City West </strong>vs. Bettendorf: <strong>31-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Having lost their previous 5 matchups against Bettendorf, Iowa City West came in with a chip on their shoulder, and after being embarrassed in their previous matchup, the Trojans returned the favor. After taking a 10-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Trojans scored 21 unanswered points with the Bulldogs unable to score again until a late garbage time touchdown with 2 minutes remaining. With their run game stuffed to just 67 total rushing yards, Bettendorf had to pass the ball heavily, which made their offense one-dimensional and much easier for the Trojans to combat, combined with several explosive plays on offense, the Trojans finally snapped their losing streak to Bettendorf. With their first 4-0 start since 2020, the Trojans have unexpectedly thrust themselves at the front of the pecking order in Class 5A. </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='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'] (SR) - </strong>Manson proved to be a big-play factor on Friday night against Bettendorf, finishing with 110 yards on just 5 catches (22 YPC) and 2 receiving TDs while adding a rushing TD. Manson also recorded 6.5 tackles on defense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other Notable Results from Week 4: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norwalk</strong> vs. Ames: <strong>53-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukee Northwest</strong> vs. Prairie: <strong>45-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City West vs. <strong>Sioux City East: 42-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley </strong>vs. Waukee: <strong>42-31</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Valley</strong> vs. Dubuque Hempstead: <strong>40-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa City High vs. <strong>Cedar Falls: 40-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dallas Center-Grimes</strong> vs. Des Moines Roosevelt: <strong>39-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Urbandale</strong> vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson: <strong>37-15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dubuque Senior</strong> vs. Muscatine: <strong>35-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ankeny </strong>vs. Ankeny Centennial: <strong>29-15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Kennedy </strong>vs. Linn-Mar: <strong>28-16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Des Moines Lincoln vs. <strong>Ottumwa: 21-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Council Bluffs Lincoln</strong> vs. Council Bluffs Jefferson: <strong>14-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 4:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='401674' first='Joey' last='Nahas'] (SR) - Dowling Catholic: 20/28, 314 yards, 4 TDs, 14 rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='600173' first='Reece' last='Wheeler'] (JR) - Iowa City West: 14/29, 295 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 14 rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1811024' first='Joey' last='Schlosser'] (SR) - Dubuque Senior: 11/16, 150 yards, 4 TDs, 91 rushing yards on 7 carries, 1 rushing TD, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] (JR) - Waukee Northwest: 13/17, 179 yards, 4 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1212629' first='Jackson' last='Sturdivant'] (SR) - Urbandale: 218 rushing yards on 16 carries (13.6 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 3.5 tackles (3 solo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR [player_tooltip player_id='1619623' first='Sam' last='Drexler'] (SR) - Dowling Catholic: 10 catches, 164 yards, 2 receiving TDs, 98 return yards, 1 punt return TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1619319' first='Jackson' last='Law'] (SR) - Iowa City West: 9.5 tackles (8 solo), 5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Dawson Weller (JR) - Ottumwa: 13 tackles (10 solo), 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 3 punts (24 yards per punt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Jovountae Robinson (SR) - Cedar Rapids Kennedy: 7 tackles (6 solo), 6 TFLs, 2 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Jayvion Edwards-Ramirez (SR) - 5.5 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->