Scouting Reports: West Des Moines Valley 2025

WAUKEE, Iowa – West Des Moines Valley traveled to Waukee Northwest for a battle of juggernaut teams in 5A and the Des Moines metro on Friday night. Northwest handled the defending runners-up, 27-24.   Here are several players who stood out for the Tigers:   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/scouting-reports-waukee-northwest/">Scouting Reports: Waukee Northwest</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/photo-gallery-west-des-moines-valley-at-waukee-northwest/">Photo Gallery: West Des Moines Valley at Waukee Northwest</a>    The second-ranked receiver in the state of Iowa's 2026 class, [player_tooltip player_id='283945' first='Jayden' last='Brown'] showed off some of his best attributes last Friday. The first play that stands out was a third-and-medium where Brown ran a slant into the middle of the Waukee Northwest defense, finding a hole and catching the quick-zip pass from quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'] to keep the drive going.   Second, another catch over the middle that set up a one-yard score for the Valley offense, Brown snagged a crossing route on the one-yard line and got popped but held onto the ball for the catch. He finished the game with four catches for 51 yards.     Though DeGroote didn't have the best game of his career with West Des Moines Valley, he showed why he's ranked as the No. 1 QB in Iowa's 2026, completing 16-of-24 passes (66.7%) for 230 yards and a touchdown, also tucking and running, taking nine carries for 32 yards and a touchdown.   Despite several turnovers, DeGroote kept showing up for Valley, and remained unrattled throughout the game. Northwest brought constant pressure and their pass defense was on top of his receivers at all times. Headed to Northwest Missouri State for his college football career, DeGroote has a ways to go, but the physical and intangible skills are there for him to have a successful college career.     One of the surprises of the night is a name that was new to me on Friday. Blake Dorenkamp, a junior running back for the Tigers that had never taken a carry prior to this season, was one of the stars for Valley in their matchup with Northwest last week.   An added dynamic to a passing attack that includes a D2 commit at quarterback, a D1 caliber receiver and a Power 4 defensive back, Dorenkamp may be the perfect addition to the offensive attack of the Tigers. A hard-hitting back that plays like a linebacker, Dorenkamp looks like he has a future in college ball, potentially at the D1 level. With 22 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown in addition to five catches for 29 yards, he was one of the more consistent pieces of the Valley offense on a tough night.     The No. 1 player in the state's senior class, one can see why almost every time [player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] steps on the field. A receiver/defensive back hybrid that possesses some wildly good ball-skills, McGregory may be the best athlete in the state across sports, too.   One of the top two receivers for Valley, McGregory's ability to track the ball -- whether on a long bomb or a pass over the middle -- is unmatched. On one of the first passes of the evening by DeGroote, the Louisville commit was running across the field and somehow hauled the ball in despite all the traffic in the middle of the field. With all the weapons on the field for Valley, McGregory should be the featured part of the offense.     A long, athletic DB that was also a new name to me, [player_tooltip player_id='1241404' first='Donault' last='Moore Jr']. packs a punch when he hits opposing players in the open field. The number one play that stood out last week was in punt coverage for the senior defensive back.   Waiting for the ball to drop into his arms and not calling for a fair catch, the Waukee Northwest returner made a grave mistake in allowing Moore to get a shot on him. Running at full speed on return coverage, Moore laid the wood on the Wolves' returner, who was lucky he didn't fumble the ball on the shot from the 170-pound defensive back. Moore finished the game with 4.5 tackles.     A similar physical size to Dorenkamp, it was difficult not to get the pair matched up at times on Friday, [player_tooltip player_id='1241420' first='Luke' last='Wolter'] played with a similar physicality to the Valley running back, but on the defensive side of the ball.   Delivering a few shots that made the crowd shout a collective "ooh," Wolter is an intimidating linebacker that was one of the few Tigers defenders that could do much to stop Northwest running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1361719' first='Ryan' last='Woodruff'] on Friday, who finished with more than 200 yards.   An LB that anxiously waits for the play to start and looms like a big cat hunting its prey, Wolter is a backer that loves to hit and make a play on the ball.

WAUKEE, Iowa – West Des Moines Valley traveled to Waukee Northwest for a battle of juggernaut teams in 5A and the Des Moines metro on Friday night. Northwest handled the defending runners-up, 27-24.