Seven Standouts for Iowa City West vs. City High

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven standouts for Iowa City West in their 30-0 victory over City High in the Battle for the Boot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/five-standouts-for-city-high-vs-iowa-city-west/">Five Standouts for City High vs. Iowa City West</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692024"],"_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-68b4f7a60615f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior captain who's expected to have a breakout campaign for Iowa City West, [player_tooltip player_id='1692024' first='Henry' last='Elser'] made his presence known on Friday night at Bates Field. In addition to two receptions for 31 yards offensively, Elser snagged the only turnover of the evening. Reading the City High quarterback's eyes, Elser faded to the middle of the field, went up and snagged his first interception of the season. With a return of 29 yards, Elser nearly made the play to take it all the way to the endzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238635"],"_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-68b4f7a6061c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top two-way players in the state, North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='1238635' first='Ethan' last='Headings'] will play DB at the next level, but he stood out as a receiver on Friday. With four receptions for 89 yards to lead all pass-catchers, Headings made a huge impact in the post-Mason Woods era for the Trojan offense. One catch in particular popped, as in the second half, Headings leapt for a diving catch that gave Iowa City West a huge gain on third and medium to keep the drive going and leading to a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Headings is a "put his face through your chest" type of tackler on the backend for the Trojans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1699746"],"_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-68b4f7a606214"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The most impactful skill position player for Iowa City West, [player_tooltip player_id='1699746' first='Campbell' last='Janis'] imposed his will on would-be tacklers of City High. Lowering his shoulder and delivering punishment to linebackers and defensive backs for the Little Hawks. Janis may be one of the toughest players in all of 5A, considering he stands at 5'9" and significantly less than 200 pounds, because he doesn't play like it. One of those small, but tough as hell running backs to tackle, Janis will power through arm tackles and can juke defenders out of their shoes. He led all rushers on Friday night with 20 carries or 111 yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238512"],"_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-68b4fa0719f25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top linebacker in the state and an Iowa commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'] looks like he was designed in a test tube to play Power Four football. Long, strong, fast and aggressive, Manson is physically set to grow into an NFL backer, especially under the tutelage of Iowa LBs coach, Seth Wallace, at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With how little Manson and the Iowa City West defense were on the field, he finished with just 5.5 tackles, but he filled gaps and was one of the main reasons City High's run game struggled to get going.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not a huge presence on the outside as a receiver on Friday night, Manson made his impact on offense as the Wildcat formation quarterback, taking a seven-yard rush in for a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1864509,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-68b4f7a606277"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The first of two quarterbacks Iowa City West will use this fall, Mike Moody almost looked like Janis's twin in QB form on Friday night. Where Moody wasn't super impactful as a passer, he made up for it with his ability to carry the rock. He'll need to improve off Friday's performance as a passer if he's going to keep defenses honest, but as a runner, Moody wasn't afraid to lower his shoulder and made some plays out of nothing when the pocket collapsed. He took 13 carries for 46 yards and a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["600173"],"_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-68b4f7a6062be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">More of the passing QB of the two, [player_tooltip player_id='600173' first='Reece' last='Wheeler'] stepped in and threw some gorgeous passes for the Trojan offense. West won't air it out like they did in the Jack Wallace era, as the four-year starter has now left for St. Thomas, but Wheeler showed some encouraging signs of the Trojan's passing attack. A QB that throws a catchable ball, Wheeler puts good air on it and doesn't throw too hard. Once he establishes more chemistry with receivers like Headings and Manson, the West passing attack will be greatly improved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238174"],"_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-68b4f7a606300"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The heart and soul of the Iowa City West offensive attack, everything started up front with Iowa OL commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters']. Whitters absolutely dominated up front for the Trojans, manhandling opposing defensive linemen and paving the way for the West rushing attack. He pulls with the best in the state, and when given an assignment, straight mauls defensive linemen. Like Manson looks designed to play Power Four linebacker, Whitters looks designed to play interior offensive line for George Barnett and the Hawkeyes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->