10 X-Factors in Class 2A Playoff Field

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/weigh-in-wednesday-vote-iowas-top-receiver/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Vote Iowa's Top Receiver</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/prep-redzone-iowa-week-8-team-rankings/">Prep Redzone Iowa Week 8 Team Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 2A playoffs get underway Friday night across the state. The action kicks off a month-long march to the title game on Nov. 21 in the UNI-Dome. Student-athletes will lock in as they pursue their dream of being the last ones standing before heading off to Thanksgiving dinner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at 10 guys who could be <a href="https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/283453/where-does-x-factor-meaning-noteworthy-special-talent-or-quality-come-from">X-Factors</a> during the postseason in 2A: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221948' first='Jaxon' last='Paulsrud'], SR, ATH, Cherokee Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior signal caller has dominated the action this season as a dual-threat dynamo. He's thrown for seven touchdowns and rushed for 17 scores, averaging 9.0 yards per carry this season. He even caught a TD. On defense, Paulsrud piled up 57.5 tackles (41 solo, 9.5 TFL) and a sack, adding in a forced fumble. As if that wasn't enough, he has averaged 23.3 yards on nine kick returns and 14.6 on eight punt returns, bringing one of them back to the house. Paulsrud is committed to the Air Force Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='850243' first='Brayton' last='Alford'], SR, ATH, Kuemper Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alford has put together a legacy senior season. He's piled up 41.0 tackles (26 solo, 6.0 TFL) with 3.0 sacks, five interceptions and three forced fumbles. He also leads the Knights with 35 receptions for 536 yards and three touchdowns, and added 66 yards and a score on nine carries. Alford is one of the better uncommitted seniors left in Iowa.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241488' first='Quinn' last='Street'], SR, ATH, Osage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Street has impacted games in all three phases this season. As a quarterback, he's completed 63.7 percent of his passes for 1,470 yards and 14 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,038 (9.1 YPC) and 19 scores. Street has recorded 19.0 tackles (14 solo, 2.0 TFL) and intercepted three throws. He's averaged 21.8 yards on five kick returns and punted four times for a 40.8 yard average. Northern Iowa earned his commitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luke Thoreson, SR, ATH, Roland-Story</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thoreson has tormented defenses with 60 receptions for 898 yards and 13 touchdowns, adding three two-point conversions. He's registered 15.4 tackles (14 solo) and intercepted a pass. He also returned a punt 14 yards. At 6-3, 185 pounds, Thoreson has room to add strength and mass to his frame while keeping the agility. He has not committed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1880262' first='Cooper' last='Gates'], SR, ATH, West Branch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gates has been an all-around contributor for the 6-2 Bears in 2025. The senior has carried the ball 64 times for 445 yards and 10 touchdowns, and caught seven passes for 57 yards and a score. Gates has totaled 39.5 tackles (28 solo, 11.0 TFL) with 5.5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1242944' first='Hudson' last='Ehrenfelt'], SR, ATH, Mid-Prairie</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A three-phase contributor, it's best the opposition know where Ehrenfelt is lining up at all times. The senior has rushed for 761 yards and 12 touchdowns, caught 27 balls for 461 yards and five scores, and completed 8 of 9 passes for 168 yards and three TDs without an interception. Ehrenfelt has posted 14.0 tackles (8 solo), averaged 23.8 yards on six kick returns and returned three punts for 79 yards and a TD.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1900035' first='Chase' last='Wagaman'], SR, ATH, PCM</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like others on this list, Wagaman is a multi-phase standout. He's thrown for 1,258 yards and 17 touchdowns against just four interceptions and rushed for 183 yards and five scores. Twenty five of his 28.0 tackles are of the solo variety, and he picked off five passes, returning one for a TD. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1696458' first='Baylor' last='Hash'], SO, ATH, Clarinda</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first non-senior on our X-Factor list is worthy of inclusion. Hash has thrown for 790 yards and five touchdowns, and carried the ball for 631 yards and six scores. He posted a team-best 38.0 tackles (28 solo, 5.5 TFL) with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'], JR, ATH, OABCIG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper DeJean's younger (not little) brother has continued his ascent as a college prospect in 2025. The junior started his first game at quarterback last week, throwing for 149 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He's caught 26 balls for 296 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed 197 yards (7.6 YPC) and three scores. DeJean has 11.0 tackles (9 solo) and three interceptions. He's stood out punting, and returning kicks and punts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery Simington, SR, ATH, Okoboji</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior has helped the Pioneers to a 7-1 record heading in the postseason. Simington has hauled in 34 balls for 546 yards and six touchdowns, adding 34 more yards on a couple of carries. He racked up 26.5 tackles (22 solo) and picked off three throws, one of which he returned to the house. He returned two punts for 15 yards and added a two-point conversion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->