Check Out These X-Factors in the Class A Playoffs

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: PLAYOFFS30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/prep-redzone-iowa-week-8-team-rankings/">Prep Redzone Iowa Week 8 Team Rankings</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/weigh-in-wednesday-who-is-top-player-in-iowa/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Who is Top Player in Iowa?</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/10-x-factors-in-class-2a-playoff-field/">10 X-Factors in Class 2A Playoff Field</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/10-x-factors-ready-to-impact-class-1a-playoff-field/">10 X-Factors Ready to Impact Class 1A Playoff Field</a>   The Class A playoffs get underway Friday night across the state. The action kicks off a month-long march to the title game on Nov. 20 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.   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 Class A:   John Schmillen, SR, LB/RB, MMCRU: The Royals ran through their regular-season schedule at 8-0 with Schmillen wreaking havoc on opposing offenses. The senior piled up 36.0 tackles (23 solo, 13.0 TFL), four sacks and a fumble recovery. He carried the ball 55 times for 277 yards and six touchdowns, caught two balls for 25 yards and was credited with three pancake blocks.   Nathan Bixel, JR, RB/LB, West Hancock: An 8-0 regular season for the Eagles occurred in large part due to Bixel's exploits. The junior rushed for 981 yards (6.6 YPC) and 12 touchdowns, caught four balls for 84 yards and a score and added five two-point conversions. He recorded 38.5 tackles (21 solo, 3.0 TFL), a sack and a forced fumble, and returned kicks and punts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615327' first='Korben' last='Michels'], SR, RB/LB, Saint Ansgar: The Saints go marching into the playoffs on Friday with Michels in the midst of a sensational senior season. He's run for 1,057 yards (16.8 YPC) and 22 touchdowns, hauled in nine passes for 187 yards and three scores, recorded 42.5 tackles (28 solo, 7.5 TFL), a sack, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception, and averaged 40.0 yards on three kick returns and 13.5 on a pair of punt returns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360044' first='Hunter' last='Curley'], SR, RB/DE, Wapsie Valley: Curley is a main force behind the Warriors being 8-0 when the playoffs kick off on Friday. The senior has rushed for 1,546 yards (9.7 YPC) and 24 touchdowns, caught seven balls for 94 yards and a score, registered 26.0 tackles (19 solo, 12.5 TFL), 6.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, averaged 30.5 yards on a pair of kick returns and handled much of the punting duties.   Nolan Glick, SR, RB/LB, Pekin: Much of the Panthers' postseason fate comes down to Glick keeping up the production he put forth during strong senior season. He's run for 1,223 (8.2 YPC) yards and 15 touchdowns, adding seven receptions for 107 yards and two scores, and piling up 12 two-point conversions. He's been credited with 20 tackles (10 solo, 3.0 TFL), two sacks and an interception.   Gavin Fisk, JR, RB/LB, Lynnville-Sully: Fisk has been a key contributor in a balanced team effort that led the Hawks to a district title. He rushed for 562 yards (7.1 YPC) and 10 touchdowns, adding five receptions for 84 yards and a pair of scores. He racked up 49.5 tackles (42 solo, 8.0 TFL) with four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.   [player_tooltip player_id='1222860' first='Joe' last='Crawford'], SR, RB/DB, ACGC: Crawford has been a three-phase standout for the district champion and unbeaten Chargers. The senior has run for 944 yards (12.6 YPC) and 15 touchdowns, adding four receptions for 104 yards and two scores. On defense, he contributed four solo tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and an interception. He averaged 24.4 yards and scored a TD on 13 punt returns.   Abe McGill, SO, RB/LB, Woodbury Central: McGill has shined along with a talented group of underclassmen who helped the veterans win a district championship. The sophomore rushed for 1,044 yards (5.4 YPC) and 15 touchdowns. He racked up 34.5 tackles (26 solo, 4.5 TFL) and a sack.   [player_tooltip player_id='1925483' first='Braylon' last='Lopez'], JR, RB/CB, West Sioux: The Falcons fly into the postseason at 7-1, their lone loss to district champion MMCRU. They received important contributions from Lopez in all three phases. He's rushed for 687 yards (10.0 YPC) and eight touchdowns, and caught 28 balls for 487 yards and five scores. He delivered 17.0 tackles (16 solo), a Pick-6 and defended three passes. Lopez averaged 67.8 yards on four kick returns, bringing three of them back to the house.   Braden Wheatley, JR, WR/DB, North Linn: The Lynx enter postseason play at 7-1, the only setback to Wapsie Valley, the district champs. Wheatley did damage in all three phases. The junior caught 21 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. He totaled 18.0 tackle (16 solo, 2.0 TFL) with three interceptions, two of which he housed. He averaged 21.9 yards on 10 kick returns and 13.9 yards on 12 punt returns, taking one all the way to the end zone.

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