Class 3A Recap from Week 7:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3A is entering their final 2 weeks of the 2025 regular season, and with that, the playoff race remains open for teams that are currently behind in the hunt. However, with 3 undefeated teams still, along with 20 total undefeated teams, any fringe units that are vying for an open spot will need to regain control of the wheel to steer their team back onto course to make a push into the playoffs. We recap what went down in Class 3A Iowa across week 7!</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"><strong>Mount Pleasant </strong>vs. Keokuk: <strong>35-34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A historically split rivalry between these two, this year's matchup between Mount Pleasant and Keokuk proved to be a classic. Keokuk thrived on the air, finishing with 279 passing yards, while the Panthers were able to rumble for 232 yards on the ground. After trailing 23-14 at halftime, the Chiefs pulled ahead, scoring 20 unanswered to take a 34-23 lead with under 9 minutes to go. However, the Panthers pulled off a stellar comeback, scoring a TD to cut the deficit to 5, followed by an 84 yard interception return for a TD with 3 minutes remaining. In the end, Keokuk was intercepted again on their final drive, allowing the Panthers to stun Keokuk by taking away what could've been a major upset. This game should certainly fuel the rivalry between these two for years to come as Keokuk's playoff hopes diminish under the spotlight. </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='1699756' first='Lathan' last='Novak']-Watson (SR) - </strong>In an offensive shootout, it was a defensive standout who made the two biggest plays at the biggest time. Novak-Watson had the game-changing pick six late in the 4th quarter, followed by the game-sealing interception on Keokuk's final drive to save the Panthers. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Benton </strong>vs. Independence: <strong>34-28 (OT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A must-win game for Benton, the Bobcats headed onto the road against Independence to battle in a shootout. The Mustangs were able to outduel the Bobcats in yardage (340-261), and they held a 21-20 lead early in the 4th quarter. However, the game changed completely with a pick-six by the Bobcats, giving them a 28-21 lead. The Mustangs would tie the game to send it to overtime, but by then, the Bobcats were running high on momentum. The Mustangs were stuffed on their OT drive, in which the Bobcats went right down the field and scored the winning score on a QB sneak. The Mustangs have now lost 3 straight following a 4-0 start with their defense struggling heavily, while Benton keeps their season alive with this overtime thriller. </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='1369861' first='Carson' last='Nolan'] (SR) - </strong>Almost singlehandedly driving this offense, Nolan finished 11 of 16 on the air for 92 yards and a TD while rushing for 125 yards on 21 carries (6 YPC) and 3 rushing TDs, including the game-winner in OT. Nolan also led the defense with 10.5 tackles (9 solo) along with a TFL. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sioux Center </strong>vs. Algona: <strong>21-19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sioux Center was charted toward an easy blowout over the Bulldogs on the road, thanks in part to forcing 4 turnovers on the Bulldogs' offense, the Warriors took a 21-0 lead at halftime. However, Algona persevered and managed to claw their way back into the game, shutting down the Warriors in the second half and scoring 19 unanswered points. Unfortunately, mistakes continued to hinder the team, with a missed extra point following their second TD, the Bulldogs were forced to go for 2 with 2 minutes remaining, in which QB [player_tooltip player_id='1204547' first='Nathan' last='Manske']'s pass was deflected to himself, stopping the conversion. The Warriors were then able to run out the clock, holding off Algona with another key road win as Algona's playoff hopes continue to diminish, having lost 3 straight following a 3-1 start. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Cody Sandbutte (SR) - </strong>Sandbutte did nearly everything to help the Warriors win over a tough opponent, rushing for a team-high 72 yards on 10 carries and catching a 6 yard pass. On defense, he recorded 5 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and an interception returned for a TD in the first half. He also punted 4 times, averaging 25.5 yards per punt. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Wahlert Catholic </strong>vs. Assumption: <strong>27-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A massive prove-it matchup for Assumption as they hosted the top team in the conference, Assumption was able to keep up, but unable to pull ahead. Assumption was able to outgain the Golden Eagles in total yardage (326-258), but 2 costly interceptions and several missed opportunities plummeted those efforts. Ultimately though, it was a controversial call that secured the win for the Golden Eagles. Assumption seemingly converted a 4th and 8 play on their final drive where they got exactly 8 yards to reach the line to gain. However, despite it being ruled a first down, the play was stopped as the chains group came out for a measurement. In the end, the ball was ruled inches short of the first down, giving the Golden Eagles the ball and the win. Assumption's opportunity to make a case as one of the very best teams in the conference slipped away as the Golden Eagles now have their third win in a row over the Knights. </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='1616422' first='JP' last='Elbert'] (JR) - </strong>Elbert played well to keep the Golden Eagles' offense moving a step ahead of the Knights. Elbert finished 8 of 10 for 142 yards, a TD, and an interception while rushing for a team-lead 65 yards on 14 carries (4.6 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Mount Vernon vs. <strong>Central DeWitt: 33-24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After back-to-back upset losses, the Sabers hosted Mount Vernon's stingy defense looking to avoid getting shut down. Mount Vernon took the lead late in the 2nd quarter 7-6, but the Sabers stunned them with two touchdowns over the last 3 and a half minutes, taking an 18-7 lead at halftime. They would ultimately never let up, as the Sabers compiled 431 yards of offense against one of the top defensive units in the conference, staying a step ahead for the remained of the night to pull off a huge upset. The win snaps a 3-game losing streak to Mount Vernon in their previous matchups as the Sabers continue to prove what they are capable off at full potential. </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='1850755' first='Hudson' last='Krukow'] (SR) - </strong>Shaking off 2 interceptions nabbed by the Mustangs, Krukow would lead the way for the offense, finishing 15 of 22 for 211 yards and 3 TDs. Defensively, Krukow added 3 tackles, 1 TFL, and an interception as he made a big impact in this upset on both sides of the ball. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 7:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry vs. <strong>Harlan Community: 63-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa Falls-Alden vs. <strong>Clear Lake: 56-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saydel vs. <strong>Nevada: 56-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charles City vs. <strong>West Delaware: 55-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Creston vs. <strong>Carroll: 50-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairfield</strong> vs. Fort Madison:<strong> 50-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maquoketa vs. <strong>Center Point-Urbana: 50-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Atlantic</strong> vs. Greene County: <strong>46-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington vs. <strong>Solon: 42-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Des Moines Christian</strong> vs. Knoxville: <strong>38-11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamsburg vs. <strong>Winterset: 29-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webster City vs. <strong>Bishop Heelan: 28-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Humboldt</strong> vs. MOC-Floyd Valley: <strong>21-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 7:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1706470' first='Drake' last='Hinson'] (SR) - Nevada: 9/9, 143 yards, 5 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Max Town (SR) - Des Moines Christian: 20/32, 235 yards, 3 TDs, 38 rushing yards on 4 carries (9.5 YPC), 1 rushing TD, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1850755' first='Hudson' last='Krukow'] (SR) - Central DeWitt: 15/22, 211 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 3 tackles (All solo), 1 TFL, 1 Interception</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1844927' first='Ethan' last='McNeal'] (SR) - Atlantic: 256 rushing yards on 19 carries (13.5 YPC), 4 rushing TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1850767' first='Cooper' last='Small'] (JR) - Central DeWitt: 209 rushing yards on 29 carries (7.2 YPC), 2 rushing TDs, 1 reception, 16 yards, 4 tackles (All solo)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1238631' first='Caleb' last='Bailey'] (SR) - Des Moines Christian: 9.5 tackles (8 solo), 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1671558' first='Lucas' last='Brown'] (SR) - Nevada: 1 tackle, 3 interceptions, 1 reception, 41 yards, 1 receiving TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH AJ Maloney (SR) - Center Point-Urbana: 5 tackles (All solo), 2 interceptions, 1 defensive TD, 22 rushing yards on 2 carries, 1 rushing TD, 1 reception, 26 yards, 67 punt return yards, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB [player_tooltip player_id='1699756' first='Lathan' last='Novak']-Watson (SR) - Mount Pleasant: 1 tackle, 2 interceptions, 1 defensive TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH Griffen Jones (SO) - Mount Pleasant: 89 rushing yards on 16 carries (5.6 YPC), 1 rushing TD, 146 kick return yards, 1 kick return TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->