Class 5A Recap from Week 7:

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading into the final 2 weeks of the 2025 season in Class 5A, one team remains undefeated while there are 19 teams that hold winning records right now in this conference, with the teams at the top of the conference showing a good blend of perennial contenders and rising units who look to topple the conference as we push closer to the playoffs. We recap what went down in Class 5A Iowa across week 7 as we round out our weekly recap in Iowa!</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>Sioux City East</strong> vs. Johnston: <strong>21-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In a hugely anticipated rivalry matchup between two top contenders, Johnston responded after trailing 7-0 through the first quarter by scoring 17 unanswered in the 2nd to take the lead at halftime. However, the Black Raiders responded by patiently chipping away at the Dragons, slowing their offense down to shut them out in the second half as the Black Raiders scored 14 unanswered points to pull off a stunning upset, marking the Black Raiders first win over Johnston since 2013. This win proves that Sioux City East is taking a major step forward this season to be considered a serious contender within the Class 5A race. </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='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] (JR) - </strong>Clayborne set the tone for the defensive with a brilliant performance, finishing the night with 6 tackles (4 solo), 2 TFLs, and an interception returned for a TD. Offensively, he added 3 receptions for 11 yards. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Waterloo West </strong>vs. Cedar Rapids Kennedy: <strong>28-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In a must-win scenario for Waterloo West, the odds couldn't have been more against them, playing against a team that they have never beaten in 7 previous matchups on their homecoming night. The Wahawks were ultimately able to prove that they could handle the pressure, and while they were slightly edged in total yardage (339-319), the Wahawks were far more efficient with the ball in their hands. Tied at 14 in the third quarter, the Wahawks scored a TD, forced a turnover on downs, and scored again to take a 28-14 lead. The Cougars cut the deficit in half with less than 3 minutes remaining and got the ball back with less than 2 minutes left. The Cougars got into Wahawks' territory, but a strip-sack sealed the win for Waterloo West. With a historic win, the Wahawks have thrust themselves back into playoff contention with an opportunity to make a case for a spot over the last two weeks. </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='1421478' first='Melakhi' last='Hickey'] (SR) - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421478' first='Melakhi' last='Hickey'] was all over the Cougars' QB on Thursday night, and it was his dominant presence that proved the difference in the Wahawks' win. Hickey recorded 6 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 3 sacks, and the game-sealing forced fumble on the Cougars' final drive. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Prairie vs. <strong>Cedar Falls: 20-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Through the first 3 quarters, the Tigers were completely in control of the game. Despite only a total of 137 yards of offense, the Hawks kept self-inflicting mistakes, committing 4 fumbles lost and an interception, including 3 turnovers in the red zone, in which the Tigers were able to capitalize off of these mistakes. Finally, the Hawks were able to click in the 4th quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points, but by then it was too late, and with 34 seconds remaining, the Hawks recovered the game-sealing onside kick to secure a huge win. This loss for Prairie will certainly be a valuable lesson of how simple mistakes affect a game, which they will need to clean up on if they want to make a deep run this postseason. </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='1616418' first='Brady' last='Kies'] (JR) - </strong>Kies helped play a big role for Cedar Falls' defensive stand across Friday night, finishing with 8 tackles (6 solo), a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 7:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City West</strong> vs. Davenport Central:<strong> 63-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City High</strong> vs. Des Moines East: <strong>59-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ankeny</strong> vs. Ames:<strong> 55-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley</strong> vs. Sioux City North: <strong>49-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Linn-Mar</strong> vs. Muscatine:<strong> 48-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Urbandale</strong> vs. Des Moines Lincoln: <strong>42-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Des Moines Roosevelt vs. <strong>Council Bluffs Lincoln: 38-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukee Northwest </strong>vs. Southeast Polk: <strong>38-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Norwalk</strong> vs. Ottumwa: <strong>38-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bettendorf</strong> vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson: <strong>34-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianola vs. <strong>Ankeny Centennial: 33-15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dallas Center-Grimes</strong> vs. Marshalltown: <strong>31-10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee vs. <strong>Dowling Catholic: 30-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City Liberty</strong> vs. Pleasant Valley: <strong>28-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dubuque Senior</strong> vs. Dubuque Hempstead: <strong>28-19</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 Chris Kabaiza (SO) - Iowa City High: 29/33, 323 yards, 5 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1895238' first='Brett' last='McGovern'] (SR) - 18/22, 195 yards, 4 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Derek Roling (SO) - Linn-Mar: 14/20, 215 yards, 3 TDs, 16 rushing yards on 3 carries</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1811024' first='Joey' last='Schlosser'] (SR) - Dubuque Senior: 220 rushing yards on 16 carries (13.8 YPC), 2 rushing TDs, 4/9, 26 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/DL [player_tooltip player_id='856072' first='Ian' last='Middleton'] (SR) - Dowling Catholic: 201 rushing yards on 31 carries (6.5 YPC), 2 rushing TDs, 2 receptions, 14 yards, 1.5 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TE/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1361747' first='David' last='Fason'] (SR) - Prairie: 13 receptions, 182 yards, 8 rushing yards, 11 tackles (9 solo), 6 TFLs, 1 sack, 4 punts (39.8 yards per punt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1421478' first='Melakhi' last='Hickey'] (SR) - Waterloo West: 6 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='1619297' first='Ryan' last='Bobo'] (SR) - Dowling Catholic: 6 tackles (5 solo), 2.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='1619997' first='Connor' last='Stolpe'] (SR) - Dallas Center-Grimes: 16.5 tackles (14 solo), 1 TFL, 1 fumble recovery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1240430' first='Henry' last='Gillies'] (SR) - Bettendorf: 6.5 tackles (5 solo), 2 interceptions, 4 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 10 return yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->