Five More Two-Way Wonders: Iowa Standouts on Offense and Defense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tracking five more of the best, most productive athletes in the state of Iowa on both offense and defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/two-way-wonders-standouts-on-offense-and-defense/">Two-Way Wonders: Standouts on Offense and Defense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242287"],"_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-68fba8a45c40c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1242287' first='Tate' last='Foertsch'] has put together a monster season in 8-Man for one of the top teams in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to leading the Golden Bears to an 8-0 record heading into the playoffs, Foertsch has completed 50-of-72 passes (69.4%) for 948 yards, 20 touchdowns and <em>zero </em>interceptions. On the ground, he's piled up 52 carries for 593 yards and ten scores, ranking second on his team in each rushing category.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Foertsch has an eye for the ball, sitting at tied for second in all classes with seven interceptions. He's also put together 24.5 tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an average margin of victory of 52 points this season, Foertsch likely would have put up more ridiculous numbers if his team wasn't so regularly dominant. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cole Jeppesen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"139","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Riverside","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68fba8a45c4ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With six interceptions defensively and leading his team in receptions by nearly 20 catches, Cole Jeppesen is somehow not the most well-known name on a Class A team. That title belongs to [player_tooltip player_id='1242828' first='Jaxon' last='Gordon'], who leads all classes in rushing attempts (239) and rushing yards (1,961). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nonetheless, the 6-2 Bulldogs would not be where they are without the junior two-way standout. In addition to his six INTs, including a pick-six, Jeppesen has put together 24.5 tackles this season on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quite obviously a run-heavy team with Gordon in the backfield, Jeppesen has held things down at receiver when Riverside wants to take the opposing team by surprise, grabbing 27 receptions for 27 catches, 460 yards and six scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1614184"],"_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-68fba8a45c543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most freaky athletes the state of Iowa has ever seen, [player_tooltip player_id='1614184' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] probably should've been on the first list of two-way wonders in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far this season, Jirovsky has completed 68-of-90 passes (75.6%) for 1,084 yards, 17 touchdowns and just one pick. On the ground, he's taken 52 carries for 442 yards and eight scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, along with 17 tackles and a forced fumble, he's shown to be one of the best DBs in Class 1A, registering three interceptions and six pass-breakups (PBUs). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Committed to Stanford for golf, Jirovsky is also a standout on the baseball diamond and basketball court for Grundy Center, who is seeking its fourth-straight state championship this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1358941"],"_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-68fba8a45c592"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A major bright spot in what's been a difficult season for Council Bluffs Jefferson, [player_tooltip player_id='1358941' first='Braxton' last='Parks'] is the only 2028 prospect to make this list as he best player on both sides of the ball for the Yellow Jackets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the No. 3 WR in his class has grabbed 47 passes for 686 yards and ten scores, while adding four pancake blocks in the run game. Defensively, Parks has registered 16.5 tackles, along with three interceptions and two PBUs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the Stock Up Showcase Tour coming to his hometown of Council Bluffs in late November, hopefully Parks shows up and shows off what he's got. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1212629"],"_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-68fba8a45c5db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The numbers here aren't going to be as gargantuan as his smaller-school counterparts, but anyone who regularly plays both sides of the ball -- and plays well -- at the 5A level needs some recognition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enter [player_tooltip player_id='1212629' first='Jackson' last='Sturdivant'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A running back/cornerback combo for Urbandale, Sturdivant does much of the dirty work on the offensive side of the ball. The leading rusher in carries, yards and touchdowns this season for the J-Hawks, Sturdivant has taken 90 carries for 641 yards and ten scores. One of his team's top receivers in a ground-heavy attack, he's also caught seven passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, the DB has put together 20.5 tackles, as a consistent tackler that wraps up and can make the play in the open field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->