Five Most-Intriguing Iowa Playoff Games 8-Man Through 2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering Friday night's games, 8-Man, Class A, 1A, and 2A teams will have their chance to continue their playoff runs and fight for a state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which five games between the four smaller class in Iowa stick out the most on Friday?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">8-Man</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Easton Valley (8-1) at Gladbrook-Reinbeck (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1242285' first='Keagan' last='Lee'] and Callen Messerich have been carving up defenses all season long for EV. Lee is tied for first in all classes in total touchdowns (53) this season with fellow 8-Man QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1197463' first='Nolan' last='Kriegel'] of Iowa Valley, while <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/five-more-of-the-most-productive-pass-catchers-in-iowa/">Messerich has caught</a> 72 passes for 1,191 yards and 20 scores. Defensively, Messerich has grabbed eight interceptions, which is tied for the lead in all classes. Three were returned for touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Gladbrook-Reinbeck, [player_tooltip player_id='1034037' first='Hudson' last='Clark'] and Trevyon Herron lead the way. Clark has caught 40 passes for 612 yards and 13 touchdowns <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/two-way-wonders-standouts-on-offense-and-defense/">to go with</a> a team-leading 53.5 tackles and five INTs, including three pick-sixes. Herron has taken 66 carries for 902 yards and 20 scores on the ground, and grabbed 13 passes for 208 yards and three scores through the air. He sits right behind Clark with 53 tackles, including 11.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), three interceptions and two pick-sixes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Warren (7-2) vs. Woodbine (8-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back with another 8-Man player who puts up some silly numbers. Fourth in all classes in total touchdowns (46) and rushing scores (34), [player_tooltip player_id='1242821' first='Jamison' last='Ewing'] has been a one-man show for Southeast Warren this fall. A near 1,000-yard passer with ten touchdowns and zero interceptions, Ewing has also rushed for over 2,200 yards on 247 carries. With almost no time off the field, Ewing has also registered 54.5 tackles and seven interceptions this fall -- two of which were pick-sixes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's Ewing, and then there's Power 4 receiver prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1197458' first='Landon' last='Blum'] for Woodbine. After blowing up in the summer of 2024 thanks to making the rounds on the summer camp circuit, Blum has continued his upward trajectory on the field, grabbing 36 receptions for 695 yards and 17 touchdowns. Looking like it could be the Tigers' first test of the season, Woodbine has allowed double-digit points just once this season (a 58-12 drubbing of Fremont Mills) and has an average margin of victory of 63 points this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BGM (7-2) at Lynnville-Sully (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another QB that put up some ridiculous numbers in 2025, [player_tooltip player_id='1221942' first='Beau' last='Burns'] is the leader in 11-man football with 44 total touchdowns this season. Passing for ten and rushing for 34, the uber-productive quarterback has taken 200 carries for 2,046 yards and 34 scores in 2025, and he led BGM to a road, upset win over Riverside last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynnville-Sully lost its inaugural game this season and has proceeded to win eight straight, led by <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/five-of-iowas-newest-high-school-football-commits/">recent college commits</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1268222' first='Dawson' last='James'] (Grandview), [player_tooltip player_id='1360345' first='Jack' last='Bowlin'] (Grandview) and [player_tooltip player_id='1270822' first='Michael' last='Spooner'] (Simpson) on the defensive side of the ball, the Hawks possess a swarming defense that could make things difficult on Burns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynville won 41-20 in Week Four, but never count out <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/offensive-stock-risers-through-three-weeks/">a player like Burns</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 1A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cascade (7-2) at Iowa City Regina (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a class loaded with reigning state champions in West Lyon (2A) and Grundy Center, Regina finds itself in the thick of state title contention after finishing the season undefeated and winning every single game by double digits. It's not often 1A schools are loaded with Power 4 talent, either, and the Regals have several prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='466364' first='Tate' last='Wallace'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197445' first='Savion' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1605331' first='Gabriel' last='Hegelheimer']. Don't forget <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/10-x-factors-ready-to-impact-class-1a-playoff-field/">X-Factor QB</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1657101' first='Kyle' last='Tracy'], either, who has been around the block and won quite a few games for Regina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascade has burst onto the scene after finishing 3-5 last season. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1954722' first='Mick' last='Hoffman'] is leading the way, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/five-more-iowa-quarterbacks-crushing-it-in-2025/">having thrown</a> for 2,323 yards and 33 touchdowns, connecting <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/five-of-iowas-top-tight-ends-in-2025/">with big tight end</a> Brody Otting for 46 receptions to put up 761 yards and 18 scores. If anyone has a chance at upsetting the Regals before the Dome, it could be the Cougars, who are tough to stop through the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 2A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wilton (7-2) at West Branch (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilton has rolled off five-straight wins after starting 2-2. With a balanced passing and running attack led by QB Gunner Edwards, the Beavers have a variety of ways to beat you. Three rushers have combined for 1,528 yards and 25 TDs, and Edwards has spread the ball around to four different receivers who have between 25 and 29 receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Branch's [player_tooltip player_id='1871892' first='Keaton' last='Gates'] leads the way on the ground for the Bears with 158 carries for 1,256 yards and 13 scores, and [player_tooltip player_id='1939756' first='Griffin' last='Seydel'], back after taking last year away from the sport, has posted one of the top seasons in the state for a defensive back with six interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->