Six Most-Intriguing Iowa Playoff Games 3A Through 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Entering Friday night's games, 3A, 4A, and 5A teams will have their chance to begin playoff runs and fight for a state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Five games between the three biggest classes in Iowa stick out the most on Friday?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 3A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount Vernon (6-3) at Clear Lake (9-0) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing two of its last three, Mt. Vernon didn't have the end to the season they wanted. <em>But</em>, with one of the top QBs in the state in Drake commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1581168' first='Kellen' last='Haverback'], don't count out the Mustangs. Haverback has completed nearly 63% of his passes for just under 3,000 yards and 23 scores to just three interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball for Clear Lake is another D1 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'], who holds an offer from Iowa State. A <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/two-way-wonders-standouts-on-offense-and-defense/">two-way star</a>, McIntire has led the Lions to an undefeated season with dominant victories over programs like Independence, West Delaware and others. McIntire finished the regular season completing 75% of his passes for over 1K yards and totaling six pass-breakups (PBUs) to go with two interceptions on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central Dewitt (7-2) at Dubuque Wahlert (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Powered by one of the top passers in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1850755' first='Hudson' last='Krukow'] has completed 72% of his passes for nearly 2,300 yards, 27 TDs and just six interceptions for Central Dewitt. To boot, [player_tooltip player_id='1850767' first='Cooper' last='Small'] has taken 132 carries for 922 yards and 12 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning state champions in 3A after posting an undefeated season in 2024, Wahlert is looking to replicate its run despite taking back-to-back losses in September. Dominant defensively, the Golden Eagles are led by senior LB, [player_tooltip player_id='1840820' first='Noah' last='Krapfl'] who has posted 83.5 tackles, 12 TFL and four sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last time these two teams faced off, Wahlert took the victory 17-12. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 4A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fort Dodge (8-1) at Newton (8-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A star-studded contest, Fort Dodge is led by Oklahoma State wrestling commit, Dreshaun Ross, who has posted 33 TFLs and 13 sacks this season, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/most-feared-pass-rushers-in-2025/">leading the state in both categories</a>. They've also got [player_tooltip player_id='1619976' first='Noah' last='Daniel'] on the backend of the Dodger defense, who is committed to Iowa as a PWO DB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton brings star, dual threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein'], future Power 4 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1366537' first='Isaiah' last='Hansen'] and the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/defensive-stock-risers-through-three-weeks/">top tackler in 4A</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'], to the table. A team that defeated the reigning state runners up in 4A, Pella on the road for their homecoming, Newton is a team that can compete with -- and probably beat, any opponent in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewis Central (5-4) at Gilbert (9-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A perennial power, all of Lewis Central's losses have come by three points this season -- all to playoff teams. Much better than their record shows, LC is led by 4A's leader in all-purpose yards, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1583687' first='Braydan' last='Doss']. Who has posted 1,767 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns and two touchdown returns this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert, despite losing Will Hawthorne to Iowa State, returned with a vengeance this season, defeating reigning 4A state champion, North Polk last week, 48-19. A run-heavy scheme, [player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'] and Ethan Rash have combined for 1,608 yards and 27 scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 5A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City West (7-2) at Cedar Falls (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a breakout star at QB in [player_tooltip player_id='600173' first='Reece' last='Wheeler'], <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/seven-standouts-for-iowa-city-west-vs-city-high/">West has exceeded almost all expectations</a> in 2025. The Liberty transfer has passed for 1,850 yards, 21 touchdowns and just three picks. With weapons like [player_tooltip player_id='1699746' first='Campbell' last='Janis'] on the ground, to go with North Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='1238635' first='Ethan' last='Headings'] and Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'], through the air, West is formidable offensively. Don't forget fellow Iowa commit, senior OL [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'], either. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, another top team in eastern Iowa, Cedar Falls sports five players with 40+ tackles. [player_tooltip player_id='1221969' first='Jaden' last='Ubben'] (17) and [player_tooltip player_id='1617646' first='Izzah' last='Grandon'] (20.5) have each posted ridiculous TFL numbers and 7.5 sacks each. [player_tooltip player_id='1221964' first='Josh' last='Grete'] is one of the co-leaders in interceptions in 5A with four. A balanced passing and rushing attack between quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1221971' first='Leyton' last='Wolf'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1221958' first='Ian' last='Fuchtman'], the Tigers can win in multiple ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Polk (5-4) at Ankeny (7-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A run-heavy attack, [player_tooltip player_id='401671' first='Drew' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617589' first='Stanley' last='Cooper'] have paved the way on the ground for SEP this year, pairing for 1,806 yards and 23 scores. [player_tooltip player_id='1619382' first='Joel' last='Thompson'] has led the way defensively, posting 48.5 tackles and nine TFLs. So far this season, SEP hasn't been the power we've known it to be. Then again, the Rams entered the playoffs in 2024 with a 5-4 record and went on to win its fourth-straight state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny is propelled by <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/running-backs-roaring-through-the-first-four-weeks/">5A's leading rusher</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='401669' first='Daniel' last='Larmie'], who has taken 207 carries for 1,264 yards and 12 scores. A balanced attack, though, [player_tooltip player_id='1691619' first='Kael' last='Roush'] has thrown for 1,517 yards, 16 scores and just four picks. Defensively, recent UNI commit, Lamarious Clark co-<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/five-of-iowas-newest-high-school-football-commits/">leads 5A in INTs</a> with four, and [player_tooltip player_id='1691797' first='Daniel' last='Frazee'] is tops with 13 PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->