Tracking X-Factors in Class 5A Postseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/10-x-factors-in-class-2a-playoff-field/">10 X-Factors in Class 2A Playoff Field</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/10-x-factors-ready-to-impact-class-1a-playoff-field/">10 X-Factors Ready to Impact Class 1A Playoff Field</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/check-out-these-x-factors-in-the-class-a-playoffs/">Check Out These X-Factors in the Class A Playoffs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/roll-call-x-factors-in-8-player-postseason/">Roll Call: X-Factors in 8-Player Postseason</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, we stacked up the X-Factors in the state's four smallest classifications before they kicked off the playoffs on Friday. You can find them linked above. We've returned to name them in the three largest class, which gets their postseason underway this Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the folks Class 5A: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'], JR, QB, Waukee Northwest -</strong> The Wolves' roster is stacked with stars, but Heitland is the one in control of an explosive offensive operation. He embarks on the postseason completing over 80 percent of his throws for 2,399 yards and 28 touchdowns without an interception. Beyond those crazy numbers, he's rushed for 119 yards (4.6 YPC) and three touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'], SR, QB, Liberty - </strong>One of the state's top playmakers at quarterback the last two seasons, the Lightning are 20-3 in those games. He's kept the train running this season despite heavy graduation hits, completing almost 70 percent of his passes for 1,766 yards and 16 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He's also rushed for 722 yards (6.2 YPC) and 12 scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'], JR, ATH, Sioux City East -</strong> A high-end athlete contributing on both sides of the ball for the 8-1 Raiders, Clayborne has piled 37.0 tackles (26 solo, 6.0 TFL), a sack, a fumble recovery and a Pick-6. He also caught 20 balls for 188 yards and three touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='856072' first='Ian' last='Middleton'], SR, RB/DL, Dowling Catholic - </strong>The Maroon senior has rushed for 1,074 yards (6.0 YPC) and 13 touchdowns. He's added 2.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on defense. His physicality on both sides of the ball is impactful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401675' first='La'Marious' last='Clark'], SR, DB, Ankeny - </strong>The Northern Iowa pledge has contributed 24.5 tackles (16 solo, 4.0 TFL), a half sack, a pair of fumble recoveries, returning one for an 83-yard touchdown, four interceptions, including a Pick-6, and six pass breakups. He averaged 31.0 yards and scored a TD on four punt returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687003' first='Cohen' last='Vannausdle'], SR, OL, Johnston - </strong>Credited with 78 pancake blocks through the nine regular-season games, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound Vannausdle played a leading role in the Dragons' balanced and potent offensive attack that scored 14 touchdowns on the ground and 18 more through the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'], SR, ATH, Valley - </strong>The Louisville commitment has caught 35 balls for 552 yards and 10 touchdowns, and thrown a TD. He intercepted a pass and totaled 99 yards on a pair of kick returns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221969' first='Jaden' last='Ubben'], SR, DE, Cedar Falls - </strong>The Drake commitment demands a lot of attention, helping free up teammates. He still racked up 32 solo tackles, 17.0 stops for loss, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'], SR, ATH, Iowa City West - </strong>The Iowa pledge has been responsible for 20 receptions for 369 yards and five touchdowns, adding two scores on the ground. Defensively, he's posted 53 tackles (26 solo, 5.0 TFL), an interception and three pass breakups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619997' first='Connor' last='Stolpe'], SR, LB, Dallas Center-Grimes - </strong>The Mustang senior leads Class 5A with 99.0 tackles heading into the postseason. Eighty five of those stops were of the solo variety, and he had 12.0 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->