5 Players to Watch in Iowa 5A Quarterfinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the quarterfinals of the Iowa High School Football playoffs kicking off Friday night, we detail five players to watch -- maybe a few that haven't gotten the spotlight as much as they deserve this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/5-players-to-watch-in-iowa-class-a-quarterfinals/">5 Players to Watch in Iowa Class A Quarterfinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/5-players-to-watch-in-iowa-class-1a-quarterfinals/">5 Players to Watch in Iowa Class 1A Quarterfinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/5-players-to-watch-in-iowa-class-2a-quarterfinals/">5 Players to Watch in Iowa Class 2A Quarterfinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/5-players-to-watch-in-iowa-class-3a-quarterfinals/">5 Players to Watch in Iowa Class 3A Quarterfinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5 Players to Watch in Iowa Class 4A Quarterfinals<br><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/scouting-reports-johnston-dragons-2025/">Scouting Reports: Johnston Dragons 2025<br></a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/scouting-reports-iowa-city-west-2025/">Scouting Reports: Iowa City West 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/scouting-reports-liberty-lightning-2025/">Scouting Reports: Liberty Lightning 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2004458"],"_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-69098133c7543"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of my favorite overlooked prospects in 5A after catching him <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/scouting-reports-west-des-moines-valley-2025/">for the first time</a> against Waukee Northwest earlier this year, [player_tooltip player_id='2004458' first='Blake' last='Dorenkamp'] is among the best running backs in the state this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading Valley in rushing, Dorenkamp has taken 151 rushes for 817 yards and 11 touchdowns, serving as the bell-cow running back for the Tigers this season. Also split out wide from time to time and catching passes out of the backfield, Dorenkamp has caught 18 passes for 172 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hard runner that dishes out punishment and can beat opposing defenders with speed, Dorenkamp is an excellent compliment to Valley's passing attack led by [player_tooltip player_id='401870' first='Drake' last='DeGroote'], [player_tooltip player_id='283946' first='Jayden' last='McGregory'] and [player_tooltip player_id='283945' first='Jayden' last='Brown']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1617589"],"_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-690e2387b456b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A bit of a surprise stud for SEP this season, [player_tooltip player_id='1617589' first='Stanley' last='Cooper'] broke out as the second -- some may say top option -- running back in the Rams backfield this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Sioux Falls commit, [player_tooltip player_id='401671' first='Drew' last='Thompson'] back for his senior year, opposing defenses have clearly keyed in on the talented runner, and Cooper has been a major beneficiary, leading the Rams in rushing yards and touchdowns so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On 144 carries, Cooper has rushed for 1,215 yards (8.4 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns, leading his team in yards, yards per carry and rushing scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1105157"],"_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-69098133c759d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more versatile athletes in the state, Chris Ford may not be the headlining, top of the scouting report player for Sioux City East, but he'll impact the game one way or another for the Black Knights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, Ford has posted 30 receptions for 501 yards and three scores, and it's honestly a bit of a surprise he hasn't been used more in the run-game as a creative, gadget guy. Defensively, his 41 tackles, fumble recover and two interceptions make him a critical piece of East's defensive efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All of that is enough to earn recognition, but Ford really separates himself in the return game. On kickoffs, Ford has taken back seven returns for 360 yards (51.4 yards per return) and three scores, while returning nine punts for 228 yards and two scores. Clearly, opposing teams have learned to boot it away from the elite returnman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401674"],"_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-690a059e27c77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Somehow not the first name one things of on a championship-contending team, [player_tooltip player_id='401674' first='Joey' last='Nahas'] has to share the spotlight with quite the list of talent for Dowling. Between Iowa State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1241492' first='Jeffrey' last='Roberts'], South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1240478' first='Joel' last='Sankoh'], Northern Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='1619623' first='Sam' last='Drexler'], the top prospect in 2028, [player_tooltip player_id='1583613' first='Carter' last='Barrett'], plus [player_tooltip player_id='1286887' first='Evan' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='856072' first='Ian' last='Middleton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='513361' first='Carlos' last='Blount Jr']., Dowling is loaded studs before even mentioning their its quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far this season, Nahas has completed 122-of-196 passes (62.2%) for 1,920 yards, 20 touchdowns and four picks. Nahas, along with receiving interest from Iowa, holds an offer from East Tennessee State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619483"],"_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-690a059e27d80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another productive 5A player that has flown under the radar, likely thanks to the sheer star power his teammates, like [player_tooltip player_id='1295632' first='Isaiah' last='Oliver'], [player_tooltip player_id='1204437' first='Jordon' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1687055' first='Dalton' last='DeBoer'] bring to the table, [player_tooltip player_id='1619483' first='Austin' last='Van Horn'] has been massive for Waukee Northwest's defensive efforts this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a team-leading 81 tackles -- literally doubling second place, Bodie Morrison with 40.5 -- Van Horn boasts the sixth-most tackles in all of 5A. Throw in his four tackles-for-loss, two forced fumble and one fumble recovery, and Van Horn has been monumental in Northwest's run to a one-loss season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->