5 Players to Watch in Iowa 8-Man Quarterfinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the quarterfinals of the Iowa High School Football playoffs right around the corner, we detail five players to watch -- maybe a few that haven't gotten the spotlight as much as they deserve this season. 8-Man playoffs kickoff Thursday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2005054"],"_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-690a57109eede"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The big name for Iowa Valley is absolutely quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1197463' first='Nolan' last='Kriegel'], who has led the state in touchdowns virtually all season, and remains atop with 58 scores so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>But</em>, Iowa Valley likely wouldn't have their undefeated, 10-0 record without the performances of fellow junior standout for the Tigers, [player_tooltip player_id='2005054' first='Chance' last='Hoyt']. Defensively is where the 5-foot-7, 170-pound linebacker stands out most, as he leads Iowa Valley in tackles (50.5) and tackles-for-loss (21) so far this season to go along with 3.5 sacks. He's pulled his weight offensively, too, taking 36 carries for 274 yards and eight touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197467"],"_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-690a57109ef6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alongside two-way star, [player_tooltip player_id='1034037' first='Hudson' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='1197467' first='Treyvon' last='Herron'] is part of the two-man show Gladbrook-Reinbeck has put on all year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Posting nothing but double-digit wins all year, Herron has led from the front with Clark, as he has taken 75 carries for 1,062 yards and 22 touchdowns offensively to compliment Clark's outlandish receiving numbers. As a pass-catcher, Herron is second on the team in receiving, grabbing 13 catches for 208 yards and three scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, Herron has posted 61 tackles, including 13.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. He's also been a turnover machine, forcing four fumbles and recovering three, and grabbing three interceptions, including two pick-sixes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2005055"],"_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-690a57109efd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A sophomore sensation at quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='2005055' first='Aiden' last='Kjergaard'] and Audobon will take on Iowa Valley in a battle of undefeated teams on Thursday evening. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the Tigers, the Wheelers are led in a multitude of stats by their gunslinger. Kjergaard has done most of his work on the ground, taking 106 carries for 1,256 yards and 30 scores. He's also completed 29-of-37 passes for 657 yards, ten touchdowns and zero picks. Defensively, he's grabbed four picks, taking two back for scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2005136"],"_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-690a746d1de95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big ball-carrier -- especially at the 8-Man level, [player_tooltip player_id='2005136' first='Ethan' last='Marso'] is an intimidating presence on the field for Bishop Garrigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rarely seen in 2025, Marso is listed as a fullback on the Golden Bears roster, and he runs like it. Taking would-be tacklers head on, Marso initiates contact with the defense and is willing to dish out punishment to any takers. He leads the Garrigan offense in all three rushing categories, taking 122 carries for 1,067 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also his team's starting middle linebacker, Marso leads the way in tackles for the Golden Bears with 37.5, adding seven TFLs and four sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601642"],"_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-690a57109f031"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading another undefeated team into the quarterfinals, [player_tooltip player_id='1601642' first='Jax' last='Steger'] and Edgewood-Colesburg will face Gladbrook-Reinbeck in a contest of 10-0 sqauds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steger provides much of the offensive firepower for the Vikings, completing 76-of-134 passes for 1,749 yards, 28 touchdowns and just two picks. On the ground, he's taken 91 carries for 1,131 yards and 19 scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of the stars in 8-Man, Steger rarely leaves the field, and he has put together 32 tackles, three TFLs and an interception this season. Another sophomore star, he and Kjergaard are two of the up-and-comers in 8-Man to keep an eye on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->