5 Players to Watch in Iowa Class 4A 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/5-players-to-watch-in-iowa-8-man-quarterfinals/">5 Players to Watch in Iowa 8-Man Quarterfinals</a></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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/scouting-reports-newton-cardinals-2025/">Scouting Reports: Newton Cardinals 2025<br></a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/09/scouting-reports-pella-2025/">Scouting Reports: Pella 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/scouting-reports-cedar-rapids-xavier-2025/">Scouting Reports: Cedar Rapids Xavier 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240437"],"_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-690d0b103cfc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Part of last year's 4A state championship team, [player_tooltip player_id='1240437' first='Bryce' last='Burke'] was a part of North Polk's 2024 efforts, but he has stepped up in a major way for the Comets this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way in receiving, Burke has caught 42 passes for 762 yards and six touchdowns, adding a score on the ground. Defensively, along with his 20 tackles at DB, he's snagged a team-leading four interceptions. On special teams, he's returned 10 kicks for 252 yards and four punts for 61 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1840100"],"_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-690d0b103d037"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The hear of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton defense, junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'] leads the way in several defensive categories for the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Causing quite a bit of disruption to opposing team's offensive schemes, Jones has registered 57 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and five sacks this season on behalf of SBL. Adding an interception he returned 35 yards for a touchdown, Jones has been integral to the Warriors' 9-1 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1619944"],"_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-690d0b103d088"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Receiving two Division I offers between September and October, [player_tooltip player_id='1619944' first='Noah' last='Milburn'] is one of the senior year risers in the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 29 catches for 511 yards and eight touchdowns, the 6-foot-5 passing target is one of the bigger pass-catchers in the state and has proven to be the leader through the air for Decorah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Milburn has added 26.5 tackles, three TFLs, three interceptions and returned a fumble eight yards for a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620106"],"_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-690d0b103d0d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Led by [player_tooltip player_id='1619815' first='Hudson' last='Shull'], ADM's starting quarterback gets much of the spotlight as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state of Iowa. The Tigers' 9-1 season likely wouldn't have come together, though, if it weren't for players like [player_tooltip player_id='1620106' first='Jackson' last='Pitzen'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The leading tackler for ADM, Pitzen has registered 41 for the Tigers in 2025. In addition to leading the way in tackles, Pitzen has grabbed two interceptions, including a pick-six, and recovered a fumble this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ethan Rash","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gilbert","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690d0b103d193"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresh off narrowly escaping an upset bid by Lewis Central, Ethan Rash and Gilbert will get their shot at the Dome on Saturday and attempt to keep their undefeated season alive against Newton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Shull to Pitzen, Rash is often overlooked by the star power of [player_tooltip player_id='1238506' first='Cameron' last='Cantonwine'], who leads Gilbert in rushing attempts, rushing yards and tackles. Rash, who plays QB for the Tigers, is also incredibly important to Gilbert's offensive efforts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A ground-game focused approach, Rash's legs come into factor much more than his arm. This season, Rash has taken 122 carries for 708 yards and a team-leading 14 rushing touchdowns. With the occasional pass to keep opposing team's guessing, Rash has also completed 16-of-27 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns to zero interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->