Five Standouts from the Iowa Class 1A Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Five players stood out from the rest in Iowa's Class 1A Semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/10-day-2-standouts-iowa-high-school-state-playoffs/">10 Day 2 Standouts, Iowa High School State Playoffs</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689991"],"_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-6917ca1cb2879"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There weren't a ton of bright spots for South Hardin on Friday afternoon, but one couldn't leave its matchup with West Lyon and say the Wildcats went untested. Sam Benson was a key reason why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior receiver and defensive back hybrid showed off the ball skills that carried he and the ariel attack of the Tigers all season long -- on offense and defense. Hauling in some difficult catches to finish with three catches for 51 yards, along with an interception he contorted his body to high point and haul in, Benson was effective on both sides of the ball. He finished with nine tackles, as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657093"],"_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-6917855be337b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scoring the first touchdown of the day, grabbing an interception to steal a touchdown away from the Spartans, and stealing the final pick to seal the deal and end Grundy Center's 50-game winning streak, [player_tooltip player_id='1657093' first='Drew' last='Greve'] was all over the field Friday morning. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He finished with two catches for 44 yards and a touchdown, adding five tackles, a tackle-for-loss (TFL) and two pass-breakups (PBUs) to his interception on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Jirovsky, Greve found a way to impact the game in each and every way he possibly could. Whether he plays defensive back or wide receiver at the next level, he'll be a home run addition with excellent ball-skills and feel for the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221929"],"_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-6917ca1cb290e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The lead back for West Lyon, expectations in seeing [player_tooltip player_id='1221929' first='Evan' last='Hildring'] for the first time in person were that he'd be a hard-nosed, run it down your throat tail back that's tough to tackle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Instead, Hildring brought pure, breakaway speed to the table against the Tigers. thanks to a big hole the Wildcat OL constructed in the second quarter, he got West Lyon on the board with a 62 yard run, where he saw the hole and took off. With linebackers closing in, Hildring put on the jets and outran the entire South Hardin defense to the endzone. With a quick stutter-step to avoid would-be tacklers in the backfield, he helps prevent TFLs that can stall drives for the Wildcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1614184"],"_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-6917855be3436"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The man who has done anything and everything for Grundy Center over his career with the Spartans, [player_tooltip player_id='1614184' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky'] couldn't will his team to victory in his final game of high school ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He did everything he could, though. The quarterback/defensive back hybrid completed 17-of-31 passes for for 170 yards and a touchdown, also taking 15 carries for 53 yards. With a quick release at quarterback and the ability to shake off tackles like they're nothing -- even from Power 4 recruits -- Jirovsky is one of the better athletes the state of Iowa has ever seen. Not a physically imposing presence, he has let his play do the talking since day one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding four tackles, a toe-tap interception and a fumble recovery at DB, Jirovsky very well could have played Division I football somewhere simly with his nose for the ball and a frame to fill out. Undoubtedly an all-around athlete, he'll have plenty of opportunities when golfing for Stanford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197445"],"_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-6917855be34cf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1197445' first='Savion' last='Miller'] just continues to prove that he is a Power 4 running back. On its face, one would think he'd put up more ridiculous numbers at the 1A level as a P4 prospect, but Regina's bevy of talent allows them to spread the ball around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with that said, the star tail back finished with 167 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the field, Miller shows elite patience, balance and strength, waiting for holes to open up, bursting through tackles and gaining extra yards whenever they're presented. With offers from programs like Iowa State, Miami (FL), Minnesota and Missouri, more and more schools should come calling after performances so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->