Five Standouts from the Iowa Class 2A Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the state championship set in 2A, we take a look back at which five prospects stood out the most in the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242935"],"_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-691b7d0b1939b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Writing about [player_tooltip player_id='1242935' first='Brock' last='Badding'] as a passing leader all season, and in previews for the state semis, it was well-known that he was going to be one of the better passers in the UNI-Dome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then he put on a clinic on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throwing one of the more accurate, catchable balls -- especially in the lower population classes -- Badding may be a top 5 passer in the state right now. Taking to the air when Wilton was stopping the Kuemper rushing attack, Badding methodically cut apart the Beavers' passing defense, completing 27-of-38 passes (71%) for 406 yards and six touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the third time this year -- Division I programs still in need of a 2026 QB should be slamming this young man's door down to offer him a scholarship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1354767"],"_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-6918e63981a0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In defensive standoff with Osage, [player_tooltip player_id='1354767' first='Tate' last='Doggett'] was one of the best players on either side of the field in Van Meter's 14-6 win over the Green Devils.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As regular readers know, I'm a sucker for a defensive prospect that sports a club on his wrist and hand and opts to play through it -- Doggett was so much more than that for the Bulldogs on Saturday. Leading the way with 12 tackles, and a tackle-for-loss, Doggett played with a high motor and an awareness of the Osage offense few linebackers in the state would have brought to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of those attributes showed in the fourth quarter when Doggett dropped into zone coverage, reading the QB's eyes and snatching an interception out of the air on the Osage 34-yard line. The senior linebacker took off toward the endzone, shaking off tackle after tackle and rumbling, bumbling, stumbling down to the Osage five-yard line, setting up Van Meter's second score of the day. That touchdown proved to be the game-sealer for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2053767"],"_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-691b7d0b19455"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilton simply couldn't do much to stop Kuemper's passing attack on Saturday, which was unfortunate for a team that won seven straight en route to an upset run into the state semis. The same program that made a run to state in 1A last year, falling to state champion, Grundy Center, made an impact once they got the ball rolling in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A key reason they were able to compete for three quarters with one of the top programs in the state -- and in a new class distinction this season -- was the play of senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='2053767' first='Hayden' last='Hill']. The running back/linebacker hybrid grabbed Kuemper's lone turnover of the day, a diving interception of Badding, and he scored the first touchdown of the day for Wilton, taking a handoff and bouncing it to the outside to make it 14-7. He scored on a two-yard rush in the fourth quarter as well, finishing with 16 carries for 99 yards and adding seven tackles defensively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1900142"],"_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-691b7d0b194c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of few players that could muster much of anything on the offensive side of the ball between Van Meter and Osage, [player_tooltip player_id='1900142' first='Christian' last='Williams'] didn't set the world on fire by any means last Saturday, but he did just enough to seal the deal for the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A running back that plays the same way he does when he lines up at linebacker on defense, Williams is ready to earn every single yard he gets, and that's exactly what he did on both of his scoring rushes of one and two yards. Pounding the rock up the middle, Williams took on would-be tacklers and wouldn't be denied, powering his way into the endzone for the score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second-leading tackler on defense, too, Williams added ten tackles to Doggett's 12, making for a feared combo in the middle of the Van Meter defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2053647"],"_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-691b7d0b19531"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior pass-catcher that led the Green Devils in receiving touchdowns this season, [player_tooltip player_id='2053647' first='Griffin' last='Uhlenhopp'] showed why on a post route to give Osage the early lead on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He actually set up the score himself, too. After a three-and-out possession, the Green Devils booted the ball 40-yards away to Van Meter, who muffed the punt. Right there to pick it up was Uhlenhopp. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grabbing the only receiving touchdown of the day between the two teams, Uhlenhopp showed off the jets and beat his man to the endzone, catching an over-the-shoulder pass from future UNI quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1241488' first='Quinn' last='Street'], to score from 32 yards out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->