Five Standouts from the Iowa Class 3A 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":["1222862"],"_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-691bcc244345f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With star linebacker and running back, [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] injured part way through the second quarter and out the rest of the game, somebody had to step up offensively for Bishop Heelan in Cedar Falls. Luckily for the Crusaders, their senior quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1222862' first='Noah' last='Conley'] was ready to take the reigns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conley, who didn't put up ridiculous numbers this season under center, did it through the air and on the ground in the semis. Completing 12-of-19 passes (63%) for 152 yards and three touchdowns, Conley put up one-fifth of his total passing TDs so far this season when it mattered most. Not a huge runner, either, Conley took seven carries for 24 yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For how little he did in the regular season relative to his performance in The Dome, Conley looked like a seasoned vet, showing off athleticism and throwing with zip, commanding the offense to a decisive win. </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":"Gavin Egeland","_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":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nevada","_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-691bcc24435a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A key part of Nevada's Cinderella run to the 3A state title game, Gavin Egeland was responsible for 11 of the Cubs' 29 points on Saturday in the kicking game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Often forced to go for it or punt despite being in enemy territory -- between the 25 and 40 yard line of the opponent -- high school teams leave a lot of points on the board. Egeland makes it so Nevada doesn't have to. Hitting field goals of 38, 42 and 45 yards for the Cubs in their winning effort, Egeland was and has been critical for their winning ways this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, he also caught a pass for 14 yards and nabbed an interception, proving kickers can be athletes, too. Also a socker player for Nevada, if there are any programs seeking out a kicker, he could be of service with the leg he showed of against Solon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1842569"],"_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-691bcc2443634"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The one major constant for Solon in their 29-10 loss to Nevada, [player_tooltip player_id='1842569' first='Tripp' last='Johnson'] did all he could on the defensive side of the ball for the Trojans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finishing with a team-leading 12 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss (TFLs), the senior linebacker plays aggressively, always on his toes and in attack mode. Playing a read-and-react style, Johnson reacts quicker than most -- showing off exactly why he was able to rack up the stats he did in the semis. He showed up on special teams for the Trojans, too, grabbing a muffed munt that set up Solon's field goal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242256"],"_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-691bcc24436bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If it wasn't Egeland making things happen for the Cubs, it was [player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera']. The leading rusher and tackler for Nevada on Saturday, Waldera is the straw that stirs the drink on his football team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot, 200-pound prospect took carry after carry, delivering and taking a beating on the ground, but popping back up and doing it all over again a play later. Finishing with 36 rushing attempts for 233 yards and a touchdown on offense, Wadera added 11 tackles defensively, including three TFLs and a sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A patient runner that will let his blocks get set up before taking off, he'll bring the pain to any would-be tackler who tries to bring him down, too. Waldera is a football player through-and-through, and he sets the tone for what the Cubs do on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906706"],"_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-691bcc244373f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Though impactful for Heelan as a receiver, [player_tooltip player_id='1906706' first='Grant' last='Whitcomb'] has largely been recognized for what he's done at defensive back this season in Sioux City, grabbing six interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, he showed up in a big way, helping out Conley's efforts and willing the Crusaders to their 13-point win over the reigning 3A champions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic receiver that stands at 6-feet tall, Whitcomb uses his long strides to get behind the defense and is more than willing to lay out and make tough catches, showing off body control to haul in passes that aren't the most easily caught. Conley found him deep twice, as Whitcomb finished with three catches for 44 yards and two scores. He added a pass-breakup (PBU) on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->