Picking Friday’s Class 2A and 3A State Championship Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Picking who wins and why ahead of the state championship games in Cedar Falls on Thursday and Friday. On Friday, Class 2A and 3A kickoff in the afternoon and evening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/picking-thursdays-8-man-and-class-a-state-championship-games/">Picking Thursday's 8-Man and Class A State Championship Games</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/picking-thursdays-class-1a-and-4a-state-championship-games/">Picking Thursday's Class 1A and 4A State Championship Games</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 2A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10:00–#1 Kuemper Catholic (12-0) vs. #6 Van Meter (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only standout I specifically wrote about from the 2A semifinals, everything starts offensively with Kuemper quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1242935' first='Brock' last='Badding']. One of the top QB prospects in the state, it's almost mindboggling to me that the 6-foot-1 senior hasn't reported any football offers. He's got a plethora of weapons in Carroll, passing to Power 4 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='850243' first='Brayton' last='Alford'] and leading receiver, Griffin Glynn. He also has the luxury of handing the ball off to [player_tooltip player_id='1621099' first='Jarin' last='Hoffman'], who often has the way paved by 6-foot-5, 315-pound junior OL, [player_tooltip player_id='1694834' first='Reid' last='Steger'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A perennial powerhouse, Van Meter will do what it can to slow down the game, possess the ball and run it down the throat of the Knight's defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1900142' first='Christian' last='Williams'] is a star on both sides of the ball at linebacker and running back, and [player_tooltip player_id='1354767' first='Tate' last='Doggett'] put on heroics in the Bulldogs win over Osage in the semis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick</strong>: Kuemper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why: </strong>It's hard to bet against Kuemper this season. Seemingly bound for the state title from the get-go, Kuemper has the top margin of victory in 2A of 27.3 points. Though Badding is the headliner on offense, the defense is legitimate for Kuemper, too. There are just too many weapons and athletes on the Knights' roster to compete with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class 3A</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1:00–#4 Bishop Heelan (10-2) vs. #7 Nevada (10-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a dominant win over the reigning state champion in the semis, Bishop Heelan showed that they're more than their star, [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'], who went down with an injury in the second quarter. [player_tooltip player_id='1222862' first='Noah' last='Conley'] completed12-of-19 passes (63%) for 152 yards and three touchdowns, and he took seven carries for 24 yards and a touchdown. [player_tooltip player_id='1906706' first='Grant' last='Whitcomb'] finished with game three catches for 44 yards and two scores, adding a pass-breakup (PBU) on defense. They could certainly use the future Iowa linebacker, as he led the Crusaders in carries, yards and touchdowns on the ground this season, and as tough as he is to bring down as a runner, he's just as dominant when it comes to getting after the quarterback. If he can go, it'll be tough for Nevada to overcome what he's capable of on the football field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Heelan is forced to play without Thomas, though, we could be having a <em>very </em>different conversation. After upsetting the top-ranked team in back-to-back weeks, Nevada shouldn't be counted out against anyone. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1706470' first='Drake' last='Hinson'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera'] captain the offense, with Waldera also leading the Cubs in tackling. Kicker Gavin Egeland put up 11 of Nevada's 29 points, as well, even booting one in from 45-yards out. The No. 7 team in 3A doesn't leave points on the board. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick</strong>: Heelan (if Thomas is healthy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why:</strong> Thomas is one of the most dominant running backs the state has seen over the last several years. A future linebacker for the Hawkeyes, he imposes his will on both sides of the ball. If he's able to go and play at 100%, it'll be difficult to pick anyone other than the Crusaders. Nevada isn't a team to mess around with, though, and once Waldera gets goin it'll be tough to stop him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->