Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 1A Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1A kicks things off on Friday at the UNI-Dome, with one of the most formidable semifinals set to take place this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-8-man-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa 8-Man Semifinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class A Semifinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 Grundy Center (11-0) vs. #3 Regina (11-0), 10 AM Friday, Nov. 14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most anticipated semi-final games this week, the back-to-back-to-back Class 1A champions and winners of 50 in a row, Grundy Center, taking on the uber-talented, powerhouse program, Regina Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grundy is headlined by their <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/five-more-two-way-wonders-iowa-standouts-on-offense-and-defense/">Two-Way Wonder</a> quarterback/defensive back , [player_tooltip player_id='1614184' first='Judd' last='Jirovsky']. One of the top multi-sport athletes the state has to offer, the Stanford golf commit has completed 86-of-118 passes (72.9%) for 1,340 yards, 20 touchdowns and just two interceptions, plus taking 84 carries for 871 yards and 18 scores on the ground. Defensively, Jirovsky has posted 28.5 tackles, five interceptions and seven pass-breakups (PBUs). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running back and linebacker hybrid, Pete Lebo leads the way in rushing with 93 carries for 641 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to posting a team-leading 56 tackles. Jirovsky's top target, Eli Wegmann has grabbed 32 receptions for 410 yards and six TDs, while Ryder Stilfer intimidates opposing QBs with 15 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and 7.5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though Iowa City Regina doesn't bring a monster winning streak or multiple state championships to the table (this decade, anyway) they bring a <em>squad </em>of future collegiate football players to the table. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting with [player_tooltip player_id='1197445' first='Savion' last='Miller'], Regina's lead running back has taken 93 carries for 819 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also boasts nine catches for 281 yards and nine scores as a receiver. A tailback with incredible balance, a strong lower half, lateral quickness and some pop behind his pads, the junior has racked up offers from programs like Iowa State, Miami (FL) Minnesota, Missouri and others. Don't count out sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='1605331' first='Gabriel' last='Hegelheimer'] out as a potential impact player on offense, either. Though he's taken just 24 carries for 294 yards and six scores this season and is the secondary back to Miller, he's got Power 4 written all over him, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's not the only Regal with multiple P4 offers, either. Tight end/defensive end hybrid, [player_tooltip player_id='466364' first='Tate' last='Wallace'] has grabbed a team-leading 35 receptions for 500 yards and nine touchdowns. Defensively, he leads Regina in 15 TFLs and 7.5 sacks (three of which came on Friday against Pleasantville), plus 40 tackles. Like Hegelheimer, [player_tooltip player_id='2044013' first='Will' last='Litton'] is a secondary pass-rusher and tight end to Wallace, but his length and athleticism flash as a D1 prospect, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He may not be D1 like the aforementioned crew of talent, but he is the straw that stirs the drink for this Regina team -- quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1657101' first='Kyle' last='Tracy'] is one of the best QBs the state has to offer this season. Completing 105-of-139 passes (75.5%) for 1,992 yards, 31 touchdowns and just three picks to go with 68 carries for 436 yards and ten scores on the ground, Tracy has a little Will McElvain (former Des Moines Lincoln and UNI/Central Arkansas QB) to him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick: </strong>Regina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 West Lyon (11-0) vs. #4 South Hardin (10-1), 1 PM Friday, Nov. 14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not the headline grabber, but a battle between juggernauts nonetheless, West Lyon and South Hardin will follow on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reigning Class 2A state champion and No. 1 in 1A from start to finish, West Lyon will look to win a second title in a row. Led by first-year starter, Easton DeJong, the junior gunslinger has completed 70-of-106 passes (66%) for 1,108 yards, 15 touchdowns and just one interception this season. He also has taken 44 carries for 495 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good chunk of the offensive production has come on the back of [player_tooltip player_id='1221929' first='Evan' last='Hildring'], though, as the senior has registered his second 1,000-yard season in a row, taking 135 carries for 1,239 yards and 21 scores on the ground this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A mixture of defensive players standout for the Wildcats, as Daxtyn Metzger leads the way with 60 tackles, [player_tooltip player_id='1238539' first='Ben' last='Meyer'] has posted nine TFLs, and newly established D1 recruit, Jerrence Knoblock leads his squad with 5.5 tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Written off by many to not be able to compete with the other programs that have reached Cedar Falls, South Hardin's lone loss of the season came at the hands of Grundy Center in early October, 21-12. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They sport plenty of talent on their own, though. Senior quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1844227' first='Peyton' last='Welch'] holds down duties under center for one of the more prolific passing offenses in 1A. This season, he has completed 131-of-205 passes for 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions, adding 68 carries for 380 yards and 13 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His top target through the air has been Sam Benson, who has caught 45 passes for 964 yards and 13 TDs. The Tigers' leading rusher has been sophomore Kameron Adams, as the second-year tailback has taken 194 carries for 1,279 yards and 13 scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adding another two-way star to the equation, [player_tooltip player_id='1844219' first='Casey' last='Williamson'] is just behind Benson in the receiving category, grabbing 44 catches for 544 yards and eight scores, while racking up five interceptions and 12 PBUs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick: </strong>West Lyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->