Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 4A Semifinals

Class 4A kicks play the first night games of the 2025 Iowa High School State Semis, setting up for a battle between two up-and-coming programs and two powerhouses.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-8-man-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa 8-Man Semifinals</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class A Semifinals</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-1a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 1A Semifinals</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-2a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 2A Semifinals</a>   #3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (10-1) vs #4 Pella (10-1), 4 p.m. Friday Nov. 12   After taking a loss to one of the top teams in Class 3A, Bishop Heelan, to start the 2025 campaign, Sergeant Buff-Luton has gone on a rampage through its 4A opponents as the winners of ten straight. Some of those victories included a three-point win over a top program in the state, Lewis Central, a 38-0 victory over talented Fort Dodge and a 55-15 win over the reigning state champions, North Polk. New to Class 4A this season after dropping a 17-16 loss to eventual 3A champions in the semifinals last year.   The Warriors' who are propelled by a run-heavy offense, are led offensively by running back [player_tooltip player_id='1992066' first='Beckett' last='Verros']. Taking 128 carries for 1,317 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, the junior keeps the SBL offense moving. Defenses also have to prepare for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1692983' first='Isaiah' last='Jervik'], who has taken 90 carries for 502 yards and ten scores. Though the Warriors don't throw the ball often, Jervik handles those duties, completing 36-of-65 passes (55.4%) for 545 yards, eight touchdowns and two picks. His primary target through the air, [player_tooltip player_id='1421471' first='Gavin' last='Warren'], has caught 19 passes or 305 yards and all eight of Jervik's touchdown passes.   Defensively, SBL's stud linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'] is the man in the middle, and the man stopping opposing offenses from getting going. With a team-leading 62.5 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and six sacks, Jones has had a monster junior season. His disruption up front has allowed Jervik and Warren to each grab four interceptions this season, too.   Nearly right back to where they were in 2024, Pella returns as a perennial powerhouse, seeking its second straight appearance in the 4A state championship game. With wins of one and three points in their two previous playoff matchups, the Dutch have flown by the skin of their teeth back to the Dome, but do not count them out from a shot at adding to their trophy case this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1240470' first='Emmanuel' last='Diers'] carries the weight of the Pella offense more than most others do in Iowa high school football, taking 242 carries for 1,503 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, in addition to leading his team in receiving with 37 touchdowns for 368 yards and four scores. Taking some of the load off of Diers offensively, South Dakota State commit, [player_tooltip player_id='897440' first='Harrison' last='Mullens'] is right behind him in receiving after missing part of the year with injury, posting 34 receptions for 326 yards and seven touchdowns. Big pass-catcher, Logan VanDenBroek leads the Dutch in receiving yards with 397 on 24 catches, including five touchdowns.   Defensively, the conversation starts and ends with linebackers, Kyler Van Maanen and [player_tooltip player_id='1581293' first='Nate' last='Warner']. The pair have combined for 136 tackles, 31.5 TFLs and four sacks. Meanwhile, on the backend, rangy defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='1620031' first='Rex' last='Rhamy'] makes opposing quarterbacks pay by reading their eyes and breaking on the ball, posting a team-leading six interceptions.   The Pick: Pella   #1 Xavier (11-0) vs. #7 Newton (10-1) 7 p.m. Friday Nov. 12   The top team in Class 4A from start to finish, Cedar Rapids Xavier has been nothing but dominant this season. Averaging 42 points per game, the Saints have an average margin of victory of 31 points this season. Throughout the year, Duane Schulte's squad has piled up wins against a talented Clear Creek Amana squad (54-21), Williamsburg (45-14) and Decorah (34-0). The even throttled high-powered ADM last week, 45-7.   With a barrage of talent, two players stand out the most offensively. Junior signal-caller, [player_tooltip player_id='1827747' first='Cash' last='Parks'] is the straw that stirs the drink for Xavier, a stead-eddy quarterback that is never too high and never too low. This season, Parks has completed a mind-boggling 102-of-133 passes (76.7%) for 1,921 yards, 26 touchdowns and just one pick. With numbers like that and a strong demeanor of leadership, FCS programs should be all over Parks. [player_tooltip player_id='1619867' first='Ryan' last='Kelly'] has served as Parks' top target, grabbing 39 passes for 659 yards and nine scores.   He's helped out offensively by star tailback, Carter Hoffman, who has Division II stud written all over him. Standing at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Hoffman is the last ball-carrier opposing linebackers want to meet in a gap. A runner that packs a punch, Hoffman has taken 158 carries for 1,013 yards and 16 scores. Parks is second in all rushing statistical categories, having posted 64 carries for 354 yards and eight touchdowns this season.   Defensively, the Saints have hard-hitters at all three levels, but are led by linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='1827791' first='Beau' last='Morio']. The junior can pop unsuspecting ball-carriers, setting the tone for Xavier as they protect the endzone. He and [player_tooltip player_id='1827797' first='Nolan' last='Wilgenbusch'] lead the Saints in TFLs, as Morio has posted eight to Wilgenbusch's nine. Senior DB [player_tooltip player_id='1827777' first='Michael' last='Bean'] has been a turnover machine for his team this season, recovering a team-lead two fumbles and four interceptions. Don't forget about sophomore safeties, [player_tooltip player_id='1924714' first='Carson' last='Mahoney'] and Max Dougherty, though. The pair of youngsters have paired together for 46.5 tackles this season, along with four interceptions. If Morio can't get to the ball-carrier quickly, expect one of Mahoney or Dougherty to get downhill and lay the wood.   Then there's Xavier's opponent, Newton. Not to be overlooked coming in as the No. 7 team in Class 4A, the Cardinals have some serious star power pushing them forward this season. En route to the Dome, Newton has taken down 4A powers like Pella, 35-33 (on their homecoming, no less) and Gilbert, 42-14. The Cardinals are legit.   Offensively, they can do just about anything they need to in order to win. [player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein'] captains the ship, as he has completed 75-of-140 passes (53.6%) for 1,700 yards, 20 touchdowns and just four picks. Serving as Klein's top receiver, [player_tooltip player_id='1619913' first='Finn' last='Martin'] has caught 42 passes for 1,078 yards and 14 touchdowns, making him No. 1 in 4A in yards and touchdowns.   On the ground, Klein may be even more of a threat, stacking 769 yards and 19 touchdowns on 86 carries. He leads 4A in total touchdowns with 39. In almost any other situation, Klein would have to do a lot more -- but thanks to having a Power 4 running back on his side, Klein can stay a little more fresh and take fewer hits. [player_tooltip player_id='1366537' first='Isaiah' last='Hansen'], who holds an offer from Iowa State plus interest from Iowa and Kansas State, has taken 149 carries for 1,271 yards and 18 scores this season.   Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='1532913' first='Nick' last='Milburn'] is tops in 4A in tackles (by nearly 40) and is second in all classes in total tackles with 112. On top of that, Milburn is first in solo tackles with 104. One of the most productive tacklers the state has had in recent memory, Milburn looks like an FCS recruiting coordinator's dream at middle linebacker -- and who knows? He may be worth a PWO spot at the Power 4 level. Senior DBs Ali Yahia and [player_tooltip player_id='1906898' first='Dawson' last='Maki'] bring it home, with five interceptions each.   The Pick: Xavier

Class 4A kicks play the first night games of the 2025 Iowa High School State Semis, setting up for a battle between two up-and-coming programs and two powerhouses.