Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 3A Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 3A wraps up the weekend of semifinals in the UNI-Dome, with three powerhouses, plus the team that upset top-ranked Clear Lake in the quarters. </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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-1a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 1A Semifinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-2a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 2A Semifinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-2a-semifinals-2/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 4A Semifinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/previewing-the-2025-iowa-class-5a-semifinals/">Previewing the 2025 Iowa Class 5A Semifinals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Bishop Heelan (9-2) vs #6 Wahlert Catholic (9-2)</strong>, 4 PM, Saturday Nov. 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heelan returns to the Dome after a one-year hiatus, looking to return to the state championship game again after its 2023 appearance. The Crusaders are led by Iowa linebacker commit, [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'], who plays his native position on defense and holds down running back duties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, offenses have clearly learned to run plays away from the fifth-ranked prospect in the class of 2026, as he has registered just 39.5 tackles this season, including a team-leading 12 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and five sacks. He has also recovered three fumbles and returned a pick-six 57 yards for a score. On offense, the senior tail back has remained one of the elite rushers in Class 3A, ranking first in rushing attempts at 210, touchdowns with 23 and third in rushing yards with 1,379.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heelan isn't just a one-man show, though, as quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1222862' first='Noah' last='Conley'] has completed 85 passes for 1,291 yards and ten scores this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Thomas is aided by fellow linebackers, Matt Meyer and [player_tooltip player_id='1844698' first='Zack' last='Harpenau'], who have put together 128.5 tackles and 15.5 TFLs. Junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1906706' first='Grant' last='Whitcomb'] is also tied for second in 3A in interceptions with six.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to repeat as 3A state champs after defeating Humboldt 49-14 in last year's final, Dubuque Wahlert returns to the Dome after taking two early season losses to Decorah and West Delaware, now the winners of seven in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Eagles' star power resides with [player_tooltip player_id='1840820' first='Noah' last='Krapfl'], is just the second player in 3A to put together at least 100 tackles this season. He ranks first in 3A in solo tackles with 76. He's also one of four members of the Wahlert squad to register at least three interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A balanced attack offensively, junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1616422' first='JP' last='Elbert'] commands the offense from under center, having completed 103-of-159 passes (64.8%) for 1,440 yards, 12 touchdowns and six picks. A dual-threat gunslinger, he leads the way on the ground, too, with 99 carries for 604 yards and 12 scores. Anderson Herbst is second on the ground for the Golden Eagles, taking 51 carries for 509 yards and five touchdowns. He is tops at receiver, as well, grabbing 41 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick: </strong>Bishop Heelan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 Solon (11-0) vs. #7 Nevada (9-2)</strong>, 7 PM, Saturday Nov. 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bringing in the lone unbeaten squad remaining in 3A, Solon has rolled through its schedule so far this season, with just one of its wins coming by less than double digits and winning by an average of 32.6 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans are captained by senior quarterback and defensive back hybrid, [player_tooltip player_id='1241515' first='Eli' last='Kampman']. A legacy Hawkeye as the son of Aaron Kampman, Eli has stepped into the starting role under center for the first time and been one of the most productive QBs in the state. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, Kampman ranks in the top five in 3A in passing touchdowns (28), passing yards (2,104), offensive yards (2,584) and QB rating (180.7). He's also completed 62.3% of his passes. As a runner, the senior has taken a team-leading 112 carries for 491 yards and five scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kampman wouldn't be able to do it all without two of the best weapons Class 3A has to offer in [player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1885005' first='Kaden' last='Hoeper']. Through the air, the duo of junior wideouts have caught a combined 84 passes for 1,331 yards and 23 touchdowns. Kelley has added 59 carries for 365 yards and 12 scores on the ground. Defensively, Kelley has added 35.5 tackles and five picks. [player_tooltip player_id='1241536' first='Kyler' last='Jensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1204514' first='Lucas' last='Feuerbach'] lead the effort in the first and second levels, combining for 112 tackles and 22 TFLs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevada, a week removed from upsetting No. 1 Clear Lake, is set to make its first-ever appearance in the UNI-Dome, matching up with the Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team surrounded by their quarterback who can sling it and get things moving on the ground, [player_tooltip player_id='1706470' first='Drake' last='Hinson'] holds down quarterback duties for Nevada. The senior ranks in the top five in 3A in passing touchdowns (25) and quarterback rating, (166.9). On the season, he's completed 106-of-183 passes (57.9%) for 1,607 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine picks. He's second in rushing for the Cubs, taking 104 carries for 364 yards and four touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hinson spreads the ball around through the air, having three separate targets that have 330+ yards and seven or more touchdowns through the air. His go-to pass-catcher is fellow senior, Gavin Egeland, who has grabbed 42 receptions for 696 yards and seven scores. [player_tooltip player_id='1242280' first='John' last='Nelson'] has caught nine touchdown passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera'] is the main man on defense, posting a team-lead 56 tackles, 15 TFLs and six sacks this season. The top four pass-rushers for Nevada get after the quarterback, as they've combined for 49.5 TFLs and 17 sacks. Waldera also leads the Cubs in rushing, as he's taken 198 carries for 991 yards and six scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pick: </strong>Solon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->