Scouting Reports: State Semis 1A Guys on the Rise

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   Prep Redzone Iowa was in the house for all of last week's state semifinals. Please check out the front page of the site for recaps, reactions and photo galleries from the games, eight-player through Class 5A.   Now that I'm back at my desk, I'm going through my mental rolodex of what I witnessed. The results will be a "Guys on the Rise" series of fresh scouting reports from what I saw.   Here's a closer look at guys in 1A:    I remember seeing Wallace line up against rival West Branch as a skinny freshman in the Little Rose Bowl. I've watched him multiple times every year since then. He's steadily improved as a player and developed physically. Skinny is not a word associated with him these days. Just like two years ago, Wallace as a knack for delivering impactful plays on both sides of the ball. The junior was at it again in the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. He helped the Regals end Grundy Center's 50-game winning streak with a team-high 7.0 tackles (4 solo, 2.5 TFL), two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry. Wallace also hauled in a pair of passes for 40 yards. While I could see him succeeding on offense at the next level, he's grown into a Power 4 level defender. The skill set probably fits best coming off of the edge in a four-person front or at outside linebacker in a 3-4. Wallace possesses the athleticism and speed to work as a backer in a 4-3, too. He'd also be an asset on special teams. Prep Redzone Iowa already sees Wallace as the No. 1 linebacker and fifth-best player overall in the 2027 Class, but he's still lifted his prospect stock significantly this season.     Litton tends to get overshadowed on a team with two players in his own graduating class holding Power 4 offers. Litton is due some attention, though, after a junior season that's been integral in helping the Regals reach the 1A state championship. During an impressive semifinal victory that ended Grundy Center's 50-game winning streak, Litton produced 6.0 tackles, three of which were solo. He had 2.5 tackles for loss and a half sack. The performance raised his 2025 totals to 33.0 tackles (16 solo, 11.5 TFL), 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Litton succeeds with burst and athleticism. He often is too quick for the offensive linemen. He's strong already with a chance to add plenty more as his projectable frame take on good weight. Litton is a multi-sport athlete, also impacting the action in baseball and basketball. He's certainly worthy of more attention on the football recruiting trail.     We've listed Sager's weight as 150 pounds as it is on the official Grundy Center roster. That said, he looks to have more weight than that on his 6-foot-2 frame seeing him in person. He also appears to have a bright future based on his performance against Regina Catholic in the 2025 state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. Operating for an outfit with 50 wins in a row and three consecutive state championships, Sager looked comfortable and capable as the Spartans starting center. He handed the intricacies of the position with poise beyond his years facing a Regal front with plenty of muscle. Grundy Center does a wonderful job developing players. With Sager off to a great start to his prep career in that environment, he's one whose development is, for sure, one to watch moving forward.     West Lyon is one of those programs that always features interesting college prospects all around the field. Ciesielski is one who gets lost in the shuffle of a talented roster. He announced his presence during a state semifinal victory against South Hardin at the UNI-Dome, however. The senior racked up a team-leading 7.0 tackles (5 solo, 1.0 TFL) and intercepted two passes. Ciesielski also caught one of his team's two completions in the game, his catch going for 28 yards. I couldn't find much on Ciesielski's recruitment on line, but he's a kid plenty of programs could develop. He has the raw ability, speed, athleticism and size to work at tight end but also is intriguing as a hybrid linebacker-defensive back. Ciesielski is a college basketball prospect as well.     Through the years, West Lyon fields teams that look a little more advanced than the opponents in its classification. The players are bigger and faster than the guys lining up across from them. There are usually multiple, long, athletic types with projectable frames capable of adding good weight and still maintaining the desired explosion. Underberg is one of those dudes with speed and agility that he can maintain while adding mass and strength at the next level. He produced a team-high six solo tackles during a state semifinal triumph against South Hardin at the UNI-Dome. He intercepted two passes this season and could work in college as a hybrid linebacker or tight end.     I was impressed with Williamson's sophomore film from 2024 and wrote about him back in the spring. It was valuable to scout him in person during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome this fall. The performance confirmed what he showed on film, which is potential as a college prospect on both sides of the ball. In this game, he caught nine passes for 79 yards on a day when offense was hard to come by. He also contributed a pair of solo tackles. Williamson finished his junior campaign with a team-best 53 receptions for 623 yards and eight touchdowns. He totaled 21.0 tackles (18 solo, 1.0 TFL) with five interceptions. Williamson averaged 18.8 yards on 14 kick returns and 8.2 on 12 punt returns. He would be benefit from camping with colleges this coming spring and summer.

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