Six Standouts from the Iowa 3A Championship

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six of the top playmakers from Nevada's 27-6 state championship win over Bishop Heelan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/five-standouts-from-the-8-man-semifinals/">Five Standouts from the Iowa 8-Man State Championship Game</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/11/six-standouts-from-the-iowa-1a-state-championship-game/">Six Standouts from the Iowa 1A State Championship Game</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222862"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920de04ca03e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Under pressure all day long, [player_tooltip player_id='1222862' first='Noah' last='Conley'] had to put on his Superman cape and play hero on almost every single offensive snap. Avoiding pressure with wildly good pocket awareness, Conley stayed alive and avoided sacks on every drop back, ensuring plays stayed alive. Finding a way to get to the ball to receivers despite being run down, Conley showed off speed, arm strength and vision while passing. Still, he took an absolute beating behind the line of scrimmage, stook up and continued to give it his all through the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He finished the day 18-of-37 for 230 yards and a touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1706470"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920de04ca0b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not the star or name everyone knows when Nevada's Cinderella run comes up, [player_tooltip player_id='1706470' first='Drake' last='Hinson'] has been just as critical to the Cubs' state championship run as running back [player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera']. Hinson, a tall QB who can oversee the field, withstood hits in the run game and stood composed in the pocket, delivering passes that gave his receivers opportunities to go get passes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough, between-the-tackles runner that can also beat you over the top, Hinson did exactly what he needed to do for Nevada to take home the title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Through the air, he completed 3-of-7 passes for 74 yards, adding 12 rushes for 59 yards and the final touchdown of the day for the Cubs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2061250"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920de04ca100"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stepping up as the last line of the defense for Heelan, sophomore defensive back, [player_tooltip player_id='2061250' first='Dylan' last='Knapp'] was added to the rankings thanks to his performance in the state title game. A top-four tackler for the Crusaders this season, Knapp showed up in a big way for his team when needed most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Serving in the third level of the Heelan defense, Knapp was seemingly involved in every play and never left the screen, finishing with a team-leading 14 tackles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242255"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920de04ca149"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The cohort in Conley's heroics, [player_tooltip player_id='1242255' first='Caden' last='Lester'] was his quarterback's go-to receiver when he was able to get it away, and over and over again, Lester came up with a big catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tall, long receiver that served as Heelan's true X all season long, Lester served as one of the reasons the Crusaders were able to stay alive through the majority of the game, as he showed ball-skills that few in the state of Iowa can rival, hauling in passes and finding ways to get open despite the fury of rushers Conley had to face on every passing play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He finished the day with nine catches for 93 yards and the lone score of the day for Heelan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242280"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920de04ca191"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of those pass-rushers that made the day incredibly difficult for Conley, [player_tooltip player_id='1242280' first='John' last='Nelson'] lived in the backfield on Friday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tight end/defensive end hybrid, Nelson was described as the "unsung hero" of the title run for the Cubs. An edge that knows how to use his length to his advantage, Nelson is a pass-rusher every single opposing offensive tackle doesn't want to match up with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He finished with a team-lead, three tackles-for-loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jaycee Rangel-Bello","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Nevada","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6920de04ca297"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Again, everyone will look at the result of the game and point to the running back, Waldera's stats (as they should, he took 34 carries for 173 yards and a touchdown), but those numbers don't happen without the play of his offensive line -- specifically senior guard, Jaycee Rangel-Ballo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cubs repeatedly ran off the left tackle, [player_tooltip player_id='1242258' first='Isaac' last='Harrington'] -- a Grandview commit -- with Rangel-Bello pulling from his right guard spot. A lead blocker that would more often than not take out a would-be tackler, the 6-foot, 245-pound lineman was critical in paving the way for Nevada rushing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->