Standouts from Class 3A Quarterfinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A case can be made that Friday night's quarterfinals are the most pressure-packed games of a season. With a victory, teams can exhale a bit. They've cemented their legacies by reaching The Dome for the state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As such, special performances in those emotional quarterfinal games are remembered fondly. Let's take a look at some guys who came up big in Class 3A on Friday:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'], JR, ATH, Solon - </strong>The Spartans' do-it-all performer was at it again Friday night during a 21-6 victory against visiting Winterset. The junior caught six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown, adding 41 yards on the ground. He also produced 6.0 tackles (5 solo, 1.0 TFL) and a sack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh yeah, Kelley picked off three passes, returning one of them to the house. It was another special effort. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Solon standout succeeds with a broad base of skills and by embracing the game's physicality. He has a knack for contributing exactly what his team needs for victory on any given night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'], SR, RB/LB, Bishop Heelan - </strong>Following a run to the state title game in 2023, Heelan bowed out in the first round of last year's postseason. The Crusaders have responded to that disappointment with a run back to The Dome this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas, an Iowa linebacker commitment, has led the way as a two-way star. During Friday's 35-14 victory against Sioux Center, the senior rushed 30 times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He contributed 4.0 tackles to cause as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1242280' first='John' last='Nelson'], SR, WR/DL, Nevada - </strong>Nelson played a key role in multiple phases during the surprise of Friday's 3A quarterfinals. Nevada knocked off previously unbeaten and top-ranked Clear Lake, 24-14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior caught three passes for 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Playing defensive end, a unique positional combination with receiver, he registered three solo tackles, 2.0 stops for loss and two sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204514' first='Lucas' last='Feuerbach'], JR, OL/DL, Solon - </strong>The Spartans usually win the battle in the trenches. Feuerbach is a key component to that end. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior stood out during Solon's strong defensive effort in the win against Winterset. He was credited with 8.0 tackles, including half a stop for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1222862' first='Noah' last='Conley'], SR, QB, Bishop Heelan - </strong>Conley's work behind center complemented what [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'] accomplished in the running game. The senior signal caller completed 61.5 percent of his throws for 110 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He added 49 yards and a score on the ground. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1242277' first='Isaac' last='Williams'], SR, S, Nevada - </strong>In what turned out to be an excellent defensive effort in upsetting top-ranked Clear Lake on Friday, Williams delivered significant contributions. The senior safety recorded a team-high 7.0 tackles, four of which were of the solo variety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1620016' first='Jace' last='Bellamy'], SR, RB/S, Winterset</strong> - While the final score of 21-6 might not indicate it, Winterset's defense played well in a loss at Solon in Friday's quarterfinals. The Spartans scored touchdowns on a Pick-6 and punt return. And they averaged more than 40 points per game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bellamy was a key for the Huskies on defense. The senior safety had 8.0 tackles and intercepted a pass. He also chipped in 29 yards rushing on a night where they couldn't generate much offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'], JR, QB/S, Clear Lake - </strong>The Lions put together a dominant regular season and overwhelmed a good Mount Vernon squad in the first-round of the playoffs. They ran up against a game Nevada outfit, however, coming up short of their goals. It wasn't due to a lack of effort, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McIntire put forth a strong one on Friday as he had done throughout his prep career. The junior threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns against one interception, adding 47 yards on the ground. He also led Clear Lake with 9.5 tackles, five of which were solo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->