These Guys Shined in 4A 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 4A on Friday:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein'], SR, QB/DB, Newton - </strong>Klein has played a major role in a lot of Cardinal wins during the last few seasons. None of those performances proved more impactful than what the senior did on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Klein completed four of six throws for 178 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions. He also rushed seven times for 120 yards and a score, and delivered 10 solo tackles, a stop for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted Klein during a game at Clear Creek Amana earlier this season. He impressed me with his athleticism, speed and toughness. That showed up again Friday in a 42-14 victory against previously unbeaten Gilbert in earning a trip to The Dome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1240470' first='Emmanuel' last='Diers'], SR, RB/DB, Pella - </strong>Diers played a major role in helping the Dutch reach the 2024 state championship game. Pella is heading back to The Dome thanks to him providing much of the offense during a defensive battle in Friday's 7-6 quarterfinal win against Decorah.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Diers toted the rock 32 times for 132 yards and his team's lone touchdown. He also caught three passes for 17 yards and contributed three solo tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1992066' first='Beckett' last='Verros'], JR, RB, Sergeant Bluff-Luton - </strong>The Warriors reached The Dome in 3A last season. They moved up a class this fall and earned a trip back to the semifinals. They knocked off defending 4A champion North Polk, 55-15, on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Verros led a balanced offensive attack with 18 carries for 183 yards and a touchdown. He added a solo tackle. For the season, he's rushed for 1317 yards (10.3 YPC) and 14 scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619913' first='Finn' last='Martin'], SR, WR, Newton - </strong>The senior receiver has enjoyed a wondering final prep season with 42 catches for 1,078 yards and 14 touchdowns. Proving that he can do it in big moments, he added three receptions for 145 yards and two TDs in Friday's quarterfinal win against Gilbert. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1644914' first='Kyler' last='VanMaanen'], JR, LB, Pella - </strong>The Dutch defense dug in and delivered during Friday's 7-6 quarterfinal victory against Decorah. VanMaanen led the charge with 9.5 tackles, nine of which were solo. He also was credited with 2.5 stops for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1421471' first='Gavin' last='Warren'], SR, WR/DB/KR, Sergeant Bluff-Luton - </strong>The versatile and dynamic Warren came up with a pair of memorable moments in helping Sergeant Bluff-Luton back to The Dome. The senior picked off a pass and took it 31 yards to the house. He also ripped off an 87-yard kick return for a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peyton Webb, SR, DB, Decorah - </strong>The Vikings lost a heartbreaker in Friday's quarterfinals. Pella slipped them, 7-6. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webb turned in one of the better performances on a determined Decorah defense. The senior recorded 5.0 tackles (4 solo, 1.0 TFL) and intercepted a pass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->