Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Clear Lake

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early look at some of the top teams in each class, starting with Class 3A. We'll profile several programs that look to return the talent necessary to compete for a state championship in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/iowa-3a-way-too-early-2026-title-contenders-sioux-center/">Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Sioux Center</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of many victims of the stunning Cinderella run by Nevada to the 3A state title, Clear Lake ran the regular season table before falling to the Cubs in the quarterfinals of the playoffs, coming up just short of an appearance in the UNI-Dome. Routinely one of the top teams in the class throughout the year but falling shy of a trip to Cedar Falls, the Lions will look to exorcise the Demons of yesteryear and ride the regular season momentum to, at the least, a run to the semifinals in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luckily, they've got Division I recruit and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/10/two-way-wonders-standouts-on-offense-and-defense/">one of the top two-way players in the state</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'] on their side. A mobile quarterback that threw darts and ran all over defenses in 2025, McIntire completed 122-of-177 passes (68.9%) for 1,605 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight picks, adding 118 carries for 429 yards and nine scores this fall for the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though McIntire loses much of his help on the ground and through the air, Clear Lake returns their fourth and fifth receivers next season, [player_tooltip player_id='1656822' first='Maddon' last='McIntire'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1210930' first='Carson' last='Riser']. The pair combined for 28 catches for 428 yards and five scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, McIntire headlines the group after posting 30.5 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss (TFLs), grabbing two interceptions and swatting away seven pass-breakups (PBUs). Projecting to play defensive back at the next level, McIntire is allowed to play freely on the backend of the Lion defense, reading and reacting as the ball is in the air, serving as a hard-hitting safety in run support and a DB opposing quarterbacks have to account for in coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Along with McIntire, Aaron Stensland and Clear Lake return leading tackler, linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1844805' first='Raif' last='Baack'], who posted 77 tackles, including ten TFLs and two sacks. He also snagged a 55-yard pick-six and registered two PBUs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davidae Coleman and [player_tooltip player_id='1844794' first='Drayce' last='Dohlman'] also return after combining for 67 tackles, 22.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->