Iowa 3A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Sioux Center

<!-- 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><strong>Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only two losses Sioux Center took this season came at the hands of 3A runner up, Bishop Heelan. Had the Crusaders not lost their leading rusher to injury in the semis, they may be the 3A state champions as we speak. That's a discussion for another day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors came up just short of making a trip to the UNI-Dome this season, falling to Heelan in the state quarterfinals. With their D1-caliber quarterback, [player_tooltip player_id='1848693' first='Ezra' last='Hibma'] set to return for his senior year after work at camps in the summer, the gunslinger looks to be in for a big year in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior, Hibma completed 110-of-187 passes for 1,675 yards, 21 touchdowns and five picks through the air. He also took 92 carries for 484 yards and seven scores. With a quick release and a beautiful deep ball, Hibma could be in line to blow the lid off those numbers next season, and, if he were just a few inches taller, it'd be a safe bet that Division I programs would already be knocking on his door. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To boot, one of Hibma's favorite targets will be back next season. [player_tooltip player_id='2088730' first='Braedon' last='Perez-Hietbrink'], who finished with 23 receptions for 528 yards (23 yards per catch) and four touchdowns. He'll also have Parker Smit to throw to, who caught 16 passes for 216 yards and a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing their top two tacklers, the Warriors will rely on [player_tooltip player_id='1848817' first='Tate' last='Swager'], who will be the top returning tackler, posting 44 tackles during his junior campaign. A 6-foot-2 defensive back according to the Sioux Center roster, Swager and the Warriors could benefit by him putting on a few more pounds and moving down a level to linebacker, affording him the opportunity to rack up many more tackles in 2026. At DB, though, Swager added eight pass-breakups (PBUs) and two picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Staying in the secondary, Perez-Hietbrink will be critical on defense, too, as he led his squad in interceptions with four, adding three PBUs. Ethan Bosma, who finished with 23 tackles, including 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks, will be back this coming season, as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->