Iowa 4A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: SBL

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early look at some of the top teams in each class, starting with Class 4A. 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-4a-way-too-early-2026-title-contenders-newton/">Iowa 4A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Newton<br></a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/iowa-4a-way-too-early-2026-title-contenders-xavier/">Iowa 4A Way-Too-Early 2026 Title Contenders: Xavier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sergeant Bluff-Luton doesn't return a <em>ton </em>of players that provided offensive production this season, but the Warrios bring back their main offensive weapon, [player_tooltip player_id='1992066' first='Beckett' last='Verros']. This fall, the junior running back put together one of the best seasons in 4A, taking 144 carries for 1,450 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging just over 10.1 yards per carry. Coming from a team that didn't pass the ball much and heavily-relied on the ground game, getting their leading rusher back in 2026 is a big win. They've also got three complimentary backs, [player_tooltip player_id='1529036' first='Ryan' last='Husen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2049029' first='Brody' last='Van Kalsbeek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2049029' first='Brody' last='Van Kalsbeek'] returning, who combined for 118 carries for 779 yards and seven touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It appears as though one of [player_tooltip player_id='1529005' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'] or Brody Wegher will command the offense from under center for SBL next season, as they look to reach the UNI-Dome once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the offense loses quite a bit of talent, the Warrior defense looks locked and loaded to be nearly, if not just as effective as it was in 2025. Returning their top four tackles, including [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'], returning as SBL's leading tackler, as he posted 70 tackles, including 10.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and six sacks -- also team-leads. The next three are Ehlers, Aden Konopasek and Emmet Kneifl, who combined for 109.5 tackles, including 12 TFLs and three sacks from Kneifl.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ehlers was also key in defending the pass, as he finished the year with two interceptions -- one of which was a pick-six -- and three pass-breakups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->