Season Review: Multi-Phase 2028s to Know

<!-- 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 href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/season-review-iowa-guys-with-highest-ceilings/">Season Review: Iowa Guys with Highest Ceilings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/season-review-sophomore-qbs-on-the-rise-in-25/">Season Review: Sophomore QBs on the Rise in '25</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/season-review-impactful-freshmen-of-2025/">Season Review: Impactful Freshmen of 2025</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/12/season-review-2029s-that-shined/">Season Review: 2029s That Shined</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As you can see from the links above this sentence, we've begun our postseason look-back at the 2025 campaign. It's kicking off a long offseason of content you can expect from me and the other great scouts here at Prep Redzone Iowa. Check out the site daily for the high school football fan in all of you.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We wrote about a strong group of sophomore quarterbacks last week. Here's a closer look at other members of the class that impact games in multiple phases:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596629"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-693707fc4ff49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wrote about Gary last year around this time. He was coming off a solid freshman season as a three-phase contributor. One of the best parts of this job is seeing guys develop, and that's exactly what Gary did between his first and second years of high school. This past fall, he hauled in 31 passes for 518 yards and three touchdowns, leading his team in all three categories. Gary added 97 yards on 11 carries, and averaged 25.4 yards on 19 kick returns. The 10th-grader was the Trojans' second-leading tackler with 41.5 stops (25 solo, 1.5 TFL). He also contributed two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. Gary's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23838088/69036c46ab529b1a0ee52ceb">2025 highlight video</a> confirms his growth in the game that the statistics would indicate. At his core, Gary is a playmaker. He's dangerous with the ball in his hands after a catch or on returns because of his speed and elusiveness. With improved route running and consistency in catching passes, Gary is trending up as a wideout. He also has a chance as a defensive back, displaying strong coverage skills, tackling technique and physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1850280"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69370c4e095a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Chiefs are building an explosive offense with head coach Marvin McNutt knowing something about making big plays. The former Iowa All-American receiver is developing talent guys at his former position down in Keokuk, too. Joy is a handful on the outside with his long arms, speed and athleticism. His skills led to him being one of the most productive 2028 wideouts in the state this fall. Joy caught 47 balls for 718 yards and eight touchdowns, leading his squad in all three categories. What we can find from a highlight standpoint on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/24524211/Kurt-Joy/highlights">Hudl page</a> reveals a guy who's comfortable lining up anywhere along the formation. He gets off of the snap quickly, and is fast getting in and out of his routes, which are run crisply. If you're not sold on Joy as a prospect on offense, he also offers upside as a defensive back. He racked up 25.5 tackles (19 solo, 1.5 TFL), three interceptions and a fumble recovery. No matter what side of the ball he lands in the future, Joy adds value as a returner, averaging 29.2 yards on the six kicks he brought back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1601592"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69370f9aaa301"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wrote about Decena after he flashed upside as a freshman during the 2024 campaign. Checking in on him again, the talented Centerville student-athlete took a nice step forward as a 10th-grader this fall. Decena hauled in 44 receptions for 771 yards and 11 touchdowns. Centerville would have been happy with that production during its playoff run, but Decena didn't stop with his contributions on offense. He registered 34.0 tackles (21 solo, 3.0 TFL), logged a Pick-6, forced a fumble and recovered one. Decena averaged 28.6 yards on five kick returns and 11.0 on the lone punt he brought back. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22753013/68ff92df9c0fd5d09c3ee23b">sophomore highlight video</a> brings into focus is athleticism and broad base of skills. A versatile receiver that can operate effectively out wide or from the slot, Decena thrives on winning contested balls. He does so with leaping ability, timing and physicality, which also make him a successful blocker. There's also upside as a member of the secondary and special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1988427"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6937138c200fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On an explosive offense with a lot of mouths to feed, Moret ranked second on the squad with 35 receptions despite only appearing in seven contests. They went for 477 yards and three touchdowns, both of which ranked third. He flashed versatility on that side of the ball as a rusher and even completed two of three passes for 56 yards. On defense, 11 of Moret's 13.5 tackles were of the solo variety with one stop for loss. He intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, too. Moret averaged 20.2 yards on six kick returns, and his lone punt return went for 16 yards. When watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23066672/690d5552d73efefe8c0fbfea">sophomore highlight video</a>, we witness a crisp route runner with body control that allows for adjusting easily to wherever the ball is thrown. Moret brings physicality to the field, too, allowing him to win contested passes. Speed and elusiveness allow for plenty of yards after the catch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656935"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6937169927dc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bickford caught my attention last spring when he was making plays for Rip City during the Back2Ballin 7-on-7 tournament at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. His long arms and athleticism made him a factor on both sides of the ball. He carried that production over into his sophomore campaign at West Liberty. Bickford collected 29 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns, all of which were team bests. Thirteen of his 15.0 tackles were solo stops. He also picked off a pair of throws and was credited with a pass defended. Bickford averaged 30.2 yards on 13 kick returns, making one house call. The first clip on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22504988/68f918235877e9adb3c635f9">10th-grade highlight video</a> has him making a one-handed grab over the defender in the corner of the end zone. Watching on, we see more winning on contested throws along with a broad set of skills making him a well-rounded receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2077463"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69371961d59c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hamilton paced all of the state's sophomore tight ends with 26 receptions and 448 yards in 2025. He hauled in a pair of touchdowns as well. Ten of his 16.5 total tackles were of the solo variety, and he intercepted a pass. An accomplished place kicker as well, Hamilton booted through three of his four field goal attempts with a long from 42 yards out. He recorded 27 touchbacks on 38 kickoffs, and averaged 39.1 yards on 27 punts. Hamilton's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18340828/690d5e1904385dee79f72d77">10th-grade highlight video</a> opens with his 42-yard field goal, which had enough leg to have been good from 50 or more. A few clips later, he takes a short pass over the middle and outruns the defense for a long touchdown. St. Albert often lines him up out wide, but with a frame capable of adding mass and strength, you can see why the Falcons list him as a tight end, where his speed and athleticism would play up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->