Iowa 1A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: West Lyon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early look at some of the top teams in each class, now to Class 1A. 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/2026/01/iowa-1a-way-too-early-title-contenders-iowa-city-regina/">Iowa 1A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Iowa City Regina</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-1a-way-too-early-title-contenders-pleasantville/">Iowa 1A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Pleasantville</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most continually dominant programs in the smaller levels of Iowa football, West Lyon is fresh off winning back-to-back titles, the first in 2A and this fall in 1A over Regina. Losing some critical pieces of their state title runs, the Wildcats somehow reload again going into 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, we start under center for the reigning champs, as soon-to-be senior signal caller, [player_tooltip player_id='2050083' first='Easton' last='DeJong'] returns next season. An efficient passer that may not have been a gamebreaker but was still key in what the offense wanted to do, Easton completed 83-of-130 passes (63.8%) for 1,300 yards, 16 touchdowns and two picks. The second-leading rusher for the Wildcats, he also took 62 carries for 558 yards (nine yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. Dual-threat and not turnover prone, Easton was exactly what the Wildcats needed to lead their state championship offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're looking for the gamebreaker, you've found him in do-it-all receiver, rusher and returner, [player_tooltip player_id='1925478' first='River' last='Kramer']. Just a sophomore this past season, Kramer took 24 carries for 277 yards (11.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, caught 18 passes for 230 yards (12.8 yards per catch) and three touchdowns, returned four kicks for 283 yards (70.8 yards per return and two touchdowns, and took back seven punts for 220 yards (31.4 yards per return) and three scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Takes breath*</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, and he completed 7-of-9 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Kramer was a dude for the Wildcats as a sophomore. One can only imagine what he'll do as a junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And he's just the first gadget guy that did a little bit of everything for West Lyon. Easton's brother, Jaxton DeJong, provided another spark in a variety of ways for the Wildcats in 2025. He took 47 carries for 288 yards and seven touchdowns, caught six passes for 102 yards and two scores, returned five kicks for 84 yards and completed 10-of-10 passes for 120 yards and three scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, it's more of the same. Somehow, after bringing back all of that production on offense, the Wildcats also return leading tackler, 6-foot-3 and 205-pound mike linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='2110271' first='Daxtyn' last='Metzger']. Metzger finished his junior campaign with 69 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and two interceptions. That, and they get back their Division I prospect defensive end, [player_tooltip player_id='2110269' first='Jerrence' last='Knoblock']. With an offer from the previous Iowa State staff and interest from Iowa, Knoblock is only trending upward after posting 24 tackles, including 7.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jacob Snyders, Jacob Roemen and Owen Jennings each return, as well, after each posting more than 35 tackles for the Wildcat defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->