Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Madrid

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early look at some of the top teams in each class, now to Class A. 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="http://iowa%20a%20way-too-early%20title%20contenders:%20MMCRU/">Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: MMCRU</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-a-way-too-early-title-contenders-north-linn/">Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: North Linn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-a-way-too-early-title-contenders-wapsie-valley/">Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Wapsie Valley</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-a-way-too-early-title-contenders-west-hancock/">Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: West Hancock</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-a-way-too-early-title-contenders-west-sioux/">Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: West Sioux</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-a-way-too-early-title-contenders-woodbury-central/">Iowa A Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Woodbury Central</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Any time you've got a highly-touted Power 4 recruit at the Class A level, you've got a shot to go far. For Madrid, that prospect is [player_tooltip player_id='1693550' first='Jevyn' last='Severson'], the No. 2 recruit in our 2028 rankings. Holding offers from programs like Arkansas, Florida, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas A&amp;M, Utah, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and others, Severson is one of the top tight ends, not only in Iowa, but nationally. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, Severson caught 23 passes this last fall for 407 yards and four scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the OL is fellow tight end and regional prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='1696575' first='Emerson' last='Bridgewater']. A 6-foot-7 and 215-pound junior, Bridgewater caught 17 passes for 295 yards and four scores, making for the second option in the passing game and for a hell of a TE duo, especially in Class A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing some time as the starter last fall, Chase Perkins will be expected to be Madrid's guy under center, as he completed 16-of-31 passes for 237 yards, three touchdowns and two picks, while also taking 46 carries for 337 yards and six scores. If he can sharpen up his passing stats, the Tigers could have one of the best passing attacks in Class A, thanks to the incredible TE duo. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the ground, they also return ball-carrier [player_tooltip player_id='2087256' first='Will' last='Atkinson'], who took 81 carries for 483 yards and six scores. Imagine how well the run game will thrive, if the passing game can get going, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the ball, Madrid loses their top two tacklers from 2026, but return 6-foot, 160-pound defensive back, Brady Springer, who posted the team's third-best numbers with 49 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and two sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just behind him are Atkinson and Severson, who combined for 82 tackles. Severson finished the season with 7.5 TFLs and two sacks, while Atkinson added 4.5 TFLs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In coverage, the Tigers' two leaders in interceptions, Kinnick Grimm and Logan Bogardus are each back, as well, after the both grabbed three interceptions in 2025. Grimm, a dynamic return man that also helped as a receiver on offense, took back 11 kick returns for 202 yards, as well as nine punts for 142 yards and a score. If he can be more involved on the offensive side of the ball, too, Madrid has a shot to take a big step forward in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->