Iowa 8-Man Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Audubon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An early look at some of the top teams in each class, now to 8-Man. 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/2026/02/iowa-8-man-way-too-early-title-contenders-bishop-garrigan/">Iowa 8-Man Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Bishop Garrigan</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/iowa-8-man-way-too-early-title-contenders-iowa-valley/">Iowa 8-Man Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Iowa Valley</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-8-man-way-too-early-title-contenders-woodbine/">Iowa 8-Man Way-Too-Early Title Contenders: Woodbine</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by their sensational sophomore under center, Audubon made a run to the state semifinals behind [player_tooltip player_id='2005055' first='Aiden' last='Kjergaard']. Upsetting one of the favorites to reach the Dome in the quarterfinals, Iowa Valley, Audubon proved that they were one of the best teams in the state before reaching Cedar Falls. Kjergaard, a playmaker in the open field, made sure of that. The 6-foot, 165 pound QB was as slippery of a runner as he could be, finishing the year with 159 carries for 1,547 yards (9.7 yards per carry) for 35 touchdowns. He didn't pass the rock often, but he completed 38-of-55 passes (69.1%) for 815 yards, 12 touchdowns and just one pick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His supporting cast included fellow sophomore, Mason Kasperbauer, who took 85 carries for 858 yards and 15 scores, along with another sophomore, Paxton Beane, who ran the ball 67 times for 505 and ten scores, taking some of the playmaking pressure off of Kjergaard. Another young runner is back this coming fall after a productive freshman campaign, as [player_tooltip player_id='2075357' first='Brody' last='Otten'] took 44 carries for 291 and four scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kjergaard's only returning pass-catcher that finished the year with double-digit receptions is Kasperbaur, who grabbed ten catches for 68 yards and a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though Audubon is clearly a program that emphasizes running the ball, it'd be a positive development for Kjergaard to be able to put the ball in the air, and for his receivers to make a jump in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, the Wheelers lose their top two tacklers, but return both Kasperbauer and Jorgen Nowatzke, who finished the season to combine for just under 80 tackles to go with 5.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additionally, one of the most productive defensive linemen is back, as 6-foot-3 and 225-pound defensive tackle, Hayden Larsen returns after posting 36 tackles, including 10.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks. As Audubon looks to wreak havov in opposing backfields again this fall, the center/defensive tackle hybrid will be key in stopping offenses. Karter Obermeier, a junior last season, recorded 30 tackles and 6.5 TFLs, so he'll be key, as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Wheelers are able to keep up the pressure up front, the hope will obviously be that Kjergaard and Kasperbauer can come up with turnovers like they did last season, too, as the Wheelers' start quarterback and top returning tackler each grabbed four picks in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->