Day 1 Rundown from Back 2 Ballin High 2026

<!-- 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><strong>CEDAR FALLS - </strong>The Back to Ballin High 2026 7-on-7 tournament kicked off Saturday morning here at the UNI-Dome and would run deep into the night. Teams positioned themselves for Sunday's bracket play, where champions will be crowned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a rundown of what I saw on Day 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Living in Eastern Iowa, it's great when opportunities to watch players from the western part of the state arise. That happened on Saturday with Nebraska Select 7Even. It was filled with Iowa guys. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, [player_tooltip player_id='2163479' first='Eric' last='Corrill'] is legit. The Council Bluffs Lewis Central quarterback can spin it, especially on deep throws. It's an easy throwing motion with the right amount of air under the ball and a knack for hitting receivers in stride. He sees the field well, zipping through his progressions. I'm excited to see what he can do if he wins the QB1 job for the Titans, who started a senior last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2111007' first='Billy' last='Gerry'] is an interesting two-way prospect out of Lewis Central. He's a well-rounded receiver capable of winning the ball over the defender, down the field or underneath. He flashes potential at safety, his long arms and long strides help him stick with pass catchers and close well on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hadn't seen [player_tooltip player_id='1583687' first='Braydan' last='Doss'] play in person since he was a freshman in the state semifinals a few years ago here. It's fair to say he's spent productive time in the weight room. Doss looks physically capable of playing college running back now. His skill set is well-rounded with speed and power. He could help programs on the next level as an every-down back capable of breaking off a long run or dinging defenses as a receiver. Safety also could be a path with his actions there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While I mostly write about Iowa guys, a special mention goes out to Quinn Bera from Gretna East. He's a baller. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Rip City's 18U teams both finished 3-0 and will be among the top seeds in Sunday's Gold Bracket. Quarterback play was strong for both squads. [player_tooltip player_id='980028' first='Cannon' last='Davis'] has filled out his frame during the last year and is throwing darts. [player_tooltip player_id='1964802' first='Chris' last='Kabaiza'] showed that he's not ready to concede the starting job at Iowa City High to an incoming transfer a year his senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis' younger brother, [player_tooltip player_id='1663794' first='Kolt' last='Davis'], is blossoming into one of the top 2029s in Iowa. Long, agile and athletic, he delivers as a matchup nightmare at receiver. There's also potential in the secondary. He's primed for a breakout at Bettendorf this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The younger Davis will team up with [player_tooltip player_id='2106299' first='Caleb' last='Brown'], who was a favorite target of his older brother on Saturday. I wrote about Brown recently as a breakout prospect for 2026. He confirmed that belief with his play here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Saturday was my first in-person look at [player_tooltip player_id='1630523' first='Baylor' last='Petrie'], who was quarterbacking Iowa Savages 18U. The Cedar Falls sophomore backed up what we saw on film as an advanced signal caller with tight fundamentals. He made all the throws and good decisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another players from Savages that I looked forward to seeing live was [player_tooltip player_id='1630441' first='Carsen' last='Gary']. I'd heard good things. He did not disappoint as a prospect on both sides of the ball with potential out wide on offense and as a defensive back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='1221251' first='Trevin' last='Helming'] enjoyed a breakout junior season as a first-year starter for Johnston last fall. Saturday, he was flinging it around with gusto. He flashed a strong arm and escapability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Iowa Zealots 18U was employing a freshman at quarterback here on Saturday. [player_tooltip player_id='1688209' first='Chase' last='Harden'] looked advanced beyond his years in the role. The Des Moines Christian ninth-grader proved that he's one to watch the next three seasons with a strong arm and presence in the pocket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>_________________</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PSA - I wanted to write about more guys that impressed on Saturday but did not have names for numbers. Most of the rosters provided to the tournament, which were shared with me, lacked numbers with names or had the wrong numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good news! If folks can get me rosters with numbers worn this weekend, I will write about more guys. I have notes on a lot of you. I'll back here on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->