Previewing Back 2 Ballin High 2026

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   Back 2 Ballin High 2026 is upon us, folks. The annual 7-on-7 tournament brings top teams and players from throughout the region to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls this weekend. It's <a href="https://goparticipate.com/SchedulesView?EventId=158&DivisionId=584">a jam-packed schedule</a> on Saturday and Sunday. Iowa will be well represented in the field with entries in the 15U, 18U and Girls Divisions.   Here are some players to watch from the rosters provided by MidAmerican 7v7:   [player_tooltip player_id='980028' first='Cannon' last='Davis'], QB, Rip City Legends 18U - Bettendorf's starting quarterback as a sophomore in 2025 completed 60.4 percent of his throws for 1,514 yards and 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions. He added 240 yards on the ground and a pair of scores. It was a solid first year as QB1 on the Class 5A level, which tracked after watching him perform at this event a year ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='458050' first='Cael' last='Kongshaug'], QB, Prairie Hawks 18U - Kongshaug impressed when running with Rip City a year ago at this tournament. Now, he's lining up with the school team, a wise move by he and the program in building chemistry among skill guys. Kongshaug was sharp when I saw him in-person when the Prairie Hawks knocked off Iowa City West last season. The junior finished up his first campaign as the starting quarterback completing 67.3 percent of his throws for 1,654 yards and 12 touchdowns against seven interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1987562' first='Derek' last='Roling'], QB, Linn-Mar 18U - Roling is another guy at the controls of his school's 7-on-7 program after putting together a memorable season as a first-year starter on the varsity level at Linn-Mar. The dual-threat sophomore completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 888 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. He rushed for 234 yards and seven more scores. I watched him in person at Iowa City West in the fall and look forward to seeing he and the Lions compete this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='2073254' first='Mohamed' last='Darboh'], DL, Level Up 18u Intergalactic - Darboh is a premium performer in Iowa's 2027 Class as a defensive lineman. That he plays the 7-on-7 game speaks to his athleticism. The junior went off for 63.0 tackles, 57 of which were solo stops, last season. Darboh piled up 18.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. He should keep opponents in their toes this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1596610' first='Jayden' last='Stephens'], WR, Iowa Savages 18u-Petrie - One of the state's top prospects, regardless of class or position, Stephens is a dynamic playmaker and a high-end athlete. He missed most of his sophomore season with an injury after catching nine passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing 11 times for 250 yards and a pair of scores, as a Waverly-Shell Rock ninth-grader in 2024. It will be good to see Stephens back on the field, competing this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394059' first='Damarian' last='Orr'], RB, Iowa Insanity 18U - Another playmaker in Iowa's 2027 Class, Orr broke out as a Cedar Rapids Kennedy junior in 2025. He rushed for 624 yards (5.5 YPC) and three touchdowns, adding six catches for 29 yards. I watched him operate against eventual Class 5A champion Dowling Catholic last season and am looking forward to getting another opportunity to evaluate this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1694892' first='Casey' last='Williamson'], ATH, Apex Air 18u - I was able to watch Williamson in action for South Hardin during the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome. The junior flashed speed and athleticism, which led to him hauling in 53 catches for 623 yards and eight touchdowns. He added 21.0 tackles with 18 of those stops being solo. He intercepted five passes, was credited with 12 passes defended and contributed a tackle for loss. College coaches are, rightfully, interested.   [player_tooltip player_id='1361350' first='Abdul' last='Hodge Jr']., DB, Rip City Legends 18U - The son of former Iowa linebacker and current Hawkeye assistant coach, Abdul Hodge Sr., played well at this event last season. He returns to the Dome after a strong junior campaign at Iowa City West last fall. Hodge Jr. produced 32.5 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops, for a Class 5A playoff team. He registered an interception, six pass breakups and a pair of tackles for loss. Hodge Jr. looked like a prospect trending up during a couple of in-person scouts last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1696625' first='Steel' last='Morgan'], LB, Linn-Mar 18U - Morgan is a prospect flying under the recruiting radar a bit more than he should be. Last season, the Linn-Mar sophomore piled up 40.0 tackles, 28 of which were solo. He forced three fumbles, recorded a pair of tackles for loss and came up with a sack. I was impressed during a live look at Iowa City West and am looking forward to watching him compete in this setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='2004458' first='Blake' last='Dorenkamp'], RB, Level Up 18u Intergalactic - A second-team all-state pick by the Iowa Football Coaches Association in 2025, Dorenkamp was a major piece of a Valley offense that helped the program return to the UNI-Dome. The junior rushed for 997 yards (5.2 YPC) and 12 touchdowns against a challenging schedule. He caught 22 balls for 206 yards, a skill that makes him dangerous in the 7-on-7 game.

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area