Class 1A Recap from Week 1 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new season kicks off, with the beginning of the 2026 high school football season fully underway in Iowa, and already through this first week, it's given us some impressive surprises and exciting matchups that went down to the wire. Class 1A has been a conference that we have covered extensively, and through the kickoff week, it has provided with some of the biggest headlines across the IA high school football landscape, giving us potentially some hints of what's to come for this season. We recap the results and standouts from week 1 in Class 1A Iowa to start off the 2026 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Games:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Grundy Center vs. <strong>Aplington-Parkersburg: 27-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>By far the biggest shocker of the week was the 1A powerhouse Grundy Center not only losing, but getting rocked by the 3-6 Falcons, and while the Falcons have had more success in this rivalry historically, they lost their last 3 matchups to the Spartans and on paper were easily outmatched. However, the Falcons benefitted with several explosive plays on offense as well as with 3 costly turnovers from the Spartans' offense. The Falcons led 14-7 at halftime before pulling away with 13 unanswered points in the second half, handing the Spartans a shocking loss to open the season, and perhaps signaling a shift in power once again in the 1A conference going forward.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Wes Shirk (SR) - </strong>Shirk flashed as a playmaker for the Falcons last season, and he was a difference maker on Friday night against Grundy Center, recording a 55 yard TD reception and one of 2 INTs by the Falcons' secondary in the 2nd half which proved pivotal in the upset.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Underwood </strong>vs. Harlan Community: <strong>39-34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A huge upset took place on Friday night with a 1A team beating out a 3A team in a shootout; very much in similar fashion to their previous matchup from last season. The Eagles were ultimately able to stay a step ahead of the Cyclones throughout as their passing game was simply unstoppable, holding a 33-20 lead by the end of the 3rd quarter, and ultimately holding off a late rally by the Cyclones to start their season off with a bang. If the Eagles' offense plays like this every week, they could very much become a dangerous contender who could be an early frontrunner in the 1A conference going forward.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Nash Mitchell (SO) - </strong>Taking over the starting QB role in 2026 following the departure of Garrett Luett, Mitchell immediately has proven himself worthy as a successor, putting up dazzling numbers in his first start, finishing 25 of 34 for 414 yards and 5 TDs in an absolutely incredible debut. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cascade</strong> vs. Bellevue: <strong>27-26</strong> <strong>(OT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>An upset of 1A over 2A, Cascade came into Bellevue and shocked a unit that is coming off back-to-back winning seasons in a game that may go down as a classic. After a quiet first half with Cascade leading just 3-0, the game became a back-and-forth shootout in the 2nd half with both teams finding momentum at different periods, and by the end of regulation, both teams sat tied at 20 a piece. The Comets scored first in OT, but took the gambit of going for 2 which failed, allowing Cascade to respond with a TD of their own followed by the game winning extra point, starting the season off for the Cougars on a perfect note as they look to build momentum off a strong 2025 campaign.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Jackson Green (SR) - </strong>Green was the driving force for Cascade's road upset on Friday night, leading the way with 236 rushing yards (9.8 YPC) and 2 TDs while adding 2 receptions for 5 yards and a receiving TD along with an INT on defense, and ultimately scoring the TD in OT that helped secure the victory on opening night. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IKM-Manning vs. <strong>East Sac County: 35-34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Wolves have generally dominated this rivalry, having won 10 of their last 11 matchups, including the last 4 in a row, but the Raiders came out on Friday night with something to prove, surging to a 21-7 lead at halftime. The Wolves persevered, pushing with a late rally as they scored 20 points in the 4th quarter. However, they were pitted by 4 costly turnovers that ultimately determined the outcome of this matchup, giving the Raiders their first win against the Wolves since 2018, and perhaps turning a new page for the team as they look to claim their first winning season since 2018.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Weston Julin (JR) - </strong>Weston Julin was all over the field, proving to be the primary catalyst in the Raiders' rivalry upset. Julin finished 9 of 19 for 94 yards and a passing TD while rushing for 104 yards (6.4 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs. He also added a defensive TD off a fumble recovery and averaged 34.8 yards per punt on 5 punts. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Grand View Christian vs. <strong>Interstate 35: 27-24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Taking a step forward in 2025, Interstate 35 immediately set themselves in the right direction once again as they rolled past the Thunder on Friday night. Working with roster turnover, the Thunder struggled to find a consistent groove offensively, but were able to lead the way 18-12 through the end of 3 quarters. Reliant almost entirely on the run, the Roadrunners bulled their way to 192 total rushing yards on the ground, ultimately clawing their way ahead to take the lead with just less than 2 minutes to go. The final drive for the Thunder only went backward, with a diving interception on 4th and long to seal the upset, and to signal possibly a spark for the Roadrunners to build off of through this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Nick Pasutti (SR) - </strong>Heading a 1-2 RB combo in the backfield for the Roadrunners, Pasutti was able to generate the key plays that helped orchestrate their comeback win, rushing for 82 yards on 11 carries (7.5 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 1:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows</strong> vs. Belmond Klemme: <strong>41-26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New London vs. <strong>Cardinal: 17-0 (Cancelled)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Louisa-Muscatine </strong>vs. Wapello: <strong>26-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beckman Catholic</strong> vs. Columbus Catholic: <strong>20-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northeast </strong>vs. Durant: <strong>42-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake Mills vs. <strong>Eagle Grove: 76-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Central Calhoun</strong> vs. Earlham: <strong>27-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Mahaska vs. <strong>Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont: 54-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emmetsburg</strong> vs. Estherville Lincoln Central: <strong>21-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilton vs. <strong>Regina Catholic: 36-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Ayr vs. <strong>Shenandoah: 55-22</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Missouri Valley vs. <strong>MVAOCOU: 28-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ogden</strong> vs. Perry: <strong>29-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lynville-Sully vs. <strong>Pleasantville: 38-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux Central vs. <strong>Pocahontas Area: 36-29</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PCM vs. <strong>Sigourney Keota: 14-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sumner-Fredericksburg</strong> vs. South Winneshiek: <strong>48-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riverside vs. <strong>Treynor: 13-7</strong> <strong>(OT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nodaway Valley vs. <strong>West Central Valley: 38-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Christian vs. <strong>West Lyon: 35-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Hardin</strong> vs. West Marshall: <strong>34-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 1:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Nash Mitchell (SO) - Underwood: 25/34, 414 yards, 5 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1844225' first='Braden' last='Weig'] (JR) - South Hardin: 15/22, 364 yards, 4 TDs, 2 carries, 7 rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1941007' first='Zane' last='Mullenix'] (SR) - Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont: 28 carries, 292 rushing yards (10.4 YPC), 6 rushing TDs, 6 tackles (4 solo), 1.5 TFLs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/LB Jackson Green (SR) - Cascade: 24 carries, 236 rushing yards (9.8 YPC), 2 rushing TDs, 2 receptions, 5 yards, 1 receiving TD, 1 INT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/DB Charlie Campbell (SR) - Clarion-Goldfield-Dows: 7 carries, 193 rushing yards (27.6 YPC), 3 rushing TDs, 1 reception, 65 yards, 1 receiving TD, 3.5 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='2055994' first='Finn' last='Mieska'] (SR) - Treynor: 23 carries, 170 rushing yards (7.4 YPC), 1 rushing TD, 10.5 total tackles (9 solo), 5 TFLs, 1 INT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR Tayden Hull (SR) - Underwood: 6 receptions, 201 receiving yards (33.5 YPC), 4 receiving TDs, 2 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='2079349' first='Gabe' last='King'] (SR) - East Sac County: 16.5 total tackles (12 solo), 2 TFLs, 2 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB/WR Gavin Pedersen (SR) - Eagle Grove: 1 tackle, 3 INTs, 1 reception, 29 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, 1 carry, 20 rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB/RB JJ Phillips (SR) - Pleasantville: 1.5 tackles, 2 INTs, 8 carries, 39 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 4 receptions, 66 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->