Kickoff ’26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 2

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-5-group-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 5A X-Factors</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-4a-district-6/">Kickoff '26: Class 4A X-Factors</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-1/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-1/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 1</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to believe a new high school football season is so close. The first games kick off Aug. 29. While we want to enjoy the rest of the summer, it's ok to be excited about another run of Friday night lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In preparation for the upcoming campaign, I'll be rolling out content to get us ready. We'll be identifying X-factors for as many teams across the state as possible. You can find previous editions linked atop this rundown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204540"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a78c56af1aa1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Clear Lake spent most of last year's regular-season atop the state's Class 3A rankings. McIntire was a key reason for a dominant 10-0 start to the campaign. The junior completed almost 60 percent of his throws for 1,605 yards and 19 touchdowns. He rushed for 429 yards and nine touchdowns. On defense, the South Dakota commitment collected 30.5 tackles, 20 of which were solo stops, three tackles for loss, two interceptions and seven passes defended. A three-sport standout, the athleticism, physicality and speed present on McIntire's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16580027/6913d756cc4483b5a6c18c5b" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16580027/6913d756cc4483b5a6c18c5b">11th-grade highlight video</a> leaves open the door to positional flexibility when he joins the Coyotes. For now, overwhelmed high school opponents must deal with him for another year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1699600"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a78d8078114a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holle established himself as a force in the trench as an Independence junior in 2025. He flashed the strength and agility colleges seek in linemen prospects, which we can see when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23449065/69417020ca18b071652d88f8">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Power is present and more can be added to a projectable frame when he enters into a college strength and conditioning program. Holle's quick feet allow him to reach blocks in space and active hands, well placed, also aid in controlling the opponent. He could keep developing at tackle on the next level or bring a set of skills that would play up inside. Holle is a good athlete capable of succeeding on the defensive line should progress stall on offense. <br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2118302"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a78db1736f1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West Delaware received contributions from Beswick all around the field in 2025. The junior piled up 45.0 tackles, forty of which were solo stops. The production earned him first-team all-district recognition as a defensive back. Beswick added 93 yards and a touchdown rushing, caught 10 passes for 156 yards and a TD. He averaged 19.7 yards on 10 kick returns. He also completed his lone pass for 26 yards and might end up being QB1 in the fall. Beswick's overall athleticism serves him well in being versatile and positionally flexible. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19830077/695f257fd856f9ca4a431575">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals an impactful competitor. He reads and reacts quickly to what he sees on both sides of the ball, which allows him to play fast. A linear athlete, his long limbs help in coverage and run support. It's a projectable frame with room to add power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204546"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a78dea72600e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bruening did everything outside of selling popcorn at halftime for Charles City in 2025. The junior ranked among team leaders in all three phases. He registered 30.0 tackles, 16 of which were solo stops. Bruening had 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a pass defended. He caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 105 yards. Bruening averaged 17.4 yards on 16 kick returns and punted three times. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20007211/68ffeb1e8a7d0e0ac0436975" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20007211/68ffeb1e8a7d0e0ac0436975">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals a prospect poised to take his game to another level as a senior. You can see the quickness, speed and athleticism to impact the action with big plays in all three phases. Bruening will be a handful for opponents, who will have him high up on the scouting report. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074559"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a78e1a23665f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitchell turned out to be the rare student-athlete capable of impacting the varsity as a freshman in 2025. The linebacker produced 25.0 tackles, 18 of which were solo stops. His 4.0 tackles for loss, pair of forced fumbles and an interception served as evidence that he can disrupt. We witness it during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20937184/6a29a03e073972870cffcc3f" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20937184/6a29a03e073972870cffcc3f">ninth-grade highlight video</a> as well. Mitchell is advanced when it comes to reading and reacting. He quickly diagnoses plays and flies to the football, breaking down and form tackling. His long arms help him shrink windows when in coverage or in pursuing the ball. Mitchell has a projectable frame and should be another year stronger this fall with plenty of room for more growth and physical development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1246757"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a78e2f1266bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Olberding is coming off of a 2025 season that saw the Iowa Falls-Alden junior impact games in all three phases. He caught 42 balls for 657 yards and nine touchdowns, and added 107 yards on the ground. Olberding collected 28.5 tackles, 23 of which were solo stops, and took his only interception back for a touchdown. He was the team's top kick returner and its starting punter. We can witness the versatility and potential during his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16441921/6902d5746e29fafe1c8fc557">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Continuing on the path of developing as a receiver makes a lot of sense with his speed and comfort at the position. That said, the athleticism and projectable frame is there for future success in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->