Kickoff ’26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 4

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <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>   <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>   <a href="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>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-2/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 2</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-3/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-3/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 3</a>   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.   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.    Jones spent his first three prep seasons standing out at Central Lee. The move to Fort Madison could spark the recruitment of a prospect that's being under-pursued relative to talent. The ability is there for him to add to plenty of rosters on the next level, as he showcases during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17613474/691e13310e668ca3662c97c0">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Jones is an interesting tight end with athleticism and physicality. He caught two targets for 15 yards, and carried 20 times for 75 yards. The 13 pancake blocks spoke to his biggest strength at the position. The receiving talent is in there to be developed, though. On defense, Jones collected 33.5 tackles, 22 of which were solo stops. He's a prospect for colleges on both sides of the ball and will be a problem for Bloodhound opponents as a two-way force in 2026.     A Division I quarterback recruit coming out of St. Louis, Keokuk head coach and former Iowa Hawkeye All-American receiver Marvin McNutt is developing a talented prospect behind center in Burton. The sophomore completed 61.2 percent of his throws for 2,191 yards and 25 touchdowns against 12 interceptions last season. He added four scores on the ground. Burton flashes an attractive combination of present production with upside during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23228352/690670576c4b96816ed054f1">10th-grade highlight video</a>. He stresses defenses with his arm and his legs. It's a quick release with plenty of strength to push the ball down the field. Burton does a nice job with ball placement and leading his receivers. Mobility allows for keeping plays alive off of schedule and picking up chunks of yards when he tucks the ball away.     Kelley has been impacting varsity games at Solon since he was a freshman in 2024. He's done it in all three phases with versatility within each. An all-around athlete with speed and toughness, Kelley can carve up defenses taking the handoff as a running back or when catching passes lined up wide. On defense, he sticks with receivers in coverage and bows up against the run. He's a threat to break a long one in the return game at any time. Kelley is being under-recruited relative to talent but the guys he goes up against on Friday nights understand his value. He'll be atop their scouting reports once again in 2026. Solon fans get to appreciate one of the proud program's top performers in recent memory for one more rodeo.     A tight end by trade, Stone threw, ran and caught touchdowns during the 2025 campaign. The junior led Washington with 28 receptions for 270 yards. He caught a touchdown and rushed for two scores. Nine of his 10.0 total tackles were of the solo stops, he picked off three passes and defended a pass. Stone averaged 34.2 yards on 24 punts. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19449291/698bfe7a2f71978784f425cb" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19449291/698bfe7a2f71978784f425cb">11th-grade highlight video</a> provides evidence of the athleticism and speed that lead to his ability to contribute in multiple areas. It's also a projectable frame capable of filling out and adding strength while holding the agility. Stone runs precise routes and flashes soft hands as a receiver. Washington moves him around the formation, taking advantage of mismatches. He's a good blocker and should be even better at it this year with another offseason of training.     Walker was at the controls of a Mount Pleasant offense that relied on balance for success in 2025. The junior completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 1,181 yards and 11 touchdowns against only three interceptions. Walker added 65 rushing yards. An all-around athlete that also impacts the competition for the Panther basketball and track teams, the dual-threat signal caller stresses defenses when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16717137/696a6aa3566d3bbaf1d3c097" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16717137/696a6aa3566d3bbaf1d3c097">junior highlight video</a>. He's sharp with the RPO game, getting the ball our quickly on short throws or picking up yards with his legs. Coaches should be able to load more onto Walker's plate this fall with experience on his side. That's going to make it much more challenging for opposing defenses.     Fairfield leaned heavily on Bisgard last season, and the junior delivered. He rolled up 1,576 all-purpose yards, rushing for 1,082 and 13 touchdowns. Bisgard caught 14 balls in 202 yards and a pair of scores. Defensively, he collected 64.0 tackles with 47 of them being solo stops. Bisgard accounted for 4.0 tackles for loss and intercepted a couple of throws. He averaged 21.5 yards on 10 kick returns and 18.3 on four punt returns. The <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16512415/690b6e76ce70f923100e569b">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals the wide array of talents that back up his statistics. He's dangerous when he has the ball. There's explosion and elusiveness in avoiding defenders in space. Bisgard impacts the action in multiple ways on defense. He gets downhill in a hurry against the run and sticks well in coverage. Bisgard will be the focus of opponents every Friday night this fall.

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