Kickoff ’26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 5

<!-- 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/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 1</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-2/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 2</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-3/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 3</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-4/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-3a-district-4/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 3A District 4</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":["1923999"],"_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-6a7ca3b07ee57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While not small, Nowman is undersized in relation to the disruption he creates on the football field. At around six feet and 200 pounds, the junior wreaked havoc in collecting 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. He had 66.0 tackles with 52 of them being solo stops. Nowman proved his athleticism and agility beyond that by chipping in as a running back. During the <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18486540/697b977788466ff3bbd5abc1" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18486540/697b977788466ff3bbd5abc1">11th-grade highlight video</a>, we witness a super active competitor operating in a system with a three-person front and creativity in generating pressure. Nowman fits well into the scheme with his combination of strength, lateral quickness and straight-line speed. Colleges can scout him as a linebacker as well. There's potential there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1843754"],"_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-6a7ca722643b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's good to catch up with Kirby's development after last writing about him heading into the 2025 season. He built on a strong sophomore year for a postseason team as a junior and is poised for a big final rodeo for Williamsburg. Kirby recorded 46.5 tackles (35 solo) with 10.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He rushed for 67 yards (7.4 YPC) and three touchdowns, and caught a 12-yard pass. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16512136/69010b5e72554d600e1db312" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16512136/69010b5e72554d600e1db312">11th-grade highlight video</a> reveals an active middle linebacker that processes information quickly and flies to the football. Kirby is a sound tackler and does well playing assignment football. He's put together an impactful career for the Raiders. Being another year stronger and wiser will make him a problem for opponents once again during the upcoming campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1687033"],"_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-6a7caa7d2f899"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Heying isn't just one of the top players in Class 3A, he's among the best in the state, period. The Des Moines Christian junior is advanced for his age from a physical and technical standpoint. It makes for really long nights for the opposition, as we can witness when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18431361/68f6e4c73d533836b9a8c443" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18431361/68f6e4c73d533836b9a8c443">sophomore highlights from 2025</a>. The Lions rushed for 1,622 yards and 23 touchdowns, and picked up 1,308 yards and 10 scores through the air last fall. Heying controlled the action throughout the season and is a year better. He'll add more responsibility, and the coaches will take advantage of his athleticism, power and agility on the path to more production. Heying heads into his third prep season reporting scholarship offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA and Wisconsin. Yeah, he's big time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2104674"],"_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-6a7cae0dc9a90"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nevada won a state championship last season with a senior-dominated lineup. The Cubs boasted playmakers all around the formation in every phase, but if you watched them in person at all during the year it was obvious that controlling the trenches was the key to the crown. While they'll need to replace a lot of the up-front production following graduation losses, guys like Happe return to form a strong foundation. The sophomore came up with 31.0 tackles (14 solo) last season. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Happe is a physical linebacker that stands out for his broad base of skills. As we can see when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23046850/6984c2f7d3473b151b083ce1" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23046850/6984c2f7d3473b151b083ce1">11th-grade highlight video</a>, there's tight coverage and strong run support. The athleticism, agility and physicality also play well on special teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1849062"],"_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-6a7cb4417fcfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knoxville has a knack for developing interesting athletes. The program has another of its prototypes in Clarke, who dominated on defense and contributed on offense and special teams as a junior last fall. His 76.5 tackles were by far the most among Panthers. He had 54 solo stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception. Clarke rushed for 177 yards (5.2 YPC) and a touchdown, and caught a pair of passes for 14 yards. He also returned kicks. We see the athleticism and versatility when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19863319/690cfb6f2f56fab6dec03296" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19863319/690cfb6f2f56fab6dec03296">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Lining up in the middle of the defense's second level, Clark gets downhill in a hurry thanks to pre-snap reads and quick decisions once the play is underway. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2088184"],"_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-6a7cb6847781b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cook's first year as a varsity starter in 2025 could very well be a foreshadowing a sensational final prep campaign this fall. The junior threw 1,219 yards and eight touchdowns. He inflicted pain on opposing defenses with his legs, too. although it's not reflected in yardage due to yards lost to sacks. Cook definitely can cook with his legs, as we can witness watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19672229/6914c46e757dcf649929f1ca">11th-grade highlight video</a>. He fast and elusive with keen vision. As a thrower, it's an easy motion into arm strength to make throws to all parts of the field. Cook delivers in the play-action passing game and does well keeping his eyes downfield when scrambling. Another year stronger and faster with experience under his belt, Cook is prepared to make the most of his final prep stretch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->