Kickoff ’26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 4A 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-group-1/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 4A 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-4a-district-2/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 4A 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-4a-district-3/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 4A 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-4a-district-4/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/08/kickoff-26-x-factors-for-each-team-in-class-4a-district-4/">Kickoff '26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 4A 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1643647"],"_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-6a7532efce2e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After picking up offers from South Dakota, Western Illinois, Lindenwood and Missouri Western, Wesselmann committed to Northern Iowa in June. The three-sport athlete already <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16874596/6914f6be757dcf64992a1516" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16874596/6914f6be757dcf64992a1516">impresses with his play on the high school level</a>, and he packs the potential for much more when he joins the Panthers next year. Wesselmann earned all-state recognition as a junior last season. The 11th-grader played an integral part in the Tigers bulldozing their way to 3,507 yards (7.3 YPC) and 45 touchdowns rushing in 2025. Wesselmann chipped in during brief appearances on defense and could add responsibilities there this year. The athleticism, agility and strength that help him dominate on the offensive front also work very well on the D-Line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2229048"],"_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-6a753d6a6aaf5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Ballard offense will be looking to add more punch in 2026, and the Bombers have a veteran quarterback around which to build. Miller completed almost 64 percent of his throws for 1,485 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. He added more than 200 yards and a pair of scores on the ground. After graduation losses, Miller will be asked to provide more production this fall. He displayed evidence that he was capable of doing so during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20083107/6915fc23ba7a6e799c3f8073" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20083107/6915fc23ba7a6e799c3f8073">11th-grade highlight video</a>. Miller gets the ball down the field with ease and places it well on all of his throws. There's arm strength to push it through small windows. Miller shows a pocket presence, stepping away from pressure and into throws. He's a good athlete that can keep plays alive off of schedule and pick up yards on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1884182"],"_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-6a7540ee88d31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There weren't many wins on Des Moines' north side last season, but the Polar Bears came out of the campaign with hope for better days in 2026. Kennis was a big reason for the optimism. The big-armed pocket passer threw for almost 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. The junior rushed for all four of the team's ground scores. North brings back key components of its offense from a year ago. Kennis will be more prepared this go-around and is an excellent choice to break out and attract attention from the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1583617"],"_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-6a7547daaf495"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vanderlinden lined up at quarterback last season out of necessity. After piling up more than 1,000 combined yards rushing and receiving as a freshman in 2024, Bondurant-Farrar felt his speed and athleticism was best served behind center a year ago. He threw for 447 yards (14.4 YPC) and three touchdowns. Vanderlinden added 169 yards (4.1 YPC) and a score on the ground. You can watch him throwing the football&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22551423/6925ca5bc61f738cea2f3101">HERE</a>&nbsp;and running with it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22551423/6925c662c5142346c72ab129">HERE</a>. There's room for development and growth as a signal caller with Vanderlinden's arm strength. He's capable of making all the throws and fitting the ball into tight windows. Vanderlinden slices up opponents on designed runs with explosion and serious speed. There's also potential in the secondary, where he should help the Bluejays again this campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1652778"],"_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-6a754c9bcf6ad"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Haug is one of the better uncommitted players remaining in <br>Iowa's 2027 Class. He's an excellent athlete and a really good football player. Haug ranked second in rebounding on the Carlisle basketball team this winter. He then ran at the state track meet in the spring. He completed 70 of 123 throws for 1,146 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 479 yards and six scores on 67 carries in football last year. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19653475/6924eb80381e2f0f3900fea8"><strong>11th-grade highlight video</strong></a> impresses. A strong arm, quick release and good mechanics stand out when seeing Haug operate at signal caller. He works quickly through his progressions and keeps the ball out of harm's way. Haug is smooth when running play-action. Mobility results in him keeping plays alive off schedule, and he can eat up defenses when running with the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1644899"],"_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-6a754f4598d0c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Northern Iowa offered Bacino a scholarship in June. He accepted the Panther opportunity eight days later. It's a good fit for the North Polk senior, who combines a high-level of production among the prep ranks with a high ceiling to reach for once he arrives in Cedar Falls. A good athlete, Bacino reached the state track meet in the shot put during the spring. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16581366/6977d6626b510df37517269f" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16581366/6977d6626b510df37517269f">junior highlight video</a> reveals what UNI and other college programs liked. Bacino can dominate the opponent in close quarters and also pick guys off in space. He reached blocks smoothly and follows through until the play is over. Bacino flashes slick footwork, operates with optimal leverage and benefits from active hands. He'll be a problem for teams on the Comet schedule once again in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->