Kickoff ’26: X-Factors for Each Team in Class 4A District 1

<!-- 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/" data-type="link" data-id="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>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":["1644900"],"_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-6a70c8ea28c3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Wayne State pledge is the top-ranked quarterback in Iowa's 2027 Class, according to Prep Redzone. He's a big, physical kid poised for a huge senior season with his future decided. He stressed defenses as a passer (eight touchdowns) and runner (nine TDs) last year. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder can sling it from the pocket, as he displays during the first few clips and throughout his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21486745/690e1fb9df5b76d55b311c1d" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/21486745/690e1fb9df5b76d55b311c1d">junior highlight video</a>. It's a strong arm that can hit the target from multiple arm angles. McBride shows an excellent touch on the deep ball. There's plenty of rawness to his game and room for improvement, providing a sizable ceiling. An outstanding athlete, McBride crushed 12 home runs for the Fort Dodge baseball team this summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1840100"],"_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-6a70d00b53a17"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones will be headed to Northern Iowa next season, a fierce linebacker recruit with a lot of upside. First, he'll look to help Sergeant Bluff-Luton back to the UNI-Dome for a third year in a row. Last season, Jones piled up 70.0 tackles with 40 of them being of the solo variety. He produced 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks and an interception, which was a Pick-6. With a 6-foot-8 wing span, the all-stater covers a lot of ground as we can see when viewing his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20716066/68e68aec1a44f076bf017413" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20716066/68e68aec1a44f076bf017413">11th-grade highlight video</a>. We also witness a middle backer that picks up pre-snap reads, identifies the play quickly after the snap and flies to the football. Jones is a good athlete with speed that holds up well in coverage. Warrior fans should be excited to watch him again and Panther fans should be excited about the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197479"],"_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-6a70d65355ab3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If it feels like William has been a factor for Storm Lake for a long time, it's because he has. The dangerous wideout and Wayne State commitment delivered 31 receptions for 376 yards and four touchdowns as a prep freshman in 2023. After hauling in 58 balls for 987 yards and 10 scores last year, he has 132 receptions for 2,042 yards and 20 TDs in his impressive career. An excellent athlete that also excels on the basketball court, William should take off in college, when he focuses on one sport. You can see the potential and the upside when watching his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18590061/69137b34b961307c34287a35" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18590061/69137b34b961307c34287a35">11th-grade highlight video</a>. He's a well-rounded wideout that can go over top of defenders or run by them. The routes are clean and crisp, making him dangerous on all levels of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1674573"],"_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-6a70d9ea75576"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adol impacted games on both sides of the trench for LeMars as a junior last season. He's one of the better uncommitted linemen remaining in Iowa's 2027 Class, and colleges would be wise to keep an eye on him this fall. For a preview, you can check out his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16877172/68dc21591b70efd62782913a" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16877172/68dc21591b70efd62782913a">11th-grade highlight video</a> from last fall, when he collected 17 solo tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. I would expect those numbers to jump up in 2026 as he continues adding mass and strength to his projectable frame. Adol has a great feel for playing defensive tackle, understanding how to absorb blocks, keeping his eyes in the backfield and disengaging from opponents as he moves towards the tackle. It's a set of skills and abilities that work well on offense, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1717437"],"_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-6a70dc60ee023"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ferrell helped out on defense last season but did his best work along the offensive line. The junior helped Spencer rush for 2,191 yards (5.5 YPC) and 32 touchdowns against defenses expecting the Tigers to run the football. Ferrell flashes versatility during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19979619/695898a6263cb6eecdd4a5bb" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/19979619/695898a6263cb6eecdd4a5bb">junior highlight video </a>from last season. He produced lining up at right guard and right tackle. Ferrell is likely best suited for the interior on the next level, but the flexibility should be attractive to college programs with smaller roster sizes. His frame has room to fill out and add strength while keeping the agility and athleticism that makes him successful already. Ferrell operates with a proper pad level and benefits from good hand placement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2101670"],"_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-6a70de4f03701"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Irvine showed that Sioux City West might be able to take steps forward this season with his performance as a sophomore last year when he delivered as a three-phase contributor. He threw for 561 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 501 yards (4.2 YPC) and six scores. Irvine recorded 40.0 tackles with 33 of them being solo stops. He added a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and an interception during an impactful campaign that earned all-district recognition. Irvine flashes his complete toolbox during his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23191667/68e5cfab4f4cfa5cc34262bd">10th-grade highlight video</a>. There's a path to success as a mobile left-handed signal caller. He displays arm strength and a knack for throwing on the run. Irvine's speed, athleticism and explosiveness make him a prospect on defense, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->