NW Iowa Game Preview: Bishop Heelan vs. Sergeant Bluff-Luton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We made it! Game week is officially here. Here is a preview of the biggest game in NW Iowa this Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A #5</strong> <strong>BISHOP HEELAN (0-0) @ 4A #2 SERGEANT BLUFF-LUTON (0-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a really high quality opener with teams that are pre-season ranked top five in each of their respective classes. Both of these team finished their 2025 season's inside the U.N.I. Dome which saw Bishop Heelan finish runner-up in Class 3A and SBL lost in the state semifinal to Pella. The Crusaders defeated the Warriors in the season opener last season 14-6. The starting quarterbacks in this game will each be making their first varsity start behind center. The Crusaders will have senior [player_tooltip player_id='1685735' first='Eli' last='Mielke'] 6-4 (210) an accurate passer pulling the trigger and the Warriors will feature junior [player_tooltip player_id='2159690' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'] 6-0 (190) who brings a run dimension and the ability to be accurate in the mid range passing game. This game includes some really good football players and college level talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The line of scrimmage is where this game will be won. The Warriors return senior first team all-state offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2087287' first='Alex' last='Brodersen'] 6-1 (225) at right guard. Senior LT Andy Kolar 5-10 (260) is a returning starter as is junior LG Joey Gonzalez 6-1 (260) both players earned second team all-district honors a season ago. The Crusaders will counter with a solid defensive front of their own led by senior Max Aesoph 6-2 (230) is active where he had (43.5) tackles last season to go along with (8.5) TFL. Senior Asser Mutombo 6-4 (230) has good size and will have a presence in the defensive front for the Crusaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The skill positions are in pretty good shape for both teams. The Warriors return two veteran running backs to the offensive huddle. Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1992066' first='Beckett' last='Verros'] 5-9 (185) will look to follow up a (1,400) yard campaign and (14) scores from last season. The Warriors get the services of senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1529036' first='Ryan' last='Husen'] 5-10 (180) back following a season ending injury last fall. The Crusaders will be replacing Iowa Hawkeye Kasen Thomas with some younger players. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2061250' first='Dylan' last='Knapp'] 5-10 (165) and Riley Lowery 5-10 (175) will share duties. Sophomore Jevon Burgin 5-10 (170) will be in the mix as well in the backfield. The main receiving targets for QB Mielke will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1906706' first='Grant' last='Whitcomb'] 6-0 (175) and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1906718' first='Prince' last='Weagbah'] 6-0 (175). One key note is Warrior senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'] 6-2 (215) will not be in the lineup due to a 2-game suspension to start the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game will be a heck of a season opener featuring ranked teams. You always wonder how a senior QB making their first start will react to game situations. Turnover margin will be of utmost importance for both teams along with field position. One advantage the Warriors have is a proven running game on offense with two senior running backs who are varsity seasoned. Both defenses will make it a challenge for the offensive coordinators in this contest. The Crusaders did hold the Warriors to (123) rushing yards in last year's contest which was a season low for the Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685735"],"_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-6a8ed5125220e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mielke will be making his first varsity start at QB versus Sergeant Bluff-Luton. The coaching staff likes his ability to see the field and make good decisions with the football. Mielke received backup snaps last fall and is comfortable throwing from the pocket but also displayed an ability to throw on the run with a bootleg series the Crusaders use off play action. If the Crusaders can get some traction in the run game the boot series could produce some big plays this Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906706"],"_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-6a8ed512522c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bishop Heelan Crusader playmaker on both offense and defense will likely impact the outcome of the game. Whitcomb is the top returning receiver for the Crusaders with (24) receptions last season for (572) yards and (5) scores while averaging (23.8) yards per catch. Whitcomb is a team leader in the defensive secondary with (17.5) tackles and witnessed by his (6) interceptions. I anticipate Whitcomb receiving 8-10 touches this game rushing or receiving. Committed to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2159918"],"_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-6a8ed51252322"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Really good experienced defensive lineman who will be part of a defense looking to slow down a potent running attack from the Warriors. Aesoph racked up (43.5) tackles and (8.5) TFL last season. Aesoph is good at the point of attack and filling rush lanes. His ability to get in the offensive backfield and crowd the pocket this Friday would help take some heat off the Crusader linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529005"],"_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-6a8ed512523a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ehlers will be making his first varsity start at QB for the Warriors. Ehlers is a dual threat who can cause problems with his ability to run the football and also has a mid-range passing game he can showcase as well. Ehlers clicked off a (10.9) 100M this past spring track season and will be hard to bring down one on one in the open field. Ehlers will also make his presence known in the defensive secondary where he totaled (38.0) tackles in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1992066"],"_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-6a8ed5125241e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Key senior RB for the Warriors. Rushed for (1,450) yards and (16) scores in 2025. Verros does a good job using his blocks to pick up additional yardage. Verros is a very instinctive runner on the inside and has the ability to get outside and make a house call down the sideline. The (10.1) yards per carry is indictive of how quickly Verros can reach the end-zone and put points on the scoreboard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529036"],"_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-6a8ed512524e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Experienced senior RB Husen returns from 2025 season ending injury. Had a phenomenal 2024 sophomore season where he put up (1,089) rushing yards and (14) scores while averaging (8.8) yards a carry. Husen is a back that can get north/south very quickly and is a proto-type back for this ground oriented attack which includes plenty of pre-snap motion which sometimes causes confusion in the defensive front seven and Husen is decisive on his first cut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->