Class 3A Recap From Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving up to familiar territory once again in Class 3A, the conference provided us with plenty of surprises and intriguing results from the opening week of the 2026 season, though not many close margin matchups, with just 6 games with 3A teams ending up as one-possession scores, though that shouldn't be expected from the opening games as there were many matchups with out-of-conference teams that ended up as blowouts. Still, the 3A conference is loaded with talent, and for the large part, that showed itself last Friday night. We take a look at the top results and standouts from week 1 across Class 3A Iowa!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top Games:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Des Moines Christian</strong> vs. Van Meter: <strong>34-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Despite it being a 3A over 2A matchup, the Lions faced the daunting task of taking on a perennial powerhouse in the 2A conference in Van Meter, and though the Lions had won their previous matchup, Van Meter has held historical success over the Lions, and the Bulldogs grinded their way to a 17-14 lead entering the 4th quarter. Suddenly, the floodgates opened over the last 12 minutes, with the Lions completely overwhelming the Bulldogs' defense with 400 yards of total offense, including 277 on the ground, while also forcing 3 turnovers, the Lions scored 20 unanswered in the 4th quarter alone to emerge victorious for the second straight season over the Lions. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: David Tokheim (SR) - </strong>Tokheim was in full control as he gashed through the Bulldogs' defense on Friday night, rushing for 187 yards (7.5 YPC) and 3 TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Burlington vs. <strong>Fort Madison: 50-18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Maybe not the most exciting matchup in terms of score, but unique for it's enormity as the Bloodhounds snap a 19 game losing streak dating back to 2023, earning an opening year victory against the 5-4 Grayhounds from the 4A conference. The Bloodhounds exploded with a 14-0 lead right away in the 1st quarter, and would ultimately hold off the Grayhounds, dominating with 398 yards of total offense, including 260 on the ground; a complete 180 for an offense that failed to score more than 30 points in a single game last season. With a new season, the Bloodhounds may be turning a new leaf and look to regain their status in the 3A conference. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='2199350' first='Moses' last='Thacher'] (JR) - </strong>Thacher didn't get a huge workload, but he didn't need to as he was breaking away a big run on nearly every touch he did get on Friday night, rushing for 191 yards on just 15 carries (12.7 YPC) and 3 TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Unity Christian vs. <strong>Sioux Center: 14-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>A very messy matchup where both teams couldn't find a consistent grasp on offense, the matchup between the 2A Knights and the 3A Warriors was sloppy, and certainly not a good outlook of things to come going forward in 2026. Still, the Warriors persevered, outpacing the Knights in total yardage (296-125), including 190 yards on the ground, ultimately chipping away at their defense, and punching in a late 4th quarter TD to pull ahead and ultimately win. The win marks the Warriors 13th victory over the Knights in their last 14 matchups, though if they want to continue to maintain their success from last season, they will have to clean up their mistakes and fine-tune the offense a bit going forward. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1848693' first='Ezra' last='Hibma'] (SR) - </strong>Hibma struggled a bit over the air, throwing 2 INTs, but it was his legs that carried the Warriors' offense to victory. Hibma finished 7 of 16 over the air for 106 yards while rushing for 104 yards on 11 carries (9.5 YPC) and 2 TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Gilbert vs. <strong>Carroll: 35-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gilbert has won each of their last 4 matchups against Carroll prior to this matchup, but you wouldn't believe it with how well Carroll controlled the game on Friday night. From the start, Carroll was able to dictate the direction of the game, scoring 14 unanswered points in the 1st quarter, and never letting up their lead. Carroll benefited from a completely dominant rushing attack, which compiled a total of 384 yards (9.8 YPC) and 4 TDs on the ground while Gilbert was limited to just 3.8 YPC on 35 carries. The better running attack won, and Carroll snatched a huge victory to kick off their 2026 season; perhaps signaling a jump in the Tigers' standing in the 3A conference compared to the last few years that could put them into serious contention going forward. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='1656855' first='Adam' last='Malik'] (SR) - </strong>Gilbert's defense had no answer for Malik as he completely had his way on Friday night, rushing for a total of 248 yards on 21 carries (11.8 YPC) and 2 TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 1:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Lake</strong> vs. Forest City: <strong>56-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keokuk vs. <strong>Williamsburg: 56-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monticello vs. <strong>Mount Vernon: 49-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Solon</strong> vs. Assumption: <strong>48-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Charles City</strong> vs. Oelwein: <strong>46-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Delaware</strong> vs. Marion: <strong>42-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton vs. <strong>Fairfield: 42-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webster City vs.<strong> Iowa Falls-Alden: 32-5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount Pleasant </strong>vs. Mediapolis: <strong>23-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 1:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Benton Enright (JR) - Independence: 29/40, 353 yards, 3 TDs, 19 carries, 132 rushing yards (6.9 YPC), 2 rushing TDs, 2 tackles, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1844844' first='Tanner' last='Ray'] (SR) - Creston: 11/18, 303 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 7 carries, 34 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 reception, 27 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'] (SR) - Clear Lake: 6/8, 211 yards, 3 TDs, 5 carries, 34 rushing yards (6.8 YPC), 1 rushing TD, 1.5 tackles, 1 TFL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1532898' first='Maddox' last='Kelley'] (SR) - Solon: 7/13, 166 yards, 2 TDs, 7 carries, 189 rushing yards (27 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 3 tackles, 1 FF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1656855' first='Adam' last='Malik'] (SR) - Carroll: 21 carries, 248 rushing yards (11.8 YPC), 2 rushing TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='2199350' first='Moses' last='Thacher'] (JR) - Fort Madison: 15 carries, 191 rushing yards (12.7 YPC), 3 rushing TDs, 1 reception, 5 yards, 2 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR Blayne Mergen (SR) - 18 receptions, 223 receiving yards (12.4 YPC), 1 receiving TD, 1 tackle, 1 INT, 1 2PT conversion, 3 punts (23 yards per punt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL/TE [player_tooltip player_id='1849099' first='Isaiah' last='Lange'] (JR) - Mount Pleasant: 5.5 tackles (4 solo), 5.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF, 5 receptions, 62 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='2120844' first='Graham' last='Yanda'] (SO) - Mount Vernon: 4 tackles (All solo), 2 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 fumble recovery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Charles Chapman (JR) - Charles City: 4 tackles (3 solo), 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 PBU, 2 INTs, 1 defensive TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->