IA Class 1A Recap From Week 3 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another week of high school football has concluded, and with most of the out-of-conference games starting to reach it's conclusion, the focus begins to shift toward the battle of who will climb over one another within the conference to take the throne as the top teams for 2026. After a fairly uneven week full of lopsided battles, week 3 brought much more action and excitement to the table with several standout matchups peppered in that really shook the 1A conference as it moves forward toward conference play. We take a look at the top games and standouts from week 3 of the 2026 high school football season across Class 1A 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>Pleasantville</strong> vs. Mount Ayr: <strong>29-26</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This rivalry has been a close one over the course of their history, but the Trojans were riding on a 4 game winning streak over the Raiders over their most recent matchups. However, the Raiders came out swinging, and they were able to capture a 20-14 lead entering the 4th quarter. While the Raiders' offense outperformed the Trojans in total yardage (330-225), the Trojans pulled through with several explosive plays over the air in the 4th quarter, ultimately overcoming their deficit and pulling through with a 3 point victory over the final 12 minutes to pull off the comeback; now extending their winning streak to 5 over Mount Ayr as they improve to 3-0 to start off the year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: JJ Phillips (SR) - </strong>With star QB [player_tooltip player_id='1197483' first='Braylon' last='Bingham'] out due to injury, Phillips stepped up in a big way for the Trojans on Friday night, leading the offense with 115 receiving yards on just 5 receptions while rushing for 34 yards and all 4 rushing TDs of the night. He also completed a 49 yard pass, recorded 14 tackles (8 solo) on defense, and scored a 2PT conversion. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Dike-New Hartford vs. <strong>Grundy Center: 21-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>With the Spartans in a shocking slump after starting the season 1-1 with inconsistent performances in both games, they had another tough matchup to face against the rival Wolverines. The Spartans had won each of their last 6 matchups against DNH, with their last 4 wins being by a margin of at least 14 points. However, the Wolverines kept it tight throughout, forcing 3 turnovers and maintaining a 1 point deficit following the first half. However, the Spartans were able to completely shut down the Wolverines' passing attack, rendering their offense one-dimensional, while the Spartans were able to eliminate the mistakes in the 2nd half and corral a grand total of 377 yards of offense, allowing them to control the clock and pull through with another victory. The Spartans are trending back in the right direction, but they still have a lot to clean up to maintain this groove over the course of the year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Ethan Meester (SR) - </strong>Despite throwing 2 INTs, Ethan Meester persevered and led the Spartans' offense well on their way to victory. Meester finished 13 of 21 for 166 yards and 2 TDs while adding 40 rushing yards on 7 carries (5.7 YPC). He also added 2 tackles on defense and punted 4 times, averaging 30.5 yards per punt. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Lisbon</strong> vs. Columbus Catholic: <strong>21-16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The Sailors' homecoming night was spoiled on Friday night by the Lions, who entered looking to avenge a close loss to Columbus Catholic from last season. The game was close throughout, with the score tied at 14-14 at halftime, the Lions took the lead in the 3rd quarter before the defense took over. The Sailors failed to capture much sparks offensively in the 2nd half and missed several opportunities to get on the board, with their only score being a safety in the 4th quarter. Inconsistencies and 2 costly interceptions allowed Lisbon to capture the opportunity and ruin the special night for the Sailors as Lisbon continues to take steps forward in 2026 following their winless 2025 campaign.</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='2106299' first='Caleb' last='Brown'] (JR) - </strong>Brown had a huge role as the defense stood up and shut down the Sailors' offense in the second half. Brown finished with 6.5 tackles, 2 TFLs, a sack, and an INT returned for a TD in the win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cherokee Washington vs. <strong>Ridge View: 14-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Week 3 was a pivotal matchup for both teams to change the outcome of what their 2026 season could look like. Ridge View came into this game with a 3 game losing streak against the Braves, and they were determined to end that streak. After trailing 6-0 in the 1st half, the Raptors found a spark in the 3rd quarter with 2 TDs, and while the Braves were able to excel in total yardage (286-155), their efforts were held fruitless for much of the 2nd half, and despite a TD in the 4th quarter, they failed the 2PT attempt, allowing the Raptors to secure their first win of the 2026 season as they look to turn things around in a positive manner 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='2101615' first='Derek' last='Heilman'] (JR) - </strong>Heilman provided the spark that the Raptors needed during the 2nd half, finishing the night with 103 yards rushing on 16 carries (6.4 YPC) while adding an 8 yard reception as well as 3.5 tackles (3 solo) on defense. He also scored on a pivotal 75 yard kick return TD during the 2nd half. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>West Central Valley</strong> vs. Red Oak:<strong> 3-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Having lost each of their last 6 matchups against Red Oak, the Wildcats came in searching to end that streak, though they probably didn't anticipate that it would end the way it did. Both offenses were largely stumped over the course of the game, but the Wildcats' defense did an outstanding job at completely thwarting the Tigers, forcing 4 turnovers, and keeping them off the board the entire game. A 31 yard FG made in the 2nd quarter gave the only points of the game, which was just enough for the Wildcats to win as they improve to 2-2, matching the win total they had from last season as well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Caden Paardekooper (SR) - </strong>One of the central figures of the Wildcats' defensive dominance on Friday night, Paardekooper finished 2nd on the defense with 8.5 tackles (6 solo), 2.5 TFLs, a sack, and a fumble recovery in the win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 3:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jesup vs. <strong>Osage: 60-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northeast</strong> vs. Bellevue: <strong>55-36</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clarion-Goldfield-Dows</strong> vs. Estherville Lincoln Central: <strong>49-20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarke Community vs. <strong>Interstate 35: 44-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oelwein vs. <strong>Union Community: 43-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aplington-Parkersburg</strong> vs. Garner Hayfield Ventura: <strong>42-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tri-Center vs. <strong>Hinton: 41-27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Missouri Valley vs. <strong>Lawton-Bronson: 39-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alta-Aurelia vs. <strong>Pocahontas Area: 38-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Lyon</strong> vs. Unity Christian: <strong>35-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clarinda vs. <strong>Underwood: 35-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Hardin </strong>vs. Hudson: <strong>33-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maquoketa Valley vs. <strong>Beckman Catholic: 30-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East Sac County</strong> vs. MVAOCOU: <strong>29-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regina Catholic</strong> vs. Alburnett: <strong>28-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>South Central Calhoun</strong> vs. IKM-Manning: <strong>27-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monticello vs. <strong>Cascade: 27-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manson-NW Webster</strong> vs. Ogden: <strong>24-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Treynor</strong> vs. Pella Christian: <strong>18-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont</strong> vs. Davis County: <strong>17-0 (Forfeit)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 3:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1844225' first='Braden' last='Weig'] (JR) - South Hardin: 21/33, 379 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Maxzen Eskildsen (JR) - Northeast: 9/15, 131 yards, 2 TDs, 23 carries, 261 rushing yards (11.3 YPC), 3 rushing TDs, 4 tackles (4 solo), 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, 1 defensive TD, 1 punt, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Coen Hammen (SR) - Pocahontas Area: 9/16, 147 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 3 carries, 15 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 defensive INT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1605331' first='Gabriel' last='Hegelheimer'] (JR) - Regina Catholic: 29 carries, 214 rushing yards (7.4 YPC), 2 rushing TDs, 4/4 extra points</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH JJ Phillips (SR) - Pleasantville: 5 receptions, 115 yards (23 YPC), 11 carries, 34 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs, 14 tackles (8 solo), 13 total return yards, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Jerry Brunow (JR) - Underwood: 6.5 tackles (6 solo), 5.5 TFLs, 1 sack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Fisher Gott (JR) - Cardinal: 8 tackles (6 solo), 5.5 TFLs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB [player_tooltip player_id='2075559' first='Kaleb' last='Nelson'] (SO) - Underwood: 10 tackles (9 solo), 5.5 TFLs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Winton Hogen (SR) - Central Springs: 11.5 tackles (8 solo), 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH Noah Wirth (SR) - Hinton: 2 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 reception, 12 yards, 1 receiving TD</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->