IA Class 2A Recap From Week 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we wrap up our second week of the high school football season in Iowa, we wrap up as well much of the outer conference matchups with schools from different conferences in the state matching up against each other, which led to some very one-sided results with the matched expectations of the bigger schools crushing the lower-level teams. Still, the week brought us some intriguing matchups and close showdowns that help separate themselves from the rest of the competition and provide some intriguing results for the fans that should continue to shake up the 2A competition. We take a look at the top results and standouts from week 2 of the high school football season across Class 2A 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>Alburnett</strong> vs. Mid-Prairie: <strong>35-28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>This was an anticipated rematch following the Pirates' 42-37 shootout victory over the Golden Hawks last season, and once again, this matchup did not disappoint. A battle between top-3 foes in the 2A conference, and it was a close one throughout, with the game tied at 21 at halftime. However, the Pirates were able to take control and run the clock down with their potent run attack racking up a combined 263 rushing yards (7.1 YPC) and 3 rushing TDs, and Alburnett was able to take the lead and hold on to another close victory as they continue to build their resume as one of the top contenders in the 2A conference this season. </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='1901425' first='Laken' last='Caves'] (SR) - </strong>One of the top performing RBs in the state completely rocked the Golden Eagles' defense once again, racking up 215 rushing yards (8.6 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs while adding a 24 yard TD reception. He also added 4 tackles on defense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Western Christian vs. <strong>Spirit Lake: 40-35</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>After an unexpectedly down 2025 season for Spirit Lake, they are shaping to get back to old ways with another big win to start the season. After losing a close one to the Wolfpack in 2025, the two teams went into a shootout on Friday night, going back and forth over the course of the game. Outpacing the Wolfpack with 443 total yards of offense, much of their success came with their ability to dominate the run, accumulating 273 total rushing yards (8.8 YPC) and 4 rushing TDs as they were able to stay a step ahead of the Wolfpack from the start, and ultimately held on to a one-possession victory on Friday night, avenging their loss from last season and emerging with a 2-0 start to 2026. </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='2072566' first='Ty' last='Higgins'] (JR) - </strong>Higgins' continued development as the signal-caller for the Indians was prevalent as he delivered a strong performance on Friday night, finishing 7 of 10 for 170 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 64 yards on 9 carries (7.1 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Van Meter</strong> vs. Treynor: <strong>35-28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The 1A Cardinals gave Van Meter everything they had, and the fans certainly got their money's worth with this showdown on Friday night. Trailing 28-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter, Treynor was able to fight their way back, climbing their way up in the 4th quarter to knock the deficit to just a one-possession game with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. Treynor was able to wind down much of the clock though, thanks in part to a dominant run attack which finished with 252 total rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs combined as a unit. Treynor got a late score with 24 seconds remaining, but the ensuing onside kick attempt failed, allowing the Bulldogs to finish out the win, rebounding following a shocking week 1 loss to earn their first win of the season. </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='2120935' first='Keenan' last='Lundy'] (SO) - </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2120935' first='Keenan' last='Lundy'] delivered with a steady performance against the Cardinals' defense, finishing 7 of 12 passing for 103 yards and a TD while adding 85 rushing yards (7.1 YPC) and a TD on the ground in the win. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Central Lee</strong> vs. Albia: <strong>20-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In a mostly one-sided rivalry, Central Lee has lost to Albia in each of their last 7 matchups, but they pulled through and ended the losing streak to the Blue Demons in Albia on Friday night. It was certainly not a pretty game, as Central Lee mustered just 139 yards of total offense and lost 3 fumbles over the course of the game, but they were able to force more mistakes on the Blue Demons, recovering 2 fumbles and intercepting the QB twice. Trailing by 2 in the 4th quarter, the Hawks finally found a breakthrough with a 62 yard game winning TD run by QB [player_tooltip player_id='2086820' first='Brett' last='Cook'] with just 1:11 remaining in the game. The Blue Demons were able to push their way into the redzone in the following drive, but time ran out and their last ditch effort of a pass ended with an interception, giving the Hawks an unforgettable upset in this rivalry. </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='2086820' first='Brett' last='Cook'] (SR) - </strong>The top player on both sides of the ball for the Hawks, it wasn't a great day passing for Lee as he finished just 4 of 10 for 43 yards, but he rumbled for 95 rushing yards on 13 carries (7.3 YPC) and 2 rushing TDs, including the game-winner in the 4th quarter. Defensively, he led the unit with 12 tackles (11 solo), 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 fumble recovery, 2 PBUs, and an INT. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Decorah vs. <strong>Crestwood: 35-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>By far the biggest shock of the week was watching Crestwood stun the 4A Vikings at home, with Decorah being one of the most competitive and strongest units in the 4A conference over the last few years. Yet, the Cadets completely ran past them from the start, emerging with 21 unanswered points right away in the 1st quarter, and the Vikings would not be able to keep up. Crestwood dominated on the ground, rushing for 259 total rushing yards (6.6 YPC) and 2 TDs while limiting Decorah to just 182 yards of total offense. Decorah has generally dominated this rivalry, having won 20 times against the Cadets since 2006, and this win on Friday marks their 2nd win over the last 5 matchups. Now sitting at 2-0 after beating one of their toughest rivals, the Cadets clearly have a foundation to build upon that could see them emerge as a force in the 2A conference this season. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Alex Loden (SR) - </strong>Loden was in complete control on Friday night as he sliced through the Vikings' defense with his tight accuracy and elusive scrambling. He finished 11 of 16 for 94 yards and 2 TDs over the air, while rushing for 183 yards (8.3 YPC) and a rushing TD. He also punted 3 times, averaging an impressive 47.7 yards per punt. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 2:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oelwein vs. <strong>Waukon: 80-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shenandoah vs. <strong>Clarinda: 65-30</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saydel vs. <strong>Clarke Community: 59-16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bellevue</strong> vs. Camanche: <strong>53-16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mediapolis </strong>vs. Keokuk: <strong>48-22</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garner Hayfield Ventura vs. <strong>Osage: 46-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Algona vs. <strong>Kuemper Catholic: 45-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Madison vs. <strong>West Burlington Notre Dame: 42-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Estherville Lincoln Central vs. <strong>Cherokee Washington: 40-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vinton-Shellsburg</strong> vs. Jesup: <strong>37-24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Denver</strong> vs. Sumner-Fredericksburg: <strong>35-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hampton-Dumont-CAL</strong> vs. Clarion-Goldfield-Dows: <strong>35-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Liberty</strong> vs. Tipton: <strong>34-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Valley</strong> vs. Emmetsburg: <strong>33-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OABCIG</strong> vs. Tri-Center: <strong>33-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fairfield vs. <strong>Centerville: 30-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sigourney Keota vs. <strong>Wilton: 27-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Central Valley vs. <strong>Grand View Christian: 24-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Okoboji</strong> vs. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley: <strong>24-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chariton</strong> vs. Davis County:<strong> 17-0 (Cancelled)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Top 10 Standouts from Week 2:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1696454' first='Cooper' last='Baumgart'] (JR) - Clarinda: 13/21, 299 yards, 8 TDs, 1.5 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Casey Hanson (SR) - Southeast Valley: 9/9, 178 yards, 3 TDs, 7 carries, 67 rushing yards (9.6 YPC), 2 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='2205949' first='Jayden' last='Nanthan'] (JR) - West Burlington Notre Dame: 26 carries, 302 rushing yards (11.6 YPC), 3 rushing TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/DB Eli Laban (JR) - Bellevue: 13 carries, 211 rushing yards (16.2 YPC), 5 rushing TDs, 1 INT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB/LB Lukas Showalter (JR) - Hampton-Dumont-CAL: 23 carries, 227 rushing yards (9.9 YPC), 3 rushing TDs, 4 tackles (All solo), 1 FF, 1 fumble recovery</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1204942' first='Logan' last='Jaeschke'] (SR) - Southeast Valley: 4 receptions, 100 yards, 3 TDs, 5.5 tackles (4 solo), 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 25 return yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Jackson Kellogg (SR) - New Hampton: 14.5 tackles (9 solo), 4 TFLs, 2 sacks, 25 kick return yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL/OL [player_tooltip player_id='1621096' first='Ty' last='Schlichting'] (SR) - Cherokee Washington: 5.5 tackles (3 solo), 3.5 TFLs, 3 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB Parker Richter (SR) - Bellevue: 7 tackles (6 solo), 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB Bayden Wrich (JR) - Hampton-Dumont-CAL: 6 tackles (All solo), 1 FF, 2 INTs, 55 kick return yards, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->