IA Class 3A Recap From Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reaching the halfway point of the 2026 high school football season, there are now 5 teams left in the 3A conference that sit with an undefeated record, while 23 teams hold a record of at least .500. For now, nearly every team in the conference remains in contention to make the playoffs, though as we shift toward the next part of this season, things will change rapidly and that number will rapidly dwindle as we see who emerges among the best of the best this season. We take a look today at the top results and standouts from Class 3A Iowa through week 4 of the 2026 high school football season!</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">Lewis Central vs. <strong>Carroll: 29-28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In one of the most exciting finishes of the season so far, Lewis Central looked poised to extend their winning streak over Carroll to 5 games in a row as they took a 28-15 lead entering the 4th quarter, holding this deficit for much of the quarter. Then, in the final 4 and a half minutes, the Titans imploded. Carroll pushed through a grueling and time-consuming drive to score and cut the deficit to one possession. The Titans drove to Carroll's 31 yard line, but failed a 4th and 6 attempt, allowing the Tigers an opportunity to win it. The Tigers connected on several electric passing plays, capped off with a game-tying TD pass from 21 yards out with 19 seconds left, followed by the game-leading extra point. The Titans failed their last ditch hail mary attempt, and Carroll pulled it off in one of the most compelling and exciting games of the 2026 high school football season across Iowa. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Top Performer: Camden King (SR) - </strong>King put up a gritty and resilient effort in leading the Tigers' comeback effort, finishing the night 8 of 15 for 100 yards passing, rushing for 17 yards and 2 TDs, and connecting on his lone TD pass, which ended up as the game-winner in the final 20 seconds of the night. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mount Pleasant</strong> vs. Central DeWitt: <strong>16-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Two of the top teams in the 3A conference fared off against each other on Friday night. Despite both ranking among the highest scoring offenses in the 3A conference, it was unexpectedly a low-scoring defensive battle on Friday night. The game was quiet throughout, with the Sabers leading 7-3 heading into the 4th quarter before the pace picked up. The game was seemingly put away when the Sabers scored again late, but the Panthers roared back to life in the final 3 minutes of the game, scoring a TD, getting an immediate stop, and getting the ball back with over a minute and a half to play. The Sabers seemingly won on a fumble recovery, but the decision was controversially overturned with the player being ruled out of bounds. With this second life, the Panthers scored a TD with under 35 seconds remaining to take a 2 point lead. The Sabers drove past midfield, but would remain pushed off from field goal range, allowing the Panthers to pull off the stunning upset to spoil the Sabers' homecoming as they now move up to 4-0. </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='1849099' first='Isaiah' last='Lange'] (SR) - </strong>Outside of the nullified fumble, [player_tooltip player_id='1849099' first='Isaiah' last='Lange'] played a huge role in the Panthers' comeback victory. Defensively, he recorded 7 tackles (6 solo), 3.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks while catching a team-high 5 passes for 68 yards and the game-winning TD in the final minute. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">West Delaware vs. <strong>Wahlert Catholic: 35-32</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>One of the tightest and most even rivalries over the last few years, the two titans in the 3A conference duked it out once again in a game that went down to the wire. West Delaware was in control early on, leading entering the 4th quarter 24-21. However, the Golden Eagles turned the tides, gaining an extra step over the Hawks, and ultimately scoring 14 unanswered to take a 35-24 lead late. The Hawks responded with a deep TD connection and a 2PT conversion to cut the deficit to 3, but their onside kick attempt failed, allowing the Golden Eagles to run out the clock and secure the win, their 2nd straight victory over the Hawks. </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='1616422' first='JP' last='Elbert'] (SR) - </strong>Elbert was very solid on Friday night, managing the game both with his arm and his strong legs. Elbert finished 6 of 10 for 104 yards and a TD while rushing for 87 yards (6.2 YPC) and 3 rushing TDs, as well as a 2PT conversion. He scored 2 TDs on the ground in the 4th quarter that proved to be the difference in this victory. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Charles City vs. <strong>Waterloo East: 10-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>On homecoming night for Waterloo East, the Trojans were determined not to spoil the night and take down the Comets, whom they had lost to in their previous two matchups. The game was a low-scoring affair, and after leading 10-6 at halftime, the Trojans were not able to find much sparks offensively in the second half. In fact, they ended up shooting themselves in the foot on multiple occasions, including a shocking 8 fumbles, with 3 lost offensively. Instead, they relied on their strong defense, keeping the Comets out of scoring range and garnering several critical stands on 4th down, and outside of a safety enforced on the Trojans, the Comets were held scoreless the second half, with the Trojans earning their flowers on homecoming to stay afloat and move up to .500. </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='1596629' first='Gianni' last='Gary'] (SR) - </strong>Despite all the mistakes being made with the fumbles and missed opportunities, [player_tooltip player_id='1596629' first='Gianni' last='Gary'] was able to remain a consistent bright spot on Friday night as their all-purpose weapon. Gary caught 4 passes for 57 yards while rushing for 17 yards. Defensively, he recorded 7 tackles and a TFL, and he added a combined 53 return yards. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notable Results from Week 4:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Des Moines North vs. <strong>Perry: 58-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Storm Lake vs. <strong>Atlantic: 56-17</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Greene County</strong> vs. Saydel: <strong>55-8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mount Vernon</strong> vs. Fort Madison: <strong>55-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burlington vs. <strong>Keokuk: 54-29</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Knoxville vs. <strong>Fairfield: 52-14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spencer vs. <strong>Sioux Center: 52-27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption </strong>vs. Davenport West: <strong>51-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City North vs.<strong> Bishop Heelan: 51-21</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Center Point-Urbana vs. <strong>Independence: 50-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denison-Schleswig vs. <strong>Harlan Community: 48-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Des Moines Christian</strong> vs. Creston: <strong>46-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winterset vs. <strong>Carlisle: 44-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clinton</strong> vs. Maquoketa: <strong>44-6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamsburg vs. <strong>Xavier: 41-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Algona vs. <strong>Waverly-Shell Rock: 41-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benton vs. <strong>Solon: 39-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nevada vs. <strong>Clear Lake: 37-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boone vs. <strong>Iowa Falls-Alden: 32-0</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webster City vs. <strong>Gilbert: 27-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Le Mars</strong> vs. MOC-Floyd Valley: <strong>20-12</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Washington</strong> vs. Oskaloosa: <strong>17-0 (FORFEIT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ballard </strong>vs. Humboldt: <strong>14-7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Top 10 Standouts from Week 4:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1850235' first='Jadyn' last='Burton'] (JR) - Keokuk: 22/27, 412 yards, 5 TDs, 1 rushing TD, 1 tackle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Elijah Mielke (SR) - Bishop Heelan: 11/15, 274 yards, 4 TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'] (SR) - Clear Lake: 14/22, 258 yards, 3 TDs, 12 carries, 55 rushing yards (4.6 YPC), 1 rushing TD, 1.5 tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB [player_tooltip player_id='1848693' first='Ezra' last='Hibma'] (SR) - Sioux Center: 8/13, 150 yards, 1 TD, 19 carries, 265 rushing yards (13.9 YPC), 4 rushing TDs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1844927' first='Ethan' last='McNeal'] (SR) - Atlantic: 18 carries, 269 rushing yards (14.9 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 1 2PT conversion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB [player_tooltip player_id='1197495' first='Davis' last='Tokheim'] (SR) - Des Moines Christian: 17 carries, 228 rushing yards (13.4 YPC), 4 rushing TDs, 9.5 tackles (5 solo), 0.5 TFLs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1850280' first='Kurt' last='Joy'] (SR) - Keokuk: 9 receptions, 224 yards (24.9 YPC), 2 receiving TDs, 3.5 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFLs, 1 sack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1811110' first='Trey' last='Henry'] (JR) - Sioux City North: 4 receptions, 154 yards (38.5 YPC), 3 receiving TDs, 4 carries, 33 rushing yards, 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL, 1 FF</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='2153312' first='Coy' last='Krukow'] (SR) - Central DeWitt: 6 tackles (5 solo), 4.5 TFLs, 4 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB/RB Jackson Beatty (SR) - Independence: 5.5 tackles (5 solo), 3 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 15 carries, 130 rushing yards (8.7 YPC), 1 rushing TD, 2 receptions, 38 yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->