Iowa Juniors Jumping Out to Fast Starts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/iowa-prep-football-must-watch-week-2-matchups/">Iowa Prep Football Must-Watch, Week-2 Matchups</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Iowa high school football season kicked off in full last week with all teams from around the state in action. From those games, the junior class jumped out to a fast start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at 11th-graders that made noise in Week 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2373373"],"_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-6a9ae75e8f8dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pierce has been added to the Prep Redzone data base following an eye-opening, Week-1 performance in a 49-12 victory against rival Des Moines North. The junior completed 7 of 9 passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns against no interceptions. He also picked up 69 yards and a pair of scores on the ground, highlighting his dual-threat ability that stresses defenses. Pierce gashed the opponent with speed and elusiveness on a <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23652170/6a9420cb8334366023925805" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23652170/6a9420cb8334366023925805">42-yard touchdown run</a>. The only other clip on his Hudl page shows him <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23652170/694a1f216c786d31743f743e" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23652170/694a1f216c786d31743f743e">picking up more ground yards</a> against Ottumwa last season. You can see him buy time with his legs in the first clip of last week's <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UC7i2" data-type="link" data-id="http://www.hudl.com/v/2UC7i2">game highlights</a> before finding an open teammate for a long touchdown pass. I'm looking forward to seeing more film on Pierce. He's an intriguing prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1588740"],"_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-6a9aea7070cf6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Centennial was playing from far behind for a good portion of its Week 1 game against Southeast Polk. While the Jaguars couldn't make it all the way back, Miller led an offense that showed signs it could be a problem for opponents in 2026. The junior completed 27 of 42 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns against one interception. An excellent all-around athlete, Miller might have a future on the gridiron but his highest ceiling could be on the baseball diamond. It's a smooth lefty swing and an all-around set of promising tools. That said, football coaches shouldn't sleep on him. A right arm that generates velocity in baseball helps him push the ball through tight windows and down the field. He moves the pocket and can throw on the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656935"],"_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-6a9aebb1865e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bickford first came onto my radar when I watched him making plays on both sides of the ball at the 2025 Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament. I got to scout him again at that event in April. The progress he'd made was obvious. He grew a little taller and added length to his projectable frame. Bickford has continued to show a knack for contorting his body to make tough catches, and the athleticism and speed help him beat a wide range of defenders. In other words, he's a match-up nightmare at the X spot. Rival Iowa City West found that out in Week 1, when City High leaned on Bickford for big plays in his first game as a Little Hawk. He finished with three catches for 134 yards. A big junior year is underway and college coaches will be on their way to watch him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1031692"],"_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-6a9aed3231b18"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stumpff is not a new name here at Prep Redzone Iowa. We have him ranked as the top defensive back/athlete in the state's 2028 for good season. Some of that acknowledgement can be attributed to his tremendous upside as a quick-twitch athlete with a projectable frame capable of filling out and adding good weight while holding the explosiveness. His abilities and traits also make him an interesting baseball prospect, and that sport could certainly be his path to future success on the next level. But we're seeing the natural gifts turn into production on the gridiron. The long-limbed Stumpff is a unique defender that can lock up all kinds of receivers. It led to a Class 5A-best 11.5 tackles in Week 1 of 2026. Nine of the stops were solo and he had a 1.5 tackles for loss. He also picked off a pass. While he didn't return a kick in the opener, he's dangerous in that phase, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1632665"],"_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-6a9af016e2f4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cedar Rapids Jefferson entered the season needing significant contributions from Turner. The junior delivered that during an opening-night meeting with rival Cedar Rapids Washington. He shared the Class 5A lead with 11.5 tackles after Week 1. Turner recorded five solo stops, a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. He also carried three times for 33 yards and a touchdown. His contributions on special teams also were notable. Turner is a good athlete that runs well sideline to sideline and fluid movements allow him to stick with receivers in coverage. The speed is there as evidence by him helping the <a href="https://x.com/JhawkTF/status/2038776251293245501?s=20" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/JhawkTF/status/2038776251293245501?s=20">J-Hawks 4x200 relay team</a> stand out on the track this spring. Turner <a href="https://x.com/TyTurner2028/status/2094164984397807870?s=20" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/TyTurner2028/status/2094164984397807870?s=20">visited South Dakota</a> last week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->