Iowa Prep Football Week 5: What Did We Learn?

West Liberty v Mid-Prairie 2026. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Redzone)

Rob Howe September 27, 2026 @ 07:18 PM

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/closer-look-at-sophomores-standing-out/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/closer-look-at-sophomores-standing-out/">Closer Look at Sophomores Standing Out</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/qb-confidential-updating-progress-of-top-signal-callers/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/qb-confidential-updating-progress-of-top-signal-callers/">QB Confidential: Updating Progress of Top Signal Callers</a>   I spend most Friday nights scouting games in the larger classifications. They often contain the largest volume of college prospects. However, there are times when I stray off course.   This was one of those weeks. It found me in West Liberty, where the home-standing Comets played host to Mid-Prairie. It was an important Class 2A District 6 matchup. I was interested in seeing how that would shake out while receiving an in-person look at West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='1908275' first='Camden' last='Crees'], a rising offensive lineman in the 2028 Class.   Crees was as impressive as advertised, and I will be writing more about him and others in a scouting reports piece to be filed early this week. Mid-Prairie broke open a close game in the second half for a 35-21 win. The Golden Hawks do a lot of things well.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1896856' first='Brooks' last='Weber'] was excellent, completing 17 of 21 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. [player_tooltip player_id='2102565' first='Ryan' last='Henry'], Carson Humphrey and [player_tooltip player_id='2416703' first='Kale' last='Miller'] delivered as skill players, and [player_tooltip player_id='2416698' first='Quincy' last='Duvall'], Tommy Miller, Jack Sorrell, Kylar Kiefer and Nick Kelley were impactful up front. Humphrey, Kale and Tommy Miller also played well defensively, as did Caedyn Huston and Bronx Miller.   West Liberty quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1656914' first='Devin' last='Mericle'] completed 11 of 16 throws for 197 yards and two scores without an interception. Briggs Collins, Enrique Michel-Toribio and [player_tooltip player_id='2138515' first='Landon' last='Wainwright'] came through on offense. Wainwright, [player_tooltip player_id='1657932' first='Pierre' last='Shield'], Beckham Simon and Cole Wagamon were active on defense.   The Golden Hawks can make a run in 2A this year. They have a poised quarterback that makes plays and a lot of talent elsewhere on the field. West Liberty also boasts the pieces to enjoy a special campaign if they come together.   Elsewhere around the state...   -Ankeny picked up an impressive, 35-25, statement win at Sioux City East in a matchup of unbeatens. Mason Machan completed 18 of 21 throws for 195 yards and three touchdowns, and [player_tooltip player_id='1602643' first='Devan' last='Goode'] rushed 16 times for 119 yards and score. Quin Somers, [player_tooltip player_id='1198818' first='Rowan' last='Doak'], [player_tooltip player_id='2087298' first='Ben' last='Fairchild'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617630' first='Hunter' last='Minner'] also stood out for the winners.   -Indianola won its first game against Valley dating back to at least 2010, a span of eight games, according to Bound. The 34-29 victory in West Des Moines was highlighted by strong performances from [player_tooltip player_id='2372589' first='Nolan' last='Freeman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1607041' first='Rylan' last='Hilton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2048622' first='Aiden' last='Curtis'], Kasey Pontier and [player_tooltip player_id='2090460' first='Josiah' last='Green'].   -TJ Sleiter, [player_tooltip player_id='1199301' first='Therston' last='Nebo'], [player_tooltip player_id='1256646' first='Parker' last='James'], Kael Moran, Ethan Fitch, Brecken Beer and [player_tooltip player_id='2111723' first='Sam' last='Heinrich'] were important in Waukee's 31-0 shutout against Dallas Center-Grimes.   -Liberty overwhelmed rival Iowa City West, 51-17, Friday night in North Liberty behind influential performances from [player_tooltip player_id='2085086' first='Emerson' last='Berner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1617593' first='Pryor' last='Reiners'], [player_tooltip player_id='2050280' first='Alex' last='Strunk'], [player_tooltip player_id='1956824' first='Cooper' last='Lester'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361347' first='Adrian' last='Clerry'], Eric Strunk, [player_tooltip player_id='2111604' first='Carter' last='Lester'] and Hank Thompson.   -Urbandale broke a four-game skid against Ankeny Centennial with a 35-23 win. The J-Hawks improved to 3-2 thanks to efficient efforts from [player_tooltip player_id='1197442' first='Landon' last='Rinnan'], [player_tooltip player_id='2112448' first='Kallen' last='Steverson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2084793' first='Dominic' last='Cabildo'], [player_tooltip player_id='1671624' first='Gabe' last='Blanshan'], Hayden Towers, Connor Brown and Oliver Gray.   -Sergeant Bluff-Luton won the battle of 4A unbeatens against visiting Fort Dodge, 34-13. [player_tooltip player_id='2159690' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'], Carter Hayes, Emmet Kneifl, Gavin Ahrendt, Carter Hayes, Dax Koedam, [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'] and Aden Konopasek came through for the Warriors during the triumph.   -Lewis Central recorded a much-needed, 31-0 win at Glenwood. [player_tooltip player_id='2163479' first='Eric' last='Corrill'], [player_tooltip player_id='755592' first='Jacob' last='Jefferis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1358941' first='Braxton' last='Parks'], Camden Dahlheim, Gabriel Lopez, [player_tooltip player_id='1696964' first='Graham' last='Lea'], [player_tooltip player_id='1207814' first='Hunter' last='Infanger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2111007' first='Billy' last='Gerry'] were instrumental in the victory.   -Carlisle moved to 5-0 with a 51-0 blanking of Des Moines North. [player_tooltip player_id='1652778' first='CJ' last='Haug'], [player_tooltip player_id='2088163' first='Hayden' last='Schulte'], Joseph Robbins, Jackson Rice, Jace Schnoor, Carson Furnal and [player_tooltip player_id='2092508' first='Isaac' last='Burk'] put their best on display in win.   -Sioux Center ended a four-game losing streak against Bishop Heelan with a thrilling, 32-20 triumph on the road. [player_tooltip player_id='1848693' first='Ezra' last='Hibma'], [player_tooltip player_id='1848817' first='Tate' last='Swager'], McArthur Schuiteman, [player_tooltip player_id='2088730' first='Braedon' last='Perez-Hietbrink'], Landon Bauer, [player_tooltip player_id='2158684' first='Parker' last='Smit'] and Colton Mouw were among a group standing out for the Warriors.   -Mount Pleasant raised its record to 5-0 with an exciting, 29-28 victory at rival Washington. [player_tooltip player_id='2201874' first='Ryan' last='Helling'], [player_tooltip player_id='1849099' first='Isaiah' last='Lange'], Caleb Shepherd, [player_tooltip player_id='2092056' first='Griffen' last='Jones'], [player_tooltip player_id='2201948' first='Asa' last='Rose'], Keegan Birdsell and Brandon Veloz showed out in the win.   -Osage won its 16th regular-season game in a row, this time a 21-7 decision against New Hampton. [player_tooltip player_id='2053647' first='Griffin' last='Uhlenhopp'], [player_tooltip player_id='1706496' first='Gavin' last='Muller'], [player_tooltip player_id='2057016' first='Cooper' last='Street'], [player_tooltip player_id='2053644' first='Tate' last='Tabbert'], [player_tooltip player_id='2053670' first='Kamden' last='Ross'], Jasper Sonberg and Seger Brandau shined on this Friday night.

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