Iowa Sophomores That Stood Out in Week 1

<!-- 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/" data-type="link" data-id="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 sophomore class provided punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at 10th-graders that made noise in Week 1: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2372589"],"_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-6a99d50e99767"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freeman emerged as a bright spot for the Indianola offense in a Week 1 setback to Norwalk. The sophomore completed 6 of 11 throws for 78 yards and a touchdown, and rushed six times for 56 yards and a score. He added half a tackle. Freeman showed speed in getting to edge on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27038772/6a9423cb4e224e9f7b3cae92" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27038772/6a9423cb4e224e9f7b3cae92">17-yard touchdown run</a>, a play designed for him to carry the football. When watching him operate as a thrower during the <a href="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/indianola/organization/6436/indianola-high-school/team/16765/boys-varsity-football" data-type="link" data-id="https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/indianola/organization/6436/indianola-high-school/team/16765/boys-varsity-football">game highlights</a>, we witness a versatile passer that can spin it while on the run or from the pocket. Freeman gets the ball out quick and shows nice touch on the deep ball. He's a good athlete that can make plays with his legs or arm. It will be interesting monitoring his development moving forward because there's considerable upside here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2119861"],"_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-6a99d9f996453"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rau got his sophomore season off to a fast start with his Week 1 performance. He caught three balls for 80 yards and a touchdown. Rau's height makes him a dangerous matchup on jump balls and fade routes. If that weren't enough for defensive backs to contend with, the Council Bluffs Lincoln wideout also can rip off crisp routes and motor past the secondary, as we see on this <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27423665/6a942460ea19911a507d7378" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27423665/6a942460ea19911a507d7378">56-yard reception</a> against Le Mars last week. Rau displays his aptitude for going over top of the defender on this <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27423665/6a8ae22d434665a74b115091" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/27423665/6a8ae22d434665a74b115091">33-yard catch</a> in a scrimmage against Glenwood. It's a projectable frame. Rau has a sizable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1986771"],"_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-6a99dd1ed5be9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Competing in a game with talented upperclassmen on both sides of the field, the sophomore Derby performed like a veteran. He hauled in four passes for 80 yards, added four yards on his lone carry and averaged 25.5 yards on a pair of kick returns. Derby <a href="https://x.com/Derby33805Derby/status/2094135269582602657?s=20" data-type="link" data-id="https://x.com/Derby33805Derby/status/2094135269582602657?s=20">looked well-rounded and tough to contain</a> lining up wide. He secured catches on different levels of the defense and was especially slippery in space. Derby can hit the gas out in the open, bursting by defenders. He adjusts well to the ball in flight, runs precise routes and catches the ball with his hands. His frame can stand to add good weight without the loss of speed or athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2119929"],"_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-6a99df79c6f89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Storck impressed me with his play at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament this spring in Cedar Falls. I wrote about him several times since then and definitely was interested to see how he would do when the season rolled around. Well, turns out, the sophomore is ready for primetime on Friday nights. He accounted for three touchdowns in Week 1, throwing one and rushing for two more. Again, after watching him in person, those accomplishments are not a surprise. Storck is advanced physically with a strong frame and a arm that can make plays. The lefty can spin it through small windows or chuck it deep. He's just getting started on what should be a memorable prep career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2075338"],"_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-6a99e245042c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After their Week 1 matchup with Kaufman and Creston, Clarinda likely would like to forget about seeing the Panther sophomore. He rushed 38 times for 215 yards and a touchdown, caught five balls for 79 yards and a score, averaged 34.2 yards on six kick returns with a TD, and completed his only pass for 27 yards. There's no truth to the rumor he helped park cars before the game, sold concessions at halftime and was part of the stadium cleanup following the final horn. Kaufman showed a lot of patience and power in picking up <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20563769/6a8add90bb51c03221812a2c" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20563769/6a8add90bb51c03221812a2c">22 yards on a run</a>. He flashes home-run ability on this <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20563769/6a941bf4833436602391f70d" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/20563769/6a941bf4833436602391f70d">61-yard touchdown catch.</a> Kaufman has the potential to develop as a running back, receiver or defensive back with his speed and skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->