NW Iowa Game Preview: Glenwood vs Sergeant Bluff-Luton

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PHOTO: SBL LB XAVIER JONES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week #4 of the Iowa high school football season brings us a matchup of undefeated squads in Class 4A with #5 Glenwood (3-0) visiting #2 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (3-0) this Friday 9/18 for a 7:00 PM kickoff. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glenwood Rams head coach Cory Faust has seen his offense explode in the first three games of the season averaging 53.6 points per game as they have rolled up 1,031 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. The passing game behind senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1204447' first='Ben' last='Carlo'] (6-2, 190) has been effective passing for 537 yards and 4 scores. The key to the rushing success has been a solid offensive line led by a trio of seniors. [player_tooltip player_id='1616414' first='Evan' last='Kinney'] (6-2, 275); [player_tooltip player_id='1616417' first='Todd' last='Schmitt'] (6-4, 285) and Minnesota Gopher commit [player_tooltip player_id='1616410' first='Drake' last='Buthe'] (6-5, 270) have been plowing defensive lines through twelve quarters of play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='2392165' first='Haze' last='Stephens'] (6-0, 190) is off to a solid start with 383 yards on the ground and 5 scores. Sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='2119937' first='Joe' last='Leick'] has similar numbers with 360 yards and 5 touchdowns. The scary part about their stats is the yards per carry average. Stephens at 10.4 and Leick at 8.4 which have led to some big plays in the run game. The main receiving threat on offense has been senior WR [player_tooltip player_id='2157976' first='Myles' last='Longmeyer'] (6-1, 160) who has hauled in 19 passes for 383 yards and 4 scores. The defense has relied on junior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1696896' first='Dylan' last='Powles'] (6-2, 180) with 20.0 tackles. Senior LB Graham Newberry (5-10, 200) has totaled 17.0 stops and sophomore Max Koehler has 12.5 tackles and 3.5 TFL.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sergeant Bluff-Luton Warriors have been playing good football but have lost their top two running backs to season ending injuries over the first three weeks of the season. Head coach Justin Smith will look to make the proper adjustments offensively. However, the production from senior [player_tooltip player_id='1992066' first='Beckett' last='Verros'] and classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1529036' first='Ryan' last='Husen'] will be sorely missed. The one constant on offense has been the maturation and development of junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='2159690' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'] (6-0, 190) who has stepped up as a first year starter. Ehlers has been pin point accurate in the passing game having connected on 20/27 passes 74% for 479 yards and 7 touchdowns. Senior WR Gavin Ahrendt (6-5, 200) has done a good job getting open downfield and has 7 receptions for 182 yards and 5 scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warrior defense will be tasked with trying to slow down the Rams potent rushing attack. The defensive line led by senior DE [player_tooltip player_id='2087287' first='Alex' last='Brodersen'] (6-0, 235) has 3.5 tackles; junior Kamden Pendergast (6-2, 190) has been active inside with 5.5 tackles and 2.5 TFL and senior DE Andy Kolar (5-10, 245) has delivered 4.5 stops so far. This trio will play an important role Friday night trying to free up their linebackers to flow and make plays in the rush lanes. Senior U.N.I. commit ILB [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'] (6-2, 220) has 14.0 stops this season and is joined by Buck LB Carson Jager's 6.5 tackles and Will LB Emmett Kneifl with 6.0 tackles and 2.5 TFL. This game will likely be decided at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1204447"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b8669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rams senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1204447' first='Ben' last='Carlo'] has been steady completing 64% of his passes for (537) yards and 4 scores. Carlo has spread the ball around nicely in the passing game to six different receivers. The Rams prefer to travel by ground but when called upon Carlo has delivered through the air. In 2025 Carlo passed for 1,758 yards and 13 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2392165"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b86b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='2392165' first='Haze' last='Stephens'] is off to a great start in the backfield for the Rams. Stephens has 37 carries on the season for 383 yards and 5 touchdowns. Stephens is currently averaging 10.4 yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1616410"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b86da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Minnesota Gopher commit is blocking well up front and the offensive line is moving people and the running game has been humming averaging 343.6 yards per game. Buthe is playing offensive guard and shows good bend and athleticism in his game. Gets a good push up front and is continuing to show improvement in his pass sets. Nice prospect that will benefit from being in a developmental program in Minneapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2116398"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b86fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior WR Longmeyer is off to a hot start this season and has good chemistry with QB Carlo. Longmeyer has secured 19 receptions for 383 yards and 4 scores. Longmeyer was productive in 2025 with 21 catches for 276 yards and is pacing well ahead of those numbers here this fall. Longmeyer has a real shot at 50 plus receptions for this dynamic offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1529005"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b8723"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior QB/CB [player_tooltip player_id='2159690' first='Justin' last='Ehlers'] has taken the reigns on the offense and been spectacular this season through three games. Ehlers is 20/27 passing for 479 yards and 7 touchdowns. Ehlers has also added 88 yards rushing and 2 scores. Ehlers is seeing the field well and making good decisions with the football witnessed by 0 interceptions thrown. With his top two running backs out with season ending injuries you may see Ehlers become more involved in the run game. Ehlers has several college suitors and will be attending the U.N.I. vs Iowa game inside Kinnick Stadium this Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1840100"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2399122,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b8756"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1840100' first='Xavier' last='Jones'] is the leader at ILB for the Warriors. The U.N.I. Panther commit is off to a quick start with 14.0 tackles and is playing at a high level. Jones moves very well sideline to sideline and has a 6'8 wingspan and uses that to his advantage when chasing down ball carriers who try to avoid Jones snatching them up on their outside or inside cut. Jones will be very busy this Friday trying to hold down two very productive running backs for the Rams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087287"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2399149,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aab0bf8b877a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the lynch pins in the line of scrimmage for the Warriors is senior [player_tooltip player_id='2087287' first='Alex' last='Brodersen'] OL/DE who is a multi year starter that has played alot of varsity snaps and played them well. Brodersen will be a key player in the defensive front looking to clash with the king sized OL of the Rams. It will be important to set the edge Friday night to keep the Rams running game from getting loose outside the defensive scheme of the Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->