Scouting Reports: Johnston at Liberty

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/iowa-prep-football-week-4-what-did-we-learn/">Iowa Prep Football Week 4: What Did We Learn?</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/przia-week-4-player-of-the-week-for-each-class/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/09/przia-week-4-player-of-the-week-for-each-class/">PRZIA Week 4 Player of the Week for Each Class</a>   If you haven't figured out my patterns in high school football coverage, here's the reveal: It's seeing as many teams from out of the area as possible because I'm not likely to leave it often on Friday nights. Vision is spotty after dark and often a volleyball tournament will have me at it early the next morning.   With that in mind, this past Friday was a perfect opportunity to get eyes on a plethora of top prospects. The night started at Liberty, where Johnston was in town. A trip south followed just in time for the second half kickoff of Cedar Falls at Iowa City High.   It was not easy narrowing down the list of recruits to write about, but here's a closer look at student-athletes that stood out during the Johnston-Liberty contest:    Houser stood out to me early in Friday's game at Liberty when the Johnston receiver sped behind the defense on a route that would have gone for a long gain or, perhaps, a touchdown had it connected. Being able to run like that with a projectable 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame catches one's attention. I was even more impressed when the Dragons ran a similar go route for Houser in the second quarter that hit for a long touchdown despite Liberty seeing it already. He's a fluid athlete with speed, a wide catch radius and, as mentioned, a frame capable of filling out while holding the athleticism and agility. A role player a year ago, Houser is wisely more involved in the offensive plans now. He'd also make a nice fit for a college looking for a prospect with a chance to continue developing out wide or see his skill set play up even more as a tight end.     Lester has shown excellent progress and is on a steady trajectory as a prospect. He flashed upside as a role player on last year's Liberty team that reached the program's first-ever state championship game. The junior is using those lessons to contribute more in 2026, as I've witnessed through two in-person scouting opportunities this season after watching him at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament during spring in Cedar Falls. Lester stands out most for his versatility, athleticism and the tempo at which he plays the game. It gives him the potential to develop as a next-level player on either side of the ball. His frame also has room to fill out while holding onto the agility and explosiveness that already leads to success. Lester is a prospect more colleges should be in on already.     I'm sorry, young man, I was not familiar enough with your game. Thompson made a great impression when I watched him compete against Liberty last Friday. The Johnston junior lined up at cornerback and played a big role in make sure a talented group of Lightning skill position players were held in check. Thompson stuck in coverage with fluid movements, quick hips and long arms. He delivered one of the game's biggest hits late in the second quarter, when he came down and crushed a runner. It's an excellent frame for the position. It can comfortably add more mass while maintaining the speed and athleticism that helps him shine already. That could mean a move to safety, where his size and agility would fit nicely. Colleges in need of secondary help should be looking his way.     We're always in search of young guys standing out when hitting up games on Friday nights. I saw that in Dusing the first time I scouted Liberty against Southeast Polk earlier this season and again when the Lightning took on Johnston this past Friday night. He's a strong sophomore that comptes with a good pad level and understands the value of leverage. His hands are active and he fights through the whistle. Dusing provides a good push in the running game but also has slick feet to reach blocks in space and stay in front of defenders in pass protection. The best news is there's plenty of room to grow physically and from a technical standpoint. Dusing is a prospect on the rise and one to watch during the next few years.     Early on in its 42-6 victory at Liberty on Friday night, Johnston disrupted the Lightning offense with a combination of push inside and speed off of the edge on the defensive front. Bousum was a noticeable contributor to the latter. The sophomore end harassed the quarterback and stood up against the run, too. It was an impressive combination of skills for the 10th-grader. The motor runs fast, Bousum operating with a tempo that puts opponents on their heels. Strength, advanced technique and violent hands also contribute to the anarchy created. A projectable frame built to fill out and add strength helps give Bousum a sizable ceiling. He's a prospect lifting his stock with his performance this fall. Expect the colleges to increase their interest moving forward.

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Iowa Prep Football Week 4: What Did We Learn?

PRZIA Week 4 Player of the Week for Each Class

If you haven't figured out my patterns in high school football coverage, here's the reveal: It's seeing as many teams from out of the area as possible because I'm not likely to leave it often on Friday nights. Vision is spotty after dark and often a volleyball tournament will have me at it early the next morning.

With that in mind, this past Friday was a perfect opportunity to get eyes on a plethora of top prospects. The night started at Liberty, where Johnston was in town. A trip south followed just in time for the second half kickoff of Cedar Falls at Iowa City High.

It was not easy narrowing down the list of recruits to write about, but here's a closer look at student-athletes that stood out during the Johnston-Liberty contest:

Jaden Houser

WR/TE

HEIGHT 6'3"

WEIGHT 215

POS WR/TE

CLASS 2027

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Jaden Houser

State: Iowa

School: Johnston

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Highlights

Cooper Lester

IA #100

DB/ATH #9

HEIGHT 6'1"

WEIGHT 185

POS DB/ATH

CLASS 2028

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Cooper Lester

State: Iowa

School: Iowa City Liberty

Lester has shown excellent progress and is on a steady trajectory as a prospect. He flashed upside as a role player on last year's Liberty team that reached the program's first-ever state championship game. The junior is using those lessons to contribute more in 2026, as I've witnessed through two in-person scouting opportunities this season after watching him at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament during spring in Cedar Falls. Lester stands out most for his versatility, athleticism and the tempo at which he plays the game. It gives him the potential to develop as a next-level player on either side of the ball. His frame also has room to fill out while holding onto the agility and explosiveness that already leads to success. Lester is a prospect more colleges should be in on already.