2025 Team Preview: North Scott Lancers

The North Scott Lancers have been on an impressive run over the last few years. The Lancers have posted at least 8 wins in each of their last 8 seasons as they've continued to find success at the 4A level. 2024 was no different, thanks to a passing game that ranked first in several categories across the conference, and a potent defense that allowed the second fewest points per game (14.4) in the conference, the Lancers would finish the regular season 7-2, making it all the way to the state semifinal round before losing to the eventual state champions North Polk. 2025 will be a challenging year for the team, with the loss of their star QB Chase Smith, as well as several key starters at LB and WR, the Lancers' position in Class 4A will be tricky this season, but they should remain to be very well in contention toward making another postseason push.   Here are 7 players from this Lancers' unit that will lead the way for the team in 2025!    [player_tooltip player_id='1238170' first='Peyton' last='Brenner'] has grown quite a bit over the offseason, and with that, his status as a high-quality Nose Guard plugging up the interior gaps has grown as well. Brenner finished last season with 30.5 tackles (21 solo), 5.5 TFLs, and a sack. Brenner plays both sides of the ball, serving as a Guard on the offense, and his power that he displays on both sides is tremendous. Just the first clip alone on his junior tape, he slammed a WR on a screen pass with a devastating hit-stick. A flexible lineman that can play both at DT and DE, Brenner does a great job gaining leverage to the outside of his blocker, and to give an idea on his strength, he's posted a max 625 lb deadlift, a 495 lb squat, and a 300 lb bench, which certainly suggests D1 level strength. Brenner already holds 5 D2 offers heading into his senior year, and he should remain a priority target throughout most of the 2025 season as he remains to be a steady cog on the trenches for the Lancers.     While the Lancers' finished with the top passing unit in Class 4A Iowa this year, [player_tooltip player_id='1619849' first='Evan' last='Kruse'] finished 2024 as the team's leading rusher, running for 731 yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging a steady 6.5 yards per carry. Despite playing on a pass-heavy offense, Kruse's efforts should not be overlooked, as he displayed quick speed to the outside zones, sharp cutback-ability, and great balance as he was able to run through contact and twist his way around to gain extra yardage. I was impressed with how he was able to react quickly on broken plays, being able to change directions on a dime to turn what could've been a TFL into a big gain. Kruse is a reliable scatback for the Lancers, and his role could increase greatly in 2025 with the changes going on in the passing game.     Bryce Stewart quickly found a rhythm during his sophomore year, starting every game in his first season on varsity, and emerging as a steady presence in the run-defense. Stewart recorded 29 tackles (22 solo), 5 TFLs, and a sack last season. Another versatile lineman that can play both DE and DT positions, Stewart is able to back up his play despite his somewhat smaller size with impressive strength and being able to break through double-teams with ease. Stewart does a solid job shedding his blockers and getting in front of the ball-carrier right on time, affecting both the run-game and chasing down receivers in the short-pass game. Stewart should continue to grow as a standout piece for the Lancers' defense over the next 2 years.     On the other side of the trenches, Kaden Timmerman has held down his own as a potent Guard for the Lancers' offense. Showing good awareness and lateral movement in tight spaces, Timmerman is an ideal pass-protector for the top passing offense in the conference. Timmerman has also been effective in opening up the run game, being able to leverage defenders outside, using his quickness to block defenders downfield, and being utilized as a pull-blocker for the outside-run. We may end up seeing more of Timmerman's run-blocking capabilities in 2025 with the offensive emphasis potentially leaning more toward the run next season, but Timmerman is a viable blocker that with a bit more bulk could really excel at the next level.     Another somewhat undersized blocker with flexibility and solid mechanics to make up for it, Behren Radech was another solid presence on the trenches that opened up the passing game last season. Starting at Right Tackle, Radech showed steady hands and a solid punch off the snap, doing an effective job at jamming DEs at the line while having the quickness to kick outward and contain the pocket well against faster edge-rushers. Radech's presence will remain vital toward anchoring the Lancers' offense during their restructuring this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1689735' first='Scott' last='McCoy'] flashed explosive potential last season, and he will get his opportunity to shine in 2025 as he moves to the top of the WR depth chart with all 3 of the team's leading receivers from last season graduating this offseason. McCoy caught 4 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown last season while adding 4 tackles, a TFL, and a sack at outside LB. McCoy showed the ability to win as a deep-threat getting open through man coverage, and in the short pass game, using his speed and agility to cut back and find the open lane to get to the end zone. McCoy is a high-quality athlete, and his testing numbers showing a max 295 lb bench and a 400 lb squat certainly add toward his potential. McCoy's ceiling is high in 2025, and he could maintain the spark for the Lancers' passing game this season.     The biggest wild card on the list, [player_tooltip player_id='1361478' first='Miller' last='Haedt'] is expected to take over as the Lancers' starting QB in 2025. In limited reps last season, Haedt went 6 of 13 for 78 yards passing while rushing for 47 yards on 11 carries and 2 touchdowns. A dynamic athlete who's a dangerous dual-threat, Haedt's potential was evident leading the JV team, fooling the defense often on the option-runs, and being able to burst through the lanes up the middle of the field. Haedt's passing mechanics aren't perfect, but he does a solid job throwing on the run, showing good anticipation on his deep throws, and he has a strong arm that can stretch the ball downfield. Haedt has a lot of potential to shine as a starter, and if he can tune his passing mechanics more throughout this season, Haedt should shoot up toward the top of the QB rankings by the end of this season.

The North Scott Lancers have been on an impressive run over the last few years. The Lancers have posted at least 8 wins in each of their last 8 seasons as they've continued to find success at the 4A level. 2024 was no different, thanks to a passing game that ranked first in several categories across the conference, and a potent defense that allowed the second fewest points per game (14.4) in the conference, the Lancers would finish the regular season 7-2, making it all the way to the state semifinal round before losing to the eventual state champions North Polk. 2025 will be a challenging year for the team, with the loss of their star QB Chase Smith, as well as several key starters at LB and WR, the Lancers' position in Class 4A will be tricky this season, but they should remain to be very well in contention toward making another postseason push.