Iowa Prep Football Week 2: What Did We Learn?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong><br><br>Each week, the high school football picture becomes clearer. We receive additional data and input into the equation on the way to crowing champions in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at what we learned in Week 2 of the season: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BUDDING RIVALRY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I landed at Liberty on Friday night, when the Lightning played host to Southeast Polk. The home team ended the Rams' run of four Class 5A state titles in a row in last year's first round of the playoffs after also winning the regular-season matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southeast Polk eliminated Liberty in the 2025 state semifinals en route to the championship. The Rams exacted revenge for last year's losses to Liberty with a 21-14 win on Friday. Each team has won two games in the series now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps we see the deadlock broken in this year's playoffs. These squads look like locks to get there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was most impressed with the Rams defense. Liberty's potent offense led by [player_tooltip player_id='1617593' first='Pryor' last='Reiners'], [player_tooltip player_id='2085086' first='Emerson' last='Berner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617592' first='Brody' last='Beaver'] found the sledding tough against a unit paced by [player_tooltip player_id='1207832' first='Cooper' last='Chebuhar'], Cody Winegar, [player_tooltip player_id='2089975' first='Owen' last='Oberbroeckling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2111716' first='Joel' last='Yankoon']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Liberty's defense also performed well in holding dangerous [player_tooltip player_id='1942266' first='Boston' last='Bailey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1617589' first='Stanley' last='Cooper'] in check. [player_tooltip player_id='1656954' first='Asher' last='Eisenbach'], [player_tooltip player_id='2111604' first='Carter' last='Lester'], [player_tooltip player_id='2050280' first='Alex' last='Strunk'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2003090' first='Cash' last='Hennings'] proved disruptive to the Ram plans. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENDING CHAMPS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Des Moines Dowling Catholic and Cedar Rapids Xavier won state championships in their respective classes a year ago. They lost key contributors but also returned top performers. So far, they've handled business through two weeks of the new season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 21-7 win against rival Valley in Week 1, Dowling continued its march towards another 5A title with a thrilling, 41-35 triumph at upstart Johnston on Friday night. It represented the Maroons' second-closest game among its 14 victories in a row, bested only by a 14-10 topping of Valley in the 2025 state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps that means Dowling has come back to the pack a bit. More likely, Johnston has put together a squad that can win a state championship, particularly on offense. The Maroons hadn't allowed more than 14 points in any contest during their winning streak.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1221251' first='Trevin' last='Helming'], a Northern Iowa commitment, threw for 367 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. [player_tooltip player_id='1198833' first='Bryce' last='Beachem'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2079355' first='Kam' last='Chapman'] combined for seven receptions for 221 yards and three scores, and [player_tooltip player_id='1616438' first='Emri' last='Jones'] rushed 12 times for 88 yards and a TD. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luckily for Dowling, it had answers on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='1361134' first='Ethan' last='La Cava'] threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='2118876' first='Beau' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2381575' first='Gabe' last='Lawson'] teamed up to catch all nine of his completions, and [player_tooltip player_id='1588666' first='Henry' last='Smid'] went off for 250 yards (10.1 YPC) and a score. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like the Maroons, Xavier has solidified itself as being the team to beat in its class. The Saints took down 4A contenders North Scott convincingly on opening night before going on the road for a hard-fought, 21-13 win Friday at West Dubuque.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stifling defense and rushing the ball effectively have continued to be the winning formula for Xavier. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1618776' first='Dawson' last='Doyle'] had 130 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in Epworth. [player_tooltip player_id='1699590' first='Austin' last='Dostal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1937349' first='Deronte' last='Strong'] remained disruptive defenders. Patrick Shires punting was excellent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bobcats were effective running the ball with [player_tooltip player_id='1689158' first='Kyan' last='Vaassen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1621113' first='Drew' last='Bergfeld'] but couldn't get anything going in the passing game. [player_tooltip player_id='1876656' first='Noah' last='Nickol'] stood on defense for a team that proved it could make a run at a championship if it cleans up some aspects of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUICK-HITTERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Davenport Central is off to a 2-0 start. The Blue Devils are seeking their first winning season and playoff appearance since 2017. [player_tooltip player_id='2254473' first='Jaleel' last='Toney-Walker'], TK Morrison, Beckhim Hutchison and Brandon Halligan have been among the standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Waverly-Shell Rock opened eyes with a 7-3 win at perennial 4A contender Pella on Friday. The Go-Hawks (2-0) have received major contributions from...we don't know because their stats were not uploaded to Bound as of Monday afternoon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> -Grinnell has kicked off the 2026 season in fine fashion, topping defending Class 3A champion Nevada in Week 1 and then taking out Bondurant-Farrar on Friday. [player_tooltip player_id='1204524' first='Josh' last='Ringler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1844822' first='Beni' last='Kiphanzu'], [player_tooltip player_id='1204515' first='Will' last='Slagle'], Cameron Gosselink and Easton Edelen have helped lead the charge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->