2nd Edition – Week 4 Games and Players to Watch

Week 4 of the Iowa High School football season is nearly upon us, but we need to know what games to watch for this week before it gets here. With big games comes big-time players. We’ll let you know who to watch. Look for more editions, more players, and more games to watch for before kickoff on Friday night. <strong>South Central Calhoun (3-0) @ Pocahontas Area (3-0)</strong> It’s a big matchup in Class 1A this week between the Titans and Indians. With OABCIG in Class 1A this season, South Central Calhoun has been looked at as the next best team. SCC will have their most significant challenge thus far on the road. Their opponent, PAC, is ranked in some polls this week and not in others. Throw the rankings out the window; it’s a clash between two unbeaten teams in week 4. <em>Players to Watch</em> Trey Oehletz, PAC - The senior quarterback is a multiple sport athlete who has helped PAC to postseason runs in basketball and baseball. Right now, he’s trying to help the Indians to a memorable football season. He has thrown from 575 yards and four touchdowns, and he has rushed for 254 yards and five touchdowns through their first three games. Cole Runneberg, PAC - This game likely will turn into a shootout between two excellent offenses. Along with Oehletz, the Indians will look to his classmate, Runneberg, to move the football. So far this season, he has racked up 8-yards per rush and nine touchdowns. That includes big-play potential with an offensive line that will open holes. [player_tooltip player_id="23988" first="Jayden" last="Soard"], SCC - Everyone knows how good the SCC offense is and will score their share of points. The key for the Titans will be defense and trying to slow the high-powered Indian offense. Junior Soard has come alive to start the season leading the team in tackles and having 1.5 tackles for a loss. Waylen Gemberling, SCC - Again, control of the scrimmage line will be crucial, and so will be tackling defenders in the backfield. The sophomore Gemberling has recorded a team-high four tackles for a loss this season. <strong>Easton Valley (3-0) @ Springville (3-0)</strong> There will be fireworks in eastern Iowa 8-player football this week when Springville hosts Easton Valley. These two teams want to make a push in the postseason to compete with Don Bosco and Remsen St. Marys. Together through the first three games, they have won by a combined 402-63. (No, I’m not joking) <em>Players to Watch</em> Porter Fuegen/Kolton Murphy, Easton Valley - The River Hawks will rely on the senior rushing duo of Fuegen and Kolton Murphy. Fuegen has run the ball 24 times for 220 yards and four scores. He has big-play potential and has broken off a 60 yarder already this season. (8-player football - so like an 80 yarder in 11-man) He also has seven catches for 67 yards and a touchdown, which went for 18-yards. Murphy has five catches for 30 yards and one score. On the ground, he’s the leading rusher with 305 yards and eight touchdowns. Andin Farrell, Easton Valley - Farrell is all over the football field, and the River Hawks will need him to pull the minor upset over Springville. He has a team-high 26 total tackles, seven tackles for a loss, and one sack. He will also lineup at wideout and take a handoff or two. Spencer DeMean, Springville - The senior is a player Easton Valley will have to watch out for no matter what side of the ball he’s on. He’s the main piece of the Orioles offense. He has scored 12 touchdowns and ran for 611 yards on the ground this season. His longest run of the year came from his own 12 yard-line. He’s one of the top tacklers with 17.5 and has two tackles for a loss on defense. Luke Menster, Springville - He’s dangerous. Teams have punted to him five times this season, and two of them have gone for touchdowns. He averages nearly 31 yards every time he touches a punt. Easton Valley won’t throw much, but they have to be careful if they decide to. Menster has four interceptions through three games. He’s also helpful catching the ball on offense; he has two receptions for two touchdowns.