Prep Redzone Iowa | Games of the Week | 5th Edition
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Take a look below at the game preview summaries for Iowa’s top matchups across all classifications. Key contests are featured that will really start to help the playoff picture come to light. Every game matters, especially now in the heart…
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Continue ReadingTake a look below at the game preview summaries for Iowa’s top matchups across all classifications. Key contests are featured that will really start to help the playoff picture come to light. Every game matters, especially now in the heart of the season, and these programs have a big opportunity to prove it in week 5. Who will come out on top in Prep Redzone Iowa’s games of the week?
Dubuque Senior at Cedar Rapids Kennedy
The Dubuque Senior Rams will travel to take on the Kennedy Cougars in a special Thursday night edition of 5A high school football. The Rams enter the contest at 3-1 fresh off a dominant performance over Waterloo West while the Cougars are at 4-0, but didn’t get a chance to play last week due to a Jefferson forfeit. Will there be any dust that Kennedy needs to shake off or will they be raring to go? This is an exciting one that features a battle between two of Iowa’s best, most college ready Quarterbacks who have eerily similar styles of play: Carson Blietz of Kennedy and Jack Gilligan Jack Gilligan 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Dubuque Senior | 2022 State IA of Dubuque Senior. From a statistical standpoint the two are almost identical. Blietz is completing 55% of his passes for 16.5 yards per completion and has 8 touchdowns to just 1 interception. Gilligan is completing 61% of his passes for 16.5 yards per completion and has 7 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. Gilligan has been more effective running the ball, but Blietz has top Running Back Jazan Williams Jazan Williams 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Kennedy | 2023 State IA in the backfield and hasn’t necessarily needed to contribute on the ground. Both Quarterbacks are surrounded by very impressive supporting casts that have helped them move the ball and strike often. Blietz gets to toss the rock to Jeron Senters and Brenden Linde. Gilligan gets to sling it to Landon Sauser, Walker Tart Walker Tart 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Dubuque Senior | 2023 State IA , and Hayden Francois Hayden Francois 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Dubuque Senior | 2022 IA . The Rams have a pretty solid Running Back themselves in Jack Aithchinson to boot. Expect fireworks in this one. Can Ray Schlosser and Jalyn Mingo slow the Cougars down? Or will Ryker Stelling and Michael Mulherin Michael Mulherin 6'2" | 195 lbs | LB Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2023 IA step up and stifle the Rams? Defense will be key to this one with two offensive dynamos on display.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: Kennedy
Oskaloosa at Clear Creek-Amana
The Oskaloose Indians, off to a hot 4-0 start, will travel in week 5 to take on the 3-1 Clear Creek-Amana Clippers. The Indians are rolling, but haven’t quite dealt with the same competition the battle tested Clippers, whose only loss came to Independence, have faced; this will be a big test that will really help sort things out in the 4A landscape. The Clippers have had no problems with their offensive output against tough opponents, and that trend can be expected to continue in week 5, but their defense has struggled to limit opponents and the Indians can hang some serious points on the board. Ben Swails Ben Swails 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Clear Creek-Amana | 2022 IA and Gage Freeman Gage Freeman 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Clear Creek-Amana | 2022 IA headline the clipper offense and are certainly one of the best one-two punches in Iowa. They bring a very balanced attack; both are capable of gashing defenses on the ground and have perfectly complementary styles of running. If they need to air it out they can target Harrison Rosenberg Harrison Rosenberg 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Clear Creek-Amana | 2022 State IA who is one of the top route runners and best deep threats there is. Oskaloosa’s defense led by Linebacker Colin Snitker has their work cut out for them this week in trying to figure out how to account for these three and slow them down. The same can be said for Clear Creek-Amana’s defense and the challenges they will face with the Indians’ offense. Quarterback Keaton Flaherty, Running Back Darryl Fane, and Wide Receiver Waylon Bolibaugh have been on fire; in a head to head battle with another top offensive trio they can prove who the top dogs are in 4A. Can Reece Hoffman, Brody Clubb Brody Clubb 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Clear Creek-Amana | 2025 State IA , and Gunther Sandersfeld put a signature performance together and knock off the undefeated Indains? Expect a high scoring affair.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: Oskaloosa
Ballard at Humboldt
Ballard dropped their first two contests this year, but have since rebounded with back to back shutout wins over Boone and Atlantic. They will look to continue that trend against Humboldt who has looked unstoppable through four weeks. There is no shortage of talent on the Wildcats’ sideline. Quarterback Caden Matson Caden Matson 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Humboldt | 2022 State IA has a crazy stat line through four weeks: 19 total touchdowns and nearly 1500 total yards. Operating behind an outstanding offensive line, anchored by top prospect Ben Kuehnast Ben Kuehnast 6'7" | 260 lbs | OL Humboldt | 2022 State IA , Matson has found Jacob Heier and Will Orness often; both are over 400 receiving yards on the year. Matson is also their leading rusher averaging a steady 7.1 yards per carry. Sophomore Lance Coon spells carries as Humboldt’s second leading rusher and provides a nice change of pace. The Bombers have been strong against the run so far; Linebacker Jayden Swain can definitely help neutralize that part of the Wildcats’ game, but can they do anything to stop the Wildcats through the air? The Bombers haven’t gotten a ton of pressure on the Quarterback this year, but Defensive Back Colby Calvert Colby Calvert 5'8" | 150 lbs | DB Ballard | 2022 IA is terrific in coverage. The only problem is there is just one of him and Humboldt has two outstanding pass catchers. Ballard’s offense will need to control the chains and the clock. They have two impressive Running Backs in Gabe Christensen and Ashton Hermann that run well behind an offensive line headlined by Hawkeye commit Kale Krogh Kale Krogh 6'6" | 260 lbs | OL Ballard | 2022 State IA . Ballard will have a fighting chance if they can establish the run and limit Humboldt possessions. Wildcats’ defenders Tanner McKimmey, Nolan Lammers Nolan Lammers 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB Humboldt | 2022 IA , and Tayeton Lohaus will look to shut that down.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: Humboldt
Southeast Valley at Estherville Lincoln Central
An absolute battle will be going down on Friday night as two top contenders in 2A square off for regular season supremacy and fight for playoff seeding. Southeast Valley enters week 5 off of a huge win over defending state champion OABCIG. Estherville Lincoln Central lost a hard fought battle in week 3 to Humboldt, but are otherwise unblemished, and could prove to be the team to beat in 2A if they can knock off the Jaguars. Keep an eye on the defensive lines in this game; Southeast Valley’s Aaron Graves Aaron Graves 6'5" | 260 lbs | DL Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA , Iowa Hawkeye commit, and Estherville Lincoln Central’s Zavion McMurran, a top 2023 recruit, could turn this into a defensive battle. They are both dominant and advanced in their execution in the trenches. Graves is joined on the Jaguars defense by run stuffer Justin Loseke Justin Loseke 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Southeast Valley | 2023 State IA and edge defender Colton Brant. McMurran is accompanied on his unit by tackling machines Seth Busch and Alex Pena. Will either offense be able to operate against these stout defenses? In many ways the roster composition of these teams and their style of play are alike. Both have steady, strong-armed Quarterbacks in Kolson Kruse Kolson Kruse 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Southeast Valley | 2022 State IA of Southeast Valley and Ryan Schiltz Ryan Schiltz 5'11" | 160 lbs | QB Estherville Lincoln Central | 2022 IA of Estherville Lincoln Central. They are efficient and limit mistakes; they are also big contributors on the ground. Lathe Muench carries the load for the Jaguars out of the backfield while the Midgets rely on a committee of two-way studs. The ability to buy time for Quarterbacks to operate and find targets could be the difference. Look for Offensive Linemen to step up and keep their elite pass rushing opponents at bay. The Jaguars’ Eli Johnson and the Midgets’ Owen Larson Owen Larson 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB Estherville Lincoln Central | 2024 IA could have big receiving nights if they do.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: Southeast Valley
Sigourney Keota at Pella Christian
After a tight week 1 win over Durant, Sigourney Keota has hung 42 on the board three straight weeks while only allowing a combined 39 points. Pella Christian, also 4-0, had an impromptu bye last week as Van Buren County had to forfeit. Two 1A contenders collide in a week 5 matchup that is sure to shine a light on who is for real as the IHSAA ventures into the second half of the regular season. The Cobras and Cade Molyneaux have had their way on the ground this year. He has 833 yards and 10 touchdowns on 104 carries; the Cobras, as a team, are averaging over 300 rushing yards per game. Reid Molyneux, Colten Clarahan, and Levi Crawford make up the rest of the Cobra backfield. While they do spell some of the carries they are primarily blockers and do a terrific job of it. The way the Cobra linemen move defenders on top of the way their backs insert, arc, and lead block is lethal. The Cobra defense has been just as devastating; they have only allowed 9 points and 187 yards of offense per game. One sign of an impressive defense is evenly dispersed statistics and that is the case here. Everyone on the Cobra defense is getting to the ball. Pella Christian needs to brace themselves for a physical contest. The Eagles run a spread and matchups like this can be interesting because neither defense is ever fully prepared for what they are going to see since the styles are so different from what they practice against. Benny Schirz, a promising young Running Back, and Wide Receivers Eric Mulder Eric Mulder 6'8" | 200 lbs | WR Pella Christian | 2022 IA , Drew Geetings, and Bennet Spronk could pose new challenges for the Cobras. Whoever adjusts to the other team’s style faster should have an advantage.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: Sigourney Keota
Lisbon at Wapello
Two 3-1 teams, the Lisbon Lions and Wapello Indians, who suffered week 1 losses, but have been rolling ever since will duel it out here in week 5 to try and keep their momentum building. The Lions’ 21 and 22 personnel sets have been tough for defenses to figure out so far this year. They are rushing for nearly 250 yards per game and their committee of ball carriers are picking up over 6 yards per attempt. The Lions like to take it to their opponents with downhill blocking. They run a lot of base and power; it is a rough and ready, punch you in the mouth style of offense. Jamien Moore Jamien Moore 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB Lisbon | 2022 IA , Gavin Wollum, Max Kohl, Kaden Caspers Kaden Caspers 5'8" | 165 lbs | RB Lisbon | 2023 IA , and Cohen Kamaus Cohen Kamaus 5'8" | 140 lbs | QB Lisbon | 2023 IA have all chipped in and it is a good thing they have so much depth in the backfield because they love to pound the rock (75% of the time). Wapello should be up to the task and could give the Lions some trouble. They currently have eight players, led by Caleb Ealey who has 29 tackles and 3 sacks, with ten or more tackles on the season. The Indians have a very large defensive line that will be tough for Lisbon to move. If they can hold their gaps and force Lisbon to throw more than 25% of the time they should be in good shape. Wapello also has an offense that can strike fast and hang points on the board quickly. They, too, like to use two-back sets and a Tight End, but utilize Twins and Split formations instead that allow a balanced attack; the Indians are almost at a perfect 50/50 run to pass ratio. Tade Parsons Tade Parsons 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Wapello | 2022 IA has completed 77% of his passes for almost 1,000 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only 1 interception. Jake Gustison has nearly 700 yards of total offense and 9 total touchdowns. They will be hard to defend.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: Wapello
CAM at Audubon
CAM and Audobon are currently dominating the 8-player rankings. Whoever comes out on top in this one should without question unanimously claim the number one ranking moving forward. CAM is averaging 63 points per game. Audubon is averaging 55 points per game. Both programs have demolished everyone in their path on the way to 4-0 records and their schedules have in no way been light; both programs are just that good right now. Lane Spieker Lane Spieker 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB CAM | 2022 State IA is the CAM offense, that is no secret, and just because the Wheelers know it doesn’t mean they will be able to slow it down. He has rushed for 1,005 yards and 22 touchdowns on 74 carries. He has also thrown for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns completing 69% of his passes. CAM’s Colby Rich Colby Rich 6'2" | 190 lbs | TE CAM | 2022 IA , arguably the best Tight End in the 8-player game, is Spieker’s favorite target and has hauled in 14 passes for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns. Gavin Smith Gavin Smith 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Audobon | 2022 IA fulfills a similar role offensively, with a little help for the Wheelers. He has 654 yards and 16 touchdowns on 79 carries. Smith has also thrown for 302 yards and 6 touchdowns on just 30 attempts. Joining Smith in the backfield is Carter Andreasen who has 305 yards and 4 touchdowns on 29 carries. Audubon also has a pretty talented Wide Receiver in Matthew Beisswenger who 160 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 6 catches this year. The statistics are virtually the same and it is unlikely these 8-player offensive juggernauts are going to be slowed down this week or any time soon for that matter. This game could very well come down to whoever has the ball last. If either defense can get off the field without surrendering points a couple of times it would be monumental.
Prep Redzone Iowa’s Pick: CAM