NW Iowa Watch List: 5A
As we stare down the barrel of football camp opening in August, here are some names in NW Iowa who will have an impact on their high school teams this coming fall. Northwest Iowa has quite a bit of talent…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs we stare down the barrel of football camp opening in August, here are some names in NW Iowa who will have an impact on their high school teams this coming fall. Northwest Iowa has quite a bit of talent in the DI, D2 and NAIA ranks. Their are several prospects in this area who will be leaning heavily on their senior film to get them noticed as iron sharpens iron in this part of the state. I have broken this list down into a two part series starting with the Class 5A MRAC prospects and then will branch out to our surrounding districts which include 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A.
SIOUX CITY EAST: The Black Raiders new head coach Mike Winklepleck will make his debut August 19th on the road at Glenwood in a rare week zero game. The Black Raiders open up camp on August 1st one week earlier than anyone else in Iowa. Coach Winklepleck inherits a veteran roster with (9) returning starters on defense. Senior DE Nick Wells Nick Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2023 State IA 6-3 (250) recently verbally committed to South Dakota State on July 2nd is a wrecking ball on the outside. Wells posted (73) tackles as a junior and piled up (24.5) TFL. With Wells likely to face some double team situations, senior DT Cale Pittenger Cale Pittenger 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Sioux City East | 2023 State IA 6-1 (250) who holds a current Morningside University offer will see his interest rise and will be the beneficiary inside after racking up (32.5) tackles and (24.5) TFL as a junior. Pittenger uses his hands well and is a solid technician inside. Pittenger understands pad level and the importance of playing gap sound football within the scheme of the defense. Senior LB Brady Wavrunek Brady Wavrunek 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Sioux City East | 2023 State IA 5-11 (200) is a solid hitter and reliable tackler at the second level. Wavrunek tallied (57.5) tackles and (7.5) TFL last fall and is inline to have a big senior year. On the offensive side of the ball the Black Raiders return skilled TE/WR Kelynn Jacobsen Kelynn Jacobsen 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Sioux City East | 2023 State IA 6-2 (200) who is coming off a (53) reception season for (724) yards and (5) touchdowns. Jacobsen is a good route runner with soft hands and will stick his nose in to block to spring the run game downfield when needed.
SIOUX CITY NORTH: The Stars of head coach Mitch Mohr are coming off a (6-3) record and have a few prospects to keep an eye on this season. Senior OT Chase Keller Chase Keller 6'3" | 245 lbs | OL Sioux City North | 2023 IA 6-3 (285) has been receiving interest from several colleges along the D2 level. Keller is a classic mauler inside and moves well laterally. Keller most importantly is a finisher when blocking and will have two very good RB’s to block for this fall. Junior RB Dayton Harrell Dayton Harrell 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Sioux City North | 2024 State IA 5-10 (160) rushed for (527) yards in his varsity debut while scoring (7) touchdowns. Harrell is also a reliable receiver out of the backfield as he also tallied (17) receptions. Look for Junior TE/WR Zach Hesse 6-3 (195) to breakout this fall in the passing game to help take heat off a running game that teams will be focusing on.
SIOUX CITY WEST: The Wolverines of head coach Brandon Holmes has a trio of potential prospects that should have big senior seasons. Senior WR Lamarion Mothershead Lamarion Mothershead 6'3" | 175 lbs | WR Sioux City West | 2023 IA 6-4 (185) currently holds an offer from Grand View University and several others are showing interest. Mothershead is a talented athlete that competes in basketball as well but his frame is well suited to give defenses fits in coverage because of his ability to catch in traffic and high point the football due to his basketball skills. Mothershead (9) receptions in 2021 should see his touches go up considerably this fall. Senior Keavian Hayes Keavian Hayes 6'0" | 195 lbs | WR Sioux City West | 2023 IA 6-0 (185) WR is an explosive athlete in the open field and the Wolverines will need to get creative on offense to showcase his ability to make people miss in space. Senior LB Terrance Topete 5-9 (195) is a solid football player with great instincts. Topete pursues the football with good angles and is a reliable tackler. When you put the film on, Topete is easy to locate as he is usually around the football.