With just 3 more weeks of High School Football and our regional season done, I figured I’d throw my hat into the ring of making picks for all 28 quarterfinal games, the first 4 being played tonight in Class 8-Player.
Class 8-Player
Pod A: Winfield-Mt. Union (10-0) at Don Bosco (9-1)
The Wolves of Winfield-Mt. Union have been on a tear all year behind the play of Iowa commit Cam Buffington, who’s amassed 1,844 yards of total offense, 32 touchdowns, and 89.5 tackles defensively. Jake and Abram Edwards only add to the Wolves attack, give me WMU in convincing fashion.
Winfield-Mt. Union 45, Don Bosco 23
Pod B: Lenox (9-1) at Bedford (10-0)
It’s a rematch of the Back Forty Battle with these two Taylor County rivals going at it for a spot in the dome. Since there loss to the Bulldogs back on September 8th, Lenox has looked like the dominant team that made the Dome in 2022 behind junior quarterback Gabe Funk. Bedford’s two-headed rushing attack can expect things to be different a second time around.
Lenox 31, Bedford 27
Pod C: CAM, Anita (10-0) at Bishop Garrigan, Algona (9-1)
Bishop Garrigan finally looks like the powerhouse of old after their transition to 8-man, led by quarterback Tate Foertsch and running back Caden Roethler. However, I expect Thursday night to belong to CAM quarterback Chase Speiker, who has over 2,200 yards of total offense.
CAM 41, Bishop Garrigan 28
Pod D: Gladbrook-Reinbeck (9-1) at Clarksville (11-0)
A rematch of Gladbrook-Reinbeck’s only regular season loss by a score of 38-36, I expect a measure of revenge in order. Clarksville has the top rushing attack in Iowa, but hasn’t been challenged in the postseason, Rebels quarterback Isaac Clark is the X-factor here.
Gladbrook-Reinbeck 28, Clarksville 16
Class 5A
Pod A: Cedar Falls (7-3) at Southeast Polk (10-0)
Moving to Friday’s games, Cedar Falls was seen by many as a top 3-4 team in the preseason, but some regular season losses now have them looking up at the best program in the state. Drew Campbell has the ability to make life hard for Rams quarterback Connor Moberly, but I expect the Rams to hold serve.
Southeast Polk 38, Cedar Falls 13
Pod B: Ankeny (7-3) at Dowling Catholic, WDM (9-1)
This game has all kinds of potential to be an instant classic. Ankeny quarterback Luke Anderson has thrown for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns, while the Maroons are led by the punishing Ra’Shawd Davis, who’s run for over 1,300 yards. This one will go down to the wire.
Dowling Catholic 21, Ankeny 20
Pod C: Valley, WDM (5-5) at Waukee (8-2)
Well, here we are with Valley the 2nd year in a row. Sneak into the playoffs, win round 1 and now a spot at the dome is on the line. Both teams have young quarterbacks, but my X-factor is Valley running back Damon Head, who I think give the Tigers the push to get back to the UNI Dome.
Valley 17, Waukee 14
Pod D: Ankeny Centennial (6-4) at Bettendorf (9-1)
2023 has been a year of resurgence for the perennial Eastern Iowa power Bulldogs. A strong senior class led by Charlie Zimmerman, Gavin Barta and Jake Schulz has brought the Bulldogs this far. However, the Centennial tandem of quarterback Trenton Smith and running back Elijah Porter will be too much.
Ankeny Centennial 24, Bettendorf 13
Class 4A
Pod A: North Scott (8-2) at Western Dubuque (9-1)
The Bobcats enter as the #1 team in Class 4A, having run through their schedule, despite a slipup against Xavier. The first meeting between these two resulted in a 31-24 Bobcat win, and behind 2,200 yard rusher Grant Glaussner, I expect a return to the Dome for the boys from Epworth.
Western Dubuque 28, North Scott 24
Pod B: ADM, Adel (7-3) at Lewis Central (8-2)
A battle of the new kids on the block and the old guard in Class 4A. ADM has continued to persevere through injuries to get to the quarterfinals behind star dual-threat quarterback Aiden Flora, who’s amassed over 2,700 yards of total offense. However, the Lewis Central defense and efficiency of quarterback Brady Hetzel are the difference here.
Lewis Central 35, ADM 24
Pod C: Bondurant-Farrar (8-2) at Glenwood (8-2)
Another Des Moines suburb has a trip to the Nebraska border as B-F visits Glenwood. The Bluejays are without receiver Reed Pfaltzgraff or star running back Titus Cram. Jordan Rial has held his own at quarterback despite the injuries, but Glenwood quarterback Kayden Anderson will prove to be too much for the Bluejays and send Glenwood to the dome for the first time since 2016.
Glenwood 24, Bondurant-Farrar 10
Pod D: Cedar Rapids Xavier (8-2) at North Polk (8-2)
This has the potential to be the game of the night in Class 4A. Xavier enters as the defending champions in Class 4A, led by senior quarterback Ronan Thomas, who led the Saints to a miracle win over Indianola last week. However, this North Polk defense is as good as any in Class 4A, and Comets quarterback Isaac Zoske has the cast to get it done.
North Polk 20, Xavier 19
Class 3A
Pod A: Webster City (8-2) at Creston (10-0)
I’m taking the Kirk Herbstreit route out of this one by not making a pick since I’m associated professionally here (sorry kids). But my keys for the Lynx are staying ahead of the chains on the offensive side, while applying pressure to quarterback Cael Turner of Creston. Jayden Weinzetl will be Webster City’s X-Factor.
Creston will need to find ways to beat the aggressiveness of Webster City’s defense, while trying to keep the Lynx offense and Jaxon Cherry behind the chains.
Pod B: West Delaware (7-3) at Solon (9-1)
The battle that will be worth the price of admission is West Delaware quarterback Brent Yonkovic against the Solon defense, specifically linebacker Brett White. Yonkovic has over 2,600 yards of total offense and 32 touchdowns, while White has a team-high 89.5 tackles and 20 tackles for loss. Yonkovic had 7 touchdowns against Davenport Assumption, but the Solon defense will hold him in check.
Solon 23, West Delaware 16
Pod C: Mount Vernon (9-1) at Williamsburg (9-1)
This could very well be a candidate for game of the night in the entire state. Williamsburg has had to battle injuries in the 2nd half of the season, but with quarterback Kellen Cockrell back in the fold, with vast array of weapons including Derek Weisskopf, Clayten Steckly and Rayce Heitman in the fold, the Raiders are explosive. Joey Rhomburg will try to get the Mustangs back to the Dome, but Williamsburg is back at full steam.
Williamsburg 35, Mount Vernon 23
Pod D: Bishop Heelan, Sioux City (9-1) at Sioux Center (9-1)
The Crusaders are one of the hottest teams in the state, looking dominant to end the regular season and upending Clear Lake in Round 1. This game features two dual-threat quarterback’s in Heelan’s Quinn Olson and Sioux Center’s Brodie Van Regenmorter. Van Regenmorter got the edge the first time, second time around? Quinn Olson takes the Crusaders back to the Dome.
Bishop Heelan 24, Sioux Center 21
Class 2A
Pod A: Kuemper Catholic (9-1) at Central Lyon/George-Little Rock (10-0)
The Lions get their 2nd matchup in a row with a team from District 8 with the Knights of Carroll Kuemper. Looking at skill players, the Knights have the athletes to compare with CL/G-LR between DJ Vonnahme, Michael Kasperbauer and quarterback Brock Badding. However, this game will be won up front, and the Lions possess the best line in 2A.
Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 38, Kuemper Catholic 17
Pod B: Van Meter (10-0) at PCM (8-2)
A little goofy the Bulldogs have to go on the road, but it shouldn’t bother the perennial powers from the Des Moines metro. Van Meter has not missed the UNI Dome since 2014, and this year won’t be any exception. Austin Baumhover and Ben Gordon are too much for the Mustangs.
Van Meter 42, PCM 20
Pod C: West Lyon (9-1) at Spirit Lake (9-1)
The best matchup in the 2A quarterfinals on paper. Spirit Lake has a balanced and efficient attack on offense, led by quarterback Caden Lundt, but West Lyon might possess the best defense in the Class. I expect this one to be determined at the line of scrimmage, in which case, the Wildcats have the advantage
West Lyon 16, Spirit Lake 7
Pod D: Monticello (9-1) at Mediapolis (8-2)
I’ll keep this one short, it boils down to this: one side has Preston Ries, the other side doesn’t. I favor the side with Ries.
Monticello 41, Mediapolis 21
Class 1A
Pod A: Dike-New Hartford (7-3) at Grundy Center (10-0)
Dike-New Hartford took the Spartans to the wire in Week 1 in a 7-6 win. The Wolverines offense has come a long ways since then, and outside of Columbus Catholic, the Spartans have not been challenged in quite sometime. Collin Gordon has gotten it done through the air and ground, but the 2nd time around, the Wolverine defense has something for him. Here’s your upset of the night.
Dike-New Hartford 13, Grundy Center 7
Pod B: Underwood (9-1) at OABCIG (8-2)
Underwood has been the best team in 1A all season, in my opinion. They broke in a new quarterback in Garrett Luet, but with some elite talent around him. Luett’s thrown for nearly 2,000 yards, while Maddox Nelson has rushed for nearly 1,200 yards. OABCIG quarterback Brysen Kolar has quietly put together a great season, but the Eagles just have more pieces.
Underwood 45, OABCIG 27
Pod C: Sumner-Fredericksburg (9-1) at Columbus Catholic (8-2)
Columbus Catholic impressed many with their 35-24 win at South Hamilton in the 2nd round. Quarterback Carter Lockert threw for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win, while Sumner-Fredericksburg mustered just enough offense in a 9-7 win over Emmetsburg. S-F is without quarterback Davis Van Sickle for the year, and that gives the Sailors the edge.
Columbus Catholic 28, Sumner-Fredericksburg 12
Pod D: Iowa City Regina (9-1) at MFL, MarMac (9-1)
The Gaels are back in a familiar spot, playing for a spot in the UNI Dome against an MFL program that has risen in stature the last 5 years. The Regals can throw the football with quarterback Gentry Dumont, but their rushing attack leaves something to be desired. MFL wants to control this game at line of scrimmage and that puts Regina at a disadvantage.
MFL MarMac 31, Iowa City Regina 20
Class A
Pod A: East Buchanan (8-2) at Saint Ansgar (10-0)
Saint Ansgar enters at #1 in A according to most, but have seemingly sleep-walked through the first couple rounds. East Buchanan, however, has looked dominant, especially ending Lisbon’s perfect season last week. This looks ripe for an East Buchanan upset, but I expect the Saints to come out and ride their ground attack to victory in a nail-biter.
Saint Ansgar 28, East Buchanan 27
Pod B: Logan-Magnolia (9-1) at Woodbury Central (10-0)
Woodbury Central survived by the skin of their teeth last week, thanks in large part to a controversial call on the last play of the game. Logan-Magnolia’s ground attack knocked out D1 #1 seed Akron-Westfield. Logan-Magnolia fell to Woodbury Central decisively in Week 3, I expect Drew Kluender and the Wildcats to do the same here.
Woodbury Central 35, Logan-Magnolia 13
Pod C: West Hancock (9-1) at Wapsie Valley (9-1)
Many have crowned West Hancock to get back to Cedar Falls and perhaps rematch with Saint Ansgar in the semifinals. I wouldn’t look past the Warriors of Wapsie Valley. Traeton Sauerbrei has been a force on the ground for the Warriors, and Kanen Decker has been Wapsie’s Mitchell Smith. However, I still like the Eagles to get back to the Dome.
West Hancock 24, Wapsie Valley 20
Pod D: Madrid (10-0) at AC/GC (10-0)
If you want storylines, this is the game for you. Two Randy Hinkel protégé’s with son Brock leading Madrid, and former player and assistant Cody Matthewson leading the Chargers. The Chargers run a similar option attack to the late Hinkel, led by quarterback Jathan South, while the Tigers can spread it out to throw with do-everything quarterback Preston Wicker. It’s hard to decide for many, but Madrid has played at a higher-level as of late than the Chargers and will get back to the Dome for the first time since 2011.
Madrid 35, AC/GC 24
That’s a look at what I think for 8-Player through 5A, I’ll report back if I do well. If I don’t…well, just look for my semifinal picks.