The quarterfinal round of the Iowa high school football playoffs kicks off Thursday night with four eight-player games, followed by a full Friday slate across Classes A through 5A, as the road to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls narrows.
According to Yahoo Sports, which released its first installment of players to watch on Nov. 4, this season has already delivered record-setting performances and stunning upsets. The quarterfinals begin Thursday with eight-player action, while Class 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A and Class A teams all take the field Friday night. State semifinals and championship games follow at the UNI-Dome.
Eight-Player Quarterfinals Feature Star Power
The eight-player bracket may hold the deepest collection of individual talent in the state this year.
North Union visits Audubon in a clash of dual-threat quarterbacks. North Union senior Greyson Colegrove has 37 combined passing and rushing touchdowns, with 806 yards through the air and 1,062 on the ground. He is coming off a nine-touchdown performance. Audubon counters with Aiden Kjergaard, who has rushed for 1,568 yards and 32 touchdowns while throwing for 679 yards and 12 more scores.
Iowa Valley senior Nolan Kriegel set the eight-player career touchdown record earlier this season. He has 36 rushing and 21 passing touchdowns this year alone. Edgewood-Colesburg answers with junior Jax Steger, who has 1,969 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns.
Woodbine hosts Bishop Garrigan in a rematch of last year's state final, which Bishop Garrigan won. Woodbine's Landon Blum, a Penn State commit, shined in last week's comeback win over Lenox, according to Sports Illustrated. Blum has 56 receptions for 1,036 yards and 15 touchdowns. Bishop Garrigan, chasing a third title in four years, leans on running back CJ McGregor, who has 1,456 yards and 23 scores.
Class A and 1A Matchups to Circle
Maquoketa Valley travels to Lynnville-Sully with workhorse senior Rogan Heidt, who has carried 235 times for 1,626 yards and 21 touchdowns. Lynnville-Sully counters with sophomore quarterback Carsen Kottenstette, who is averaging 25 yards per completion.
West Lyon, led by quarterback Easton DeJong and his 16 touchdown passes, faces Clarion-Goldfield/Dows in Sioux Center. Grundy Center returns to Iowa City Regina, the team that ended its season in last year's semifinals, with new junior quarterback Ethan Meester under center.
The 1A game of the week might be Underwood at Treynor. Sophomore Nash Mitchell has thrown for 1,977 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season as a starter, while Treynor wideout Brock Casey has 64 catches and eight scores.
Class 2A Quarterfinals Loaded With Playmakers
Wilton at Alburnett features two of the state's most productive offensive players. Alburnett running back Laken Caves, a Northern Iowa commit, has 1,499 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Wilton tight end Bryer Putman, headed to Boise State, has 48 receptions for 846 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Des Moines Register called it one of the best quarterfinal matchups statewide, pairing two tradition-rich programs with elite defenses.
Defending state champion Kuemper Catholic visits Spirit Lake behind senior running back Jarin Hoffman, who has 1,840 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. Spirit Lake's Jaizik Miller does a bit of everything, from catching passes to returning kicks to making an extra point.
Roland-Story and Van Meter meet in a quarterback showcase. Roland-Story junior Colin Willis has thrown for 2,226 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Van Meter sophomore Keenan Lundy has rushed for 1,489 yards and 22 scores.
What Comes Next
Quarterfinal winners advance to next week's state semifinals at the UNI-Dome, with championship games to follow. For communities across Iowa, from Woodbine to Lynnville-Sully, these Friday night games are the biggest events on the local calendar, and several of the seniors on this list will be playing their final high school snaps if their teams fall short.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Iowa high school football quarterfinals start?
The eight-player quarterfinals begin Thursday, with Class A, 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A games scheduled for Friday night.
Where are the Iowa state football championship games played?
The state semifinals and championship games are held at the UNI-Dome on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls.
Who holds the eight-player career touchdown record?
Iowa Valley senior Nolan Kriegel set the eight-player career touchdown record earlier this season.