WEBSTER CITY, Ia. — The 2025 season in Class 2A, District 4 would likely be best described as a roller-coaster ride, with every Friday becoming an adventure whether you were the district champion or in the bottom of the standings. 2026 appears to have a clearer picture (on paper at least) of how this district can shake out.
Roland-Story
The Norsemen enter 2026 looking to repeat as district champions following their outright title in 2025, while also having the look of a squad that may be among the best in Class 2A on paper. The prolific connection of quarterback Colin Willis and receiver Luke Thoreson returns, as Willis threw for over 2,200 yards and 25 touchdowns, while Luke Thoreson caught 75 balls for over 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns. Other top receivers in Aiden Frey and Logan Smith are also back, as well as a now stocked backfield over Fiston Carlson, Jake Knoll and Ben Mazyck. The offensive line brings back a handful of starters in Chance Georgius, Roman Stotts, Carter Barber and Gavin Jeter.
Defensively, the Norsemen will look to replace two big departures in the secondary in leading tackler Cody Long, as well as Blake Larsen. The group does bring back a solid nucleus of Jake Knoll, Luke Thoreson and Aiden Frey, as the linebacking core returns all 3 starters in Carter Barber, Tucker Hawkins and Wyatt Ramus. The defensive line has a hole to replace with the departure of Blake Nelsen, but has some big play ability with athletes such as Chance Georgius, Fiston Carlson and Gavin Jeter.
Denver
The Cyclones rallied from an 0-3 start to district play to fight back in claim a playoff spot out of District 4 in 2025, as the Cyclones have a key cog back in quarterback Jackson Joerger, who threw for just under 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, while rushing for another 522 and 9 scores. Jeb Ebaugh will likely take over full reigns in the backfield, while Joerger returns a handful of his top targets in passing game in junior Tarek Knoblock and seniors Lincoln Roethler and Brayton Hovey. Denver’s offensive line will need to replace a veteran group from 2025.
Defensively, the Cyclones return a talented second and third level, as the linebacking core is headlined by sophomore Jeb Ebaugh, who tallied 43 tackles and 10 TFL in 2025, as he’ll be helped out by Lincoln Roethler. The defensive backfield returns much of it’s production with corners Jackson Joerger and Brayton Hovey back, with Tarek Knoblock back at safety. The defensive line will have a tall task to replace the production of Cody Koepke and Kamden Teisinger.
Dike-New Hartford
The always strong Dike-New Hartford program had a bit of a rebuilding season in 2025 after finishing runner-up in Class 1A in 2024. The Wolverines finished 5-4 with a relatively young roster, and bring back quarterback Peyton Pokorny, who threw for over 900 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, and bring back two of his favorite targets in senior Aiden Walston and junior Caeden Bakker. Gavin Gerbracht and Gavin Decker will be the names to likely watch out of the backfield, as the Wolverines offensive line will have some holes to fill with the departures of Dawson Dietrick and Lane Girsch.
On the defensive side, the Wolverines do bring back a solid amount of production, namely in the second level. The linebacking core returns the likes of Gavin Gerbracht, Caeden Bakker and Aiden Walston, as the secondary. The secondary has some young talent with junior Trey Jensen and seniors Jacob Feaker and Quinn Mills, while the defensive line has a lot to replace, with the aforementioned Dawson Dietrick and Lane Girsch both gone.
Hampton-Dumont-CAL
The Bulldogs were able to use a late-season beat-down of Dike-New Hartford to slide into the 2-seed spot out of District 4 and win a playoff game in a 5-5 campaign. 2026 will see quite a bit of changes for HD-CAL, but the Bulldogs do return junior quarterback Blaek Burmester, who threw for over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2025. Burmester will have an entirely new receiving core to break in during 2026, but will have a bellcow back in senior Joseph Powers, who rushed for 552 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2025. The offensive line will need to replace some stalwarts, but brings back veterans such as Emmett Elling, Briggs Gruelke and Beau Morton.
On defense, the Bulldogs do have a lot of production to replace at all 3 levels. The defensive line does have some key pieces back in Briggs Gruelke, Beau Morton and Emmett Elling, as Joseph Powers is the lone returner in the linebacking core after 40.5 tackles in 2025. Hunter Rieken is the lone returner in the secondary after 27 tackles and 2 interceptions last season.
Oelwein
It was another tough go of it for Oelwein football in 2025 finishing with an 0-8 record, but in the first year of the Nick Lamphier era, there is reason for optimism for the Huskies. Oelwein does need to replace quarterback Maddox Pattison, which looks like a battle between junior Jackson Hoveland and senior Aaron Burkhart. Whoever wins the job should have a solid nucleus to throw to, as Luis Pineda, Tyler Lucas and Landon Rechkemmer all put up good numbers in 2025. The Huskies will need to find a reliable option in the backfield, as well as replace some pieces on the offensive line.
Defensively, it’s a mixed bag for the Huskies, as the all 3 levels saw some departures. Aaron Burkhart looks to lead the defensive backfield after 24 tackles, as Seth Latham also provides some veteran leadership. Tyler Lucas looks to be a leader in the linebacking core after 31 tackles in 2025, while Parker Kuennen looks to be the leader on the defensive line.
Vinton-Shellsburg
The Vikings of Vinton-Shellsburg were just a notch away from their first playoff appearance since 2000 in 2025, but finished just outside the top 4. The Vikings have a strong core returning in 2026, led by quarterback Colt Koeppen, who threw for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. Koeppen does bring back a handful of receivers, including Colson Chvala and Nile Davis, as well as running back Isaiah Schneider. The Vikings also return a solid amount on the offensive line with junior Ricky Jackson and seniors Jackson Heims and Trevor Harvey.
On the defensive side, the Vikings bring back a number of key pieces, beginning up front in seniors Trevor Harvey and Jackson Heims, who combined for 15.5 TFL in 2025. The linebacking core has pieces returning in seniors Reagan Salger, Colson Chvala and Jakob Becker, while the defensive backfield does have some holes needed to be filled.
Quinn’s Class 2A, District 4 Predictions
1. Roland-Story
2. Dike-New Hartford
3. Vinton-Shellsburg
4. Denver
5. Hampton-Dumont-CAL
6. Oelwein
On paper, the Norsemen appear as the overwhelming favorites with the talent they return in 2026, while Dike-New Hartford will still have a say in who comes away with a district title. The Vikings of Vinton-Shellsburg should break their 26-year playoff-drought in 2026, as Denver has the experience back to take the 4th playoff spot. Hampton-Dumont-CAL is on the outside looking in from their personnel loses, while Oelwein is still in the process of building up their program.