We’re one week into the high school football season in the state of Iowa and a future Cyclone has already put on a show for the fans.
Read here about Abu Sama’s breakout game and what transpired around the country for commits in the 2023 Iowa State recruiting class:
ATH ABU SAMA, SOUTHEAST POLK
Southeast Polk (1-0) 38, Dowling Catholic (0-1) 24
Abu Sama played arguably the best game of anyone in the 2023 recruiting class, if not the state of Iowa on Friday. Sama, who is utilized as a two-way player for the Rams, kicked off the game with a 70+ yard rush to the end zone on the first play from scrimmage. He ran downhill from then on, finishing with four touchdowns on 159 yards, two receptions for another 28 yards and four tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
QB J.J. KOHL & DB JAMISON PATTON, ANKENY
Ankeny (1-0) 26, Waukee (0-1) 7
J.J. Kohl threw three interceptions in the first half of Friday night’s game, but Ankeny coach Rick Nelson said his team was trying some things and Kohl came back firing in the second half. The quarterback ended the night with a 20-36 mark, 219 yards, a touchdown, and 29 rushing yards on the ground. Jamison Patton was on the receiving end of those passes, earning a team-high 76 yards on six catches on offense as well as 6.5 tackles and a sack.
WR KAI BLACK, URBANDALE
Urbandale (1-0) 27, Bettendorf (0-1) 14
Kai Black was injured for Friday’s Urbandale-Bettendorf game, but his team still brought home the victory. There’s no report on how long Kai Black will be out, but Urbandale returns to the field Friday to face Johnston on the road.
TE CARSON RHODES, NEVADA
Nevada (1-0) 38, Boone (0-1) 0
Carson Rhodes, Iowa State’s first commitment in the 2023 class, did not have listed stats in Friday’s 38-0 win over Boone. Nevada will be back in action Friday against West Marshall.
ATH KOOPER EBEL, HARTLEY-MELVIN-SANBORN
West Sioux (1-0) 38, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (0-1) 18
Kooper Ebel rushed for a big touchdown during his team’s opening game against West Sioux this week, but his final stats weren’t listed. Ebel and the Hawks travel to Gehlen Catholic in Week 2 action.
Around the Midwest
Position, name (high school, home state)
DL Trevor Buhr (Washington, Missouri)
Union 29, Washington 28
Week 2: vs. Warrenton
OL Brandon Henderson (East St. Louis, Missouri)
St. Francis Academy 20, East. St. Louis 13
Week 2: vs. Christian Brothers High School
LB Jack Sadowsky (Batavia, Illinois)
Batavia 43, Phillips 6
Week 2: @ Lincoln-Way East
Jack Sadowsky had four tackles in his team’s blowout victory over Phillips on opening night.
DL Anthony Cunningham (Belleville East, Illinois)
Belleville East 20, Collinsville 12
Week 2: vs. Pekin
Anthony Cunningham corralled two tackles during Friday’s win over Collinsville.
EDGE Samuel Same (Derby, Kansas)
Season Opener: Derby vs. Manhattan (Fri. 7:00 p.m.)
ATH Cam Smith (Austintown-Fitch, Ohio)
Austintown-Fitch 38, McKinley 14
Week 2: vs. GlenOak
Cam Smith came away with a touchdown during Fitch’s blowout win against McKinley on Friday, helping his team to a 2-0 start.
ATH Carson Hansen (Lakeville South, Minnesota)
Season Opener: Lakeville South vs. Park (Thurs. 7:00 p.m.)
WR Beni Ngoyi (Lincoln High, Nebraska)
Lincoln Southwest 20, Lincoln High (0-1) 19 (No listed stats)
Week 2: vs. Omaha Southwest
Florida & elsewhere
Iowa State boasts four commits from Florida and another non-Midwest commit from Oklahoma, each of which will kick off the season this Friday:
DL Jason Hammond (St. Thomas Aquinas, Florida)
St. Thomas Aquinas 48, St. Joseph’s Prep 37
Week 2: @ Fort Meyers
Jason Hammond had a sack during his team’s win on ESPN over the weekend, which can be seen below.
S Tashawn James (Carl Albert, Oklahoma)
Coweta 44, Carl Albert 14 (No listed stats)
Week 2: vs. Midwest City
S Norris Davis (Tampa Bay Tech, Florida)
Tampa Bay Tech 28, Plant 21
Week 2: vs. Steinbrenner
Norris Davis earned four tackles in his team’s win over Plant on Friday. Highlights can be seen below:
WR Michael Parkes (Bayside, Florida)
Salem 15, Bayside 8 (No listed stats)
Week 2: @ Palm Bay
OL Brendan Black (The Bolles School, Florida)
The Bolles School 34, St. Augustine 13
Week 2: vs. Mandarin
