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Clear Lake’s program heads into 2026 riding the momentum of an unbeaten 2025 regular season that included a win over Nevada — the eventual Class 3A state champion — and returns several key starters. That continuity, led by senior quarterback Jaxson McIntire, makes the Lions one of the more closely watched teams in the region heading into next fall.
The story of last season was balance: an offense that scored at a high clip and a defense that routinely shut opponents down. Clear Lake scored an average of about 40 points per game while surrendering roughly 5.4 points, posting six shutouts and stringing together a four-week stretch without conceding a single point.
Despite beating Nevada in the regular season, the Lions were eliminated from the state playoffs by the same opponent. Still, that roller-coaster provided valuable experience for returning players and a clear blueprint for improvement in 2026.
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Offense depends on McIntire’s versatility
University of South Dakota recruit Jaxson McIntire remains the focal point. Last year he completed 69 percent of his throws for 1,605 yards and 19 touchdowns and added more than 400 rushing yards with nine rushing scores — a dual threat the Lions will lean on even more after losing two primary ball carriers to graduation.
Sam Dodge and Kolby Hodnefield combined for nearly 1,200 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2025; replacing that production will be a priority. Clear Lake has options: Dwight Jones provided a steady ground presence as a junior (90 yards, two TDs on 21 carries), while Maddon McIntire — an early Division I recruit prospect — averaged a startling 12 yards per carry in limited action.
At receiver, the team returns reliable hands. The younger McIntire led returning pass-catchers with 14 receptions for 222 yards and three scores, and Carson Riser added 14 catches for 206 yards and two TDs, signaling continuity in the passing game.
Defense remains the team’s identity
Clear Lake’s defense was exceptional and returns much of its core. The unit forced 23 turnovers, produced eight defensive or special-teams touchdowns and recorded 30 sacks last year — figures that explain the low points-allowed average.
Leading tackler Raif Baack is back after a season with 105 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and two sacks. McIntire also contributed on defense (41 tackles, three TFL, two interceptions), while Davidae Coleman finished with 14 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Cornerback Isaac Brownlee, who committed to the University of Pennsylvania in the offseason, finished 2025 with 21 passes defended, three interceptions (one returned for a score) and 25 tackles — an important piece of a secondary that will be tasked with maintaining last year’s standards.
- What to watch in 2026
- How the Lions replace the graduated rushing production.
- Whether the defensive turnover and sack rates remain at elite levels.
- McIntire’s workload and durability as a two-way playmaker.
Clear Lake also attracted preseason attention: High School on SI Iowa slotted the Lions 11th in an early Top 25, and they closed the year ranked 20th — a sign the program is on the map but still chasing higher expectations.
Key matchups and the 2026 schedule
The Lions’ 2026 slate leans heavily on familiar opponents — many from the North Central Conference — so rivalries will define the season. Early tests and consecutive home contests create a stretch that could shape playoff positioning:
- Aug. 28 — at Forest City
- Sept. 4 — vs. Humboldt
- Sept. 11 — at Webster City
- Sept. 18 — vs. Nevada
- Sept. 25 — vs. Independence
- Oct. 2 — at Benton
- Oct. 9 — at Iowa Falls-Alden
- Oct. 16 — vs. Charles City
- Oct. 23 — at West Delaware
Notable points in the schedule: a Week 3 trip to Webster City precedes back-to-back home games against Nevada and Independence, and October opens with two straight road tests at Benton and Iowa Falls-Alden. Those sequences could be decisive in any postseason push.
For Clear Lake, the combination of returning starters on both sides of the ball and a challenging but familiar schedule creates a realistic opportunity to contend for conference honors and make a deeper playoff run. The coming season will show whether last year’s defensive dominance and McIntire’s leadership translate into sustained success in 2026.
