Sports Spotlight Vol. 1 Issue 12

Preview

baseball/softball

PreseasonwraP-UP

Players

5 Star recruit

Pigskin

allen Lazard

of the year

www.caseys.com

*Offer ends 9/30/2013. New residential High-Speed Internet or existing residential Pure Broadband™ customers only. Existing customers will lose current discounts by subscribing to this offer. Price-Lock Guarantee Offer applies only to the monthly recurring charge for the listed service for sixty (60) consecutive months; excludes all taxes, fees, surcharges, and monthly recurring fees for modem/router and professional installation. Listed monthly recurring charge of $24.95/mo. applies to High-Speed Internet service with up to 20 Mbps and requires a subscription to CenturyLink® Home Phone with Unlimited Nationwide Calling. Offer requires customer to remain in good standing and terminates if customer changes their account in any manner including any change to the required CenturyLink services (cancelled, upgraded, downgraded), telephone number change, or change of physical location of any installed service (including customer moving from residence of installed services). One (1) offer only per account. An additional monthly or fl at fee, installation fee, and separate shipping and handling fee may apply to customers modem or router, depending on HSI package and options selected. General – Services and offers not available everywhere. CenturyLink may change, cancel, or substitute offers and services, including Locked-In Offer, or vary them by service area, at its sole discretion without notice. Requires credit approval and deposit may be required. Additional restrictions apply. Terms and Conditions – All products and services listed are governed by tariffs, terms of service, or terms and conditions posted at www.centurylink.com. Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges – Applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges include a Carrier Universal Service charge, National Access fee or Carrier Cost Recovery surcharge, a one-time High-Speed Internet activation fee, state and local fees that vary by area and certain in-state surcharges. Cost recovery fees are not taxes or government-required charges for use. Taxes, fees, and surcharges apply based on standard monthly, not promotional, rates. Call for a listing of applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges. Monthly Rate – Monthly rate applies while customer subscribes to all qualifying services. If one (1) or more services are cancelled, the standard monthly fee will apply to each remaining service. High-Speed Internet – Customers must accept High-Speed Internet Subscriber Agreement prior to using service. Listed broadband speeds vary due to conditions outside of network control, including customer location and equipment, and are not guaranteed. Consistent Speed Claims – Consistent speed claims are based on CenturyLink providing High-Speed Internet customers with a dedicated, virtual-circuit connection between their homes and the CenturyLink central offi ce. Home Phone with Unlimited Nationwide Calling – Service applies to one (1) residential phone line with direct-dial, local and nationwide long distance voice calling from home phone, including Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands; excludes commercial use, call center, data and facsimile services (including dial-up Internet connections, data services, and facsimile; each may be billed at $0.10/minute), conference lines, directory and operator assistance, chat lines, pay-per-call, calling card use, or multi-housing units. Usage will be monitored for compliance and service may be suspended/ terminated for noncompliance. An additional charge may be assessed to customer if usage consistently exceeds 5,000 minutes/mo. International calling billed separately. ©2013 CenturyLink. All Rights Reserved. The name CenturyLink and the pathways logo are trademarks of CenturyLink. Other Marks – All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Pigskin PreviewPG 16

Sports Spotlight U.S.A. Inc.338 SW 6th Street

Des Moines, Ia515.244.1118

WWW.SPORTSSPOTLIGHT.COM

Contributors 04 USA FOOTBALLSafer youth tackle

footbal is here

06 STATE SOFTBALLGet the hottest plays & players from the state tournament

10 STATE BASEBALLA recap of all the action at Principal Park

14 HORIZON STUDENT ATHLETESEight amazing athletes from around the state

18 FAN UP FOR FOOTBALLAn overview and a standout player from each class

President’s Note:

As we put out the Pigskin Preview, it means that football season is right about the corner, and we have everything you need to get ready! Inside this issue, you will find class predictions and six featured players from each. Softball and baseball seasons have ended, and we have the all-state teams from each class, an overview of the state tournaments and photos from both tournaments. This month, we are very excited to offer our very first extended digital edition. It will contain everything from this edition and much more. Get detailed profiles from each district, their last season stats and bonus photos. You can get the digital version at: www.issuu.com/sportsspotlight. C

on

te

nt

srush nigut

[email protected]

John streets

Business [email protected]

tony Atzeni

Programming [email protected]

sam taylor

Art [email protected]

tork Mason

[email protected]

Elizabeth robinson

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Ashton Weis

[email protected]

brianna Laubach

Video [email protected]

*Offer ends 9/30/2013. New residential High-Speed Internet or existing residential Pure Broadband™ customers only. Existing customers will lose current discounts by subscribing to this offer. Price-Lock Guarantee Offer applies only to the monthly recurring charge for the listed service for sixty (60) consecutive months; excludes all taxes, fees, surcharges, and monthly recurring fees for modem/router and professional installation. Listed monthly recurring charge of $24.95/mo. applies to High-Speed Internet service with up to 20 Mbps and requires a subscription to CenturyLink® Home Phone with Unlimited Nationwide Calling. Offer requires customer to remain in good standing and terminates if customer changes their account in any manner including any change to the required CenturyLink services (cancelled, upgraded, downgraded), telephone number change, or change of physical location of any installed service (including customer moving from residence of installed services). One (1) offer only per account. An additional monthly or fl at fee, installation fee, and separate shipping and handling fee may apply to customers modem or router, depending on HSI package and options selected. General – Services and offers not available everywhere. CenturyLink may change, cancel, or substitute offers and services, including Locked-In Offer, or vary them by service area, at its sole discretion without notice. Requires credit approval and deposit may be required. Additional restrictions apply. Terms and Conditions – All products and services listed are governed by tariffs, terms of service, or terms and conditions posted at www.centurylink.com. Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges – Applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges include a Carrier Universal Service charge, National Access fee or Carrier Cost Recovery surcharge, a one-time High-Speed Internet activation fee, state and local fees that vary by area and certain in-state surcharges. Cost recovery fees are not taxes or government-required charges for use. Taxes, fees, and surcharges apply based on standard monthly, not promotional, rates. Call for a listing of applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges. Monthly Rate – Monthly rate applies while customer subscribes to all qualifying services. If one (1) or more services are cancelled, the standard monthly fee will apply to each remaining service. High-Speed Internet – Customers must accept High-Speed Internet Subscriber Agreement prior to using service. Listed broadband speeds vary due to conditions outside of network control, including customer location and equipment, and are not guaranteed. Consistent Speed Claims – Consistent speed claims are based on CenturyLink providing High-Speed Internet customers with a dedicated, virtual-circuit connection between their homes and the CenturyLink central offi ce. Home Phone with Unlimited Nationwide Calling – Service applies to one (1) residential phone line with direct-dial, local and nationwide long distance voice calling from home phone, including Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands; excludes commercial use, call center, data and facsimile services (including dial-up Internet connections, data services, and facsimile; each may be billed at $0.10/minute), conference lines, directory and operator assistance, chat lines, pay-per-call, calling card use, or multi-housing units. Usage will be monitored for compliance and service may be suspended/ terminated for noncompliance. An additional charge may be assessed to customer if usage consistently exceeds 5,000 minutes/mo. International calling billed separately. ©2013 CenturyLink. All Rights Reserved. The name CenturyLink and the pathways logo are trademarks of CenturyLink. Other Marks – All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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Jordan Creek Town Center – 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy., 515.267.0634

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4 Volume 1 Issue 12 SportsSpotlight.com

Youth

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USA FB IMPROVES SAFETY

Youth football programs can often be a safety concern for parents. There are 11 major youth tackle football leagues in Iowa, ranging in size and location. They all operate under different standards tailored to the youth that play in their leagues. USA Football is one of the overarching organizations that helps leagues make sure that the young football players are safe.

The Metro Youth Football League is one such league that uses USA Football’s standards for safety and to certify its coaches. The league operates in the Cedar Rapids area and supports over 1,300 kids. It has been around for 43 years.

“We’re a part of USA Football, and we have to follow the safety standards that they have set for their youth teams in tackle,” said Brain Burrell, Metro Youth Football Association’s vice president of public relations and fundraising.

For the players that participate in the tackle football league, mostly first through fourth graders, safety is the most important factor.“I think it’s about equipment, and I think it’s about coaching too,” Burrell said.

USA Football is a main source of contributions to the Metro Youth Football Association, both in coaching certification and equipment grants.

Last year, USA Football enhanced its support of youth football leagues by creating a program called Heads Up Football. The program was piloted with three organizations, and this year it’s already expanding. USA Football’s Midwest commissioner Mike Cuzzone is excited that this form of youth foot-ball will be more pervasive this year.

“This is the first year that Heads Up Football is being widespread. We’re anxious on our end; we’re not saying that it’s a foolproof program. We can’t

wait to learn from the different orga-nizations to help improve it,” he said.

Heads Up Football has three main focuses: equipment fitting, concussion awareness and heads up tackling.

“It’s really a membership oppor-tunity that youth leagues can join to bring a better, safer game for the kids playing,” Cuzzone said.

The Pride of Iowa Youth Football League is one of the four Iowa pro-grams that have adopted the Heads Up Football program this year, along with the Metro Youth Football Asso-ciation, the Youth Sports Foundation in the eastern half of the state and the Iowa Landsharks.

The league commissioner, Shane Bregar, of the Pride of Iowa Youth Football League is excited about the new partnership with USA Football.

The Pride of Iowa Youth Football League was started in 2005 and has roughly 1,000 participants. Last year, the league used modified high school safety standards for its youth program.

“The helmets do a lot better job than what they did, even 15 years ago, of protecting the kids. And we really emphasize in our coaching that their heads are off to the side, that they’re not spearing, not using their head as a weapon,” he said.

With the continuing improvement of programming and equipment, football organizations are working to make it as safe as possible for the youth involved. “It’s a collective group here trying to work together – the NFL, USA Football and there’s actually a number of major college conferences that are trying to get involved,” Mike Cuzzone said. “We’re trying to work together with all these youth football communities; trying to make the game better and safer.”

USA Football puts on several clinics for both players and coaches to encourage safe playing habits.Photo courtesy of Mike Cuzzone

Ashton Weis | Editor

https://www.dmos.com

spotlightin the

High school

This page presented to you by:

All photos were taken at the softball and baseball state tournaments from July 22 through August 3.

Each month we publish high school action photos from around the state. We would love to get yours! Send us your photos at [email protected]

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1AAkron-Westfield had a flair for

the dramatic during its run to the championship; the Warriors won their three tournament games by a combined 4 runs. But pitcher Kayla Tindall and the rest of the Warriors found a way to grab the crown.

First, they surrendered 3 runs in the final inning to Janesville before stopping the rally just in time to take a 9-7 victory. Then the Warriors scratched out a 1-0 win over Don Bosco in the semifinals.

But the drama reached its peak in the championship battle against New London. The Warriors overcame a 4-0 deficit after five innings and took a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh inning and never looked back.

Tindall was named captain of the Class 1A all-tournament team after going 3-0 with 12 strikeouts and allowing just 2 earned runs.

2ADurant fell in the state semifinals in

the 2012 state tourna-ment, but senior Paige Compton (pictured left) and the Wildcats

were not to be denied this time around.

Compton pitched every inning of the tour-nament and had a stellar performance. She struck out 16, allowed 8 hits and walked only one batter in three games. But Comp-

ton’s most impressive stat was a zero; she didn’t give

up a single run during the tournament.

Compton also received solid

support from her teammates.

The Wildcats averaged just under

4 runs per game in the tournament, and plated 3 run-

ners in the championship match

against one of the state’s top pitchers: Treynor’s Madison Keysor, who led the Cardinals to the 2012 title.

3ABondurant-Farrar made early

noise in the Class 3A tournament with a commanding 8-2 win over Monticello in a matchup of top-10 teams. Then the Lady Jays took 8 innings to knock out No. 3 Sergeant Bluff-Luton in the semifinals.

The Lady Jays rode a 3-run rally in the top of the seventh inning to put away Clarke (Osceola) — which

was making its first state tournament appearance since winning the Class 2A title all the way back in 1995 — in a 6-3 victory win the title.

Pitcher Cailey Schlenker wasn’t overpowering — she notched just 5 punchouts in three games — but she relied on strong defense throughout the tournament, allowing only 5 earned runs. She was named captain of the Class 3A all-tournament team.

4ADallas Center-Grimes lost a nail

biter in the 2012 Class 4A champion-ship game, but the Fillies stampeded through the 2013 tournament.

The Fillies scored 22 runs in their three games and senior pitcher Paige Lowary was dominating in the circle. Lowary had 16 strikeouts and gave up only 5 earned runs on her way to all-tourna-ment team captain honors. She also batted .417 with

a pair of doubles and two RBI as the Fillies’ leadoff hitter.

The bottom of the Fillies’ order provided a lift throughout the tourna-ment, especially first baseman Dani Heritage. Heritage entered the tourna-ment hitting just .212 but batted .400 in three games and drove in 5 runs to make the all-tournament team.

5ADowling Catholic (West Des

Moines) ended the regular season on a 4-game losing streak, but that didn’t stop the Maroons from rolling to the Class 5A championship. The Maroons also scored a whopping 18 runs with two outs in the tournament, including all of their runs in a 5-2 championship game victory over Johnston.

Pitcher Claudia Farrell was named the captain of the Class 5A all-tourna-ment team after a strong performance. She tallied 30 strikeouts and allowed just 4 earned runs as she threw every inning. Farrell also gave up 15 walks, but 4 free passes were issued to An-keny slugger Kayla Lindaman in the semifinals.

high Schoolhigh School


NEW ROUND OF SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSTork Mason | Editor

ABOVE: No. 1 ranked Martensdale-St. Marys fell to No. 9 ranked New London in the 1A quar-terfinals. BELOW: No. 1 Durant took home the 2A state title over No. 4 Treynor.

Pitcher Paige Lowary helped Dallas Center-Grimes walk away with the 4A State Championship over No. 4 ranked Carlisle.

Brought to you by:

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7Volume 1 Issue 12SportsSpotlight.com

all-statesoftballClass 5AC-Taylor Berry, Sr., MuscatineC-Kristie Sommer, Jr., Dubuque SeniorP-Claudia Farrell, Jr., Dowling CatholicP-A.J. Medinger, Jr., Dubuque SeniorP-Mandi Moore, Sr., OttumwaP-Alyssa Olson, So., Cedar Rapids JeffersonP-Hannah Parker, Jr., Southeast PolkINF-Megan Butler, Sr., MuscatineINF-Emilee Dorpinghaus, Sr., AnkenyINF-Chloe Miller, Sr., Pleasant ValleyINF-Olivia Roark, Sr., OttumwaINF-Katie Sommer, Jr., Dubuque SeniorOF-Lexi Astor, Jr., Fort DodgeOF-Sammy Garrett, Sr., OttumwaOF-Katie Shoultz, Jr., MuscatineUTL-Ashlie Chambers, Sr., AnkenyUTL-Kendyl Lindaman, Fr., AnkenyUTL-Katie Sammons, Sr., OttumwaPlayer of the Year: Kendyl Lindaman, Fr., AnkenyPitcher of the Year: Alyssa Olson, So., Cedar Rapids JeffersonCoach of the Year: Todd Merical, Johnston

Class 4AC-Kaitlin Buchholz, Sr., WashingtonC-Allie Martinez, Sr., Lewis Central (Council Bluffs)P-McKenzie Ellis, So., IndianolaP-Taylor Goode, Fr., NorwalkP-Kenzie Ihle, Jr., Ballard (Huxley)P-Karly Olson, Sr., WintersetP-Molly Renken, Sr., LeMarsINF-Makayla Augustine, Sr., Bishop Heelan (Sioux City)INF-Taylor Benshoof, Sr., WintersetINF-McKenna Heim, So., North Scott (Eldridge)INF-Mallory Madsen, Jr., SolonINF-Kara Misel, Sr., SolonOF-Sydney Galligan, Sr., Cedar Rapids XavierOF-Payton Mercer, Jr., CarlisleOF-Macey Wolfe, Sr., Dallas Center-GrimesUTL-Shyanne Dubois, So., CarlisleUTL-Paige Lowary, Jr., Dallas Center-GrimesUTL-Taylor Nearad, So., Solon

Player of the Year: Karly Olson, Sr., WintersetPitcher of the Year: Paige Lowary, Jr., Dallas Center-GrimesCoach of the Year: Andy Pals, Norwalk

Class 3AC-Monserrat Figueroa, Sr., Boyden-Hull/Rock ValleyC-Cheyenne Wilcke, Jr., Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida GroveP-Libby Bemis, Jr., Clarke (Osceola)P-Lindsay Barnhart, Sr., Iowa Falls-AldenP-Erin Hosch, Sr., MonticelloP-Haley Long, Jr., East Marshall (LeGrand)P-Alex Yacko, Sr., West Burlington/Notre DameINF-Jennifer Ankrom, Sr., New HamptonINF-Regan Fraise, Sr., West Burlington/Notre DameINF-Riley Hale, So., West Burlington/Notre DameINF-Aleenah Marcucci, Fr., Northeast (Goose Lake)INF-Paige Krause, Sr., Spirit LakeOF-Brittney Hammond, Sr., Iowa Falls-AldenOF-Marissa Schmidt, Sr., Sergeant Bluff-LutonOF-Felicia Schulty, Sr., Mid-Prairie (Wellman)UTL-Miles Ludwigs, Jr., Sergeant Bluff-LutonUTL-Kori Mesecher, So., West Burlington/Notre DameUTL-Lexi Weber, So., CascadePlayer of the Year: Miles Ludwigs, Jr., Sergeant Bluff-LutonPitcher of the Year: Libby Bemis, Jr., Clarke (Osceola)Coach of the Year: Jack Seelhammer, New Hampton

Class 2AC-Lexi Ackerman, Sr., George-Little Rock/Cen-tral LyonC-Bailey Richards, Fr., Van MeterP-Lexi Binder, Fr., Lawton-BronsonP-Madison Keysor, Sr., TreynorP-Gretchen Kistenmacher, Sr., Ridge ViewP-Kelsey Lough, Sr., JesupP-Ashley Sicard, So., AGWSR (Ackley)

INF-Aubrey Bland, Jr., DurantINF-Autumn Boland, So., North UnionINF-Hope Connor, Sr., Van MeterINF-Colette Haag, Sr., North UnionINF-MaKaya Henniges, Sr., Sumner-Fredericks-burgOF-Kaylyn Brandt, Sr., Sumner-FredericksburgOF-Lexie Miller, Sr., Eagle GroveOF-Lexi Roeding, Jr., DenverUTL-Dalaney Bice, Fr., Woodward-GrangerUTL-Paige Compton, Sr., DurantUTL-Allie Ingalls, Sr., North UnionPlayer of the Year: Kelsey Lough, Sr., JesupPitcher of the Year: Madison Keysor, Sr., TreynorCoach of the Year: Steve Hopkins, Durant

Class 1AC-Emily Parks, So., New LondonC-Emily Rittmer, Sr., PrestonP-Morgan Christner, Fr., New LondonP-Abbey Murphy, Jr., EarlhamP-Miranda Staab, Sr., St. Marys (Remsen)P-Kayla Tindall, Jr., Akron-WestfieldP-Kimberly Wedeking, Sr., ClarksvilleINF-Shelby Davis, So., Lynnville-SullyINF-Brittany Hickson, Sr., Don Bosco (Gilbert-ville)INF-Renee Maneman, Jr., Newell-FondaINF-Kylah Schumacher, So., Martensdale-St. MarysINF-Nicole Shutt, So., Martensdale-St. MarysOF-Morgan Frost, So., Don Bosco (Gilbertville)OF-Emma Ferin, Sr., Martensdale-St. MarysOF-Anyssa Trejo, Sr., St. Marys (Remsen)UTL-Kate Patton, Jr., MurrayUTL-Cate Paulsen, Senior, Don Bosco (Gilbert-ville)UTL-Brittney Roby, Jr., Twin Cedars (Bussey)Player of the Year: Nicole Shutt, So., Martens-dale-St. MarysPitcher of the Year: Kayla Tindall, Jr., Ak-ron-WestfieldCoach of the Year: Duane Blint and Paula Bliven, New London

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AthleteMONTHStudent

CLICk IT OR TICkETPresented by the Governor’S Traffic Safet y Bureau- IowaGTSB.org

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT TO PLAY AND WHY?A: Baseball is my favorite sport to play because you have to rely on each and every one of your teammates to be successful. Baseball is a game of failure if you really look at the numbers. It takes complete commitment to be successful.

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY FUN PRE-GAME RITUALS THAT PREPARE YOU FOR AN EVENT?A: I wouldn’t say that I have any rituals. I just get really quiet and really nervous. I tend to go off on my own, be by myself.

Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY?A: I would say that my favorite subject is biology. I couldn’t tell you any certain reason why it is my favorite other than it just came really easy to me.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS MEMORY?A: My favorite sports memory has to be last football season as we made a run in the playoffs. We were predicted to lose both of our first playoff games, but we proved everyone wrong.

WHO INSPIRES YOU? WHY?A: Both of my parents are inspiring to me. They have done so much to give me the most and best opportunities possible. They have instilled the right qualities in me and I know that I will be better off in the future because of them.

WHAT WAS THE BEST MOVIE YOU SAW IN THE LAST YEAR?A: The best movie that I saw in the past year hands down is “42,” the Jackie Robinson story.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB?A: My dream job would be to be a hunting guide, taking people on guided hunts on my own personal land.

SportsSpotlight.com

Jake ThumannCentral Clinton, DeWitt - 3.2 GPA

SPORTS:baseball, football & track

ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS/HONORS:Baseball - Junior Season: All-Conference, 1st Team All-District, 2nd Team All-StateFootball - 1st Team All-DistrictTrack - 6th place 4x200 relay at State track meet, Drake Relays qualifier

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS/HONORS: Honor Roll throughout high school

COLLEGE OR POST-HIGH SCHOOL PLANS:Attending Wartburg College to study biology and play baseball

AchievementsJake’s Q & A

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high Schoolhigh School


DRAMA DEFINES STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENTTork Mason | Editor

The 2013 state tournament is in the books and this edition was delivered with arguably the best show in recent memory. There were five extra-inning games — which tied the record for the most in tournament history — 10 1-run games and five 2-run contests. In the end, three new champions were crowned, while another successfully defended its 2012 title.

1AFor the first time since 2009, a

team not named Martensdale-St. Marys took home the Class 1A championship. The Blue Devils were knocked out by Twin Cedars in the quarterfinal round during a thrilling 9-inning, 4-1 contest.

The Sabers were also playing in honor of teammate Dylan Springer, who was killed in a car accident earlier this summer, in addition to chasing a championship. But they were taken out, 3-0, by Newman Catholic (Mason City) in a semifinal battle that had a championship feel with aces Otis Roby and Casey Hall on the mound.

The Maroons rolled through Van Buren — which was making its first appearance in the state tournament — in the championship bout, 6-2, to claim their fourth state championship

in school history and their first since 2009.

2AThe Class 2A tournament got off

to a wild start in the quarterfinal matchup between North Polk and Albia. The Comets survived a 13-inning, 3 1/2-hour marathon to claim a 2-1 victory, despite the Blue Demons committing 6 errors in the contest.

The defending champions, the Beckman Catholic (Dyersville) Blazers also found themselves in a first round nail-biter. The Blazers scraped by Columbus Catholic (Waterloo), 3-2, in the quarterfinals.

But both the Blazers and the Comets had little trouble advancing to the championship game. Beckman Catholic dominated Roland-Story and claimed a 5-inning, 13-2 victory; North Polk controlled its game against Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) and walked away with a 6-2 win.

Beckman’s Joey Lehmann and Comet ace Jacob Hadaway squared off in what was set to be an electric pitcher’s duel in the finals, and they both delivered for the first few innings. But Hadaway suffered an ankle injury sliding into second base

and was carted off the field with North Polk holding a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.

Comet reliever Grant Lang kept the Blazers from pulling away after the injury, but he eventually walked in the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the seventh to give Beckman Catholic its second-straight title.

3AClass 3A saw a furious last-inning

rally and a dominating pitching performance in the first round, and an unlikely state champion when the dust settled.

Tyler Cropley tossed a 1-hit shutout for Bishop Heelan (Sioux City) in the Crusaders’ 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Williamsburg. A few hours later, Clear Lake, led by senior center fielder, and pitcher Gavin Sheakley staged a last-ditch rally against Chariton. The Lions scored 4 runs in the bottom of the seventh to take a 5-4 victory.

Clear Lake wasn’t finished, either. The Lions handled Harlan in a 7-2 semifinal win and found themselves faced with Assumption (Davenport) — a program accustomed to winning

championships — in the state finals. But the Lions stood tall and became kings in Class 3A with a 6-2 win over the Knights.

4AIt had been five years since the

Dragons of Johnston stood atop Class 4A, but they found themselves in the finals after pulling one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. The Dragons won their quarterfinal game, 2-0, over Linn-Mar (Marion) and squared off against the state’s No. 1 team, Des Moines East, in the semifinals.

The Scarlets held a 2-0 lead for nearly the entire game after scoring both runs in the first inning, but Johnston finally answered East’s opening salvo with 5 runs plated in the last two frames. The Scarlets tried to bounce back in the bottom of the seventh but could only muster one more run as the Dragons advanced with a 5-3 victory.

The Dragons rolled in the championship bout with Sioux City East, 9-3, and claimed their first state championship since going 40-0 in 2008.

Malique Ziegler of Des Moines East was tagged out at home in the Scarlets’ loss against Johnston.

Beckman Catholic (Dyersville) celebrates after winning its second-straight 2A state championship.

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all-stateBaseballClass 4AC-Jordan Niehaus, Sr., Waukee C-T.J. Sole, Jr., Cedar FallsP-Tyus Adkins, Jr., Iowa City WestP-Derek Berkamper, Sr., MuscatineP-Colby Carmichael, Jr., Des Moines EastP-Joe Hawks, Sr., JohnstonP-Grant Otte, Sr., Dowling CatholicINF-Joe Bappe, Sr., AmesINF-Reid Bonner, Sr., Iowa City WestINF-Brandon Engler, Sr., North Scott (Eldridge)INF-Blake Meacham, Sr., Sioux City NorthINF-Michael Kinning, Sr., JohnstonOF-Tanner Hinkle, Sr., West Des Moines ValleyOF-Dom Thompson-Williams, Sr., Sioux City EastOF-Malique Ziegler, Jr., Des Moines EastUTL-Ben Miller, Sr., West Des Moines ValleyUTL-Robert Hansen, Jr., Des Moines EastUTL-Keaton McKinney, Jr., AnkenyPlayer of the Year: Ben Miller, Sr., West Des Moines ValleyPitcher of the Year: Keaton McKinney, Sr., AnkenyCoach of the Year: Brian Luft, Des Moines East

Class 3AC-Logan Essy, Jr., A-D-M (Adel)C-Jake Thuman, Sr., Central Clinton (DeWitt)P-Chris Comito, So., NorwalkP-Eli Dunne, Jr., GrinnellP-Dylan Nelson, Sr., A-D-M (Adel)P-Charlie Palmer, So., CharitonP-Parker Rolfes, Sr., LeMarsINF-Kolby Greenslade, Sr., NorwalkINF-Andy Hefner, Sr., LeMarsINF-Aaron Krier, Sr., Storm LakeINF- Cody Marine, Sr., WilliamsburgINF-Mitch Moser, Sr., Benton Community (Van Horne)OF-Brady Mayo, Jr., Bishop Heelan (Sioux City)OF-Austin Peterson, Sr., CharitonOF-T.J. Sikkema, Fr., Central Clinton (DeWitt)UTL-Tyler Cropley, Jr., Bishop Heelan (Sioux City)UTL- Josey Jewell, Sr., DecorahUTL-Gavin Sheakley, Sr., Clear LakePlayer of the Year: Gavin Sheakley, Sr., Clear LakePitcher of the Year: Dylan Nelson, Sr., A-D-M (Adel)Coach of the Year: Jake Schroeder, Chariton

Class 2AC-Jake Lewis, Sr., St. Albert (Council Bluffs)C-Mark Ward, Sr., Iowa City ReginaP-Cole Crawford, Sr., WiltonP-Jacob Hadaway, Sr., North PolkP-Chris Halbur, Sr., Kuemper Catholic (Carroll)P-Korey Kuhlmann, So., Maple Valley-Anthon-OtoP-Joey Lehman, Sr., Beckman (Dyersville)INF-Christian Bambrook, Sr., Eddyville-Blakesburg-FremontINF-Casey Berg, Sr., IKM-ManningINF-Gage Carpenter, Sr., WapelloINF-Dylan Preston, Jr., Clayton Ridge/CentralINF-Jordan Rommes, So., South Winneshiek (Calmar)OF-Jake Brinkman, So., Iowa City ReginaOF-Hank Crimmins, Jr., St. Edmond (Fort Dodge)OF-Reed Smith, Jr., North PolkUTL-Preston Church, Sr., OgdenUTL-Jared Riemenschneider, Sr., West Marshall (State Center)UTL-Justin Shaffer, Sr., DurantPlayer of the Year: Chris Halbur, Sr., Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) Pitcher of the Year: Joey Lehman, Sr., Beckman (Dyersville)Coach of the Year: Chris Hill, Roland-Story

Class 1AC-Hunter Embray, Jr., Twin Cedars (Bussey)C-Tyler Foubert, Jr., MontezumaP-Logan Jurensmeier, So., HintonP-Zach Prouty, Sr., Van MeterP-Otis Roby, So., Twin Cedars (Bussey)P-Trent Roose, Jr., North Mahaska (New Sharon)P-Jonathan Van Beek, Sr., West Lyon (Inwood)INF-Brandon Brittain, Jr., Van MeterINF-Jake Chevalier, Jr., Van MeterINF-Gage Gavin, Sr., Martensdale-St. MarysINF-Corey Harrell, Jr., Twin Cedars (Bussey)INF-Eddy Kraber, Jr., Martensdale-St. MarysOF-Tyler Backes, Sr., Don Bosco (Gilbertville)OF-Nate Beck, Sr., B-G-M (Brooklyn)OF-Trent Verwers, Sr., Martensdale-St. MarysUTL-Zac Freese, Jr., B-G-M (Brooklyn)UTL-Austin Lefler, Sr., Lawton-BronsonUTL-Robbie Laughlin, Jr., Van Buren (Keosauqua)Player of the Year: Brandon Brittain, Jr., Van MeterPitcher of the Year: Otis Roby, So., Twin Cedars (Bussey)Coach of the Year: Matt Miller, Twin Cedars (Bussey)

http://www.gillette.com/

And dependability:

Keysor helped lead Treynor to the 2A title last season and came back with the Cardinals to Fort Dodge with a chance to go back-to-back. Madison once again

had a great season, posting a 27-4 record in 31 starts. And in 210 innings

set down 316 batters on strikes while allowing just 26 earned runs for an

E.R.A of 0.87. Keysor allowed just 132 hits on the season enroute

to posting shutouts 13 times.

Madison KeysorTreynor - Softball

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Unmatched performance:

Madison Keysor ended her high school career with her team’s runner-up finish in Class 2A. Keysor stood in the circle for all three games, pitching 25 innings while allowing five runs and 21 hits in that span, but only one of those runs earned. Madison was also named to the 2A All-Tournament Team.

Photo by Tork Mason

Each month, Sports Spotlight recognizes a Kinetico Pure Performance High School Athlete of the Month from a list based on

their performances.

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Senior | Kuemper Catholic

Junior | Muscatine

Halbur built up a record of 10-0 with a 0.57 E.R.A with 115 strikeouts in 74 innings of work. He also caused damage at the plate, with 7 home runs and 42 runs batted in to go with his .398 batting average.

Lehmann, one of the top pitch-ers in Class 2A this season, led the state with a miniscule 0.47 ERA in 90 innings of work, and had a K/BB ratio of over 4-to-1 with 127 punchouts on the year.

Miller was among the top pitchers in the state, with a 6-2 record and an E.R.A at 1.81 with 35 strikeouts in 54 innings of work. He was top-five in batting average (.495) in Class 4A and lead the Tigers in doubles (11), home runs (5) and runs batted in (42).

DuBois was a leader in the circle and at the plate. Shyanne’s numbers at the plate were among the tops in the state batting (.436), hits (61), home runs (7), RBI’s (32) and stolen bases (38). In the circle Dubois was 19-4 with an E.R.A of 1.90 in 140 innings with 165 strikeouts.

Shoultz led Class 5A in many statistical offensive categories this season including batting average (.541) triples (10), stolen bases (62) and hits (86). She was also second in Class 5A in runs scored (61).

Roby, a junior, finished the sea-son with a .634 batting average (second in the state) and led Class 1A in hits (71) and triples (10). She is also finished second in on base percentage (.677) and tied for third in doubles (19).

Ludwigs was a double threat, posting an 19-3 record in the cir-cle this season with a 1.88 E.R.A. Miles was among the Class 3A leaders in batting average (.534), hits (71), doubles (20), home runs (9) and RBI’s (50).

Sheakley was instrumental in Clear Lake’s Class 3A state base-ball championship with his 13-0 record, 1.15 E.R.A in just over 85 innings of work with 108 strikeouts. At the plate Gavin’s numbers were solid, batting .435 with 64 hits.

Senior | Beckman

Junior | Twin Cedars

Senior | WD

M Valley

Junior | Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Sophomore | Carlisle

Senior | Clear Lake

Brittney Roby

Katie Shoultz

Chris Halbur

Joey Lehmann

Photo courtesy of Knoxville Journal-ExpressPhoto courtesy of Jeff Storjohann, Carroll Daily Times Herald

Photo courtesy of Dyersville Commercial

Ben Miller

Miles Ludwigs

Shyanne DuBois

Gavin SheakleyPhoto courtesy of Beth Van Zandt / Muscatine Journal

Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register Photo by Tork Mason

Photo by Tork Mason Photo by Tork Mason

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Pigskin

2013:a star-studded

aFFair

The stakes will be high, the adrenaline will be rushing and football

teams across the state of Iowa will bring Friday

nights to life.[ ]

Joining Lazard as preseason spotlight players are seniors Clayton Plowman, a running back for the Adair-Casey Bombers, fullback Joe Burgmeier from Mason City Newman, quarterback Jay Scheel of Union, La Porte City and quarterback Trent Solsma for the Bishop Heelan Crusaders.

These standout preps hardly represent the only players who will be worth watching this season. Some players are closing in on state records or leading top title contenders, while others will break onto the scene over the next few months.

In this preview we break down each class, highlighting top returning players in our preseason all-state picks and featuring our Sports Spotlight preseason players of the year. This year, for the first time, more information and in-depth

coverage of each district can be found on our digital magazine at www.issuu.com/sportsspotlight. There, you can read our season predictions and access exclusive content not found in our magazine.

Like any season, the stakes will be high, adrenaline will be rushing and football teams across the state of Iowa will bring Friday nights to life. From the school and community pride, to the bands and cheer squads, to the unexpected wins and losses throughout the season, the 2013 Iowa high school football season is sure to be star-studded and spectacular.

The 2013 Iowa high school football season is set to kick off with some of the state’s most talented players in recent years. This season will provide high school fans their last looks at several senior prep stars, all hoping to end their high school careers as a state champion.

As the new season approaches, last year’s state champions come to mind. Ankeny returns as the Class 4A champion, but questions arise as the consolidated school district is now split between Ankeny and the new school, Ankeny Centennial. Decorah won its fifth Class 3A title, and Spirit Lake was crowned the Class 2A champion, its first in school history. Iowa City Regina won the Class 1A crown after winning the past two Class 2A championships, and Wapsie Valley (Fairbank) won its fifth state title as the Class A champion. Finally, Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn won the school’s first football title when it won the Class 8-Player championship.

The 2013 season brings with it a new batch of teams ready to take the reins. Top-tier players have been preparing for months in an effort to make it to the UNI-Dome to compete for a state title.

Headlining the group is Urbandale senior Allen Lazard, who is rated one of the best, if not the best, wide receiver in the nation this year. Last season, Lazard earned first team all-state honors as a defensive back and had a breakout year offensively with 928 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Pigskin Preview


all-state

TeaMPRESEASON

PosQBQBRBRBRBWR WROL OL OL OL OLK

NameJake HoganHunter MeyerAndrew DriscollElias NissenClayton PlowmanElliott ConoverCaylor DeethDalton BeckerHud JohnstonSam RockholdAndrew TempleConnor ArrasmithEmmitt Wheatley

SchoolDon BoscoJanesvilleEaston ValleySpringvilleAdair-CaseySt. Mary’s, Remsen

Coon Rapids-Bayard

Don BoscoW. CentralMurrayNewell-FondaGV Park-BaptistAdair-Casey

YrSR SR SR SRSR JR SR SR SR SRSR SRJR

Offense

PosDLDLDLDLLBLBLBLBDBDBDBP

NameAustin FeltsDan ErtzSeth NernessSpencer WinnettNathan GrimmT.J. EvenNick PeppersJustin TheisenDrew PeppersDylan SpielerChase ZarubaNick Spring

SchoolRemsen-UnionGlidden-RalstonMurrayCoon Rapids-Bayard

W. Bend-MallardDon BoscoExira/Elk Horn-Kimballton

Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton

Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn

Easton ValleySW Valley

YrSR SR SRSRSR JR SR SR JR SRSR SR

Defense

Class 8POverview

Marcus-Meridian-Cleghorn came out of nowhere and stormed its way to an undefeated state championship in 2012. But this is a new season, and the Eagles have many holes to fill after losing a loaded senior class. So which teams will rise above the rest to contend for the 2013 title?

Don Bosco, Gilbertville, last season’s runner-up, lost some key players, but will be a prime candidate to return to the UNI-Dome, so long as senior quarterback Jake Hogan stays healthy. Hogan was the driving force behind the Dons’ run to the championship game in 2012, piling up 3,727 yards of total offense and 59 touchdowns, and will be looking to do the same this year.

Exira-EHK fell to M-M-C in the state semifinals last season, but returns a three-headed rushing monster: quarterback Drew Peppers (1,426 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns), and running backs Trey Sander (1,483 yards, 27 scores) and Nick Peppers (923 yards, 19 touchdowns). The Spartans should be able to ride that core to the Dome and get another shot at the crown.

Adair-Casey lost in last season’s state quarterfinals to District 6 rival Murray, and the Bombers are hungry to reach the Dome this time around. Thanks to the legs of senior tailback Clayton Plowman, Sports Spotlight preseason Player of the Year, it won’t be

surprising to see the black and gold contending for its first state championship appearance since 2004. Plowman ran for 2,141 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior. He’s also closing in on state records for rushing yards, touchdowns and points scored.

Don’t discount the Mustangs from Murray. The pitch and catch duo of Austin Halls and Cody Scroggie is gone, but running back tandem Seth Nerness (1,133 yards, 18

touchdowns) and Andrew Rider (851 yards, 12 scores) are back and should provide plenty of offensive firepower. Nerness and Sam Rockhold also form a potent pass rush, with 8.5 and 9 sacks, respectively, last year.

The Wolverines of West Bend-Mallard are the dark horse candidate for this season.

The Wolverines went 6-4 last season, but one of those losses was a retroactive forfeit. The Wolverines will return nearly all of their top players from 2012, including quarterback Jesse Zinnel, who put up 1,864 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns as a junior. It also doesn’t hurt that West Bend-Mallard has a winning history, with four state titles in the last 20 years.

All said, it’s a fair bet that the teams contending for the 2013 championship in the Dome this November will be teams you’ve seen there before.

SportsSpotlight.com

[ ]Which teams will rise above the rest to contend for the

2013 title?

Photo courtesy of Drew Herron / Atlantic News-TelegraphEXIRA/ELK HORN-KIMBALLTONNiCK PePPers



8P Player in the spotlight

The people in the Adair-Casey community know there’s one person they can consistently depend on. Clayton Plowman, running back for the Adair-Casey Bombers, delivers on the gridiron every Friday night, and off the field, too.

Plowman made his presence felt from his first varsity carry, when he took the ball, ran over a defender and scored a touchdown. That play marked the beginning of a highly productive career for the Bombers. Plowman is now closing in on state records for rushing yards, points scored and touchdowns as he enters his senior season.

Plowman refuses to let people down, and he didn’t let an injury change that last season. The then-junior made a cut to the middle of the field in hopes of shaking the lone defender between him and the endzone, but he rolled an ankle and sat out the rest of the game. Plowman later learned he had suffered a high ankle sprain, and the decision to play or sit was left to him.

He said the decision was a no-brainer, partly because he felt responsible for the injury in the first place.

“It was my fault,” Plowman said. “I didn’t have my ankles taped that game, and that was the first game that I’d ever not had my ankles taped. I felt that it was my mistake and that I’d let our team down.”

Plowman played through the pain, sitting out practices with his ankle on ice to stay fit enough to compete, and finished the season with 2,141 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns, despite being limited for nearly half of the season.

His coach, Wade Anderson, said the choice to play and do whatever he could for the team, even if it meant missing practice time, is indicative of Plowman’s attitude.

“He handled it about as well as you can, as a kid,” Anderson said. “He wanted to get in there; he tried to get in there for a few drills every so often, and I’d kick him out. It’s tough to keep him on the sidelines, but he understood what we were trying to do.”

Plowman has been as consistent as they come on the field, but it’s in his personal life where he’s shown how dependable he can be.

Angie Plagman, the mother of Plowman’s girlfriend, Chelsey Anderson, was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2011. She said Plowman was there to help, in any way he could, from day one. In fact, she told him about the diagnosis before telling Anderson to let him brace her for the news.

“He helped me through it,” Anderson said. “He made sure I was okay everyday, called me 24/7 just to make sure I wasn’t taking it too hard. Of course I did, but it was a little easier, knowing he was there by my side if I needed anything.”

Plowman also helped the rest of the family. He would babysit for Anderson’s then-3-year-old sister, and also mentored her twice a week through the football program.

“The football team would go down to the preschool to mentor,” Anderson said. “It really helped my little sister get through everything, just having somebody she knew.”

Plowman has been heavily involved with breast cancer awareness and fundraiser activities since Plagman’s diagnosis. He’s worked concessions at Wells Fargo Arena to raise money for Katie’s Crusaders, a Waukee-based charity organization for breast cancer patients that Plagman is a part of, and ran in 5K races to support cancer.

He also helps raise money for a scholarship created

by Plagman for kids in the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school districts whose mothers are fighting breast cancer. Plagman said seeing Plowman be so involved has had a strong positive impact on her.

“It’s meant the world to me,” Plagman said. “A lot of people say that I shouldn’t love him, basically, as much as I do because he might not be there forever. But he is going to be, to me, because he’s going to be part of our family. He has helped just as much as anyone in my family has, and he’s been an inspiration for me.”

The Bomber star said the feeling of inspiration is mutual. Watching Plagman battle cancer lent him perspective and drove him to give everything he had on the field.

“It worried me so much,” Plowman said. “It worried me, but at the same time, it motivated me to push harder than I’d ever pushed before. In case things went the wrong way, I didn’t want to live with any regrets, so I just played my heart out for her.”

Thanks to that extra push, natural ability and earning a starting spot as a freshman, Plowman is set to rewrite the record books. He said the community “went crazy” over having a freshman tailback in 2010, and now everything has come full-circle.

“Even the old guys at the Casey’s store drinking their coffee in the morning, every morning when I go in to get breakfast before work, they’re always asking me, ‘Are you guys gonna have a good team this year? Are you gonna break that rushing record?’” Plowman said. “That’s one of those ‘wow’ moments that makes you think how lucky you are to have the privilege I’ve had to be a four-year starter and to have the talent that I’ve been given.”

ClaytonPlowman

Photos courtesy of Jim Zimmerline

EXIRA/ELK HORN-KIMBALLTON

by TOrK MasON

www.caseys.com

18 Volume 1 Issue 12

1DistrictTeams

Clay Central-everly (0-9)Nickname: MavericksHead Coach: Austin DavisTop returning Players: Skylar Iske (WR/DB); Jess Manning (DB); Jesup Mulbaurer (RB/LB)

Harris-lake Park (8-3)Nickname: WolvesHead Coach: Lane GundersonTop returning Players: Skylar Cudmore (LB); Javier Tapia (DL); Brady Van Iperen (RB/DB)

Kingsley-Pierson (3-6) Nickname: PanthersHead Coach: Adam Rapp/Brent KoedamTop returning Players: Jacob Harvey (LB); Austin Neumann (WR/DB); Colton Phelps (RB/DL)

Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn (14-0)Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Brad CaveTop returning Players: Isaiah Petersen (WR); Justin Theisen (DL); Dylan Spieler (QB/DB/P/K)

remsen-Union (6-4)Nickname: RocketsHead Coach: Colin YoudeTop returning Players: Nick Braun (RB/LB); Austin Felts (LB); Tanner Hilbrands (WR/DB)

river valley (Correctionville) (4-6) Nickname: WolverinesHead Coach: Jacob BurgerTop returning Players: Sam Briese (RB/DB); Parker Goettsch (WR/LB); Brennan Riedemann (QB/DB/P)

st. Marys (remsen) (3-6)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Brad GralheerTop returning Players: Elliott Conover (RB/LB); Brady Harpenau (QB); Andrew Pottebaum (OL/DL)

whiting (1-8)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Shawn PackardTop returning Players: Edgar Lazano (K); Dennis Parsley (WR); Austin Rich (DB)

District 1Outlook

Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn came out of nowhere to go undefeated and win the state championship in 2012, but District 1 looks to be much more wide-open this year.

M-M-C lost 12 seniors from last season’s team, including the backfield trio of Tanner Utesch, Andrew Hoefling and Jake Meehan. Looking to fill those holes for the Eagles are Dylan Spieler, Isaiah Peterson and Conner Holmes.

Holmes ran for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns but did so at a solid 5.1-yard clip. Peterson hauled in 29 passes for 508 yards and 10 scores, and will be Spieler’s go-to receiver in 2013.

On defense, M-M-C still has playmakers. Justin Theisen tallied 85 stops as a junior, including 11 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Holmes totaled 73 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and an interception. The biggest game-changer on defense is Spieler, who had 61 tackles and 11 picks.

River Valley was 4-6 in 2012 but could make a move this season. Quarterback and defensive back Brennan Riedemann leads the Wolverines. He accounted for 3,790 yards of total offense and 54 touchdowns under center.

Riedemann will have three of his top four receivers back. Senior Parker Goettsch, and juniors Wyatt Fitch and Sam Briese combined for 736 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns last year.

The Wolverines also return their top three defenders from last season. Goettsch led the team with 118 stops and picked off a pair of passes. Jimmy Cockburn finished with 93 tackles and Riedemann tallied 89 takedowns and 5

interceptions.Remsen-Union made the playoffs and finished

6-4 in 2012; the Rockets will contend for a playoff berth again this season.

The Rockets feature tailback Nick Braun, who toted the ball for 652 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground last season and also chipped in 159 receiving yards and 2 scores.

New quarterback Nick Schroeder will have wideout Tanner Hilbrands to toss to. Hilbrands returns after putting up 438 yards and 8 touchdowns as a junior; he was also one of the Rockets’ best defenders, as he collected 80 tackles and an interception.

The defensive star for Remsen-Union is linebacker Austin Felts, who made 130 stops and 7 tackles for loss last season. Felts will be joined by Austin Schmidt, who made 49 tackles in 2012.

Harris-Lake Park lost its top three rushers to graduation, but the Wolves retained a solid core of defensive talent.

Brady Van Iperen is the top returning player after having a solid season on both sides of the ball last season. He accounted for 265 yards of offense and 6 touchdowns on only 34 touches, and collected 85 tackles and 5 interceptions in 2012.

Van Iperen will have skilled company on defense. Javier Tapia and Skylar Cudmore combined for 168 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 7 sacks. Dahlton Burdorf posted 42 stops and a pair of picks.

This district is wide-open, so don’t be surprised if a new champion is crowned.

Photo courtesy of Impact ImageryMarcus-Meriden-CleghornDylan spieler

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) river valley wolverines2) m-m-c eagles3) remsen-union rockets4) harris-lake park wolves

District 1Outlook


2DistrictTeams

Cal (latimer) (0-9)Nickname: Cadets

Head Coach: Brian FolkertsTop returning Players: Juan Carlos Calles

(RB/DL); Andrew Quinones (QB/LB)

C-w-l (Corwith) (3-7)Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Ryan WagnerTop returning Players: Esden Carroll (QB/

RB); Grant Carroll (LB); Chandler Vorland (DL)

Graettinger-Terril/ruthven-ayrshire

(3-6)Nickname: Knights

Head Coach: Karlton HectorTop returning Players: Kyle Dalen (RB);

Mason McGrauth (DB); Garrett Parker (WR)

laurens-Marathon (8-3)

Nickname: ChargersHead Coach: Mike Ehn

Top returning Players: Jake Simpson (RB/LB); Chase Oehlertz (WR)

Newell-Fonda (11-1) Nickname: Mustangs

Head Coach: Brian Wilken Top returning Players: Dalton Anderson (WR/

LB/P); Brady Bohe (FB/DL); Gabe Podraza (LB);

North iowa (Buffalo Center) (7-3)

Nickname: BisonHead Coach: Don Anderson

Top returning Players: Lucas O’Connor (OL/DL); Alex Paulson (RB/LB); Derek Yegge (QB/DB)

Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) (2-7)

Nickname: TrojansHead Coach: John Seiser

Top returning Players: Gabe Rapp (RB/DB); Logan Seiser (QB/DB/P); Austin Smith (WR/LB)

west Bend-Mallard (6-5)

Nickname: WolverinesHead Coach: Pete Kapustynski

Top returning Players: Nathan Grimm (RB/LB); Jason Zinnel (TE/DL/P); Jesse Zinnel (QB/LB)

class 8PDistrict 2Outlook

Districts 1 and 2 formed a very strong substate in 2012 and this season should be no different.

West Bend-Mallard finished 6-5 last season, but brings back seemingly every core piece from last year’s squad. Look for the Wolverines to take a big step forward in 2013 with quarterback Jesse Zinnel leading the way.

Zinnel threw for 1,318 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and also led the team in rushing 546 yards and 9 scores. Jason Zinnel caught 40 passes for 724 yards and 4 scores as a junior.

On the ground, the Wolverines also return Jordon Buhs and Nathan Grimm, who combined for 784 yards and 10 touchdowns as part of a balanced rushing attack in 2012.

Defensively, Grimm was a monster at linebacker, racking up 152 total stops. He’ll team up with Jesse Zinnel, who made 81 tackles. Jason Zinnel made 42 takedowns last season.

Newell-Fonda might not be this year’s favorite to win the district, but the Mustangs return many key players from last year and will contend. Leading rushers Jonathan Johnson and Zak Sievers are gone, but Brady Bohe is ready to step into the starting tailback role after running for 736 yards and 13 touchdowns on 80 carries in 2012.

The Mustangs will break in a new quarterback in the wake of Sievers’ graduation, but wideout Dalton Anderson will provide sure hands for whoever steps under center. Anderson had 499 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns as the go-to receiver last season, and he’ll be a safety net for

the passing game.But it’s the defense that’s going to carry the

Mustangs in 2013. Bohe racked up 94 tackles and 3 interceptions last year as a linebacker, and senior Gabe Podraza tallied 78 takedowns. Playing in front of Bohe and Podraza, linemates Andrew Temple and Shawn Thompson combined for 89 stops and 6 sacks.

Anderson also returns as a top-flight defensive back. He picked off 6 passes last year.

Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) missed the postseason a year ago, but the Trojans appear ready to bounce back. The backfield combo of quarterback Logan Seiser and running backs Tyler Smith and Gabe Rapp headline a run-oriented offense that gained 1,787 yards in 2012.

Defensively, the Trojans return their top four tacklers: linebackers Austin Smith (95), Seiser (66, 4 sacks) and Tyler Smith (51) and defensive back Rapp (83).

The Bison of North Iowa (Buffalo) Center went 7-3 last season and lost several key players, but return enough to contend for a playoff bid again in 2013.

Derek Yegge steps in at quarterback after tossing for 366 yards and a touchdown in backup duty last year. He’ll have a green receiving corps, but the ground game could compensate while reliable targets get established. Running back Alex Paulson ran for 203 yards at a 6.3-yard clip and 3 scores as a freshman.

This district has rich history and fans can expect an exciting fight for the district title from the top teams.

Photo courtesy of Tim Dahlhauser/West Bend JournalWest bend-mallardJesse Zinnel

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) wb-M wolverines2) Newell-fonda mustangs3) northeast hamilton trojans4) north iowa bison


3DistrictTeams

Clarksville (10-2)Nickname: IndiansHead Coach: Clint HospadarskyTop returning Players: Trevor Fenneman (DB); Mason Lovrien (LB); Matt Negen (RB/LB)

Don Bosco (Gilbertville) (12-1)Nickname: DonsHead Coach: Colby Yoder Top returning Players: Dalton Becker (OL/DL); T.J. Even (RB/DB); Jake Hogan (QB/P)

Dunkerton (1-8)Nickname: RaidersHead Coach: Travis RigdonTop returning Players: Gage Brandt (OL/DL); Derek Gamerdinger (WR/DB); Lane Johnson (WR/DB)

Janesville (7-3)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Travis MillerTop returning Players: Hunter Meyer (QB/DB/K); Sam Meyne (LB); Caleb Rieken (LB)

Northwood-Kensett (4-5)Nickname: VikingsHead Coach: David CapitaniTop returning Players: Mitchell Athey (LB); Brandon Brockman (RB/LB); Aaron Peterson (LB)

riceville (5-5)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Warren Haacke and Chris CongerTop returning Players: Josh Krukow (OL/DL); Logan Shedenhelm (WR/DB); Ryan Shedenhelm (QB/WR/DB)

rockford (3-6)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Nick JohnsonTop returning Players: Brandon Emerson (RB/DB/P); John Jones (RB/LB); Ben Parcher (OL/DL)

Tripoli (4-5) Nickname: Panthers Head Coach: Tom NussTop returning Players: Tad Chapin (RB/LB); Austin Newbrough (QB); Tylor Seehase (WR/LB)

District 3Outlook

2012 was a solid year for District 3, as Don Bosco (Gilbertville) took home the district crown before falling in the state championship game; Clarksville lost to the Dons just one game short of reaching the UNI-Dome and Janesville finished the year with a 7-3 record to take third place.

But 2013 could mark a step back for the district, with all three teams having to reload.

Fortunately for Don Bosco, all-everything quarterback Jake Hogan is back for his senior season. Hogan accounted for 3,727 yards of total offense and 59 touchdowns last season on his way to first team all-state honors.

The Dons will break in new running backs this season, with Mason Svoboda and T.J. Even looking to replace Tyler Backes after combining for 436 yards and 6 touchdowns. Travis Havel caught only 13 passes last season, but he hauled in 9 scores and will be Hogan’s new go-to receiver now that last year’s top three receivers are gone.

Defensively, Even returns as a dominating force at the line of scrimmage. He recorded 13.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks to lead the team in 2012. Even will be joined by Dalton Becker, who tallied 85 total stops and 8 tackles for loss.

Janesville should remain a district contender with senior Hunter Meyer under center. Meyer threw for 1,444 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air in 2012, and he also chipped in 568 yards and 11 scores as a runner.

Defensively, the Wildcats should prove tough for opposing offenses. Sam Meyne returns after posting 122 stops and 5 tackles for loss, and Caleb Rieken is back to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. Rieken ran up 80 tackles last season, including 16 for loss. Meyer also had 6 interceptions last year.

Tripoli missed the playoffs in 2012, but the Panthers could be in the running for one of the final two spots this season.

Quarterback Austin Newbrough accounted for 19 touchdowns and 1,247 yards of total offense, and he’ll have a solid supporting cast around him. Running backs Tad Chapin and Dylan Meister combined for 966 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, and wideout Tylor Seehase put up 406 receiving yards and 6 scores.

Chapin and Seehase are the two biggest defensive stars for the Wildcats; Chapin made 117 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and a pair of sacks, while Seehase made 96 takedowns and 4.5 tackles for loss.

Clarksville is in rebuilding mode and that opens the door for Riceville to grab a postseason bid.

Riceville will rely on senior signal caller Ryan Shedenhelm and its defense to reach the postseason again in 2013. Shedenhelm threw for 621 yards, rushed for 521 more and had 185 receiving yards while accounting for 20 total touchdowns.

The cupboard might appear a little bare offensively, but the Wildcats bring back several key defenders. Logan Shedenhelm headlines that group after making 139 tackles and 5 interceptions, and Josh Krukow posted 80 tackles — including 9 sacks — in 2012. Colton Reddel and Brandon Klaes made 64 and 61 takedowns, respectively.

This district was the toughest in the entire state last year, but the holes left behind by a stellar senior class give a chance to schools that were on the outside looking in last October.

Photo courtesy of Impact ImageryDon Bosco (Gilbertville)Jake Hogan

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) Don Bosco Dons2) Janesville wildcats3) tripoli panthers4) riceville wildcats

District 3Outlook


4DistrictTeams

Cedar valley Christian (0-9)

Nickname: HuskiesHead Coach: Ed Betsworth

Top returning Players: Eric Gustafson (WR); Daniel Ostroot (RB/LB); McKeon Silver (DB)

Central elkader (2-8)Nickname: Warriors

Head Coach: Tom Wilwert Top returning Players: Nathan Fitzgerald

(RB); Sam Hilgerson (TE/LB); Isaiah Hopp (QB/DB)

Central City (1-8)Nickname: Wildcats

Head Coach: Matt WeisTop returning Players: Deshawn Leudeman

(WR); David Mosher (QB/LB); Seth Schlotterbeck (WR)

easton valleyNickname: River Hawks

Head Coach: Kevin BehrTop returning Players: Andrew Driscoll (RB);

Logan Wilhelm (LB/P); Chase Zaruba (RB/DB)

Kee (lansing) (7-3)Nickname: Hawks

Head Coach: Neil GalemaTop returning Players: Nick Gavin (OL/DL);

Dylon Peterson (RB/DB/P); Jameson Peterson (RB/LB);

Midland (wyoming) (6-4)

Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Phil Whitman

Top returning Players: Hagan Ackley (QB); Ben Carstensen (LB); Ryan Eganhouse (OL/DL)

springville (8-3)Nickname: Orioles

Head Coach: Joe MartinTop returning Players: Elias Nissen (RB/LB);

Sam Scriver (QB); Tyler Stewart (OL/DL)

west Central (Maynard) (6-5)

Nickname: Blue DevilsHead Coach: Steve Milder

Top returning Players: Dalton Koch (OL/DL); James Niemann (DB); Joe Wolfe (DB)

District 4Outlook

Offense should be easy to find in District 4 this season. Many of the top passers and rushers are back for their respective squads, and that will produce a lot of high-scoring contests.

Preston and East Central (Miles) have consolidated and the Easton Valley River Hawks enter the season as prohibitive favorites. The reason they’re prohibitive is that their new quarterback, Craiton Andreson, has attempted just 6 passes in his varsity career. But running backs Andrew Driscoll and Chase Zaruba should allow Andreson time to settle in.

Driscoll and Zaruba combined for 2,666 rushing yards, 546 receiving yards and a whopping 58 total touchdowns as juniors. They were also electric special teams aces, as they scored four times on kick returns.

Defensively, Zaruba and Wilhelm headline a strong unit. Zaruba pulled down 8 interceptions in the secondary, and Wilhelm should give the River Hawks a solid pass rush after recording 9 stops for loss and 6 sacks as a junior.

Springville will feature a balanced offense this season, as 1,200-yard passer Sam Scriver and 1,200-yard rusher Elias Nissen both return to lead the Orioles. The duo combined for 46 touchdowns in 2012.

Tyler Stewart leads the Orioles’ defense and recorded 96 total stops last season, including 15.5 for loss and 6.5 sacks. Nissen collected 74 tackles and 3 interceptions.

Kee (Lansing) lost a little more firepower than Springville and Easton Valley, but the Hawks should still be able to light up the scoreboard, as long as tailback Jameson Peterson stays healthy.

Peterson rushed for 1,347 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012, and he’ll headline the

Hawks’ offense again this year. Dylon Peterson will provide sure hands for the new quarterback. Peterson had 350 yards and 4 scores on the ground, but he also tallied 488 receiving yards and another 8 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Hawks will have some holes to fill, but will bring back three of their top playmakers. Nick Gavin piled up an impressive 20.5 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks. Gavin was backed by the Petersons, who combined for 130 stops and 8 tackles for loss. Dylon Peterson also hauled in 6 interceptions.

The battle for the final playoff bid in this district should be tight, with Midland (Wyoming) and Central Elkader duking it out.

Midland lost a lot to graduation, but the Eagles bring back enough offensive firepower to stay in the playoff discussion. Quarterback Hagan Ackley threw for 1,613 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2012. The Eagles also have Ben Carstensen and Ryan Eganhouse on defense, who piled up 203 total tackles.

Central Elkader will have the more balanced offense of the two teams. No player stood out as a star in 2012, but the Warriors had a host of solid players.

Isaiah Hopp and Nathan Fitzgerald led the ground game last season; Fitzgerald posted 796 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Hopp ran for 706 yards and 11 scores. Hopp also threw for 860 yards with 9 touchdowns and his favorite target, tight end Sam Hilgerson, is back. Hilgerson had 528 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns in 2012.

This may be the deepest district in 8-man this year, and the electric offenses should keep fans on the edges of their seats all year.

Photo courtesy of Daryl Schepanski/Anamosa Journal-EurekaSpringvilleelias Nissen

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) easton valley river hawks2) springville orioles3) kee hawks4) Midland eagles


5DistrictTeams

Hlv (victor) (9-1)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Kevin SmithTop returning Players: Parker Cataldo (RB); Louis Kriegel (DL); Dakota Stults (QB/P)

Melcher-Dallas (7-2)Nickname: SaintsHead Coach: Mike HorstmanTop returning Players: Kale Critchlow (RB/DB); Chase Wetterling (DB)

Meskwaki settlement (Tama) (3-6)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Todd DaleTop returning Players: Terrell Grant (QB/RB/DB); Tyus Grant (QB/RB/LB); Royce Timberwolf (WR/DB/P)

Moravia (1-9)Nickname: MohawksHead Coach: Denny WhitlowTop returning Players: Briar Cochran (QB); Tyler Knapp (QB); Gunner Miller (RB/LB)

seymour (1-8)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Garrison CarterTop returning Players: Justin Brown (RB/TE/DL/P); Chet Clark (DB); Nick Howell (QB)

Tri-County (Thornburg) (2-7)Nickname: TrojansHead Coach: Scott EdmundsonTop returning Players: Josh Edmundson (RB/DB); Trenton Steinke (DB); Nick Watts (QB)

Twin Cedars (Bussey) (5-5)Nickname: SabersHead Coach: Jared JensenTop returning Players: Corey Harrell (OL/DL); Brent Parker (QB); Otis Roby (WR)

wayne (Corydon) (7-3)Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Bart ElliottTop returning Players: Clayton Kiefer (RB/LB); Dillon Lain (QB/DB); Evan Sinclair (OL/DL)

District 5Outlook

District 5 saw a pair of new squads in 2012, with HLV (Victor) and Wayne dropping down to 8-man after playing 11-man in 2011. The Warriors took the district crown with an undefeated regular season, and the Falcons (7-2 regular season) qualified for the state playoffs for the first time since 1989. Both figure to be district title contenders again this season.

The Warriors return quarterback Dakota Stults, and will look to senior Parker Cataldo and junior Tanner Strudthoff to tote the rock. Cataldo and Strudthoff combined for 291 yards and 6 touchdowns on only 30 carries, so there is reason to believe the Warrior rushing attack will deliver big plays again, despite losing all-state tailback Cole Lahndorf to graduation.

Junior defensive end Louis Kriegel should give HLV a strong pass rush. He tallied 26.5 tackles for loss last season — including 9 sacks — and finished the year with 94 total stops. Cataldo also posted 71 tackles and 4 interceptions.

The Falcons return most of their key players from last season. First team all-district tailback Clayton Kiefer and quarterback Dillon Lain lead the Falcons’ offensive attack. Kiefer rushed for 1,308 yards and 23 scores a year ago, and Lain threw for 1,265 yards and 19 touchdowns. Wideout Trent Carpenter will be the go-to receiver and has speed to burn, so look for the coaches to get him the ball in open space.

Defensively, the Falcons will look to Evan Sinclair to be a consistent interior presence. He posted 67 tackles last year, including 11 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, en route to being named first team all-district. But Wayne will be without

star linebacker C.D. Kunzie, who led the team with 111 stops last year and tore his ACL during summer workouts.

Twin Cedars claimed the final playoff bid last year and appears poised to make a repeat trip to the postseason. The Sabers return quarterback Brent Parker, who led the district with 1,660 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and a 172.1 passer rating. He’ll have junior Otis Roby and senior Hunter Embray to target this fall.

Twin Cedars also returns its top four rushers, led by seniors Drew Carlson and Tim Loeffler, who combined for 697 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.

Tri-County, Thornburg and Meskwaki Settlement School both missed the playoffs in 2012, but will likely be in contention for the final spot this year.

The Trojans were young in the backfield last season and struggled to run the ball. But juniors Josh Edmundson and Jake Brumbaugh have a year of experience under their belts and will try to lend balance to an offense led by quarterback Nick Watts. Watts, who threw for 834 yards last season, has nearly all of his receivers back.

The Warriors are led by the Grants, Terrell and Tyus, who did a little of everything last season. They split time at quarterback, combining for 923 passing yards and 12 touchdowns; they were the team’s top two rushers with 791 total yards and 11 scores. They also put up 232 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The district championship should come down to the late-season matchup between Wayne and HLV in Corydon, so be sure not to miss it!

Photo by Tork MasonWayne (Corydon)Clayton Kiefer

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) wayne falcons2) Hlv warriors3) Twin Cedars sabers4) meskwaki warriors

District 5Outlook


6DistrictTeams

adair-Casey (10-2)Nickname: Bombers

Head Coach: Wade AndersonTop returning Players: Traeton Jensen (RB/

DB); Clayton Plowman (RB/LB); Charlie Terry (RB/DL)

ankeny Christian academy (1-9)

Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: John R. Sparks

Top returning Players: Luke Alessio (RB/DB); Taylor Hobbs (TE/DL/P); Noah Szymanski (QB)

Colo-Nesco (1-8)Nickname: Royals

Head Coach: Bill HuebnerTop returning Players: Alex Griffin (TE/DL);

Taylor Hill (QB/RB/DB)

east Union (afton) (3-7)Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Steve KinyonTop returning Players: Trevor Barnett (QB);

Sean Schmitz (WR); Jonathan Weis (RB)

Grandview Park Baptist (Des Moines) (4-5)

Nickname: DefendersHead Coach: John Safford

Top returning Players: Antonyo Arrasmith (RB/LB); Nate Davidson (WR/DB/P); Ben Thompson (LB)

lamoni (7-4)Nickname: Demons

Head Coach: Brian NowlinTop returning Players: Caleb Heltenberg (TE/

DL); Colton Ranney (DB); Jacob Williams (RB/DB)

Mormon Trail (Garden Grove) (2-7)

Nickname: SaintsHead Coach: Travis Johnson

Top returning Players: Jakob Horton (RB); Brett Leer (LB/P); Joe Minnick (RB)

Murray (12-1)Nickname: Mustangs

Head Coach: Keith ShieldsTop returning Players: Seth Nerness (RB/TE/

DL); Andrew Rider (RB/DB); Sam Rockhold (TE/DL)

District 6Outlook

Murray has reached the UNI-Dome in each of the past two years, but 2013 should mark the Adair-Casey Bombers’ return to Cedar Falls.

The Bombers feature senior running back and Sports Spotlight Preseason Player of the Year Clayton Plowman, who rushed for 2,141 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2012 and pushed Adair-Casey to the state quarterfinals.

The Bombers have always been a strong running team, and Plowman isn’t the only offensive weapon teams should worry about. Running back Traeton Jensen ran for 491 yards and 10 scores a year ago, and Charlie Terry tallied 465 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Defensively, Terry, Jensen and Plowman give the Bombers a solid core around which to build. Terry piled up 109 tackles, including 4 for loss as a linebacker; Jensen had 62 stops and 8.5 for loss, while Plowman had 40 tackles — 7 for loss — and 3 interceptions.

Murray will have a strong team, despite losing the prolific pitch-and-catch duo of Austin Halls and Cody Scroggie. The Mustangs will rely more heavily on the running game, rather than the high-flying passing attack they’ve utilized lately.

Running backs Seth Nerness and Andrew Rider form a potent 1-2 punch at tailback and will be expected to shoulder the load. The tandem combined for 1,984 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, and that was with Rider missing time with injury. Rider also had 5 special teams touchdowns.

Whoever steps in at quarterback will have a couple solid options to look to, though. Nerness had 342 receiving yards last season, and tight end

Sam Rockhold posted 203 yards; both players caught 6 touchdown passes a year ago.

The men in the trenches will be the strength of the Mustang defense, and might be the best unit in the entire state. Rockhold, Nerness and George Barber collected a whopping 53 tackles for loss and 19 sacks and should create chaos in opposing backfields.

Lamoni reached the playoffs last season and should expect to make a return trip this time around. Replacing quarterback Jackson Carr will be a challenge, but nearly all the other key players from last season are back.

Running backs Jacob Williams and Daniel Ansong combined for 921 yards and 8 touchdowns, but they’ll be counted on to pick up the slack left by Carr. Wideout Caleb Heltenberg will give the new quarterback a dependable target; he had 613 receiving yards and caught 13 touchdown passes in 2012.

The Demon defense should make a habit of being in the backfield. Five players — Williams, Heltenberg, Colton Ranney, Darin Martin and Danny Savage — teamed up to record 70 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks last season.

East Union should take the final playoff spot by riding quarterback Trevor Barnett. Barnett passed for just under 1,500 yards and 26 touchdowns as a junior, and he also added 318 yards and another 7 scores on the ground. He’ll have senior wideout Sean Schmitz to pass to; Schmitz had 545 receiving yards and 10 touchdown grabs in 2012.

Few districts have a pair of legitimate state title contenders, but District 6 has a couple teams capable of making a run for the crown in 2013.

Photo courtesy of Larry Peterson/Creston News AdvertiserMurrayseth Nerness

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) adair-casey bombers2) murray mustangs3) lamoni demons4) east union eagles


7DistrictTeams

ar-we-va (westside) (2-7)Nickname: RocketsHead Coach: Phil SnyderTop returning Players: Austin Stoelk (QB/DB/P); Randy Thomsen (LB)

Boyer valley (Dunlap) (5-4)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Jay PetersenTop returning Players: Reed Block (WR/DB); Nick Klein (RB/DB); Nathan Rudd (RB/LB)

Charter Oak-Ute (2-7)Nickname: BobcatsHead Coach: Adam EggelingTop returning Players: Joey Krier (QB/LB); Matt Staley (OL/DL); Logan Vinke (WR)

Coon rapids-Bayard (7-5)Nickname: CrusadersHead Coach: Dan SpoonerTop returning Players: Brett Carstens (QB/RB/DB); Caylor Deeth (P); Zach Evans (DB)

exira/elk Horn-Kimballton (12-1) Nickname: SpartansHead Coach: Scott Yates/Tom PetersenTop returning Players: Drew Peppers (QB/DB/P); Nick Peppers (RB/LB); Trey Sander (RB/DL)

Glidden-ralston (9-3)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Kreg LenschTop returning Players: Dan Ertz (OL/DL); Jason Grossman (LB); Aaron Rodriguez (QB)

west Harrison (Mondamin) (5-4)Nickname: HawkeyesHead Coach: Craig BirdsallTop returning Players: Tyler Birdsall (QB/RB/DB/P); Keenan Nunez (WR/DB); Jake Roden (RB)

woodbine (5-5)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Jason StrongTop returning Players: Lucas Hedstrom (DB); Tanner Hedstrom (DB); Craig Royer (RB)

District 7Outlook

Last season saw three District 7 squads advance to the second round of the playoffs, and two reached the state quarterfinals. The district might not be as deep this year, but at least one very strong team should emerge this fall.

Exira-EHK fell in the state semifinals in 2012, and the Spartans can be counted upon to contend for the crown again this season.

They return the three-headed rushing monster of quarterback Drew Peppers and running backs Trey Sander and Nick Peppers, and that should give the Spartans all the offensive firepower they need. That group combined to run for 3,832 yards and 73 touchdowns a year ago, and Drew Peppers also added 703 passing yards and 7 touchdowns.

Defensively, that same trio is central to the Spartans’ success. Nick Peppers piled up 165 tackles — 19.5 for loss — and 6 sacks, while Drew Peppers collected 99 stops and 9 interceptions. Sander and Joe Harris recorded 61 and 58 tackles, respectively. Sander also had 4 interceptions.

Coon Rapids-Bayard utilized a wide-open aerial attack a year ago and led the state in passing yards, but will be breaking in a new quarterback this fall. Whoever steps under center will have one of the best receiving tandems in the entire state at his disposal, though.

Wide receiver Caylor Deeth had 1,075 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 2012 and fellow senior Spencer Winnett posted 414 yards and 11 scores. They can both stretch the field and should cause nightmares for opposing defenses.

The Crusaders might have the saltiest defense in the district this year, too. They bring back eight of their top ten tacklers from last year, including

Winnett, Zach Evans and Sam Halverson. Winnett and Halverson tallied 34.5 stops for loss and 17 sacks in 2012; Evans totaled 116 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Glidden-Ralston will be replacing running back Mitchell Lensch, but the Wildcats return enough on defense to expect another playoff trip.

Dan Ertz is one of the best defensive linemen in the state and he’s back to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. Ertz collected 124 total tackles with 31.5 stops for loss and 19.5 sacks in 2012. He also recovered three fumbles and took two back for points.

Jason Grossman will join Ertz up front. Grossman had 60 tackles — 12.5 of which were for loss — and 6 sacks, and he also recovered 7 fumbles and took one back for a score. Adam Ewoldt tallied 81 tackles and a pair of interceptions behind the dominating duo in the trenches.

West Harrison (Mondamin) didn’t make the postseason last year, but the Hawkeyes should take a big step forward behind the legs of Tyler Birdsall and Jake Roden. Birdsall led the team in rushing with 1,545 yards and 27 touchdowns, and Roden chipped in with 789 yards and 14 scores.

Birdsall also collected 120 tackles and picked off 3 passes, and was a major threat on special teams. He averaged 25 yards per kick return and 32 yards per punt return — thanks to a trio of punt return touchdowns.

This district was strong last year and the Spartans should be one of the top contenders for the state title. But don’t be surprised if the Crusaders steal a win against them.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Nixon/Coon Rapids EnterpriseCoon Rapids-BayardCaylor Deeth

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) eXira-eHK spartans2) Cr-b crusaders3) glidden-ralston wildcats4) west harrison hawkeyes

District 7Outlook


8DistrictTeams

CaM (anita) (7-4)Nickname: Cougars

Head Coach: Joe WollumTop returning Players: Dylan Amdor (RB/

DB); Brady Runyan (RB/LB); Trace Ticknor (LB)

essex (4-6)Nickname: Trojans

Head Coach: Michael AlmquistTop returning Players: Brett Johnson (OL/

DL); Jacob Jones (RB/LB); Austin Woods (DB)

Fremont-Mills (Tabor) (8-2)

Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Jeremy Christiansen

Top returning Players: Mackenzy Lang (RB/DB/P); Spencer Phillips (RB/DL); Austin Switzer (QB)

lenox (6-4)Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Allen DukesTop returning Players: Spencer Brown (OL/

LB); Hugo Montiel (RB/LB); Todd Stoaks (OL/DL)

Nishnabotna (1-8)Nickname: Blue Devils

Head Coach: Toby YoungTop returning Players: Robby Bruce (RB/

LB); Lucas Pauley (DB); Andrew Welch (QB/DB)

sidney (10-1)Nickname: Cowboys

Head Coach: Donnie SearsTop returning Players: Michael Coates (DB);

Erick Rodriguez (LB/P); Drake Strickler (LB)

southwest valleyNickname: Timberwolves

Head Coach:

Top returning Players: Zach Barton (FB/DL); Keegan Longabaugh (OL/DL); Gunner McCuen (RB/DB)

stanton (2-7)Nickname: Vikings

Head Coach: Jeff GrebinTop returning Players: Alex Becthold (LB);

Cade Confer (RB/LB); David Sorensen (WR)

District 8Outlook

District 8 had a rough time in the 2012 playoffs, with only district champion Sidney getting past the first round, but there should still be solid squads this season.

CAM (Anita) is a prohibitive favorite to take the district title after Sidney lost nearly all of its offensive firepower. The Cougars will rely on the strong rushing tandem of Dylan Amdor and Brady Runyan, who ran for a combined 1,667 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago.

The Cougars also have a good core of defenders back. Runyan returns after tallying 92 stops, and Amdor had 7 stops for loss in 2012. Trace Tickner and Austin Williamson collected 69 and 65 tackles, respectively.

Fremont-Mills should make yet another postseason appearance this fall. They return running backs Spencer Phillips and Mackenzy Lang, who totaled 19 rushing touchdowns last year, and quarterback Austin Switzer. Switzer threw for 485 yards and 9 scores, and chipped in 253 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

Those three will be key players on defense, as well. Phillips had 14 tackles for loss, while Switzer and Lang pulled down 5 interceptions.

Without former signal caller Mason Peterson, Lenox’s offense may take some time to find traction, but the defense should be stout.

Seniors Hugo Montiel and Todd Stoaks and junior Caleb Lange were frequent guests in the backfield. The trio compiled 35.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. Montiel also had a pair of interceptions. Senior linebacker Dustin Gordon returns after making 82 takedowns a year ago.

The Tiger offense will be in transition, but

running backs Dustyn Rauch, Gordon and Montiel should give the new field general a chance to ease into the job. The group totaled 1,148 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2012, and those numbers should rise with a bigger role in the offense. Gordon and Lange also pulled down 10 touchdown catches.

Sidney and Southwest Valley could be in a tough battle for the final playoff bid. The Cowboys lost a lot from last year’s 10-1 squad, but the defense might bring back enough to punch a postseason ticket.

Drake Strickler is the top tackler with 88 stops and 13.5 tackles for loss last season. He’ll be joined by Erick Rodriguez and his 64 tackles and 7 stops for loss, including 3 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Senior Brett Horrach tallied 10 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks a year ago, and defensive back Michael Coates had 79 stops and 4 picks.

The Timberwolves return a more balanced team, with fullback Zach Barton and running back Tyler Bissell back in the fold. That duo, as well as quarterback Jordan Stuart, teamed up to rush for 1,787 yards and 24 scores. Stuart also threw for 449 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Timberwolves feature Keegan Longabaugh, who had 106 tackles last year — including 8 stops for loss and 4 sacks. Barton and Kallan Schmelzer should also make plays. Barton collected 88 tackles and a pair of picks, while Schmelzer had 60 stops and 2 sacks.

District 8 has a tough playoff draw again this year, but you never know when a team might pull a postseason upset and make a run.

Photo courtesy of Drew Herron / Atlantic News-TelegraphCAM (Anita)Dylan amdor

class 8P

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) CaM Cougars2) Fremont-Mills Knights3) lenox Tigers4) sidney Cowboys

SportsSpotlight.com

all-state

TeaMPRESEASON

Offense

Defense


NameBryan KriegelCody WoodJoe BurgmeierChase ClarkKenneth ClaryChance HoffmanMarshall NielandCody IcenogleJeff KuhensMichael StoryMatt WielandBJ WeepieKyle Gritsch

SchoolB-G-MHighlandNewman CatholicGladbrook-Reinbeck

GriswoldAkron-WestfieldWoodward-Granger

Lone TreeStarmontEast MillsLone TreeWapsie ValleyB-G-M

YrSR SR SR SRSR SR SR SRSRSRSRSR SR


NameAdam HawkinsBrady HookLevi PaulsenBailee SamsonKaleb HeyerStone KaneLogan RickardMichael StoryT.J. CunninghamBrock GivensJack KlineKane Barker

SchoolB-G-MGrundy CenterWoodbury Central

Lynnville-SullyWest LyonWapsie ValleyLisbonEast MillsLynnville-SullyLisbonB-G-MMontezuma

YrSR SR JR SRSR SR SR SR SR SRSR SR

Class aOverview

Wapsie Valley made it through 2012 with an unblemished record as the Warriors claimed their fourth state championship. But a new champion will likely emerge this season.

It’s usually a safe bet to assume Wapsie Valley will have a strong team, but the Warriors simply lost too much to put them in the title conversation this early. They lost the offensive big 3 in quarterback Mitchell Boevers, running back Tyler Odneal and wideout Kenny Saulsberry, and don’t have many proven players returning, leaving the state title up for grabs.

BGM (Brooklyn) made it all the way to the semifinals before bowing out last year, and the Bears are primed to make a return trip at the very least. They bring back senior running backs, Jack Kline and Kyle Gritsch, who combined to rush for 2,439 yards and 28 touchdowns as juniors. Also returning is 1,000-yard passer Bryan Kriegel, who connected for 10 more scores through the air.

The Bears should be particularly tough on defense, as they bring back seven of their top eight tacklers from last season. That includes linebackers Adam Hawkins and Gritsch, who posted 149 and 143 stops, respectively. The defense, as a whole, returns players who combined for 87 tackles for loss and 14 interceptions a year ago.

West Lyon and Griswold both finished in the top four in Class A in rushing and are two more squads which return their leading rushers and should field strong defenses. That sets them up as two of the top challengers to BGM.

West Lyon features a trio of homerun threats

in the backfield. Running backs Kaleb Heyer and Kyle Groeneweg averaged 8.5 and 7.1 yards per carry, respectively, and quarterback Brandon Snyder ran at a whopping 9.2-yard clip. Together, the three ran for 1,939 yards and 26 touchdowns. Snyder also passed for 421 yards and 7 more scores.

The Wildcats should also have a strong defense, as they return most of the group that allowed just 9.5 points per game last year. They’ll have to fill the voids left by departed sack artist Jordan Schemmel (10 sacks), and defensive backs Jacob Meyer (5 interceptions) and Cole Grotewold (4 interceptions).

Griswold will have a new signal-caller, but the Tigers’ offense isn’t built around throwing the ball. Running backs Kenneth Clary, Tyler Muhlbauer and Caleb Schaaf are all back after combining for 2,708 yards and 30 scores on the ground in 2012.

Defensively, the Tigers bring back several of their top players from a year ago, including Austin Lorenz, who tallied 91 stops and 3 sacks as a junior. Replacing Josh Metheny (138 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss) could prove challenging, however.

There are always surprise teams out there, though. It only takes a team getting hot at the right time to make a championship push, as Hinton nearly did last season by reaching the championship game after finishing third in its district. Be sure to follow all of this season’s action with Sports Spotlight to get the inside scoop!

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Opportunity rarely knocks twice. When the knock came for Joe Burgmeier, he was prepared to capitalize and has since set out to join the elite among Iowa fullbacks.

As a sophomore on the Mason City Newman football team, Burgmeier was called to fill a void on the varsity roster. With injuries at fullback, he became the newest addition to the Wing-T offense.

“We are a run-it-up-the-gut, pound-it-up-the-middle-until-you-can-break-one offense,” Burgmeier said. “That’s our game plan, and I like the physicality of it all. I like the contact aspect of the sport.”

Newman hHead cCoach Randy Dirksen agreed that Burgmeier’s physical, straight-ahead style is what makes him a talented player.

“Joe is an exceptional football player; everything you think about in terms of football. He’s incredibly durable. His physicality and durability, he never comes up with bumps or bruises,” Dirksen said. “He’s talented; he’s patient. He’s blessed with those abilities, but his strongest points lie in his love for the game.”

Despite not being the starter at the onset of the 2011 season, Burgmeier erupted as a standout fullback, running; for 1,541 yards at a 6.4 yard average, and adding 25 touchdowns.

Burgmeier’s fantastic season was part of the recent run of postseason appearances for Newman’s football team. DSince a 9-0 turnaround season in 2007, the school has made a series of runs at a state championship.

Though the team’s philosophy in leadership roles has changed and there are no official captains, players like Burgmeier have stepped up as individuals and have been leaders in the program.

“One of the biggest things I saw come out in Joe last year was his concern for other athletes,” Dirksen said. “He gets them involved, and it just comes naturally to him. Seeing him in the weight room, he

will be quick to notice freshmen doing something well and will comment on them. It’s those things that make athletics special.”

Aside from his success on the football field, Burgmeier has also excelled as a member of the Newman baseball team. Burgmeier has been a consistent performer on the diamond, a top player in hits and RBIs.

Burgmeier also has the unique opportunity of playing high school hockey in Iowa. His first venture onto the ice was with the Mason City Mohawks, as a team from the Midwest High School Hockey League.

Even with all of his accomplishments in other sporting realms, Burgmeier feels most at home on the football field. The Burgmeier family has a long lineage of football excellence.

“I played football in college, my father played football in college,” Joe’s father, Dan, said. “The sport has been a big part of our family.”

Dan has seen his son grow through football, and it has provided the younger Burgmeier with an avenue to apply both his intangible and athletic skills.

“You have to be aggressive and physical, and he’s that way in both football and hockey. I think they go well together,” Dan said. “It’s fun to see your kid have passion about some things, and he definitely has passion about those sports, so we let him go with it and try to encourage him to do his best.”

Burgmeier’s success in the 2012 season primed him for a great senior year. His junior season featured Class A top-10 numbers across the board: 236 carries, 1501 yards and 19 touchdowns. The stellar performance earned Burgmeier Second Team All-State honors from Sports Spotlight and Iowapreps.com, as well as Third Team honors from the Iowa Newspaper Association.

In spite of the great season Burgmeier and his teammates had, the 6-3 campaign came to an end

with an upset against Hinton in the playoff substate round. After tasting the sweet glory of playing at the UNI-Dome in 2011, the Knights know what their season goal is, but know the road won’t be easy.

Britt-West Hancock took home the Class A District 2 title last year, topping Newman for the regular season title. While the head-to-head contest may not have gone the Knights’ way, Burgmeier appreciates the rivalries that have been forged in the district.

“The Britt game was awesome last year, it was a packed house,” Burgmeier said. “They should be good again but it’s not just the two teams. Our district is stacked and it should be a fun year.”

The two schools will not be alone in their battle for district supremacy. With Prairie Valley-Gowrie and AGWSR (Ackley) returning from winning seasons, and postseason staple Algona Bishop Garrigan in the fold, the quest for playoff bids is expected to come down to the wire.

Newman Catholic will also square off with 2011 1A state champion St. Ansgar and perennial power Fort Dodge-St. Edmonds in non-district games.

Newman’s talent will be based on quality over quantity. Burgmeier is one of only a handful of returning starters from last year’s team.

“There’s a lot of good kids in these junior and senior classes. We don’t have a lot of experience back, but a lot of talent,” Dirksen said.

No matter the when, where or how, Burgmeier has found a way to get the job done for the Knights. On the ice, the diamond or the gridiron, the multi-sport star has been guided by passion for the game. It is this passion that the Newman Catholic football team and its All-State fullback will look to implore to attain another successful season.

Joe Burgmeier

a Player in the spotlight

Photos courtesy of Jackie Blake Jensen/IC Pixx

Photo courtesy of Beth Weepie

BJ weePie

by Darrin Cline

www.agentkeithh.com


1DistrictTeams

akron-westfield (10-2)Nickname: WesternersHead Coach: Eric WalkingstickTop returning Players: Cody Bosse (LB); Chance Hoffman (WR); John Wolthuizen (DL)

alta/aurelia (1-8)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Kevin HammerTop returning Players: Manuel Murillo (RB/DB); Conner Napierala (OL/DL); Michael Stender (RB/DB)

Hinton (10-4)Nickname: BlackhawksHead Coach: Steve Diediker & Bruce HeldTop returning Players: Jake Hasselquist (WR/LB); Mitchell Hoefling (OL/DL); Logan Jurgensmeier (LB/P)

lawton-Bronson (6-3)Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Chad MosemanTop returning Players: Anteres Ashley (RB); Blake Sappingfield (RB/DB); Kyle Peterson (WR)

sibley-Ocheyedan (1-8) Nickname: GeneralsHead Coach: Craig ParkinsonTop returning Players: Alex Fisher (LB); Dalton Frick (RB); Ethan Mino (QB)

west lyon (inwood) (9-2)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Jay RoozeboomTop returning Players: Kyle Groeneweg (LB); Kaleb Heyer (RB/DB/P); Brandon Snyder (QB/DB/K)

west sioux (Hawarden) (2-7)Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Clint McKeeTop returning Players: Justin Negaard (LB); Jesus Rivera (QB/P); Mitch Schlumbohm (RB/LB)

woodbury Central (Moville) (6-4)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Kelly MankerTop returning Players: Luke Klingensmith (DB); Lane Nichols (RB/LB); Levi Paulsen (OL/DL)

District 1Outlook

Hinton made a Cinderella run to the Class A championship after finishing third in District 1 last season, so this district has proven to be wide-open in the past. It will be even tougher to predict this year, with defending district champion Akron-Westfield and Hinton having lost many of their best players from last fall.

West Lyon (Inwood) enters this season as the favorite after playing bridesmaid in 2012. The Wildcats bring back a deep rushing attack, led by senior running back Kaleb Heyer. Heyer ran for 905 yards and 15 touchdowns as the primary ball carrier, but he has plenty of help behind him, too.

Quarterback Brandon Snyder and running backs Kyle Groeneweg, Marty Pottebaum and Bennett Feuchtenberger combined for 1,433 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground in 2012. Snyder also tossed for 421 yards and 7 scores.

Heyer and Snyder also lead the Wildcat defense. Heyer racked up 94 total tackles, including 5 for loss, 2 sacks and an interception. Snyder only had 47 tackles, but he pulled down 5 interceptions as a defensive back.

Lawton-Bronson finished 6-3 and missed the playoffs in a tiebreaker, but the Eagles could finish as high as second in 2013. Running backs Blake Sappingfield, Anteres Ashley and Brandon Thompson give the offense plenty of options on the ground. They tag-teamed to run for 1,322 yards and 20 touchdowns a year ago, and Sappingfield also had 214 receiving yards with another 3 scores.

The question for the Eagles will be if they can stop opposing offenses, as they have a lot of holes to fill defensively.

Akron-Westfield will have to replace former quarterback Cody Eskra and former tailback Taylor James, a duo that accounted for nearly

3,500 yards of total offense and 47 touchdowns and left a big void for new faces to fill.

The new quarterback will have the services of senior wideout Chance Hoffman. Hoffman had 1,003 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago and should give the Westerners a balanced attack.

Senior Cody Bosse leads the defense after making 92 stops last year. He will be joined by John Wolthuizen, who tallied 51 tackles, including 3 sacks, last fall.

Hinton also has reloading to do — departed quarterback Morgan Wenzel and running back Dalton Becker combined for over 4,000 yards of offense and 55 touchdowns — but the Blackhawks still have a shot at a postseason berth.

Senior receiver Jake Hasselquist is the team’s top offensive playmaker after recording 499 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns last year. Cole Johnston will be expected to step in for Becker after running for 214 yards and 2 scores in 2012.

Defensively, Logan Jurgensmeier and Mitchell Hoefling are back after making 79 and 43 tackles, respectively. Jurgensmeier also had 2 interceptions.

Woodbury Central (Moville) will rely on its defense to fight for a postseason bid. Juniors Luke Klingensmith and Lane Nichols are the standouts from last year’s playoff squad. Klingensmith made 101 tackles, 9.5 of which came in the backfield, while Nichols made 92 stops and 9.5 tackles for loss with a pair of sacks.

The Wildcats also bring back Landon Paulsen, Levi Paulsen and Schuyler Rilling, who combined to make 17 tackles for loss and 9 sacks.

This district didn’t stay on-script in the 2012 playoffs, and this year could produce an even more unpredictable bunch of teams.

Photo courtesy of Dan PaulsenWoodbury Central (Moville)levi and landon Paulsen

class a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) wesT lyON wilDCaTs2) lawTON-BrONsON eaGles3) aKrON-wesTFielD wesTerNers4) HiNTON BlaCKHawKs

District 1Outlook


2DistrictTeams

aGwsr (ackley) (6-4) Nickname: Cougars

Head Coach: Skip EckhardtTop returning Players: Carson Lutterman

(LB); Clay Meinders (RB/LB); Levi Stockdale (LB)

Belmond-Klemme (4-5) Nickname: Broncos

Head Coach: Dar ChristiansenTop returning Players: Dustin Bruns (OL/

DL); Elijah Kinseth (QB/DL/K/P); Taylor Meints (LB)

Bishop Garrigan (algona) (4-6)

Nickname: Golden BearsHead Coach: Marty Wadle

Top returning Players: Brayton Loss (WR/DB/K); Chris Loss (WR/DB/P); Reece Wadle (QB)

lake Mills (3-6)Nickname: Bulldogs

Head Coach: Bill ByrnesTop returning Players: Hunter Kingland

(QB); Andrew Olsen (DL); Paul Pins (WR/P)

Newman Catholic (Mason City) (6-4)

Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Mike Dirksen

Top returning Players: Joe Burgmeier (RB/LB); Jack Fitzgerald (QB/DB); Carter Niedermayer (RB)

Prairie valley (Gowrie) (6-4)

Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Mike Swieter

Top returning Players: Austin Promes (RB); Clayton Taylor (OL/DL); Ryan True (QB)

southeast webster-Grand (Burnside) (2-7)

Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Tim Anderlik

Top returning Players: Curt Castenson (QB); Spencer Fluckiger (LB); Trey Kahl-Long (LB)

west Hancock (Britt) (9-2)

Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Bob Sanger

Top returning Players: Jacob Hejlik (QB/DB); Drew Redenius (P)

class aDistrict 2Outlook

West Hancock (Britt) was the only squad from District 2 to move beyond the first round of the playoffs last year, but there are a couple teams that could advance this season.

Newman Catholic (Mason City) will lean heavily on Class A Preseason Player of the Year Joe Burgmeier. Burgmeier rushed for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior and is the spearhead for the Knights’ offense. He’ll be supported by Carter Niedermayer and Trystan Mariner, who combined for 452 yards and 6 scores in reserve duty.

The question for the Knights will be whether they can stop the ball on defense. The returning group isn’t particularly deep, but there are a few playmakers still around. Burgmeier is the top tackler among the returnees after tallying 75 stops and an interception in 2012. Defensive back Jack Fitzgerald notched 42 tackles and one takedown for loss, and Niedermayer pulled down 3 interceptions.

Belmond-Klemme didn’t reach the postseason in 2012, but the Broncos could make a serious run for a berth this season. Senior quarterback Elijah Kinseth was an all-purpose threat a year ago; he passed for 860 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding another 484 yards and a score on the ground. He’ll also have two sets of reliable hands to target. Josh Gavin and Korby Sander combined for 594 yards and 7 touchdowns last season.

The Broncos also bring back several of their top defensive players, including Taylor Meints and Dustin Bruns. Meints made 107 stops as a freshman last year, while Bruns recorded 100 total tackles. Sander and Kinseth made 88 and 65 tackles, respectively, and Kinseth made 4 interceptions.

Prairie Valley will aim another postseason berth following its 6-4 campaign a year ago, and the Warriors have a few of their key players back this season to make that happen.

The offense is headlined by senior running back Austin Promes and junior quarterback Ryan True. Promes rushed for 642 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, while True tossed for 571 yards and 4 scores as a sophomore.

Defensively, Clayton Taylor provides the Warriors a strong presence in the trenches. The senior recorded 104 tackles, including 5 stops for loss and 3 sacks. Senior defensive back Austin Wood tallied 38 tackles and an interception.

Bishop Garrigan (Algona) is a historically strong program. The Golden Bears reached the playoffs last year, but didn’t have the caliber of team their fans are accustomed to. They went 4-6 a year ago but might have the pieces to improve that mark in 2013.

Junior quarterback Reece Wadle threw for 879 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for another 548 yards and 7 scores, and he’ll be expected to lead the offense again this year. He’ll have senior wideout Chris Loss at his disposal; Loss had 300 receiving yards and 3 touchdown catches last season.

The Golden Bear defense will feature Neal Koob and Brayton Loss, who posted 63 and 56 tackles, respectively. Loss also made a pair of picks.

Lake Mills could challenge for the final playoff berth, though, so long as quarterback Hunter Kingland stays healthy. He threw for 1,298 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior last season.

This district figures to be very competitive from top to bottom, so follow along with Sports Spotlight and catch all the action!

Photo courtesy of Lake Mills Graphiclake millshunter kingland

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) NewMaN CaTHOliC KNiGHTs2) BelMOND-KleMMe BrONCOs3) Prairie valley warriOrs4) BisHOP GarriGaN GOlDeN Bears


3DistrictTeams

east Buchannan (winthrop) (3-6)Nickname: BuccaneersHead Coach: Matt FinnTop returning Players: Tyler Hoffman (OL/DL); Mason McGraw (WR); Tenton Neuhaus (DB)

edgewood-Colesburg (0-9) Nickname: VikingsHead Coach: Rob PetscheTop returning Players: Jamie Nefzger (RB/LB); Paul Olinger (DB); Colton Wegmann (RB)

North Butler (Greene) (6-4)Nickname: BearcatsHead Coach: Mark RuschTop returning Players: Cody Nelson (QB/DB); Dillon Rademaker (TE/LB)

North linn (Troy Mills) (4-5)Nickname: LynxHead Coach: Jared CollumTop returning Players: Andrew McEvoy (WR/DB)

Postville (2-7)Nickname: PiratesHead Coach: Ray RankinTop returning Players: Riley Brockway (RB/LB); Alex Pfister (OL/DL); Mitchell Steffans (QB)

starmont (arlington) (8-3)Nickname: StarsHead Coach: Matt LeeTop returning Players: Jake Butler (RB/DB/P); Gabe Hamlett (RB/DL); Jett Kuhens (LB)

Turkey valley (Jackson Junction) (4-6)Nickname: TrojansHead Coach: Mark ScottTop returning Players: Luke Keunnen (RB/DL); Kyle Reicks (LB); Riley Busta (LB)

wapsie valley (Fairbank) (14-0) Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Tony FosterTop returning Players: Stone Kane (RB/LB); Ethan Kleitsch (RB/LB); Ryan Miller (LB)

District 3Outlook

Wapsie Valley (Fairbank) rose out of District 3 to take the Class A state championship last season and while the Warriors always seem to put tough teams on the field, they’ll have some big holes to fill this year.

The Warriors lost their “Big Three” from last year’s title squad: quarterback Tyler Odneal, running back Mitchell Boevers and wideout Kenny Saulsberry. That group accounted for 4,586 yards of total offense and 66 touchdowns.

But don’t expect too big of a drop-off this year. Stone Kane and Ethan Kleitsch are back and prepared to step in as the primary ball carriers after combining for 920 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns behind Boevers a year ago.

The Warriors’ defense should be stiff once again. Kane is the star for that unit and racked up 95 tackles last season, including 12.5 for loss and 5 sacks, and picked off a pair of passes. Ryan Miller and Jake Goeller join Kane at linebacker after teaming up for 127 stops and 10 tackles for loss. B.J. Weepie and Bo Buzynski will eat up blockers and leave the linebackers free to make plays from sideline to sideline.

Starmont will rely on a strong ground game to make the playoffs again in 2013. Running backs Jake Butler and Gabe Hamlett totaled 1,581 yards and 21 touchdowns a year ago, and they’ll be the primary weapons again this year.

Hamlett will anchor the Stars defensively after compiling 117 total tackles and 3 interceptions

in 2012, and fellow linebacker Jett Kuhens made 55 stops — 10 of which were for losses — and 5 sacks.

North Butler should contend for a playoff bid this fall, and they’ll lean on a pair of two-way standouts to do it.

Senior quarterback Cody Nelson accounted for 1,020 yards of total offense and 9 touchdowns, but he also made 81 tackles and an interception as a defensive back. Senior tight end Dillon Rademaker was the primary receiver in 2012, posting 463 yards and catching a trio of scoring passes. He also tallied 102 tackles, 4 for losses, and had a pick-6.

Turkey Valley (Jackson Junction) should get back to the postseason, despite losing its top two rushers from last year’s playoff team, with senior leadership. Senior tailback Luke Keunnen will step into a starting role after running for 428 yards and 5 touchdowns in reserve duty last season.

Senior linebackers Kyle Reicks and Riley Busta are the cornerstones for the Trojan defense, as the duo totaled 116 stops and 4.5 tackles for loss. Keunnen tallied 45 tackles, including 5.5 for losses and 2 sacks.

When the dust settles this season, don’t be surprised if it’s the Warriors from Wapsie Valley standing on top once again. Follow all of this season’s action with Sports Spotlight!

Photo courtesy of Dick Fridley/Oelwein Daily RegisterWapsie Valley (Fairbank)stone Kane

class a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) waPsie valley warriOrs2) sTarMONT sTars3) NOrTH BUTler BearCaTs4) TUrKey valley TrOJaNs

District 3Outlook


4DistrictTeams

BCLUW (Conrad) (2-7)Nickname: Comets

Head Coach: Jess Vander WeerdtTop Returning Players: Blake Cooper (OL/

DL); Tyler Lutes (TE/LB); Conner Ubben (QB)

Belle Plaine (6-4) Nickname: Plainsmen

Head Coach: Todd BohlenTop Returning Players: Grant Bevins (OL/

DL); Adam Daily (RB); Nick Pippert (FB/DL)

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (6-5)

Nickname: RebelsHead Coach: John Olson

Top Returning Players: Chase Clark (RB/LB); Colton Dinsdale (WR); Pete Meyers (OL/DL)

G-M-G (Garwin) (1-8)Nickname: Wolverines

Head Coach: Kyl GillespieTop Returning Players: Luke Petty (WR/DB);

Ryan Spurlin (LB); Austin Vaughn (QB/P/K)

Grundy Center (3-5) Nickname: Spartans

Head Coach: Brandon KruseyTop Returning Players: Brady Hook (DL);

Bryce Moats (RB); Brock Rohler (QB/K)

Iowa Valley (Marengo) (6-4)

Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Vince McGee

Top Returning Players: Austin Carney (RB/DB); Ian Krutsinger (OL/DL)

North Tama (Traer) (10-2)

Nickname: RedhawksHead Coach: Dan Oltman

Top Returning Players: Brandon Kaufman (LB); Omar Martinez (DB); Colton See (OL/DL)

District 4Outlook

North Tama (Traer) made it all the way to the state quarterfinals after winning the district crown with an 8-1 regular season record, but District 4 could see a new champion this fall.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck lost its starting quarterback, 1,400-yard passer Trevor Trunck, but the Rebels may still have enough to take home the district crown. Running back Chase Clark will lead the offense as the primary playmaker. Clark rushed for 1,399 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.

Whoever steps in as the quarterback will have the services of Colton Dinsdale, who had an impressive freshman campaign in 2012 with 588 receiving yards and 5 scores. Senior wideout Dustin Dinsdale is a reliable second option on the outside, too.

The Rebel defense should be solid, as well. Defensive linemen Pete Meyers and Zach Pierce combined to rack up 19.5 tackles for loss and 9 sacks, while Clark and Dustin Dinsdale teamed up for 136 tackles as a linebacking duo.

Belle Plaine brings back a solid core in the running game, which should translate into a playoff berth. Nick Pippert, Adam Daily and Vance Bohlen combined to run for 1,360 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012, and they’ll be counted on to lead the offense this fall.

Defensive lineman Grant Bevins made his presence felt in opposing backfield last season as he made 69 tackles, 11.5 stops for loss and 5.5 sacks, and he should be a dominating force once again as a senior. Pippert and Matt Meck return

at linebacker and can make plays all over the field.

North Tama lost a big part of its team from last season’s district championship group, but senior linebacker Brandon Kaufman leads a defense determined to keep a spot in the postseason reserved.

Kaufman tallied 105 tackles in 2012, including 3.5 for loss, and he’ll be depended upon to carry the banner for the Red Hawks’ playoff dreams. Senior defensive back Omar Martinez made 37 tackles and an interception last season, and he should match up well with most of the district’s top receivers.

BCLUW (Conrad) wasn’t a playoff team a year ago, but the Comets could contend for the fourth and final spot this time around.

The Comets feature senior quarterback Conner Ubben, who threw for 902 yards and 9 touchdowns last year and added another score on the ground. He’ll have senior receiver Lane Caster on the outside after connecting with him for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2012.

The Comets’ defense could be solid this fall with the return of linebacker Tyler Lutes and defensive lineman Blake Cooper. Lutes is the top returning tackler after making 71 takedowns as a junior, including 5.5 stops for loss and a pair of sacks. Cooper made 70 stops and made 13.5 tackles for loss while recording 5.5 sacks.

This district figures to be a bit more wide-open than it was a year ago, and the district standing could see a lot of changes throughout the season.

Photo courtesy of Ross Bercik/Traer Star-Clippernorth tama (traer)brandon kaufman

class A

PLAYOFF PREDICTION1) GLADBROOK-REINBECK REBELS

2) BELLE PLAINE PLAINSMEN3) NORTH TAMA REDHAWKS4) BCLUW (CONRAD) COMETS

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5DistrictTeams

DaNville (3-6)Nickname: BearsHead Coach: Dustin KirklandTop returning Players: Connor Hoelzen (WR/DB); Mark Hopson (OL/DL); Waid Oliver (WR)

HiGHlaND (6-4)Nickname: HuskiesHead Coach: Tony JohnsonTop returning Players: Brian Garcia (RB); Jesse Hootman (RB/DB); Kody Wood (QB)

lisbon (9-2)Nickname: LionsHead Coach: Kent AllisonTop returning Players: Brock Givens (WR/DB); Cameron Jorgenson (RB/LB); Logan Rickard (QB/LB)

lONe Tree (6-4)Nickname: LionsHead Coach: Regan StoneTop returning Players: Levi Saterfield (RB); Matt Wieland (OL/DL); Alex Yedlik (LB)

New lONDON (0-9)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Darrin LoydTop returning Players: Matayo Christianer (RB/LB); Quincy Porter (RB/DB); Jairin Swailes (DB)

vaN BUreN (KeOsaUQUa) (2-7)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Rich WeigandTop returning Players: Aaron Clemens (QB/RB); Casey Jones (LB); Brayden Starnes (DB)

waCO (waylaND) (6-4)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Chad EdekerTop returning Players: Isaac Black (LB); Tucker Janecek (RB/K/P); Cey Saeugling (RB/LB)

wiNFielD - MOUNT UNiON (2-7)Nickname: WolvesHead Coach: Russ BuffingtonTop returning Players: Kyle Davis (OL/DL); Max Fricke (QB/RB/DB); Thayne McElhinney (RB)

District 5Outlook

Lisbon has worked its way to perennial contender status over the past several years and the Lions were the only team in District 5 to reach the second round of the playoffs. They enter 2013 as the district favorites yet again.

Senior quarterback Logan Rickard holds the keys to the offense and was a solid dual-purpose threat as a junior. Rickard threw for 703 yards and ran for 832 more, all while accounting for 28 total touchdowns. He’ll have senior Cameron Jorgenson, who rushed for 476 yards and 3 scores a year ago, to hand off to and give the offense balance.

The Lions don’t bring back many defenders with eye-popping numbers, but they have a strong defense whose production is greater than the sum of its parts. Jorgenson is the top returning tackler after tallying 73 tops and 9 tackles for loss; he also pulled down 3 interceptions. Passing the ball against this crew should prove difficult; four players picked off at least 3 passes, led by all-state defensive back Brock Givens’ 5 interceptions.

Lone Tree, Highland (Riverside) and WACO (Wayland) all finished with identical 6-4 records last season and they should be in another tight race this year as they jockey for position behind Lisbon.

WACO will utilize a quartet of backs to piece together what should be a solid running game. Tucker Janecek, Cey Saeugling, Dylon Carlson and Isaac Black combined for 1,109 yards and 20

touchdowns on the ground in 2012, and they’ll be counted on for more of the same this fall.

Black and Saeugling are the top tacklers still on the team after the two both recorded 42 stops. Black also had 2 sacks and an interception. Carlson only had 30 takedowns but he made 3 picks last season.

Lone Tree will turn to senior running back Levi Saterfield after losing several major offensive contributors to graduation. Saterfield ran for 461 yards and 8 touchdowns a year ago, and he’ll have a greater role in the offense in 2013.

The Lions have several solid defenders back, including juniors Alex Yedlik and Matt Wieland. Yedlik is the leading tackler after making 62 stops as a sophomore, while Weiland brought down 57 ball carriers — including 11 in the backfield.

Highland will be missing most of its top receivers from 2012, but senior quarterback Kody Wood is back for one more year. Wood tossed for 1,175 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and may be the best passer in the district. He’ll have fellow senior Jesse Hootman with him in the backfield. Hootman ran for 386 yards and 5 scores as a junior, but his presence is most felt when he lines up on defense. Hootman tallied 81 stops last year, including 21 tackles for loss.

This district appears to be Lisbon’s to lose, but the battle for second place should be every bit as intense as it was a year ago. Follow along with Sports Spotlight to keep up with all the action!

Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon-Lisbon SunLisbonlogan rickard

class a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) lisBON liONs2) waco (waylaND) warriOrs3) lONe Tree4) HiGHlaND HUsKies

District 5Outlook


6DistrictTeams

BGM (BrOOKlyN) (10-3)Nickname: Bears

Head Coach: Jerod BurnsTop returning Players: Kyle Gritsch (RB/LB);

Adam Hawkins (OL/LB); Jack Kline (RB/DB)

eNGlisH valleys (NOrTH eNGlisH) (2-8)

Nickname: BearsHead Coach: Bronson McCulley

Top returning Players: Colton Miller (LB); Brennen Grimm (RB/LB); Cody Seaton (WR/DB)

lynnville-sully (9-3)Nickname: Hawks

Head Coach: Mike ParkinsonTop returning Players: T.J. Cunningham

(WR/LB); Caden Doll (RB/DB); Bailee Samson (RB/DB/P)

Montezuma (7-4)Nickname: Braves

Head Coach: Ryan Van VeenTop returning Players: Mitch Gibson (DB);

Bryan Gregson (LB); Mitch Stevens (RB)

peKiN (7-2)Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Joe DonovanTop returning Players: Jared Bond (OL/DL);

Tanner Adam (RB/LB); Petie Clubb (RB/LB)

pleasantville (3-6)Nickname: Trojans

Head Coach: Gabe BakerTop returning Players: Hagen Fouch (QB);

Riley Krichau (WR/DB); Mac Moore (RB/LB)

southeast warren (liberty Center) (0-9)

Nickname: WarhawksHead Coach: Jared Boysen & Dan Krull

Top returning Players: Gabe Henderson (QB); Keetan Lawler (LB); Ty Roush (RB/LB)

District 6Outlook

District 6 was deep in 2012, with three teams that advanced to the second round of the playoffs and two, BGM (Brooklyn) and Lynnville-Sully, that reached the state quarterfinals.

Fans should expect a similar battle for supremacy this fall, with many of the district’s best players still donning their schools’ colors.

The Bears enter the campaign with an edge over the Hawks, on paper. While both teams will feature excellent running backs, BGM also brings back quarterback Bryan Kriegel, who passed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.

Kriegel will offer balance to a dominating ground game. Senior running backs Jack Kline and Kyle Gritsch combined for 2,439 yards and 28 scores in 2012, which will give Kriegel time to develop some new receivers.

The defense could be particularly tough for the Bears. Adam Hawkins collected 149 total tackles and 27 stops for loss; Gritsch wasn’t far behind with 143 takedowns, including 14.5 tackles in the backfield, and a pair of interceptions. In all, four players posted double-digit tackles for loss in 2012.

The Hawks have slightly more depth in the backfield than do the Bears, which allows all three of Lynville-Sully’s ball carriers to stay fresh. Bailee Samson carried the ball for 1,379 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, and Caden Doll added 707 yards and 15 scores. Daniel Zimmerman chipped in 379 yards and 5 touchdowns, for good measure.

Doll seemed to be everywhere at once,

defensively, as he made 159 stops and was all over the field making plays. He’ll be joined by Zimmerman and Samson, who combined to make 171 tackles and 33 stops for loss — including 11 sacks by Samson. T.J. Cunningham only had 38 tackles, but he picked off a whopping 8 passes.

Montezuma and Pekin will likely both be a tick below the top two teams, but the Braves and Panthers are two evenly matched teams that should have a spirited fight for third place.

The Braves will look to running backs Mitch Stevens and Colton Maschmann to lead the offense. The duo rushed for 1,197 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

Montezuma should also have a strong defense to lean on. Senior Kane Barker posted 126 stops, including 17 tackles for loss, and 3 interceptions last season. He’ll have help from Bryan Gregson, Dillon Wilhelm and Maschmann; that group tallied 287 tackles, 22.5 takedowns for loss. Senior defensive back Mitch Gibson also made 6 interceptions.

The Panthers will use their defense to keep games close as they break in a number of new offensive skill position players. Senior Jared Bond notched 85 total tackles and six stops for loss a year ago. Eric and Tanner Adam tag-teamed to make 132 tackles and Tanner Adam picked off 4 passes.

This district should be an entertaining one to follow this season, and it features a pair of potential state championship contenders.

Photo courtesy of BGM (Brooklyn) High SchoolBGM (brooklyn)Jack Kline

class a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) BGM (BrOOKlyN) Bears2) lyNville-sUlly HawKs3) MONTeZUMa Braves4) PeKiN PaNTHers



7DistrictTeams

audubon (5-5)Nickname: WheelersHead Coach: Sean Birks & Dustin ChristensenTop returning Players: Riley Jones (RB/LB); Trevor Smith (QB/DB); Lucas Smith-Petersen (WR/DB)

bedford (4-5)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Bob McCoyTop returning Players: Mason Brown (RB); Ben Hill (DB); Zach McMillin (OL/DL)

earlham (1-8)Nickname: CardinalsHead Coach: Scott DriskellTop returning Players: Cole Ridgely (OL/DL); Zach Schrek (LB); Alex Wetrich (RB/LB)

Guthrie Center (3-6)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Brent MeierTop returning Players: Cory Knapp (OL/DL); Austin Laabs (RB/DL); Tucker Patrick (WR/LB)

Madrid (5-5)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Randy HinkelTop returning Players: Colton Braunschweig (RB/LB); Jacob Clayton (RB/DB); Owen Gibbons (RB/DB)

Martensdale - st. Mary’s (3-6)Nickname: Blue DevilsHead Coach: Brent ParrottTop returning Players: Luke Anctil (OL/DL); Miller Hatcher (WR/DB); Alex Kim (RB/DB)

woodward academy (4-6)Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Bill DeanTop returning Players: Joel Astrada (WR); Joaquin Miranda (OL/DL); Carl Witt (OL/DL)

woodward-Granger (11-1)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: George AshmanTop returning Players: Tanner Canova (LB); Marshall Nieland (WR/DB); Dylan Nixon (DB)

District 7Outlook

Woodward-Granger won this district and reached the state quarterfinals in 2012, but expect a familiar face to be perched atop the district standings in October.

Head coach Randy Hinkel and the Madrid Tigers have a long tradition of excellence. Hinkel stands just 6 victories away from joining the prestigious 300-win club, and this year his team is poised to reach that milestone, and perhaps even more.

Madrid will utilize a punishing ground game to beat down its opponents, led by senior running back Colton Braunschweig. Braunschweig ran for 1,071 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2012, and he’ll have the help of Jacob Clayton, Owen Gibbons and Mason Gibson. That trio posted 2,004 yards and 18 scores as part of a multi-pronged attack.

Defensively, the Tigers have several playmakers. Braunschweig, Gibbons and Nick Novotny all tallied at least 85 stops a year ago; Braunschweig and Gibbons had 5.5 and 7 tackles for loss, respectively. Novotny pulled down 3 picks.

Audubon will ride the power of quarterback Trevor Smith this season, and if last year is any indication, the Wheelers are in good hands. Smith accounted for over 1,600 yards of offense and 21 touchdowns, and he’ll have the services of seniors Riley Jones and Lucas Smith-Petersen. Jones ran for 652 yards and 3 scores in 2012, while Smith-Petersen had 537 receiving yards and 4 touchdown grabs.

Dylan Jensen is the cornerstone for the Wheeler defense and made 84 tackles with 3 stops for loss last year. Smith and Smith-Peterson both pulled down 3 interceptions.

Woodward-Granger will have to replace a number of major contributors from last fall, but senior wideout Marshall Nieland provides the Hawks with at least one playmaker. Nieland had 823 receiving yards and 10 touchdown catches last year, and he ran the ball for 161 yards and another score. He also averaged 38 yards per kick return and took a pair of kickoffs back for scores.

Nieland and senior linebacker Tanner Canova are the standouts for the Hawks’ defense. Nieland made 5 picks and he took all but one of them back for touchdowns, while Canova had 17 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.

Guthrie Center missed the postseason in 2012, but the Tigers have the pieces to make a drive for a playoff berth this fall. Junior tailback Austin Laabs leads the way after rushing for 637 yards and 6 touchdowns a year ago, but it’s the defense that will be counted on, more often than not, to win games.

Laabs made 51 tackles last fall, 9 of which came in the backfield, and 2.5 sacks. He’ll get help Cory Knapp and Tucker Patrick, who tallied 50 and 46 tackles, respectively; Patrick also made 2 interceptions.

Be sure to follow all the action in this district as Hinkel chases his latest milestone and the Tigers pursue another playoff bid.

Photo courtesy of Sam Martin/Dallas County NewsWoodward-GrangerMarshall Nieland

class a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) madrid tigers2) audubon wheelers3) woodward-granger hawks4) guthrie center tigers

Logan-Magnolia reached the UNI-Dome before falling in the state semifinals a year ago, but the Panthers are primed to take a step back after losing a strong senior class.

Griswold is the team most prepared to step up and carry the banner for this district. The Tigers boast a powerful ground game, built around the legs of seniors Kenneth Clary and Tyler Muhlbauer. The pair ran wild against opposing defenses all season last year, as they combined for 2,280 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Austin Lorenz, BJ Schoning, Clary and Mason Boucher anchor what should be a solid defensive unit. Lorenz finished last season with 91 tackles and 3 sacks; Schoning tallied 74 stops; Clary made 73 tackle and 3 stops for loss; and Boucher made 62 takedowns.

A-H-S-T (Avoca) also returns a solid portion of last season’s playoff squad. Jake Larson and his 1,337 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns may be gone, but his replacements could develop into a respectable committee. Austin Fink and Kyle Bauerkemper teamed up to run for 534 yards and 9 scores as reserves, and quarterback Nathan Herbst added 327 yards and 3 touchdowns as a freshman.

Defensively, Fink is the Vikings’ leader. The senior tallied 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks a year ago, and he’ll have Drew Young and Herbst helping

him out. Young made 77 stops and 4 sacks, while Herbst made 47 tackles and 3 interceptions.

The Panthers may have lost a lot from their semifinal-qualifying team, but they should still contend for another playoff bid. Running backs Brady Charbonneau and Drake Cohrs rushed for 421 and 276 yards, respectively, and 8 touchdowns a year ago in backup duty. Wideout Dillon Wills only had 170 receiving yards, but he did haul in 5 touchdown passes.

Those same three players form the backbone of the Panthers’ defense, too. Cohrs tallied 118 tackles and 4.5 stops for loss, while Charbonneau had 40 takedowns and 2.5 sacks. Wills posted 48 tackles and made 6 interceptions.

Westwood (Sloan) didn’t make the postseason in 2012, but the Rebels may just have enough back to contend for the final playoff berth this fall. Running back Jacob Becker is back after rushing for 435 yards a year ago, but the defense is where the team’s strength will lie.

Becker ran up 95 tackles and 5 stops for loss, while Casey Kirkendall and Tanner DeVries tallied 80 and 74 tackles, respectively. DeVries also notched 5.5 tackles for loss.

This district may not be quite as strong as it was in 2012, but there are still a number of exciting players worth keeping an eye on. Follow all of the action this season with Sports Spotlight!

District 7Outlook


8DistrictTeams

a-h-s-t (avoca) (7-4)Nickname: Vikings

Head Coach: Cory FaustTop returning Players: Austin Fink (RB/LB);

Nathan Herbst (QB/DB); Drew Young (LB)

east Mills (4-5)Nickname: Wolverines

Head Coach: Andy IrwinTop returning Players: David Howell (OL/

DL); Colby Jennings (RB/LB); Michael Story (TE/LB)

Griswold (7-4)Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Andy EverettTop returning Players: Ken Clary (RB/LB);

Austin Lorenz (OL/DL); Tyler Muhlbauer (RB/DB)

logan-Magnolia (11-2)Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Matt StraightTop returning Players: Brady Charbonneau (RB/DB/K); Drake Cohrs (RB/DB); Dillon Wills (WR/LB)

riverside (Oakland) (2-7)Nickname: Bulldogs

Head Coach: Mitch RiceTop returning Players: Zach Morris (RB/DB);

Garrett Graves (OL/DL); Conner Rankin (RB/LB)

Underwood (4-6)Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Loran LintnerTop returning Players: Preston Jager (LB);

Cade Bracker (OL/DL); Cody Kingery (RB)

west Monona (Onawa) (5-5)

Nickname: SpartansHead Coach: Jeremy Braden

Top returning Players: Craig Fox (LB); Avery Nelson (RB); Austin Reitz (RB/DB/K/P)

westwood (sloan) (5-5)Nickname: Rebels

Head Coach: Andy HomanTop returning Players: Jacob Becker (RB/LB);

Tanner DeVries (OL/DL); Casey Kirkendall (DB)

District 8Outlook

GriswoldKenneth Clary

class a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) griswold tigers2) a-h-s-t (avoca) vikings3) logan-magnolia panthers4) westwood rebels

http://www.westsideapplianceparts.com/

http://www.dps.state.ia.us/commis/gtsb/


all-state

TeaMPRESEASON


NameCarson ParkerJacob SobotkaRiley DixonBrady FreyKyle HansonJordan RommesKoy SniderTrey BowmanRamsey BarkBrian CoulthardDalton LapeDarrik PoshustaByron Fritch

SchoolDike-New Hartford

Mount AyrIC ReginaAplington-Parkersburg

Saint AnsgarS. WinneshiekWiltonSt. AlbertNashua-PlainfieldDike-New Hartford

North Fayette Valley

S. WinneshiekDike-New Hartford

YrSR SRSRSRSR JR SR SR SR SRSR SRSR

Offense


NameTanner DahmRyan MoserJoe RickerBrett WaechterMichael GouldRyan ParmelyKoy SniderBen WellmanBo BowerTucker CuljatKyle HansonColten Rastetter

SchoolEmmetsburgClayton RidgeMount AyrHartley-Melvin-Sanborn

West BranchMaquoketa ValleyWiltonTri-CenterWest BranchSt. AlbertSaint AnsgarClayton Ridge

YrSR JR JR JRSR JR SR SR SR SRSRJR

Defense

Class 1aOverviewThe Regals of Iowa City Regina have reigned

supreme for the past three seasons, claiming state championships in both Class 1A and 2A. Head coach Marv Cook has built a dynasty in Iowa City — another undefeated season would give Regina the longest winning streak in state history — and his squad has to be the favorite to claim yet another crown.

The Regals bring back tailback Riley Dixon, who rushed for 1,641 yards and 14 touchdowns as the go-to offensive weapon. New quarterback Drew Cook showed potential in reserve action as a sophomore, throwing for 356 yards and 3 scores, although he’ll have to find new receivers after Regina graduated its top three catchers last season.

History says Regina will find a way to reload offensively, but the defense doesn’t have much to worry about as it returns almost every key player from a unit that allowed just 10 points per game a year ago. That should allow the offense time to develop and make the Regals a team to fear down the stretch.

St. Albert, Council Bluffs is another storied program in Class 1A and will be one of the main contenders to knock off Regina after taking runner-up honors in 2012. The Falcons return all-around star Tucker Culjat, who accounted for 2,293 all-purpose yards and 29 touchdowns as a quarterback, kick and punt returner. He’ll lead an offense built on the ground game, with a pack of capable backs to help him out.

The Falcons of Aplington-Parkersburg have always relied on a strong running game for their success, and that won’t change in 2013. Sports Spotlight preseason spotlight player, running

back Brady Frey, will look to shoulder the load as the Falcons make another push to reach the UNI-Dome. Frey rushed for 2,224 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior.

Maquoketa Valley, Delhi features a pair of offensive playmakers who could carry the Wildcats to the Dome and have the makings for a salty defense.

Two-way star Ryan Parmely ran for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior as the Wildcats went 10-2 and reached the state quarterfinals. He also racked up 116 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense. Wildcat quarterback Ben Dzaboff was a multi-dimensional threat under center, passing for 1,165 yards and 7 touchdowns, and rushing for 719 yards and 9 scores.

Defensively, Maquoketa Valley returns a strong core of Parmely, Tanner Hargrafen and Steve Huber at linebacker, and defensive back Jared Coyle. Those four combined for 380 stops, 26 tackles for loss and 10 interceptions in 2012.

Another versatile signal-caller will head the charge from Ringgold County. Senior quarterback Jacob Sobotka threw for 1,668 yards and 17 touchdowns, and ran for another 1,407 yards and 24 scores for Mount Ayr. The Raiders fell in the quarterfinals, but return almost everyone, except for former star wideout Braydee Poore.

Regina certainly appears to be the favorite this season, but any of these teams could step up to challenge the Regals in 2013. Be sure to follow all of this season’s action with Sports Spotlight!

SportsSpotlight.comPhoto courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-NewsMOUNT AYRJaKe sOBOTKa

Photo courtesy of the Deleware County Leader

MAQUOKETA VALLEY (DELHI)

ryaN ParMelySaturdays - 8-10 a.m.



Brady

Frey

There are select programs in Iowa high school football history that have attained “legendary” status. Traditionally powerful schools that are regular contenders are revered throughout the state and their names are synonymous with success.

Among these programs is Aplington-Parkersburg. The small 1A school just east of Waterloo has shown almost unmatched success and has garnered a reputation for doing things the right way. With 18 trips to the UNI-Dome under the late, great Ed Thomas and a top-10 ranking in all time Iowa history in winning percentage, the sight of A-P in the state playoffs has become commonplace.

The culture of success reached new levels under Thomas, and continues with each new crop of players that don the red and black of the Falcons.

“We have tried not to change things. There were so many good things in place from coach Thomas’ tenure,” fourth year head coach Alex Pollock said. “We try to keep up a lot of the same values and teach these guys life lessons.”

As the two-time state champions head into the 2013 season, they will be led by one of the next stellar Falcon players, Brady Frey. The A-P running back is looking to cap off a fantastic career in which he has accumulated over 3,500 rushing yards in the past two seasons.

“I’m not a big stats guy. I don’t pay attention to a lot of outside stuff, I just want to go out and play,” Frey said. “I just want focus on what I can do and try and get better.”

During his sophomore year, Frey split playing time with senior Jason Grill. Frey led the team in carries, but Grill edged his young teammate in yards and touchdowns.

The 1,200 yards for the A-P sophomore was

foreshadowing of things to come.“He was always bigger, faster and stronger than

other players. He’s a physical specimen, but he’s really worked on other parts of the game to keep his edge,” Pollock said.

Frey and Grill were part of a Falcon squad that yet again found itself in the playoffs. An 8-1 regular season record set A-P up for a first round match against Eagle Grove. The Falcons rolled to a win, before defeating longtime rival Dike-New Hartford in the second round. Frey’s sophomore season came to an end at the hands of eventual state champion St. Ansgar.

Dike-New Hartford and St. Ansgar would again play a role in the Falcons playoff push the following season. Frey’s junior season was an exhibition in dominance as the Falcons pushed past all their challengers. His performance was not only among the best in 1A, but in all of Iowa football.

Frey was one of 13 backs in the state to surpass the 2,000-yard marker. His 2,224 yards tied him for fourth in the state, and were second best in 1A. These numbers were bolstered by 36 touchdowns on 296 carries, both of which were also second best in the class. In terms of overall combined offense, Frey was one of five players in the state to have 300 total plays under his belt.

Frey’s individual performance, combined with the prototypical A-P team-first mentality, meant another trip to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs his junior year. In the first two rounds, the Falcons avenged their loss to St. Ansgar and topped South Winneshiek, hanging a combined 99 points in the two games. In the South Winneshiek game, Frey set the A-P single-game rushing yard mark previously held by former NFL player Jared DeVries.

Awaiting the Falcons was the aforementioned nemesis, Dike-New Hartford. This time, the battle went the Wolverines’ way.

“Those are always exciting games and everybody circles it on their calendar; the kids know each other, the parents know each other,” Pollock said about the rivalry.

Frey was part of a Falcon quartet named to the Sports Spotlight Class 1A All-State team, and is the only one of the four returning. Frey was also selected as a first team back on the Des Moines Register 1A All-State team.

“A lot of my success comes from my line, and even the tight ends and split ends; without them I wouldn’t get anywhere,” Frey said.

His efforts have earned him the respect of not only his opponents and the media, but his teammates as well.

“He’s always been a class leader, on and off the field,” said Tim Pollock, a senior on the Falcon team and younger brother of the head coach.

“He’s usually pretty quiet, but he’ll say something when it needs to be said. He’s always positive.”

This leadership has been integral in the preseason preparation for the entire Falcon team. With the later start to Iowa high school football practices being mandated by the state association, players have had to take it on themselves to be prepared.

Frey and the other seniors have stepped up during the summer months to lead their teammates in conditioning and preparations. This level of preparation will be necessary to compete for a team that lost 27 seniors to graduation last season.

With his determined focus and physical sharpness, Frey has the potential to etch his name on even more lines in the long Aplington-Parkersburg record book.

ia Player in the spotlightby Darrin Cline

Photo courtesy of the Deleware County Leader

ryaN ParMely

Photos courtesy of the Parkersburg Eclipse News Review

http://www.superiorprintingpromo.com/

Emmetsburg reached the state semifinals in 2012 and the E-Hawks are usually a safe bet to pencil into the playoff picture. This season’s district race will be tight, though.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn brings back a very balanced group and the Hawks should challenge for the district title.

The Hawks feature a three-pronged rushing attack, led by Hunter Kuehl. Kuehl ran for 674 yards and 9 scores in 2012, and he’ll get help from Logan Rozeboom and Casey Dorhout. That duo combined to run for 1,117 yards and 15 touchdowns. Dorhout also threw for 479 yards and 6 scores, and his top target will be Blake Simons, who had 413 receiving yards and caught 6 touchdown passes a year ago.

Defensively, Brett Waechter was a monster up front. He tallied 73 tackles, including 23.5 for loss and 15.5 sacks last fall. Rozeboom and Connor Kuchel made 91 and 48 tackles, respectively, and they teamed up to make 11 stops for loss. Dorhout pulled down 4 interceptions.

Emmetsburg lost a lot from last year, but the E-Hawks nearly always find a way to reload. Running backs Allen Jensen and Brady Christensen combined for 953 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012, and they’ll have bigger roles this year.

Tanner Dahm and Tyler Henson lead the E-Hawk defense. Dahm posted 75 tackles, with 5 stops for loss, and Henson recorded 67 stops with 2 sacks. Christensen made 36 tackles and 3 picks last season.

South O’Brien (Paulina) will feature a powerful running game, but will the Wolverines have

enough defense to match last season’s 8-3 mark?Running back Zach Nieman ran for 1,620

yards and 19 touchdowns last year, and the duo of Austin Rohrs and Marcus Atkinson chipped in 897 yards and 8 scores. They’ll be counted on to carry the offense.

Bohrs is also the Wolverines’ defensive star. He tallied 118 tackles last season, and Gunner Klinker and Jon Zubrod give South O’Brien a playmaker at every level of the defense. Klinker made 60 stops last season, and Zubrod recorded 50 takedowns.

Western Christian (Hull) has all the pieces to contend for a playoff bid this fall. The offense is headlined by quarterback Daniel VanMaanen and running back Drew Van Sloten. VanMaanen threw for 1,205 yards and 7 scores last year, and Van Sloten ran for 757 yards and 9 touchdowns.

The Wolfpack defense should be solid. Linebacker Jeffrey Granstra made 87 takedowns to lead all returning tacklers, and fellow linebacker Adam Heynen recorded 73 stops with an interception. Up front, Brady Van’t Hul and Jacob VanGinkel combined to make 123 tackles and 8 sacks.

Gehlen Catholic (LeMars) is a team to keep tabs on as the Jays try to improve on their 2-7 mark from a year ago. Quarterback Blake Wiltgen threw for 2,077 yards and 22 touchdowns last season.

This district will be one of the more competitive ones from top to bottom, and it should be interesting to see if Wiltgen’s arm will be enough for Gehlen Catholic to grab a playoff spot.


1DistrictTeams

emmetsburg (11-2)Nickname: E-HawksHead Coach: Mike DunlapTop returning Players: Brady Christensen (RB/DB); Tanner Dahm (OL/DL); Allen Jensen (RB)

Gehlen Catholic ( leMars) (5-5)Nickname: JaysHead Coach: Tony GunterTop returning Players: Aaron Jentz (WR); Mitchel Flack (OL/DL); Blake Wiltgen (QB)

Hartley-Melvin-sanborn (5-5)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Steve WaechterTop returning Players: Logan Rozeboom (RB/LB); Casey Dorhout (QB/DB); Hunter Kuehl (RB/DB)

North Union (2-7)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Troy AdamsTop returning Players: Jacob Braddock (QB); Marshall Klingenberg (RB/DB); Cody Runksmeier (RB/LB)

Okoboji (Milford) (0-9)Nickname: PioneersHead Coach: Jon AllenTop returning Players: Gabe Goehring (RB); Jordan Hanna (QB/LB); Michael Luhrs (LB/P)

south O’brien (Paulina) (8-3)Nickname: WolverinesHead Coach: Mark FuhrmannTop returning Players: Gunner Klinker (DB); Zach Nieman (RB/P); Austin Rohrs (RB/DL)

western Christian (hull) (4-6)Nickname: WolfpackHead Coach: Travis KooimaTop returning Players: Jeffrey Granstra (TE/LB); Daniel VanMaanen (QB); Drew Van Sloten (RB/DB)

District 1Outlook

Photo courtesy of Dan Voigt/Emmetsburg NewsemmetsburgTanner dahm

class 1a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) HMs Hawks2) emmetsburg e-hawks3) south o’brien wolverines4) western christian wolfpack


IKM-Manning rattled off an undefeated regular season and reached the state quarterfinals in 2012, but a strong senior class graduated and opened the door for a new district champion this fall. The competition for the top spot should be fierce, with a number of evenly matched teams.

St. Edmond (Fort Dodge) finished second last year and might be the top candidate to claim this season’s crown. The Gaels will have a new quarterback, but whoever steps in will have some help getting settled in. Running back Vinnie Harvey ran for 631 yards and 6 touchdowns a year ago, and wideout Landon Peed had 446 receiving yards and 6 scoring grabs.

Harvey and Peed are also the top returning defensive playmakers. Harvey had 87 tackles in 2012, with 10.5 stops for loss and 3.5 sacks; Peed made 52 stops and picked off 5 passes. Jimmy Averill and Hank Crimmins give the defense a little depth after combining for 106 tackles, 4.5 stops for loss and 3 interceptions.

Manson-NW Webster has some holes to fill after making last season’s playoffs, but the offense will mostly rely on the arm of junior quarterback Alex Bush. Bush threw for 1,419 yards and 12 touchdowns as a sophomore, and even though he’ll be breaking in a fresh crop of wideouts, he should still be one of the district’s top signal callers.

Ty Condon, Lucas Dolder and Tanner Peterson lead the Cougar defense. Condon made 72 stops and 10 tackles for loss in 2012; Dolder had 68 tackles and 5.5 stops for loss, plus a pair of interceptions; and Peterson brought down 58 ball carriers, including 3 tackles for loss.

IKM-Manning has considerable reloading to do going into the season, but the Wolves still have the rushing tandem of Sam Wegner and Cody Eischeid, who teamed up to run for 1,371 yards and 12 touchdowns, while also pulling in 8 scores through the air.

Defensively, Eischeid racked up 116 total tackles and 4 stops for loss, while Wegner finished with 47 takedowns and 4 interceptions. Joey Thraen made 37 stops from his spot in the trenches.

Ridge View qualified for the postseason last year but will have to replace 1,000-yard rusher Dru Kenny and cut down on turnovers if it wants to accomplish that again this fall.

Quarterback Ryan Garthoff threw for 1,081 yards and 4 touchdowns last season, but the Raptors can’t afford him to throw 13 picks again this year. If he cuts that number down, he should lead his team back to the playoffs. Garthoff also ran for 600 yards and 7 scores and is the leading returning rusher.

Sioux Central (Sioux Rapids) didn’t play beyond the regular season, but the Rebels might have something to say about that this time around. They focus their offense around a strong running game, and junior Devin Tripp is the star. Tripp ran for 1,484 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he has Nathan Leer and quarterback Parker Habben to spell him. Leer rushed for 500 yards and 5 scores, while Habben tallied 334 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

This is another tight district without a clear-cut favorite and the race to the finish should be exciting.

District 1Outlook


2DistrictTeams

ikm-manning (11-1)Nickname: Wolves

Head Coach: Tom Casey & Floyd ForemanTop returning Players: Cody Eischeid (RB/

LB); Joey Thraen (DL); Sam Wegner (RB/LB)

Manson-Northwest webster (5-5)

Nickname: CougarsHead Coach: Jeff Anliker

Top returning Players: Alex Bush (QB/K); Ty Condon (LB); Lucas Dolder (OL/DL)

Maple valley-anthon-Oto (3-6)

Nickname: RamsHead Coach: Dave Kuhl

Top returning Players: Derik Bailey (DB); Glen Hanson (OL/DL); Eric Koerner (OL/DL)

Pocahontas area/Pomeroy-Palmer (4-5)

Nickname: IndiansHead Coach: Roger Sommerlot

Top returning Players: Aaron Aljets (OL/DL); Draven Barth (RB/LB); Jeremy Watson (OL/DL)

ridge view (Holstein) (4-5)

Nickname: RaptorsHead Coach: Jeff DeHaan

Top returning Players: Ryan Garthoff (QB); Mason Johnson (OL/DL); Matt Wandrey (RB/DB)

sioux Central (sioux rapids) (4-5)

Nickname: RebelsHead Coach: Travis Schueller

Top returning Players: Nathan Leer (RB/LB); Parker Habben (QB/DB); Devin Tripp (RB/DB)

st. edmond (Fort Dodge) (9-2)

Nickname: GaelsHead Coach: Dick Tighe

Top returning Players: Jimmy Averill (LB); Vinnie Harvey (FB/DL); Landon Peed (WR/DB)

class 1aDistrict 2Outlook

Photo courtesy of Eric Pratt/Fort Dodge MessengerSt. Edmond (Fort Dodge)landon peed

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) st. edmond Gaels2) Manson-Nw webster cougars3) ikm-manning wolves4) ridge view raptors


District 3 features one of the top rivalries in Iowa high school football: Dike-New Hartford vs. Aplington-Parkersburg. The Wolverines came out on top last year and reached the state semifinals for the second time in three years, but the Falcons should carry the banner for this district in 2013.

Aplington-Parkersburg returns Sports Spotlight Preseason Player of the Year Brady Frey, who rushed for 2,224 yards and 36 touchdowns in the Falcons’ familiar rushing attack. He’ll be spelled by Lane Hovenga, who added 529 yards and 6 scores of his own last fall and will have a bigger role in the offense this year.

Frey also leads the defense after tallying 89 tackles, 10 stops for loss and 3 sacks a year ago. Cody Ryan will chip in; he made 53 stops and 3 interceptions in 2012. There are few other proven performers but the Falcons are among the programs that find a way to reload.

Dike-New Hartford will miss the services of Terry Mooty but quarterback Carson Parker makes the Wolverines a solid bet to make the postseason again. Parker passed for 1,402 yards and 15 scores, and he added 154 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

The Wolverines will utilize Levi Lynch and Ben Cuvelier to keep a solid running game. Lynch and Cuvelier ran for a combined 591 yards and 10 touchdowns in reserve duty; Lynch also tallied 342 receiving yards and 4 touchdown catches.

Cuvelier, Lynch and Parker also spearhead the defense. Cuvelier made 103 total tackles,

including 5.5 for loss, while Lynch made 89 takedowns and a pair of stops for loss. Parker led the team with 4 interceptions.

South Hamilton (Jewell) will lean on quarterback Matt Hislop and running back Devin Howard to make another postseason trip. Hislop accounted for 1,337 yards of total offense and 12 touchdowns last season, while Howard ran for 612 yards and 9 scores.

Hudson doesn’t return a lot offensively, but quarterback Cameron Wright gives the Pirates at least one offensive playmaker. He tallied 1,375 yards of total offense and accounted for 8 scores.

On defense, the Pirates will look to Joe Hageman to lead the way. He recorded 80 tackles, including 9 stops in the backfield, and an interception in 2012. Drew Selenke made 55 stops and 9 tackles for loss, including 4 sacks.

West Fork struggled to win ballgames last year, but quarterback Spencer Halloran could make things interesting in this district by leading the Warhawks to a surprise playoff berth or playing spoiler for others in the district. Halloran accounted for 2,725 yards of offense and 27 touchdowns a year ago; he also tallied 94 tackles and a pair of interceptions.

This district should be championed by Aplington-Parkersburg, but don’t expect Dike-New Hartford to let that happen without a fight. Be sure to mark your calendar for the latest edition of this storied rivalry, as it will likely decide who claims the district title.


3DistrictTeams

aplington-Parkersburg (9-3)Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Alex PollockTop returning Players: Brady Frey (RB/LB); Lane Hovenga (RB); Cody Ryan (QB/DB)

Dike-new hartford (12-1)Nickname: WolverinesHead Coach: Don BettsTop returning Players: Ben Cuvelier (LB); Levi Lynch (FB/LB); Carson Parker (QB/DB)

eagle Grove (0-9)Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Kelly WilliamsonTop returning Players: Kent Jorgensen (OL/DL); Miguel Pacheco (RB/DB); Tyler Vorrie (DB)

Hudson (5-5)Nickname: PiratesHead Coach: Duane SniffinTop returning Players: Luke Huber (OL/DL); Joe Hageman (RB/DB); Cameron Wright (QB/K)

Nashua-PlainField (5-6)Nickname: HuskiesHead Coach: Ben JassTop returning Players: Ramsey Bark (OL/LB); Tryston Crook (RB/LB); Hunter Mueller (WR/DB)

south Hamilton (Jewell) (5-5)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Todd CoyTop returning Players: Matt Hislop (QB); Devin Howard (RB); Sam Waid (RB/LB)

west Fork (2-7)Nickname: WarhawksHead Coach: Eric BurtTop returning Players: Spencer Halloran (QB/LB); Collin Schoning (LB); Tanner Tuttle (OL/DL)

District 3Outlook

Photo courtesy of John Jensen/The Grundy Registerdike-New hartfordCarson parker

class 1a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) wesT lyON wilDCaTs2) lawTON-BrONsON eaGles3) aKrON-wesTFielD wesTerNers4) HiNTON BlaCKHawKs


South Winneshiek (Calmar) took home the 2012 district title and the Warriors appear poised to repeat, but they’ll face some stiff competition.

The Warriors bring back quarterback Garrett Bohach, who threw for 1,262 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He’ll have his favorite target, Jordan Rommes, in the fold for another year after the two connected for 704 yards and 11 scores last fall.

And the Warrior running game should be solid, too. Bohach ran for 543 yards and 6 touchdowns, while running back Jared Schreoder tallied 438 yards and 3 scores. Schreoder can expect to take on a more prominent role in the offense following the graduation of Colton Hageman.

The defense leads South Winneshiek’s drive to repeat as district champions. Chris Brincks was a dominating presence up front as he recorded 92 tackles, including a whopping 21 stops for loss and 8 sacks. Darrik Poshusta, Adam Lensing and Matt Bushman also made a habit of living in opposing backfields, teaming up to make 26.5 tackles for loss. Rommes made 41 tackles and picked off 3 passes.

Saint Ansgar will provide a strong challenge to the Warriors’ title defense, though. The Saints bring back Kyle Hanson, who rushed for 1,484 yards and 18 touchdowns a year ago, and he’ll head the charge for the offense. Running back Brett Williams and quarterback Sawyer Dalluge will also pitch in; they combined for 859 yards

and 7 scores.Defensively, linebacker Sam Heimer is the

cornerstone. He piled up 83 tackles last year, including 4 for loss and a pair of sacks. Williams tallied 55 stops with 7 backfield takedowns and 3 sacks, and Bryce Ubben notched 49 tackles with 7 tackles for loss. Hanson made 46 stops with 5 interceptions.

North Fayette Valley didn’t make the playoffs last season, but the Hawks should accomplish that feat this year. Running backs Josh Mackey and Derrick Kuehner will lead a powerful ground game; the duo ran for 1,956 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and will be expected to lead the offense.

Mackey was also a playmaker for the Hawks’ defense. He tallied 104 tackles and 5 stops for loss. Tyler Johansen added 91 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss, and Jared Bouska had 35 tackles with 7.5 stops for loss and 4 sacks.

Denver has a few holes to fill, but quarterback Braydon Neuendorf should lead the Cyclones back to the playoffs. Neuendorf threw for 1,008 yards and 6 touchdowns while adding 733 yards and 7 scores on the ground. The Cyclone defense will lean on Austin Hamer, who made 88 tackles, including 9 for loss and 5.5 sacks. Noah Isaacson made only 37 tackles, but 6.5 of those were for loss and 2 were sacks.

The battle for the top seed in the playoffs should be exciting as the Warriors and Saints duke it out again.

District 3Outlook


4DistrictTeams

Denver (4-7)Nickname: Cyclones

Head Coach: Rhett BarrettTop Returning Players: Austin Hamer (DL/K);

Noah Isaacson (LB); Braydon Neuendorf (QB)

Jesup (1-8)Nickname: J-Hawks

Head Coach: Jason SullivanTop Returning Players: Rodney Ciesielski (OL/DL); Alex Dewald (RB/LB); Devante Miller (OL/DL)

MFL, Mar-Mac (Monona) (1-8)

Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Ray Rankin

Top Returning Players: Austin Schoulte (DB/P); Nathan Howe (OL/DL); Bryce McKee (OL/DL)

North Fayette Valley (West Union) (5-4)

Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Bob Lape

Top Returning Players: Tyler Johansen (LB); Derrick Kuehner (QB/RB/DB); Josh Mackey (RB/LB)

Saint Ansgar (7-3)Nickname: Saints

Head Coach: Drew ClevengerTop Returning Players: Kyle Hanson (RB/DB);

Sam Heimer (OL/LB); Brett Williams (FB/DL)

South Winneshiek (Calmar) (9-2)

Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Jason Ohrt

Top Returning Players: Garrett Bohach (QB); Chris Brincks (OL/DL); Jordan Rommes (WR/DB/K)

Sumner-Fredericksburg (7-4)

Nickname: CougarsHead Coach: Brad Mohs

Top Returning Players: Josh Arens (WR); Jalen Tranbarger (RB/LB/P); Landon Zupke (LB)

District 4Outlook

Photo courtesy of Jerry Wadian/Fayette County Unionnorth fayette valleyJosh mackey

class 1a

PLAYOFF PREDICTION1) South Winneshiek Warriors

2) saint ansgar saints3) north fayette valley hawks4) denver cyclones

Saturdays - 8-10 a.m.


Maquoketa Valley (Dehli) was the only team from District 5 to reach the second round of the playoffs, but the Wildcats rolled all the way to the state quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Iowa City Regina. Expect the Wildcats to claim the district throne again in 2013.

Maquoketa Valley brings back star running back Ryan Parmely, who ran for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. Ben Dzaboff was a deadly dual-threat quarterback for the Wildcats, passing for 1,165 yards, rushing for 719 more and accounting for 16 total touchdowns.

Parmely was also a force on defense. He collected 116 tackles, including 15.5 for loss and 3 sacks, and pulled down 3 interceptions. Tanner Hargrafen made 119 stops with 6 takedowns behind the line. And Steve Huber and Jared Coyle combined to make 145 tackles, while Huber made 4.5 tackles for loss and Coyle picked off 3 passes.

Clayton Ridge (Guttenberg) will use a dominating defense to challenge the Wildcats for district supremacy. The Eagles allowed just under 10 points per game during the regular season last year, and allowed more than 14 points in a game just three times.

The defense is sparked by linebacker Kris Ihde and a host of playmakers in the trenches. Ihde led the team with 138 tackles and 28 stops for loss, including 13.5 sacks. Dylan Preston, Ryan Moser

and Joe Kann join Ihde and combined for 317 tackles, 57.5 stops for loss and 23 sacks.

Tipton brings back a balanced group, even if there are no stars among the returnees. Running back Chandler Harden and quarterback Alex Wiley will be expected to lead the Tigers’ offense after accounting for 1,941 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns in 2012. Running back Taylor Axberg is also back following a 345-yard, 4-touchdown campaign last season.

Defensively, Cody Poinsett and Tanner Cook had just 57 total tackles between the two of them, but they teamed up to tally 16.5 tackles behind the line and 5 sacks. Scott Stueland is the top returning tackler after making 54 takedowns a year ago, including 3.5 for loss.

The Pirates of Alburnett will lean on quarterback Alec Philipp to take them back to the postseason in 2013. Philipp tossed for 1,380 yards and 19 touchdowns a year ago; he also added 573 yards and 7 scores on the ground to give his team a solid dual-threat. He’ll get some help from running back Dylan Windfield, who ran for 482 yards and 3 touchdowns.

This district title will likely be decided when the Wildcats and Eagles square off in what should be a knock-down, drag-out battle between two stiff defenses and a pair of offensive stars in Parmely and Dzaboff.


5DistrictTeams

Alburnett (5-5)Nickname: PiratesHead Coach: Chris EversTop Returning Players: Dylan Miller (WR/DB); Alec Philipp (QB/DB); Dylan Windfield (RB/LB)

Bellevue (3-6)Nickname: CometsHead Coach: Chet KnakeTop Returning Players: Ben Lawrence (DB/K/P); Jace Michels (RB/LB); Tyler Peters (OL/DL)

Clayton Ridge (Guttenberg) (7-3)

Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Chad HarbaughTop Returning Players: Kris Ihde (RB/DL); Ryan Moser (OL/DL); Dylan Preston (TE/DL)

Durant-Bennett (3-6)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Casey BouskaTop Returning Players: Adam Bartenhagen (QB); Brett Lilienthal (RB); Jay Randolph (LB)

Maquoketa Valley (Delhi) (10-2)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Greg DrewTop Returning Players: Ben Dzaboff (QB); Tanner Hargrafen (LB); Ryan Parmely (RB/LB/P)

North Cedar (Stanwood) (0-9)Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Clay HarroldTop Returning Players: Derrick Gray (RB); Jacob Hay (WR/DB/P); Hunter Smith (FB/DL)

Tipton (5-5)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Josh BahrTop Returning Players: Chandler Harden (RB/LB); Scott Stueland (OL/DL); Alex Wiley (QB)

District 5Outlook

Photo courtesy of maquoketa valley (delhi)Ben dzaboff

class 1a

PLAYOFF PREDICTION1) Maquoketa valley wildcats

2) clayton ridge eagles3) tipton tigers4) alburnett pirates


Iowa City Regina has been at the pinnacle of Classes 1A and 2A for the past three seasons, and the Regals enter 2013 with their sights set on a fourth-straight state title.

The Regals lost a big chunk of their passing game to graduation, but the offense brings back enough to make another championship push.

Running back Riley Dixon, who rushed for 1,641 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, will be the focal point this fall. Quarterback Drew Cook threw for 356 yards and 3 scores in reserve duty last year and appeared ready to take the reins in 2013.

Defensively, Jake Brinkman, Elliot Halsch and Casey Beaver lead the charge. The trio made 241 tackles with 18.5 stops for loss and 14.5 sacks.

Regina has earned the right to be considered the favorite until proven otherwise, but Wilton might have what it takes to finally unseat the Regals.

Quarterback Tyler Hetzler and running back Koy Snider highlight an offense that is sure to light up the scoreboard. Hetzler threw for 1,955 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, while Snider ran for 1,144 yards and 15 scores. Running back Logan Mays chipped in 490 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Snider and Troyal Harris give Hetzler a couple sets of reliable hands. They combined to make 66 receptions for 946 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Snider and Jacob Giese are the Beavers’ defensive standouts. Snider is the top tackler after

making 82 stops a year ago, while Giese finished fourth on the team with 78 tackles and led the Beavers with 10 tackles for loss.

Sigourney-Keota traditionally boasts an explosive ground game, and 2013 will be no different for the Cobras. Quarterback Luke Lyle and running backs Colton Greiner and Payton Crawford are all back to spearhead the Cobras’ attack after totaling 1,977 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns; Lyle also threw for 386 yards and 6 scores.

The Cobra defense returns many of its key pieces, which should give head coach Jared Jensen a solid unit. Cole Streigle led the team with 83 tackles and Crawford added 74 stops. Derek Berg made 39 takedowns and pulled down 4 interceptions.

West Branch took a major hit through graduation and filling those holes will be a challenge, potentially opening the door for a new squad to reach the postseason.

Wapello could be poised to take advantage of the Bears’ losses. Quarterback Alex Rollinger carries the Indians’ playoff hopes with his arm after throwing for 1,490 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago.

This district could feature a pair of great battles: one for the top spot between Iowa City Regina and Wilton, and the other between West Branch and Wapello for the final playoff berth.

District 5Outlook


6DistrictTeams

Cardinal (eldon) (3-6)Nickname: Comets

Head Coach: Adam HadenfeldtTop returning Players: Tyler Albert (DB/P);

Brandon Potts (LB); Nathan Yeager (FB/DL)

eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (2-7)

Nickname: RocketsHead Coach: Eric Kellar

Top returning Players: Cory Archer (RB/LB); Ty Jager (RB/LB); Chance Wursta (TE/LB)

iowa City regina (14-0)Nickname: Regals

Head Coach: Marv CookTop returning Players: Riley Dixon (RB);

Casey Beaver (OL/DL); Elliot Halsch (LB)

sigourney-keota (4-6)Nickname: Cobras

Head Coach: Jared JensenTop returning Players: Luke Lyle (QB/DB);

Payton Crawford (RB/LB); Colton Greiner (RB/LB)

wapello (4-5)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Todd ParsonsTop returning Players: Holden Brockway

(WR); Chandler Cocklin (LB); Alex Rollinger (QB)

west Branch (8-3)Nickname: Bears

Head Coach: Butch PedersenTop returning Players: Mike Gould (RB/LB);

Tyler Donovan (RB/LB); Jon St. John (OL/DL)

wilton (8-3)Nickname: Beavers

Head Coach: Lance PedersenTop returning Players: Jacob Giese (OL/DL);

Tyler Hetzler (QB/P); Koy Snider (RB/WR/DB)

District 6Outlook

Photo courtesy of Impact ImageryIowa City Reginariley Dixon

class 1a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) iowa City regina regals2) wilton beavers3) sigourney-keota cobras4) west branch


District 7 could be a gunslinger’s league in 2013. The district features a quartet of 1,000-yard passers, and a couple of those quarterbacks are serious dual-threats. Accounting for that, fans can expect a similar playoff picture to last year’s.

The “Air Force” is headlined by Mount Ayr’s Jacob Sobotka, who led the district with 1,668 passing yards and 1,407 yards on the ground in 2012. He accounted for 41 total touchdowns as he led the Raiders to the state quarterfinals.

The Raiders also return Erik Freed, who finished second on the team in both rushing and receiving last season. He tallied 744 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns a year ago.

Mount Ayr always fields a strong defense, and 2013 should be no exception. The Raiders bring back five of their top six tacklers from last season, led by Cody Stackhouse. Stackhouse tallied 96 stops in 2012, including 10 for loss and 4 sacks. Mason Merceer, Riley Weehler, Sobotka and Joe Ricker also joined the hit parade and compiled 304 tackles with 50 stops for loss and 16 sacks.

Chasing the Raiders will be quarterback Brandon Brittain and the Van Meter Bulldogs. Brittain tossed for 1,606 yards and 13 touchdowns, and ran for 801 yards and 10 more scores as he led the Bulldogs to an 8-3 record and a second round playoff berth. Tailback Cody Blackwell is back following a sophomore campaign in which he ran for 547 yards and 12 touchdowns. Together, Brittain and Blackwell should give the Bulldog offense plenty of bite.

Chase Wyant will be counted on to lead Van Meter’s defense yet again this fall. He tallied 137 tackles, including 20 stops for loss and 9 sacks, as a junior. Joining Wyant will be Ben Engstrand and Logan Crawford, who made 65 and 63 tackles, respectively, last year. Crawford also hauled in 4 interceptions.

Looking at the final two playoff bids, it should be Pella Christian and Ogden fighting for seeding once again.

The Eagles bring back quarterback Colten Collins after watching the then-junior throw for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012. He’ll have the services of tailback Mason Howerzyl, who ran for 678 yards and 3 scores as part of a running back committee last year. Zach Van Zee headlines the defense after recording 77 tackles last season, 17.5 of which were behind the line of scrimmage.

The Bulldogs still have quarterback Caleb Fry, who threw for 1,527 yards and 16 scores a year ago, but will have a significant hole to fill offensively. The team lost 1,200-yard rusher Cody Good, although Jonathon Thompson may be ready to step up this year after running for 430 yards in 2012. Fry will also still have his favorite target, Cayce Good, to look for downfield. Good hauled in 32 passes for 432 yards and 5 touchdowns last year.

This could be one of the most exciting districts to watch this fall, with loaded offenses ready to burn turf and light up the scoreboard.


7DistrictTeams

Central Decatur (leon) (4-5)Nickname: CardinalsHead Coach: Jon PedersenTop returning Players: Marcus Foltz (OL/DL); Peyton Gilbert (OL/LB); Trenton Wells (WR/LB/P)

Colfax-mingo (2-7)Nickname: TigerhawksHead Coach: Mike RupertTop returning Players: Jake Lietz (LB); Sam Smith (LB); Chris Warner (OL/DL)

Des Moines Christian (3-6)Nickname: LionsHead Coach: Craig Carlson & Jeff SouthTop returning Players: Ian Troll (OL/DL); Dillon Bruxvoort (RB/DB); Jackson Webster (FB/LB)

Mount ayr (11-1)Nickname: RaidersHead Coach: Derek Lambert & Delwyn ShowalterTop returning Players: Mason Mercer (OL/DL); Jacob Sobotka (QB/LB); Cody Stackhouse (RB/LB)

Ogden (6-5)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Ken VigdalTop returning Players: Caleb Fry (QB); Cayce Good (WR); Henry Haglund (LB)

Pella Christian (6-4)Nickname: EaglesHead Coach: Richard KacmarynskiTop returning Players: Colten Collins (QB); Mason Howerzyl (RB/LB/P); Zach Van Zee (LB)

van Meter (8-3)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Eric TrudoTop returning Players: Brandon Brittain (QB/P); Cody Blackwell (RB); Chase Wyant (LB)

District 7Outlook

Photo courtesy of Sam Martin/Dallas County NewsVan MeterBrandon Brittain

class 1a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) mount ayr raiders2) van meter bulldogs3) pella christian eagles4) ogden bulldogs


St. Albert (Council Bluffs) made it all the way to the Class 1A state title game before falling to Iowa City Regina, and the Falcons should continue their run of excellence with another district crown and deep playoff run.

The Falcons don’t have any statistical superstars, but that’s more a product of their depth than a lack of talent. Four players rushed for 579 yards or more last year and two of them, Tucker Culjat and Jacob Bendgen, are back for another year. Culjat accounted for 1,417 yards of total offense and 24 touchdowns as a dual-threat quarterback, while Bendgen ran for 594 yards and 5 scores in 2012.

Mason Beezley leads the Falcons’ defense after running up 88 tackles last year, including 6.5 stops for loss and a pair of sacks. He’s joined by Joe Eickholt, who tallied 48 takedowns with 3 stops in the backfield. Culjat chipped in 45 tackles and picked off 5 passes.

After the perennial favorites, it’s a wide-open race for the remaining playoff berths. Both Tri-Center (Neola) and Panorama (Panora) lost significant pieces from last season’s successes, but it’s tough to count either team out.

The Trojans will rely heavily on running back and linebacker Ben Wellman this season. The senior returns as the only proven playmaker after running for 962 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2012, and he piled up 109 tackles — 22.5 for loss.

Others will need to step up, but the defense does also have Wes Zimmerman to lend Wellman

a hand. Zimmerman recorded 82 tackles with 5.5 stops for loss and a pair of interceptions.

The Panthers have quite a few holes to fill, particularly offensively, but there are a few players who have been waiting in the wings for a chance to prove themselves and take the team to the postseason once again.

Running backs Luke Webner and Chase Hennen combined for just 539 yards last season but they did so at an 8.7-yard clip. With a bigger role in the offense, the duo’s numbers should skyrocket this fall. There are no players, however, with much experience to fill the voids left by quarterback Garrett Mleynek and wideout Mason McNeill.

Treynor wasn’t among the four teams to earn a playoff bid last season, but the Cardinals could stand a solid chance to make it beyond the regular season this fall.

The offense boasts tailback Dane Livengood, who led the district with 1,215 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago. He’ll be the one to shoulder most of the offensive burden this year, although Trey Robinson added 593 rushing yards and 7 scores as he split time under center.

Livengood is also the Cardinals’ top defender; he tallied 109 tackles last season, including 9.5 for loss, and an interception. He’ll get some help from Michael Fisher and Michael Wesley, who rung up 121 stops between them.

This district should provide a wild race for second place behind St. Albert, so stay tuned!

District 7Outlook


8DistrictTeams

Missouri valley (2-7)Nickname: Big Reds

Head Coach: Ryan VictorTop returning Players: Jake Brandt (OL/DL);

Zane Harvey (LB); Steven Humphrey (QB/LB)

Nodaway valley (greenField) (2-7)

Nickname: WolverinesHead Coach: Steve Shantz

Top returning Players: Zach Brewer (RB/DB); Caleb Mueller (OL/DL); Michael Stender (OL/DL)

Panorama (Panora) (6-4)Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Lyle AlumbaughTop returning Players: Alex Llanes (RB/DB);

Chase Hennen (RB/WR/DB); Luke Webner (RB/DB)

st. albert (Council Bluffs) (12-2)

Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Kevin Culjat

Top returning Players: Mason Beezley (LB); Jacob Bendgen (RB); Tucker Culjat (QB/DB/P)

Treynor (4-5)Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Steve OwensTop returning Players: Michael Fisher (LB);

Dane Livengood (RB/LB); Trey Robinson (QB)

Tri-center (Neola) (7-3)Nickname: Trojans

Head Coach: Travis SellTop returning Players: Collin Alfers (OL/DL);

Ben Wellman (RB/LB); Wes Zimmerman (LB)

west Center valley (stuart) (4-6)

Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Tony Hooper

Top returning Players: Grant Dudley (OL/DL); Rob Irlmeier (RB/LB); Clayton Scott (DB)

District 8Outlook

Photo courtesy of Impact ImagerySt. Albert (Council Bluffs)Tucker Culjat

class 1a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) st. albert falcons2) tri-center trojans3) panorama panthers4) treynor cardinals




all-state

TeaMPRESEASON


NameCole NearyJay ScheelDuncan FerchParker HesseChase RupiperZach HugenMitch StegerBrandon BieriSam BrincksWayne DoerscherTanner KroonBen SpaethAustin Errthum

SchoolKuemper Catholic

UnionW. MarshallWaukonKuemper Catholic

AlbiaBeckmanLouisa-MuscatineKuemper Catholic

Davis CountySpirit LakeSpirit LakeMid-Prairie

YrSR SR SR SRSR SR SR SR SR SRSR SRSR

Offense


NameDakota NessRobbie PetersTyler PutneySeth SnitkerJared GescheidlerTaylor NiehausDevin CheslerAlex SchultzBrett LeshenAlex DreesZach HuffakerJose Rendon

SchoolWaukonMt. VernonForest CityWaukonGilbertKuemper Catholic

W. MarshallAlbiaAlbiaKuemper Catholic

Collins-Maxwell-Baxter

Shenandoah

YrSR SR SR SRJR SR SR SR SR SRSR SR

Defense

Class 2aOverview

Spirit Lake made the leap from Class 2A state runner-up in 2011 to state champion in 2012. The Indians will need to reload for a repeat this sea-son, especially since they lost a ton of experience from graduation from the past two stellar teams. So who are among the names that may be on the list this season? In northwest Iowa a number of teams always make the list based on tradition. District 1 is balanced but may not have that state title contender. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley also lost the nucleus of its team that was unbeaten during the regular season. Central Lyon/George-Little Rock and Sheldon have a similar problem, but they always seem to have competitive groups.

Union (LaPorte City) won the District 3 title last season, and Jay Scheel is set to play after knee surgery this past offseason. Scheel is a dual threat at quarterback as he passed for nearly 1,600 yards and 19 touchdowns; he ran for another 1,300 yards and 20 TD’s. Beckman Catholic (Dyersville) looks to defend its District 4 championship with Grant Hammann back under center after passing for 1,731 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Trail-blazers last season.

Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) is another team to watch as the as the Knights return their signal caller in Cole Neary who passed for nearly 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns and only 5 intercep-tions in 259 attempts. Add 1,200-yard rusher Chase Rupiper, along with his 18 touchdowns, and the Knights offense looks set to roll again. Taylor Niehaus is back on defense after leading the class in tackles with 167 — 69 solo stops and 11 for losses. Josh Irlbeck added another 132 takedowns.

Class 2A is attention-grabbing, due to how balanced the districts and overall class can be. Iowa City Regina won the 1A title last season but also ran off three-straight 2A titles prior. Spirit Lake won last year, making the top competition

intense, especially considering the three-year run by Solon from 2007-2010.

Individually, some of the top players to watch in Class 2A include quarterbacks Trevor Haaland (Osage), Cole Jackson (North Polk) and Zach Samson (Collins-Maxwell-Baxter). Haaland passed for 2,200-plus yards and 22 touchdowns and finished second in the class in passing yards behind Jesse Ertz (Mediapolis), who starts his collegiate career at Kansas State this fall. Samson passed for nearly 2,000 yards and ran for nearly 1,100 more for the Raiders and is back as one of the total offense leaders in the state. Samson accounted for 30 touchdowns.

Duncan Ferch is back for West Marshall (State Center) after leading 2A in rushing yards last season with 2,264 yards and 33 touchdowns. Brandon Tomer (Louisa-Muscatine, Letts), Zach Rubenbauer (East Marshall, LeGrand), Parker Hesse (Waukon) and Chase Dobson (Nevada), who all ran for over 1,100 yards last year, will key their teams’ running game success.

Mitch Steger is a game-changing target and returns for Beckman after pulling down 68 passes for 1,069 and 8 touchdowns in 2012. Zach Hugen (Albia) and Bryce Kemp (Collins-Maxwell-Bax-ter) all had over 700 receiving yards last year.

The kicking game can be overlooked, but Aus-tin Errthum (Mid-Prairie, Wellman) is expected to shine, with his past record of seven field goals last season, including a 58-yarder.

Some of the favorites have been decided, but the turnover of rosters can surprise every-one. One surprise to look for is the new North Fayette/Valley team that is the consolidation of North Fayette and Valley (Elgin). Valley (Elgin) is changing classes from 8-Player to 2A, where North Fayette was already a member.

SportsSpotlight.comSportsSpotlight.comPhoto courtesy of Dyersville CommercialBECKMAN (DYERSVILLE)MiTCH sTeGer

Photo courtesy of Terry SimmonsALBIABreTT lesHeN



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The season was off to a perfect start. In 2011, the Union La Porte City Knights were ranked No. 1, heading into week four with no losses. The Knights were looking for another win, but halfway through the second quarter, things changed and an injury switched up the whole team’s dynamic.

Starting quarterback Trev Hadachek separated his shoulder early in the game, and by the third quarter was unable to throw at all. In a game-time decision, a young sophomore, Jay Scheel, was moved into the quarterback position. This was the first time that Scheel was introduced to the state of Iowa as a quarterback.

“It really kind of was almost a breaking point, and our team kind of came together,” Trev Hadachek said. “Everybody knew in the stands and in the whole state, this kid’s going to be really special.”

After an abrupt entrance, Scheel went on to bring a new energy and force to the team. Despite his young age and inexperience, Scheel helped lead the team to the 3A state championship over Decorah.

“Here you’re thrown into a position with a group of returning starters and what happened is he took over the reins of the team as the quarterback and took us to another level and got us to the state title,” said head coach Joe Hadachek.

The following year, the Knights moved down to join Class 2A and Scheel continued as starting quarterback. Riding on the confidence from the

last season’s success, Scheel was becoming more comfortable in his position.

“I stepped in and had no idea where the season was going to take us,” Scheel said. “I was trying to figure out my role and I didn’t expect anything to play out the way it did, and I had fun with it.”

Scheel’s versatility as a player was a guiding force toward his success as a quarterback. With experience as a wide receiver, defensive back and punt returner, Scheel was able to read the field and make big plays. According to Scheel, playing multiple positions helped him know what to expect from the opponent and allowed him to be a step ahead.

“He’s one of those kids that every time he touches the ball he has the chance to make something big happen,” Trev Hadachek said. “Everyone’s holding their breath when he gets the ball because they know something’s going to happen.”

When Scheel hits the field, all eyes turn to him, whether it’s during a big game or on the field for practice. Although his plays are explosive and his talent is first class, Scheel is a quiet teammate and leader. He shows by doing. According to Coach Hadachek, Scheel leads by example.

But this year, as a senior and team captain, Scheel will be called upon to lead not only by example but also in a more direct way.

“We’re working with him, trying to develop the intricacies of what a leader does,” Coach Hadachek

said. “He’s going be called upon to be more vocal and say things that maybe weren’t so comfortable as they were in last few years.”

While Scheel is working on being a more vocal leader, a bigger obstacle stands in his way for him to work through. After suffering from a bone chip in one knee and a small tear in the other, Scheel underwent knee surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics last April. According to Coach Hadachek, Scheel is on the road to recovery to play in the first game, and from a toughness perspective, Hadachek is not concerned.

“Once I get back to playing 100 percent it shouldn’t be an issue,” Scheel said. “The only thing I need to focus on is being mentally sound. I just have to go in tough and ready and play as hard as I have been the least few years.”

Fully aware of what’s expected of him and the challenges ahead, Scheel is focused and ready to embark on his final season as a Union La Porte City Knight. Following high school, Scheel plans to continue his football career with the Iowa Hawkeyes, but for now his senior season is what matters.

“Being committed [to Iowa] doesn’t affect the season ahead because that’s college and I’m still in high school, so I’m just focused on my senior season,” he said. “Everything I do I’m going to realize it’s the last chance to do it and go out and do the best I can each and every game.”

Jay scheel

2a Player in the spotlight

Photos courtesy of Joe Hadachek

Photo courtesy of Terry Simmons

BreTT lesHeN

by eliZaBeTH rOBiNsON

http://www.tworiversins.com/

There’s tons of tradition when it comes to high school football in northwest Iowa, especially with Central Lyon/George-Little Rock and Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley. Both of the powers seem to be in the rebuilding stage, rather than the reloading stage, which may open the door for someone new to step in and change a bit of the tradition. Sioux Center was 3-6 last season, but returns an experienced group that could be one to watch, as could Sheldon and MOC-Floyd Valley.

Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley will look toward Logan Stiens in the running game after he rushed for just over 400 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Andrew Van Ginkel will be a factor on both sides of the football. On defense he was in on 77 tackles, third best on the team. Since 2009, which includes time in Class 3A and 2A, B-H/RV has lost just one game in district play and has a 35-1 record. It’s pretty hard not to figure that ‘reload’ is the right word to use in this case.

Sheldon has been very consistent over the past five seasons. The Orabs return Hunter McDonald in the backfield with his 800-plus rushing yards, and Darin Greenfield on defense with his help on 64 tackles. Tanner Whitsell and McDonald will also add extra depth on defense.

Central Lyon/George-Little Rock title contention will begin on the defensive side of the ball, led by Ethan Christians and Brent Klingenberg, who combined for 134 tackles in 2012. Derek Rupp is back for MOC-Floyd Valley after leading the team with 121 tackles,

40 of them solo, including five for loss. Sioux Center hopes that the returning talent helps make the leap not only to be a playoff contender, but also a district title contender. Back for the Warriors on offense is Andrew O’Donnell at quarterback, where he combined for 1,000 yards passing and rushing.

Christian Rozeboom and Dylan Vant Hof will lead the defensive charge. The duo combined for 100 tackles last season.

Unity Christian and Cherokee hope to make big leaps with their signal callers both returning. Cherokee also returns Luke Zeiman in the running game with his 800 yards and 5 touchdowns last season.

In the end, it looks to be many of the familiar names that grace the top of the district race, led by Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley, Central Lyon and Sheldon, perhaps with an appearance by Sioux Center into this season’s playoff race.


1DistrictTeams

Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (11-1)Nickname: NighthawksHead Coach: Cory BrandtTop Returning Players: Jerod Hansen (WR); Logan Stiens (RB/LB); Andrew Van Ginkel (WR)

Central Lyon (Rock Rapids) (7-4)Nickname: LionsHead Coach: Toby LorenzenTop Returning Players: Ethan Christians (LB); Jesse Henrichs (RB/LB); Brent Klingenberg (DB)

Cherokee (0-9)Nickname: BravesHead Coach: Travis SchipperTop Returning Players: Levi Lundquist (QB/DB); Michael Rosewall (OL/DL); Luke Zeiman (RB/LB)

MOC-Floyd Valley (5-5)Nickname: DutchmenHead Coach: Tom RuppTop Returning Players: Elijah Dahl (DB); Derek Rupp (LB)

Sheldon (8-3)Nickname: OrabsHead Coach: Matt MeenderingTop Returning Players: Darin Greenfield (OL/DL); Hunter McDonald (RB/P); Tanner Whitsell (LB)

SiouX Center (3-6)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Tim Van RegenmorterTop Returning Players: Andrew O’Donnell (QB); Marcus Post (DB); Christian Rozeboom (LB)

Unity Christian (Orange City) (2-7)Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Perry KrosschellTop Returning Players: Arie Hoekstra (QB); Mitchell Post (OL/DL); Logan Schoonhoven (RB/LB)

District 1Outlook

Photo courtesy of Paul Struck/Cherokee Chronicle Timescherokee (washington)Luke zeiman

class 2a

PLAYOFF PREDICTION1) boyden-hull/rock valley nighthawks

2) central lyon lions3) sheldon orabs4) sioux center warriors

[ ]Sioux Center hopes that the returning talent helps make the leap

not only to be a playoff contender, but also a

district title contender.


Spirit Lake has become the leader over the past few seasons. This season, though, it will have a new look at the skill positions, so defense and offensive line play will have to key a repeat performance of the past few seasons. The question for the Indians’ success will be if the younger classes and youth programs are setting the table to continue what has been built. Ben Spaeth and Tanner Kroon are the top defensive returners – a huge part of why Spirit Lake has been so good over the years. Can the swarm continue on defense? And who will step up on the offensive side of the ball? Those questions will be answered soon.

South Central Calhoun will benefit from experience, especially on the lines and with a 2-year starter at quarterback in Jake Petzenhauser. Kyler Case looks to be part of the running game, while the defense will allow the offense to work on things with nine experienced players back. The offense will be led by Cody Schoop who led the Titans with 85 stops, including 39 solo. Adding depth to the defense, as returners, are Anthony Handlos, Aron King, Jeff King, Case and Petaenhauser.

Forest City and Garner-Hayfield/Ventura have enough coming back to repeat a top-four district finish this season. Colton Westerberg ran for

nearly 800 yards and 9 touchdowns last season for the Indians. Tyler Putney and Matt Snyder will help glue the defense with their combined 160 tackles last season. Garner-Hayfield/Ventura will count on defensive experience to carry them, at least early in the season, led by Braden Meints and Nic Tusha.

Clarion-Goldfield lost a ton through graduation after a solid 6-3 regular season. To repeat at that level they will count on Caleb Hanson and Joel Haberman on defense and Trenton Sann in the running game.

Estherville-Lincoln Central and East Sac County did not enjoy good seasons in 2012. Ty Jacobsen is back under center for East Sac and is only a junior. Jacobsen passed for just over 1,200 yards last season with 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Chris Villhauer is back in the backfield, so improvement on the offensive line will be the key to become a playoff contender.

Will recent tradition prevail once again with Spirit Lake or even South Central Calhoun? Or is there a sleeper ready to step up, like Forest City or Garner-Hayfield/Ventura? Tradition plays a huge part each year in high school football, but one of the main reasons people go to the games every Friday night is the unknown.

District 1Outlook


2DistrictTeams

Clarion-GoldField (7-5)Nickname: Cowboys

Head Coach: Paul HanschTop returning Players: Joel Haberman (DB);

Caleb Hanson (OL/DL); Trenton Sann (RB/P)

east sac County (1-8)Nickname: Raiders

Head Coach: Eric McColloughTop returning Players: Ty Jacobsen (QB/DB);

Carter Niehuas (WR/DB); Chris Villhauer (RB/LB)

estherville-lincoln Central (1-8)

Nickname: MidgetsHead Coach: Chuck Fandel

Top returning Players: Trevor Curry (OL/DL); Anthony Segura (DB); Billy Snyder (RB/LB)

Forest City (7-3)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Chad MooreTop returning Players: Tyler Putney (OL/DL);

Matt Snyder (WR/DB); Colton Westerberg (RB/DB)

Garner-HayField (7-4)Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Scott Van DusseldorpTop returning Players: Braden Meints (LB);

Spencer Shaw (QB/DB); Nic Tusha (OL/DL)

south Central Calhoun (4-5)

Nickname: TitansHead Coach: Bryan Case

Top returning Players: Aron King (OL/DL); Jake Petzenhauser (QB/DB); Cody Schoop (FB/LB)

spirit lake (13-1)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Joshua BolluytTop returning Players: Sam Harms (OL/DL);

Tanner Kroon (OL/DL); Ben Spaeth (OL/DL)


Photo courtesy of Spirit Lake High SchoolSpirit LakeBen spaeth

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) spirit lake indians2) south central calhoun titans3) forest city indians4) garner-hayField cardinals



Union looks to repeat as district champs, but to do so will count on Jay Scheel under center, who is coming off of knee surgery following a nearly 2,000 yard and 19-touchdown season. Scheel is also a big threat in the running game, coming off his 1,300-yard, 20-touchdown performance last season. Jace Hadachek will anchor the defense where, as a sophomore, he led the Knights tackles last season.

Waukon looks to challenge once again after a 7-2 season in 2012 with some key skill kids back, led by Parker Hesse and his 1,174 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Also back to fill up the loaded backfield is Marcus Weymiller who ran for nearly 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns. Dakota Ness and Seth Snitker return on the defensive side. The duo combined for over 200 stops in 2012.

New Hampton has a lot to replace on offense, but will have Kyle Smith back, who pulled down 20 receptions for just over 400 yards. Defense will be where it all starts this season for the Chickasaws to gain a repeat of last year. Connor Frerichs led the team in tackles with 145, 36 of which were solo. Also back to strengthen the defense are Kyle Blaylock and Tucker Tenge.

Osage finished in the upper division last season, and led by Trevor Haaland back under center they hope to move up and challenge for a district title this season. Haaland passed for 2,246

yards and 21 touchdowns. If the running game improves with Casey Ringhofer, who ran for 446 yards, then the Green Devils could keep defenses a little more honest. Ringhofer is also the leader on defense.

Central Springs, Hampton-Dumont and Columbus Catholic (Waterloo) all need to make a big jump to contend for an upper-district finish. Central Springs returns Blake Bickenderfer who gained valuable playing time in the backfield with his 461 yards. Hampton-Dumont will start with now junior signal-caller Cole Miller, and Isaiah Noelck and Chace Klein in the backfield. Kendrick Suntken, who led the young defense in tackles as a sophomore, is also back.

Waterloo Columbus had some growing pains last season, but the best thing about sophomores is that they become juniors, and with improvement could make this a very balanced district. The Sailors start with a couple of quarterbacks with playing experience in Charlie Verduzco and Ethan Smith, along with Luke Farley in the backfield. Farley led the team with 63 solo tackles and was involved in 83 overall.

From top to bottom it could be a much more balanced district, but until someone steps into the varsity lights and makes that happen, the targets remain much the same this season with Union gaining the edge.


3DistrictTeams

Central springs (Manly) (2-7)Nickname: PanthersHead Coach: Bill ShaferTop returning Players: Blake Plickenderfer (RB/DB); Brandon Hebel (DB)

Columbus Catholic (waterloo) (0-9)Nickname: SailorsHead Coach: Aundra MeeksTop returning Players: Jack Conway (LB); Luke Farley (RB/LB); Mitch Roe (OL/DL)

Hampton-Dumont (2-7)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Jerry ShafrathTop returning Players: Cole Miller (QB); Mario Pena (OL/DL); Kendrick Suntken (OL/DL)

New Hampton (9-2)Nickname: ChickasawsHead Coach: Scott FrerichsTop returning Players: Kyle Blaylock (DB); Connor Frerichs (LB); Kyle Smith (TE/DL)

Osage (5-5)Nickname: Green DevilsHead Coach: Lon LawlerTop returning Players: Trevor Haaland (QB); Casey Ringhofer (RB/DB); Ryan Woods (WR/DB)

uNiON (laPorte City) (9-2)Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Joe HadachekTop returning Players: Cole Reiter (DB); Jace Hadachek (OL/DL); Jay Scheel (QB/DB)

waukon (9-3)Nickname: IndiansHead Coach: Ted SnitkerTop returning Players: Parker Hesse (QB/LB); Seth Snitker (OL/DL); Marcus Weymiller (RB/LB)

District 3Outlook

Photo courtesy of Drew Herron / Atlantic News-Telegraphwaukonseth snitker

class 2a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) union knights2) waukon indians3) osage green devils4) new hampton chickasaws


Beckman swept the district last season and returns Grant Hammann under center and Mitch Steger on the defensive side. Hammann passed for 1,731 yards and 13 touchdowns last season for the Trailblazers. Steger will look to be a factor in the running game as the top returning rusher, with 461 yards and 9 touchdowns, and as one of the top receivers in the state, with 68 catches for 1,069 yards and 8 more scores. Beckman won all six of its district games last season.

Center Point-Urbana lost only to Beckman in districts last season and returns its signal caller, Ryan Wilkin. Wilkin passed for nearly 1,300 yards and will turn to hand the ball off to Nicolas Dighton, who ran for nearly 500 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Mount Vernon and Cascade each finished 5-4 in the regular season in 2012, but a solid group returns to make the Mustangs a threat for a district title. Jake Pisarik brings back experience under center, Trey Ryan in the running game and Carson Kuntz, Spencer Drahos and Robbie Peters on the defensive side of the football. The

Mustangs also add to their defensive depth with the return of Noah Dahlstrom, Josh Cannon and Ryan.

Cascade lost a ton to graduation last year, so how the new faces will fit in and play at the next level is unknown. Ben Weber will be counted on to help lead the defense after his 73 stops last

season. Monticello may

be ready to go from pretender to contender with the return of Jacob Black at quarterback and Tanner Felton in the backfield, after rushing for 767 yards and 9 touchdowns. Black combined accounted for nearly 1,400 yards of total offense as a dual-threat last season.

Camanche will feature Lucas Thiede and Quan Matthew on defense as the duo combined for 100-plus stops in 2012.

In the end, the target once again will be Beckman (Dyersville), but Center Point-Urbana and Mount Vernon hope to push and find a way to upset the apple cart. The fight for the final playoff spot in the district looks to be an open one.

District 3Outlook


4DistrictTeams

Beckman (Dyersville) (11-2)

Nickname: TrailblazersHead Coach: Gregg Hammann

Top returning Players: Tony Anstoetter (TE/LB); Grant Hammann (QB); Mitch Steger (WR/LB)

Camanche (2-7)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Steve DoughertyTop returning Players: Derek Harksen (LB);

Quan Matthew (LB); Lucas Thiede (WR/DB)

Cascade (western Dubuque) (5-5)

Nickname: CougarsHead Coach: Tim Frake

Top returning Players: Nate Bergfeld (WR); Ben Weber (OL/DL)

Center Point-Urbana (8-2)

Nickname: Stormin PointersHead Coach: Dan Burke

Top returning Players: Nic Dighton (RB/DB); Reed Sagert (OL/LB); Ryan Wilkin (QB/DB)

Monticello (4-5)Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Shane BlakeTop returning Players: Jacob Black (QB/DB);

Tanner Felton (RB/LB); Daniel Pike (OL/DL)

Mount vernon (5-5)Nickname: Mustangs

Head Coach: Duane OrrTop returning Players: Josh Cannon (OL/DL);

Carson Kuntz (OL/DL); Trey Ryan (RB/DB)

Northeast (Goose lake) (1-8)Nickname: Rebels

Head Coach: Jerad BlockTop returning Players: Jace Murphy (DB);

Garrett Moeller (OL/DL); Tevin Stoecker (RB/LB)

District 4Outlook

[ ]Beckman won all six of its district

games lastseason.

Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon-Lisbon SunMount vernonrobbie Peters

class 2a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) BeCKMaN TrailBlaZers2) MOUNT verNON MUsTaNGs3) CeNTer POiNT-UrBaNa sTOrMiN POiNTers

4) MONTiCellO PaNTHers


Mediapolis almost had a season to remember last season, finishing second in Class 2A, but had to play the title game without one of the state’s all-time best quarterbacks, Jesse Ertz, who will take his trade to Kansas State this season. Drew Foster showed that he was capable of handling the quarterback duties in the toughest of times, so with time to prepare, the Bulldogs should be as good as they can be. Dalton Shadle is back to lead the defense after being part of 66 stops last season.

Mid-Prairie lost once in the district, finished with a 7-2 record last year and will be a factor again with the return of Reid Miller under center. Miller passed for 1,253 yards and 9 touchdowns, but was picked-off 10 times. Eesaa Baylor balances out the offense with his 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Miller and Canaan Powell led the Golden Hawks in tackles last season and return to lead that charge again.

West Liberty needs to replace some key skill position kids on offense, but can look toward its defense to help the rebuilding process. The defense will be led by Elliot Henderson and Riley Anderson, who combined for nearly 150 tackles last season. Louisa-Muscatine was a young group last year in the skill positions and should improve offensively behind quarterback Austin Bohling,

and especially in the running game with 1,300-yard rusher Brandon Tomer returning. Blake Kemp adds to the depth in the backfield with another 655 yards. Bohling and Kemp will also help lead the defense.

Columbus Junction returns Mark Ramirez with 655 yards rushing, and Ramirez also serves as a leader on defense with his team-leading 63 tackles. Zack Gaddy, Chase Finke, Kenan Todd and Ricky Rivers also return to bring depth back on defense. West Burlington/Notre Dame was young under center but the passing game hopes to be the team’s strength if it is to contend for a playoff spot. Da’Shon Johnson moves to his junior season with a ton of experience and his favorite targets back as well in Springer DeRosear and Xavier Williams. Keelan Murphy led the Falcons in tackles last season with 30 solo and 82 overall.

The district could turn a bit this season, but many of the same names should be part of the playoff position battle. Mid-Prairie looks to be ready to jump from runner-up to district champion, but Mediapolis will not go down without a fight. Also keep an eye out for Louisa-Muscatine to possibly make things a little more interesting this season. This season, the competition is wide open for the final playoff spot.


5DistrictTeams

Central Lee (Donnellson) (0-9)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Kenton BennerTop Returning Players: Jake Boeck (WR/DB); Fett Conner (WR/LB); Christian Henriksen (OL/DL)

Columbus (Columbus Junction) (3-6)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Jeff MartinTop Returning Players: Zack Gaddy (LB); Mark Ramirez (RB/DL); Ricky Rivers (WR)

Louisa-Muscatine (Letts) (4-6)Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Guy DierikxTop Returning Players: Blake Kemp (RB/LB); Austin Bohling (QB/DB); Brandon Tomer (RB)

Mediapolis (13-1)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Brian BorrisonTop Returning Players: Drew Buster (RB/LB); Adam Drain (OL/DL); Dalton Shadle (OL/LB)

Mid-Prairie (Wellman) (8-3)Nickname: Golden HawksHead Coach: Pete CavanaughTop Returning Players: Eesaa Baylor (RB/LB); Reid Miller (QB/DB); Canaan Powell (RB/LB)

West Burlington/Notre Dame (2-7)Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Jeff HouselTop Returning Players: Da’Shon Johnson (QB); Springer DeRosear (TE/LB); Keelan Murphy (OL/LB)

West Liberty (6-5)Nickname: CometsHead Coach: Joe DonavanTop Returning Players: Riley Anderson (DB); Brett Becker (WR); Elliot Henderson (DB)

District 5Outlook

Photo courtesy of The Wellman Advancemid-prairie (wellman)Eesaa baylor

class 2a

PLAYOFF PREDICTION 1) MID-PRAIRIE GOLDEN HAWKS2) MEDIAPOLIS BULLDOGS3) LOUISA-MUSCATINE FALCONS4) WEST LIBERTY COMETS

Bondurant-Farrar won the district title last season, but has to reload for that to happen this season. Grant Petersen rushed for 500-plus yards as a sophomore and will be a factor offensively, while the defense will be led by the return of Jon Baker, Sam Duffy and Petersen.

Albia was right there with the Bluejays as they both completed 8-1 regular seasons. Brett Leshen is back under center, after passing for 1,439 yards and 16 touchdowns with his top receivers back in Zach Hugen and Luke Sarver. Hugen hauled in 34 passes for nearly 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. Alex Schultz adds to the power on the offensive side of the ball with his 1,015 yards on the ground. Schultz, Hugen and Leshen also return as the top-three returners on defense.

PCM-Monroe will look for a new quarterback, and if it finds someone to replace Nate VandeWall, then the Mustangs look to make noise offensively this season. In line for the quarterback spot are Zach Uhlenhopp and Nate Gilman who will turn to hand off the football to Blake McWilliams. Uhlenhopp is the top returning receiver, with 39 catches for 450 yards, so he may be asked to do the same this season.

Spencer Bassett and Justin Utt are back to lead Davis County and its hopes in the district race. The Mustangs finished 6-3 last regular season, but 3-3 in districts. Collins-Maxwell-Baxter may be under the radar a bit, but those in the district should be aware, especially with the football in Zach Samson’s hands. Samson passed for 1,915

yards and 18 TD’s and ran for nearly 1,100 more yards and 12 touchdowns, so the dual-threat will put pressure on many defenses every Friday night. Zack Huffaker added another 655 yards in the rushing game. Bryce Kemp was second on the team in tackles with 73, and is back after a strong sophomore season.

Interstate 35 (Truro) will count on building on its running game, which returns Briar Vogel and Alex Middleton who combined for 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns. Vogel will be heard from on defense as well with his 50 solo and 80 overall stops last season. Clarke (Osceola) was young at the skill positions last season, so look for improvement this year. The problem is, in a very balanced district, the record may not reflect the better effort on the field. The Indians return their top five players on defense, led by Gordon Witt and Jacob Blair who were both part of 80 tackles. Rich Wilkins and Dalton Sweeney shared time at quarterback last season.

When you throw Jerry Staton’s name out to many in the high school football coaching world it usually means his teams will compete and win, and that is exactly what his staff has done since coming to Albia. Staton’s coaching and the team’s past success are good reasons to lean toward the Blue Demons as the district favorites. C-M-B, PCM and Bondurant-Farrar look to be a big part as well with the remainder of the teams trying to play spoiler.

District 5Outlook


6DistrictTeams

albia (8-2)Nickname: Blue Demons

Head Coach: Jerry StatonTop returning Players: Zach Hugen (WR/

DB); Brett Leshen (QB/DB); Alex Schultz (RB/LB)

Bondurant-Farrar (10-2)Nickname: Bluejays

Head Coach: Brad KjarTop returning Players: Jon Baker (OL/DL);

Sam Duffy (WR/DB); Grant Petersen (RB/DB)

Clarke (Osceola) (3-7)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Ryan SweeneyTop returning Players: Jacob Bair (LB);

Jeremy Jones (RB/LB); Gordon Witt (LB)

Collins-Maxwell-Baxter (4-6)

Nickname: RaidersHead Coach: Rob Luther

Top returning Players: Zach Huffaker (RB/LB); Bryce Kemp (WR/DB); Zach Samson (QB/DL)

Davis County (blOOMFielD) (6-4)

Nickname: MustangsHead Coach: Ed Koser

Top returning Players: Justin Utt (LB); Spencer Bassett (RB/LB); Wayne Doerscher (OL/DL)

interstate 35 (Truro) (1-8)

Nickname: RoadrunnersHead Coach: Randy Calvert

Top returning Players: Briar Vogel (RB/DL); Lonnie Harper (OL/DL); Alex Middleton (RB/DL)

PCM-Monroe (14-7)Nickname: Mustangs

Head Coach: Greg BonnettTop returning Players: Justing Beener (LB);

Blake McWilliams (RB/DL); Zach Uhlenhopp (TE/LB)

District 6Outlook

Photo courtesy of Scott Vicker/Osceola Sentinel-TribuneClarke (Osceola)Jacob Bair

class 2a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) alBia BlUe DeMONs2) COlliN-MaXwell-BaXTer raiDers3) PCM-MONrOe MUsTaNGs4) BONDUraNT-Farrar BlUeJays



West Marshall (State Center) rolled through a perfect regular season in 2012 and returns one of the state’s top rushers in Duncan Ferch, with his 2,264 yards and 33 touchdown runs from a year ago. If that isn’t enough, then add Devin Chesler and Elijah Streeter who combined for another 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns. Chester and Streeter will also factor in on the defensive side of the football.

North Polk has Cole Jackson back under center after passing for nearly 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns with only 5 interceptions in 257 pass attempts. Garrett Moeckly and Grant Lange combined for 800 yards in the running game, where they hope to balance things out. Russell Greene was on the receiving end of 42 passes for 460 yards and 7 touchdowns. Moeckly, Greene and Austin Williams led the team in tackles and return to lead an experienced Comet defense.

The Nevada sports programs have grown the past few seasons to where teams can no longer pencil in victories over the Cubs. Chase Dobson is back to lead the Cubs’ running game after rushing for 1,162 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Last year’s squad was senior-dominated, so a new group of faces will be counted on to continue the building process. Gilbert can count on a running game with the return of

Christopher Culek and Jared Gescheidler, who combined for 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2012. Gescheidler was a leader on defense as well, with his 94 overall tackles.

When have you seen a Roland-Story team win one game in a season? Looking at that 2012 record can fool you as the Norsemen were twice beaten on the final play of the game. Josiah Soderstrum hopes to better his nearly 500 yards on the ground as they work on the offensive line. Zach Hovick was part of 75 tackles, 31 of them solo; he will be the team leader on defense.

Zach Rubenbauer ran for over 1,300 yards and 11 scores for East Marshall last season, but more is needed to balance the offense if the Mustangs are to compete for a playoff spot in a usually competitive district.

With Ferch back, legendary coach Ken Winkler roaming the sidelines and the running game looking intact, West Marshall gets the nod, but North Polk should be able to make it earn the district title. There are still questions on how the remainder of the district will play out, but if teams like Roland-Story can turn those close losses in 2012 to close wins in 2013, then anything is possible.


7DistrictTeams

east Marshall (legrand) (3-7)Nickname: MustangsHead Coach: Mike StudtTop returning Players: Trevor Long (OL/DL); Curt Roseland (LB); Zach Rubenbauer (RB)

Gilbert (4-5)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Scott AudererTop returning Players: Chris Culek (RB); Jared Gescheidler (RB/DL); Brady Kline (OL/DL)

Nevada (6-5)Nickname: CubsHead Coach: John PelzerTop returning Players: Chase Dobson (RB); Brandon Becker (RB/LB)

North Polk (8-3)Nickname: CometsHead Coach: Evan GroepperTop returning Players: Cole Jackson (QB); Russell Greene (WR/DB); Garrett Moeckly (RB/LB)

roland-story (1-8)Nickname: NorsemenHead Coach: Kerry Van WinkleTop returning Players: Ben Crisman (OL/DL); Zach Hovick (QB/DB); Josiah Soderstrum (RB)

south Hardin (eldora) (Dropped Program for 2012 season)

Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Randy TjadenTop returning Players: Not Available

west Marshall (state Center) (11-1)Nickname: TrojansHead Coach: Ken WinklerTop returning Players: Colby Dunn (DL); Devin Chesler (RB/LB); Duncan Ferch (RB/DB)

District 7Outlook

Photo courtesy of West Marshall (State Center) High SchoolWest Marshall (State Center)Duncan Ferch

class 2a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) wesT MarsHall TrOJaNs2) NOrTH POlK COMeTs3) GilBerT TiGers4) NevaDa CUBs


Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) may not only be the district favorite this season, but one of a handful that look to be part of the UNI-Dome trip and become a viable state championship candidate. Cole Neary will once again steer the offense after passing for nearly 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in 259 pass attempts. Chase Rupiper adds to the Knights offensive power with his 1,254 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. Alex Drees is also back as part of the receiving corps after pulling down 43 passes for 628 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The Kuemper defense is in great shape as well, with six of its top eight tacklers returning, led by Taylor Niehaus and Josh Irlbeck. Austin Gunnerson, Sam Brincks and Drees add depth.

Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek-Ida Grove returns Cash Wilcke in the backfield after running for 611 yards in 2012, as the team hopes to build on a 6-3 season. Greene County has TJ Lint on the receiving end for whoever lines up under center for the Rams. Lint posted 51 receptions for nearly 600 yards last season. Jeremy Scheuermann and Lint were also leaders on defense with a combined 121 tackles.

Ryan Leininger will be back at quarterback for Red Oak with his 754 yards passing, but needs to cut back on his interceptions for the Tigers to improve. Evan Mellott ran for just over 1,000 yards and 6 scores and will be joined by Nathan Guffey and Austin Streicher to lead the defense.

Shenandoah returns Jackson Baker at quarterback and Jose Rendon in the running game, with his 824 yards rushing. James Valquier, Baker and Rendon will lead the defense. Clarinda can count on a group back on defense led by Jett Kettwick, Blake Luna and Dusty Swindler, who combined, averaged to be part of 65 tackles each last season.

Austin Smith played some at quarterback and Luke Strong gained experience in the running game where improvement is needed to compete for a playoff spot.

The biggest question is not if Kuemper Catholic will win the district, but will they be tested enough as they prepare for the post season run? The second question is, who will it be that steps up to be a viable playoff contender and give the Knights that playoff-type game needed during the regular season?

District 7Outlook


8DistrictTeams

Clarinda (1-8)Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Mark SchilbTop returning Players: Jett Kettwick (WR);

Eddy Love (OL/DL); Dusty Swindler (LB)

Clarinda academy (0-9)Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Brad KnightTop returning Players: Not Available

Greene County (4-6)Nickname: Rams

Head Coach: Dean LansmanTop returning Players: TJ Lint (WR/DB);

Jeremy Scheuermann (RB/LB); JC Weitl (LB)

Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) (12-1)

Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Chad Klein

Top returning Players: Sam Brincks (OL/DL); Cole Neary (QB); Chase Rupiper (RB)

oDeBOlT-arTHUr/baTTle creeK-iDa Grove (6-4)

Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Larry Allen

Top returning Players: Cash Wilcke (RB/LB); Jake Matthies (OL/DL); Austin Zobel (LB)

red Oak (3-7)Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Andy YostTop returning Players: Nate Guffey (DB);

Evan Mellott (RB); Austin Streicher (DB)

shenandoah (4-5)Nickname: Mustangs

Head Coach: PJ HedringtonTop returning Players: Jack Baker (QB/DB);

Sam Kroepel (RB/DB); Jose Rendon (RB/LB)

District 8Outlook

Photo courtesy of Kuemper Catholic (Carroll) High SchoolKuemper Catholic (Carroll)sam Brincks

class 2a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) KUeMPer CaTHOliC KNiGHTs2) reD OaK TiGers3) Oa-BCiG FalCONs4) GreeNe COUNTy raMs

[ ]The biggest question is not if Kuemper Catholic

will win the district, but will they be tested

enough as they prepare for the post season run?


http://www.morningside.edu/

www.morningside.edu

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http://www.jscottimages.com/


all-state

TeaMPRESEASON


NameEli DunneTrenton SolsmaMatt FinnernHolt JohansenBryce LidtkaTate JensenConnor NilesGarret JansenPierce JensenAlex StenboQuintin TaylorJosh WrightChristian Mertens

SchoolGrinnellBishop HeelanSpencerDecorahGrinnellA-D-MBishop HeelanPellaSpencerCarrollBenton Comm.Waverly-Shell Rock

Grinnell

YrSRSR SR SR SR SR SR JR SR SR SR SRSR

Offense


NameJared KeenanAlex MoererPete SwensonAlex StenboNathan ClaybergGarrett CovingtonTrevor FrainBrady RossHunter CushmanAaron SchultzWill WhitonCody Wirth

SchoolGrinnellWaverly-Shell Rock

Clear LakeCarrollPellaWashingtonCrestonHumboldtSpencerWilliamsburgPerryMaquoketa

YrSR SRSRSR SR SRSR JR SR SRJR SR

Defense

Class 3aOverview

Class 3A is a wide-open battle, not only in district play for the playoff spots, but once those tickets have been punched, the championship could go to any of the playoff teams. That being said, there are a number of teams that always seem to be a sure thing when it comes to the post season, which includes defending state champs, Decorah. Add Bishop Heelan (Sioux City), Harlan, Clear Lake, Solon, Pella and Marion to the list of teams that could all be district title contenders and you get the picture.

The Crusaders return Trent Solsma, one of the top quarterbacks in 3A and in the state after passing for over 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns, in addition to their experienced backfield and wide receiver corp. Christian Brobst and Philip Jacobson will anchor the defense, which will make them one of the favorites in the class.

Defending champion Decorah will count on their running game once again with Holt Jo-hansen back after his 1,110-yard, 16-touchdown effort last season. Adam Juhl is back under center for the Cyclones and legendary coach Curt Bladt will use that experience to continue the Harlan football tradition. Brock Adams makes the transition from state championship baseball to quarterback for the Lions where Fred Wieck and his coaching staff consistently produce quality teams year in and year out. Pete Swenson is the leader for the Clear Lake defense.

Brady Ross is a great place to start for Hum-boldt as the running back ran for nearly 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. Grinnell returns another of the top passers in the state in Eli Dunne. The Tiger QB passed for nearly 3,100 yards and 28 touchdowns and will look to Chris-tian Mertens and Bryce Lidtka on the receiving end that combined for 63 catches as the third and fourth options last season.

Marion returns their signal caller in Trev-or Hardman but will have to replace most of their top defensive stars. The Little Dutch bring back Nathan Henry and Lucas Steenhoek who combined for 1,000 yards and 6 touchdowns, and Nathan Clayberg is on the defensive side to lead the Pella hopes of a UNI-Dome trip.

Jacob Donohoe will lead the Williamsburg hopes from under center where he may be count-ed on a bit more this season with a new backfield behind him. The defense should be able to take some of the pressure off of the offense as they reload with a group of experienced leaders returning, including Jacob Lehmkuhl, Drew Doehrmann and Aaron Schultz.

The Spartans football tradition includes three straight titles from 2007-2009 and should always be considered a threat. As the list of teams grows, others to watch in 3A this season are LeMars with Levi Tebrink and Lewis Central (Council Bluffs) with Austin Simmons at quarterback. Matt Finnern of Spencer is back for Spencer after running for nearly 1,400 yards and 21 touch-downs and Connor Larson of Webster City will lead the Lynx attack after his 1,000-yard season in 2012.

In Class 3A this season, the edge would go to Bishop Heelan, but there are many twists and turns in the course of a nine-game season. We have no idea on how the newcomers on rosters will play under the big Friday night lights of varsity football, which can make any preseason look completely turned upside down.

Maybe for the first time in many years we will find a clearer picture of the 3A field, but if the past is any indication, then all I can say is enjoy the process of a high school football season.

SportsSpotlight.comSportsSpotlight.comSportsSpotlight.comPhoto courtesy of Creston News AdvertiserCRESTONTrevOr FraiN

Photo courtesy of Kurt WhitonPERRYwill wHiTON



The summer after his sophomore year, Trenton Solsma was out to prove a point. He was determined to show that he had what it took to be the starting varsity quarterback for the Bishop Heelan Crusaders and that he could help lead the team to a successful season.

Solsma and two of his teammates completed various reps and drills and competed for the position throughout the summer. Ultimately, Solsma came out on top.

“He just did things a little bit better in that and it was something that he earned that job,” head coach Roger Jansen said. “Like I said, it was competitive and obviously when you have competition the cream rises to the top.”

As a junior, Solsma had a breakthrough season. He completed 19 touchdowns, threw for 3,149 passing yards and completed 201 of 311 passes. He ended the season with a 65 percent completion percentage and a 182.5 quarterback rating.

Solsma’s successful season helped take the Crusaders to the UNI-Dome to play against Decorah in the 2012 state championship. Bishop Heelan fell short of the championship title, but that setback only motivated Solsma more.

“It’s an unbelievable experience getting to play in

the Dome on the field in front of those fans,” Solsma said. “Getting so close and not being able to win it all, we really want to get down there and win it all this year.”

Once again, Solsma’s hard work and strong work ethic kicked in. Despite his involvement in other Crusader athletics and extracurricular activities, Solsma dedicated himself to improving during the off-season.

“I don’t know that I’ve seen a kid work as hard as Trenton has to be as good as he is,” offensive coordinator Pat Grace said. Grace was formerly the quarterback at Bishop Heelan and later at University of Northern Iowa. “You don’t get too often those kids that call you up on a Sunday night and say, ‘Coach, I need to get some work in’ when football season is still six months away. I told him, ‘If you want to do this that’s fine, but it’s 5:30 in the morning before school,’ and he said, ‘Coach, I’ll be there.’”

During the off-season, Solsma worked specifically on improving his foot speed and his footwork. Despite his position as pitcher and infielder for the Crusaders’ baseball team during the summer months, Solsma has attended various collegiate camps, has been hitting the weight room and running routes. Solsma is known for his strong arm, specifically after

last year’s successful season, but he’s continued to seek ways to improve.

“I’m working on my accuracy also,” he said. “I threw a number of interceptions last season that I can definitely bring down.”

This year, as a senior, Solsma will be called upon to be a team leader and hopefully help guide the team back to the UNI-Dome. His lead-by-example attitude encourages his teammates to step up and work hard, but this year being a vocal leader will be necessary.

“His role as far as game-type stuff isn’t going to change, but we’re obviously going to turn to him to be a leader,” Coach Jansen said. “Being the quiet kid that he is, when he does say something it sticks with the kids. It catches everybody’s attention.”

With his final season as a Bishop Heelan Crusader dawning, Solsma is eager to take the field and continue in his hardworking ways. According to Coach Jansen, Solsma has reaped the benefits of hard work and has seen the rewards, firsthand. With the goal of a state championship in mind, Solsma will continue his hard work and dedication to the sport.

“He never complains, even when he’s tired. It’s constant hard work from Trenton,” Grace said. “It showed last year, and hopefully it’ll show again this year.”

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1DistrictTeams

a-D-M adel (6-4)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Mike WhisnerTop returning Players: Grant Goeden (DB); Tate Jensen (WR); Isaac Norton (LB)

atlantic (5-4)Nickname: TrojansHead Coach: Tim DuffTop returning Players: Jacob Dvorak (RB); Brody Peterson (LB)

cresTON/ori-eNT-maCKsBUrG (7-3)Nickname: PanthersHead Coach: Brian MorrisonTop returning Players: Trevor Frain (RB/LB); Brandon Phipps (QB/DB); Alex Tamerius (LB)

Glenwood (3-6)Nickname: RamsHead Coach: Brian AlbertTop returning Players: Corey Bertini (QB); Gavin Kruse (DB); Spencer Smith (LB)

Harlan (8-2)Nickname: CyclonesHead Coach: Curt BladtTop returning Players: Jeremiah Bieker (LB); Connor Clayton (LB); Adam Juhl (QB)

lewis Central (Council Bluffs) (9-3)Nickname: TitansHead Coach: Jim DugganTop returning Players: Ethan Ruby (LB); Caleb Shudak (K); Austin Simmons (QB)

Perry (3-6)Nickname: BluejaysHead Coach: Jason OlejniczakTop returning Players: Michael Lansing (OL/DL); Sergi Olvera (OL/DL); Will Whiton (QB)

District 1Outlook

Harlan won the district title and is usually an easy choice as the annual favorite. Coach Curt Bladt is back on the sidelines, and it is difficult to look at his career coaching record without shaking your head and giving it a second look. In his 36 seasons, all at Harlan, Bladt sits second on the all-time wins list with a record of 372-43 and 12 state championships. Adam Juhl is back under center for the Cyclones after passing for 1,827 yards and 19 touchdowns. Shawn Shaben and Connor Clayton will be staples of the Cyclone defensive charge.

Lewis Central has gained some momentum since Jim Duggan came back to town from a short stint in Texas after coaching at St. Albert prior to that. The Titans return Austin Simmons at quarterback who passed for 1,300-plus yards and ran for another 337 and 7 touchdowns. Ethan Ruby posted 78 solo stops out of his 100 total tackles last season and will be counted on again to lead the newcomers on defense.

Trevor Frain was all over the field on defense last season and will be expected to lead the Creston defense, while the offense will count on many new faces in the skill positions. A-D-M (Adel) is in the same position as the Panthers

with a ton of skill position losses, but Tate Jensen is back as a wide receiver for whoever takes over the quarterback duties for the Tigers. Isaac Norton and Darold Baker combined for over 100 stops and are back to lead the defense.

Glenwood hopes to improve and challenge for a playoff spot with Corey Bertini back at quarterback and Spencer Smith in the backfield. Perry will go as far as Will Whiton carries it. Whiton passed for 600 yards, ran for another 800 and accounted for 15 touchdowns. Sergi Olvera and Michael Lansing combined for 160-plus tackles and both return to lead the defense. Atlantic is another team in the district that will count on many new faces at the skill positions in its battle for a playoff spot. Jacob Dvorak will be back in the running game for the Trojans.

So in the end, Harlan once again looks solid in the district race with Lewis Central the next on the list, but the final two playoff spots will be very highly-contested with no clear leader coming into the season. The first few weeks in non-district action may tell more of the story, as the experience gained prior to league play could lead to the ultimate regular season goal.

Photo courtesy of Sam Martin/Dallas County Newsa-d-m (Adel)Tate jensen

class 3a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) harlan cyclones2) lewis central titans3) creston Panthers4) a-D-M (aDel) TiGers



District 1Outlook


2DistrictTeams

Bishop Heelan (sioux City) (12-2)Nickname: Crusaders

Head Coach: Roger JansenTop returning Players: Connor Niles (WR/

DB); Trent Solsma (QB); Jack Wegher (RB)

Carroll (4-7)Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Dennis McCartanTop returning Players: Anthony Beyerink

(RB); Nate O’Brien (WR/DB); Alex Stenbo (OL/DL)

Denison-schleswig (1-8)Nickname: Monarchs

Head Coach: Chad Van KleyTop returning Players: Garrett Beeck (LB);

Luke Hall (WR); Sean Houston (LB)

leMars (7-3)Nickname: Bulldogs

Head Coach: Jim BoydTop returning Players: Daniel Ahlers (DB);

Chris Hatting (WR/LB); Levi Tebrink (QB)

sergeant Bluff-luton (1-8)

Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Chris Zyzda

Top returning Players: Steven Garcia (RB/LB); Nathan Glisar (QB); Spencer Wyant (LB)

sPeNCer (7-4)Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Jim TigheTop returning Players: Hunter Cushman

(DB); Matt Finnern (QB); Ben Fox (LB)

storm lake (4-5)Nickname: Tornadoes

Head Coach: Craig LyonTop returning Players: Cole Feltner (WR);

Chase Lange (RB/LB)


Bishop Heelan returns a ton of skill position talent that should lead it back to another district title. Trent Solsma is back to try to follow up his 3,177-yard passing season in 2012 to go along with 39 touchdowns. Prior to the regular season, there was a question as to who would start for Heelan, but it looks like head Coach Roger Jansen and the staff knew exactly what they saw from Solsma in practice, and the rest was history. Add running back Jack Wegher, who ran for 615 yards, and receivers Connor Niles and Phillip Jacobson, who combined for 101 catches and over 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns, and the Crusaders’ offense should be in great shape. Christian Brobst is also back after leading the Crusaders in tackles with 115 tackles. With help from Jacobson and Tyler Cropley, who combined for 171 stops, the defense should be solid.

Quarterback Levi Tebrink is back for LeMars under center following a 1,400-yard, 15-touchdown campaign a year ago, and ran for another 500 yards and 5 scores. The core of the defense will have to be replaced in order to challenge Bishop Heelan in the district title race.

Matt Finnern will lead the Spencer attack

from the quarterback position, where he is more of a runner than a thrower. Finern led the team with 1,380 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Ben Fox and Brady Illg led the Tigers in tackles last season and should be strong on that side of the ball with three of the team’s top five tacklers returning.

Carroll has part of its running game back in Anthony Beyerink, who ran for 760 yards and 5 touchdowns. Nate O’Brien and Beyerink were effective in the passing game as the duo combined for 40 receptions for 600 yards and 6 touchdowns.

Storm Lake, Denison-Schleswig and Sergeant Bluff-Luton will need to fill many holes in order to challenge for a playoff spot.

The only real worry for the Crusaders is whether or not they can be challenged enough in the district to stay sharp and ready for the playoffs. Their football history is right up there with many of the best in the state, with their last title coming in 2008 and three titles overall to go along with eight runner-up finishes.

Photo courtesy of Spencer High SchoolSpencerHunter Cushman

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) bishop heelan crusaders2) lemars bulldogs3) spencer Tigers4) carroll tigers




3DistrictTeams

algona (3-6)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Eric BormannTop returning Players: Mason Decker (OL/DL); Sawyer Frideres (RB/DB); Weston Shaw (QB/DB)

Charles City (0-9)Nickname: CometsHead Coach: Steve StallsmithTop returning Players: Levi Blaine (DB); Brian Foster (LB); Levi Miller (QB)

Clear lake (8-3)Nickname: LionsHead Coach: Fred WieckTop returning Players: Brock Adams (QB); Connor Nosbisch (LB); Pete Swenson (LB)

Humboldt (7-4)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Greg ThomasTop returning Players: Alex Nelson (DB); Brady Ross (RB/LB); Nikko Wheeler (RB/LB)

iowa Falls-alden (4-5)Nickname: CadetsHead Coach: Pat NoremTop returning Players: Sam Thielen (OL/DL); Bryton Tichy (RB); Bo Williams (LB)

waverly-shell rock (5-5)Nickname: Go-HawksHead Coach: Mark HubbardTop returning Players: Dan Stensland (DB); Jake Velky (QB); Eric Willis (RB)

webster City (4-6)Nickname: LynxHead Coach: Bob HowardTop returning Players: Nelson Ball (LB); Connor Larson (RB); Trey Tesdahl (QB/RB)

District 3Outlook

Clear Lake is another traditional power under Fred Wieck. The Lions return Brock Adams under center and Pete Swenson to lead the defense. Wieck sits at 14th in the career coaching victories list as he heads into his 35th season with a 257-89 record. The Lions won their only state football title in 2000. Adams passed for 1,233 yards in 2012 and will look to hand the ball to Chase Lester and Carter Hand, who combined for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. Swenson and Connor Nosbisch made a combined 155 tackles, 29 of which were for losses, to lead a sound Clear Lake defense.

Waverly-Shell Rock is competitive in all sports. With Jake Velky back to lead the offense, they should be a part of the district battle. Velky passed for nearly 1,000 yards, and Eric Willis ran for another 543 yards and 7 touchdowns while catching a team-leading 17 passes. A trio of leaders is back on defense: Joseph Webber, Colin Wiltse and Austin Kane, all tallied more than 70 tackles last season for the Go-Hawks.

Brady Ross will give the new quarterback in Humboldt some time to get acclimated after rushing for 1,381 yards and 18 touchdowns last

season. Ross is also a standout on defense, as he led the team in tackles with 105; 72 of them solo.

Bob Howard has been around a few of the high school football programs, including his most recent tenure in Webster City. Howard comes into the season only six wins away from moving into 12th place on the all-time win list, where the late-great Ed Thomas sits. Howard has a 35-year

record of 287-82. The Lynx return two quarterbacks, who shared time last season, and a one-two punch in the backfield with Connor Larson who rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. Trey Tesdahl also added another 543 to their ground game. Nelson Ball totaled 100 stops and will lead the defense into the season.

Iowa Falls-Alden lost some top skill players to graduation and could find it a battle to get a playoff spot. Algona and Charles City may have a ways to go as well in this top-heavy district.

Clear Lake and Humboldt fought for the district title last season, but this race could draw Webster City and Waverly-Shell Rock into the mix, which could put them in a head-to-head battle this season.

[ ]Brady Ross will give the new quarterback in

Humboldt some time to get acclimated after

rushing 1,381 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

Photo courtesy of Phil Monson/Humboldt NewsHumboldtBrady ross

class 3a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) clear lake lions2) waverly-shell rock go-hawks3) humboldt wildcats4) webster city lynx


District 3Outlook


4DistrictTeams

Ballard (Huxley) (2-7)Nickname: Bombers

Head Coach: Al ChristianTop returning Players: Mason Jensen (DB);

Marcus Johnson (LB); Tyler Khyl (LB)

Boone (7-3)Nickname: Toreadors

Head Coach: Mark CamemischTop returning Players: Levi Morain (DL);

Kyle Springis (DL); Marshall Wiese (DL)

Dallas Center-Grimes (3-6)

Nickname: MustangsHead Coach: Scott Heitland

Top returning Players: Austin Kloewer (DB); Andrew Kramer (QB); Hunter Sehman (OL/DL)

Grinnell (12-1)Nickname: Tigers

Head Coach: Jim DunneTop returning Players: Eli Dunne (QB);

Jared Keenan (OL/DL); Bryce Lidtka (RB)

Newton (5-5)Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Ed ErngenbrightTop returning Players: Will Brock (OL/DL);

Nick Easley (K); Tyler Wood (QB)

saydel (0-10)Nickname: Eagles

Head Coach: Craig WederquistTop returning Players: Evan Andrews (DB);

Andrew Holmes (OL/DL); Jeffrey Strumpfer (DB)

south Tama (9-3)Nickname: Trojans

Head Coach: Jay HoskeyTop returning Players: Garrett Hoskey (OL/

DL); Zach Morris (LB); Ian Slagle (OL/DL)

District 4Outlook

Grinnell won the district title last season and was led by Eli Dunne at quarterback. The Tigers should figure into the title chase again this season. Dunne passed for 3,099 yards, with 28 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in 329 passing attempts. Bryce Lidtka ran for another 1,067 yards out of the backfield to give the Tigers a balanced attack against opposing defenses. Christian Mertens, with his 33 receptions from last season, will lead the receiving corp. The defense returns Jared Keenan and Sam Motta, who combined for 160 stops last season.

South Tama, Boone and Newton all tied, record-wise, for second in the district last season and all qualified for the playoffs. For the Trojans to accomplish that feat this season, they will have to do some major reworking after graduating several of their skill position players and a major part of their defense.

The Toreadors will look to Alex Davis in the running and passing game as he totaled nearly 700 yards of offense as a runner and receiver in 2012. The defense should be solid and will help keep Boone in games while the offense gets acclimated. Boone returns its top five defenders, led by Levi Morian, who had 94 total tackles last season. Kyle Springis, Brady Claman, Marshall Wiese and Nathan Pohl are much needed and add experienced depth.

Newton has one state championship from back

in 1980 and three runner-up finishes in their proud football history, but throughout the past decade, the Cardinals have been down more often than not. Tyler Wood gained valuable experience as a sophomore under center and returns after passing for 1,299 yards last season. He’s added valuable numbers to Newton’s history. Will Block is the top returning starter back on defense.

Dallas Center-Grimes may be the team that makes the jump from a losing record to a playoff berth this season. Andrew Kramer is back at quarterback and can use his feet in the running game. Kramer is also one of the top players on the defensive side of the ball that returns, but the Mustangs need to build more depth on both sides of the football to give life to any playoff hopes.

Ballard had one of its worst seasons last year, but Marcus Johnson is back on defense to lead the charge. Saydel always faces numbers issues, and this season looks to be no different. The Eagles need to stay healthy and play at a near perfect level to compete for a playoff spot.

Grinnell should once again lead the way in District 4 with the personnel they return, especially at the skill positions. Can that be enough to carry them past district success and make a deep playoff run? That question will be answered later, but the Tigers could have the pieces to make that happen.

Photo courtesy of Grinnell High SchoolGrinnelleli Dunne

class 3a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) GriNNell TiGers2) BOONe TOreaDOrs3) dallas Center-grimes mustangs

4) newton cardinals




5DistrictTeams

Crestwood (Cresco) (4-6)Nickname: CadetsHead Coach: Chris LentzTop returning Players: Matt Cuvelier (RB/LB); Jeffrey Haskovec (DB); Shawn Omar (LB)

Decorah (14-0)Nickname: VikingsHead Coach: Bill PostTop returning Players: Austin Ashbacher (OL/DL); Holt Johansen (RB/DL); Andy Strand (LB)

independence (3-6)Nickname: MustangsHead Coach: Bill DuffyTop returning Players: Kyle Frank (QB); Zach Kremer (LB); Chase Straw (RB/LB)

Oelwein (0-9)Nickname: HuskiesHead Coach: Jim YokasTop returning Players: Kyle Bouska (LB); Grant McMillan (DB); Mason Shannon (RB/LB)

vinton-shellsburg (3-6)Nickname: VikingsHead Coach: Jim WomochilTop returning Players: Chase Overton (QB/DB); Warren Rouse (LB); Tanner Spies (DB)

west Delaware(Manchester) (7-3)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Doug WinkowitschTop returning Players: Brent Lammers (QB); Tim Tutton (RB); Jake Voss (LB)

western Dubuque (epworth) (4-6)Nickname: BobcatsHead Coach: Brian KuhleTop returning Players: Dylan Gansen (RB); Dylan James (WR); Riley Pfieler (DB)

District 5Outlook

Decorah is a very familiar face when it comes to district titles and the postseason. Bill Post enters his 20th season of coaching with a 154-52 career record and has led the Vikings to back-to-back state championship games. Decorah’s title last year was its 5th in the school’s football history. Holt Johansen in the backfield is set to lead the offense once again this season. Johansen ran for 1,166 yards and 16 touchdowns while sharing time with all-state running back and linebacker Josey Jewell, who is set for his first season at the University of Iowa. The defense will have to fill some key spots, but can build around Austin Ashbacher and Andy Strand.

West Delaware should be right back in the district battle with the return of quarterback Brent Lammers, who passed for 1,162 yards and 9 touchdowns a year ago. Tim Tutton will go from number two back to carrying the load after running for 611 yards. Jake Voss leads the defensive charge after leading the team in tackles last year with 98 total, including 11 for losses. The question defensively will be how the newcomers will fill in with the number of losses after graduation.

The rest of the district teams have question marks coming into this season due to graduated

players, and they each ended last season with sub-.500 overall records. For Decorah and West Delaware that means victories in district play, but strength of schedule looks to be a big issue when it comes to being playoff-ready without having some higher-level competition each Friday night.

Crestwood returns Matthew Cuvelier in the running game and the nucleus of its defense, led by Shawn Omar, who made 98 tackles last season — 75 of which were solo. Sam Ollendieck, Levi Henry, Spencer Bohr, Jeffrey Haskovec and Cuvelier all add strength on defense.

Can Independence be the sleeper here? The Mustangs had some young faces in key positions last season when they finished 3-6. Kyle Frank at quarterback, Chase Straw at running back and Zach Kremer and Straw leading the defense could be a great start in moving from the bottom half to the upper half of their district and even to become playoff qualifier.

For Vinton-Shellsburg, Chase Overton is the top defender back and looks to be the starting quarterback with playing time under center last season. Oelwein will look for leadership from Kyle Bouska who led the team with 66 total tackles last season.

Photo courtesy of Decorah High SchoolDecorahHolt Johansen

class 3a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) DeCOraH viKiNGs2) wesT Delaware HawKs3) CresTwOOD CaDeTs4) viNTON-sHellsBUrG viKiNGs


Marion won the district title last season in a very highly-contested district. Marion won the points battle in the three-team tie for the top last year, and once again should be able to place on the list for the district race. The Indians return quarterback Trevor Hardman, who was effective in the passing game with 860 yards and 7 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Colton Mowry will be asked to do more in the backfield after running for 423 yards behind 1,200-yard rusher Trev Biery. Marion prides itself on defense, and it will have to reload following the loss of its top six tacklers to have a repeat of last season’s effort.

Solon is never far off any list and is usually the team first talked about as a contender. Head Coach Kevin Miller takes the sidelines for his 16th season with a career record of 130-40. The Spartans won four straight titles from 2007-2010 and five overall. Miller played on the 1988 title team and was part of all the Solon championships. Jordan Wymer ran for 425 yards last season in a deep backfield, but may be asked to do more this season as the only returning player there. Wymer is also the Spartans’ top player back on the defensive side of the ball.

Central Clinton has the same situation as Solon out of the backfield with Jake Feldpausch back after running for 525 yards and 5 scores.

Jake Kagamann will be the cornerstone to build the defense around; he made 40 solo stops and 59 overall in 2012.

Maquoketa may be a challenger for the district title, with the return of quarterback Trent Bollman, who passed and ran for 1,000 yards. Limiting the interceptions will be key for Bollman. Cohl Kueter led the Cardinals with 121 total tackles, 85 of which were solo and 20 more for losses. Cory Wirth and Jeb Miller will add both depth and experience.

It will be a tough task to break into the top four spots for the others in the district, but Clear Creek-Amana will try to do so with Jonathan Nzombo back after rushing for 629 yards and 5 touchdowns. Stephen Jensen and Miguel Mosaquites both posted 79 total tackles and are back to lead the defense.

Benton Community will depend on a running game with Ben Twedt and Matt Gessner, who combined for 700 yards in shared duties last season. Owen Hopkins averaged nearly 25 yards per catch last season. Drew Kithcart and Gessner are back for leadership on defense.

It was a three-way battle for the top last season and could be a four-team battle this season, so there will not be many nights off for those looking to win this district title.

District 5Outlook


6DistrictTeams

Anamosa (0-9)Nickname: Blue Raiders

Head Coach: Derek RobertsTop Returning Players: Eli Hughes (OL/DL);

A.J. Langer (LB); Cody Queto (OL/DL)

Benton (Van Horne) (1-8)Nickname: Bobcats

Head Coach: Clay AndersonTop Returning Players: Matt Gessner (RB/

LB); Owen Hopkins (WR/DB); Ben Twedt (RB/DB)

Central Clinton (DewITT) (8-4)

Nickname: SabersHead Coach: Kurt Kreiter

Top Returning Players: Jake Feldpausch (RB); Jake Kagamann (DB); Tyler Stillmunkes (DB)

Clear Creek-AMANA (4-5)Nickname: Clippers

Head Coach: Rodney WallsTop Returning Players: Tanner Bandy (WR/

LB); Stephen Jensen (DB); Jonathan Nzombo (RB/LB)

Maquoketa (5-5)Nickname: Cardinals

Head Coach: Kevin BowmanTop Returning Players: Cohl Kueter (LB);

Jeb Miller (LB); Cory Wirth (WR/LB)

Marion (8-3)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Tony PerkinsTop Returning Players: Quinn Cannoy (WR/

DB); Trevor Hardman (QB/DB); Colton Mowry (RB)

Solon (8-3)Nickname: Spartans

Head Coach: Kevin MillerTop Returning Players: Eli DeWitt (LB);

Danny Whitmore (LB); Jordan Wymer (RB/LB)

District 6Outlook

Photo courtesy of Maquoketa High SchoolmaquoketaCohl kueter

class 3a

PLAYOFF PREDICTION1) MARION INDIANS

2) SOLON SPARTANS3) CENTRAL CLINTON SABERS4) MAQUOKETA CARDINALS



7DistrictTeams

Centerville (1-8)Nickname: Big RedsHead Coach: Chuck EvansTop returning Players: Gabe Cowan (OL/DL); Michael Starcevich (QB/DB); Grant Walker (RB)

FairField (3-7)Nickname: TrojansHead Coach: Jason GanoeTop returning Players: Kooper Dahlstrom (DB); Vince Horras (WR); Justin Leonard (OL/DL)

Fort Madison (2-7)Nickname: BloodhoundsHead Coach: Todd McGhghyTop returning Players: Wesley Bernhardt (WR); Cruz Fedler (QB); Ben Votroubek (RB/DB)

Keokuk (5-5)Nickname: ChiefsHead Coach: Doug DoddsTop returning Players: Bryce Baxter (DB); Alex Meek (LB); Dakota Shaw (LB)

Mount Pleasant (2-7)Nickname: PanthersHead Coach: Bob JensenTop returning Players: Tony Cristoforo (DB); Josh Larson (RB/DB); Carson Remick (RB/LB)

washington (7-4)Nickname: DemonsHead Coach: Randy SchraderTop returning Players: Alex Coker (RB/LB); Garrett Covington (LB); Daryn Seibelius (QB)

williamsburg (11-2)Nickname: RaidersHead Coach: Curt RitchieTop returning Players: Drew Doehrmann (DB); Jacob Donohoe (QB); Jacob Lehmkuhl (LB)

District 7Outlook

Williamsburg claimed the district title last season and looks to repeat with a good nucleus and most of the skill positions back. Line play will be key to how good the Raiders can be. Jacob Donohoe passed for 1,290 yards and 14 touchdowns and will look to hand the ball off to Nick Spratt a bit more this season. This season Spratt will move from third back to leader after rushing for 465 yards and 9 touchdowns. Jacob Lehmkuhl, Drew Doehrmann, Aaron Schultz, Luke Hughes and Alex Phillips are all back to anchor the defense.

Washington stands in line to improve and challenge for the top spot as maybe the only team with returning players that can contest the title in District 7. Daryn Seibelius passed for nearly 1,000 yards last year and is back under center. Seibelius tossed 8 touchdowns with only 1 interception in 139 attempts. Alex Coker matched that number running the football for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. The running game has depth as Carl Sivels and Tanner Knupp combined for another 750 yards and 8 touchdowns. Knupp led the team in receptions with 38 for nearly 400 yards while finding the end zone 4 times. Garrett Covington led the team in tackles with 120 and returns with Knupp and Tama Leutele, who will bring experience to the defense.

Keokuk lost a big chunk of its offense, so it will be up to the defense, especially early in the season, to sustain any district and playoff hopes. Bryce Baxter, Alex Meek and Dakota Shaw will

key that defense after combining for 220 tackles in 2012.

Fairfield, Mount Pleasant, Fort Madison and Centerville struggled last season, but with seven teams in the district, it is a one-in-four opportunity for somebody to make the playoffs. Mount Pleasant was a bit of a surprise in where it finished, and the group hopes that gained experience last season will help them become more of a district factor. Carson Remick, who led the team in tackles, is back along with Tony Cristoforo, Josh Larson and Justin Dilks on defense. Larson and Remick look to be in the backfield on offense.

Fort Madison used two quarterbacks last season, with Cruz Fedler also being effective in the running game. Fedler passed for nearly 1,000 yards and ran for just over 450 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ben Votroubek, who posted nearly 100 tackles, returns after leading the team in 2012. Centerville’s passing game should be in good hands with Michael Starcevich back after passing for 1,177 and 7 touchdowns. Grant Walker hopes to improve the running game after leading the team with 444 yards. Gabe Cowan had 9 tackles for losses and 109 overall to lead the Big Red defense.

The Williamsburg versus Washington meeting will likely decide this districts’ champion, but after that, the other two playoff spots should be a battle.

Photo courtesy of Kyle Ocker/Daily IowegiancentervilleMichael starcevich

class 3a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) williaMsBUrG raiDers2) wasHiNGTON DeMONs3) KeOKUK CHieFs4) MOUNT PleasaNT PaNTHers


District 7Outlook


8DistrictTeams

Carlisle (5-5)Nickname: Wildcats

Head Coach: Mark HoekstraTop returning Players: Josh Hagedorn (QB);

Trevor Joiner (TE/LB); Kichanh McMullen (RB/DB)

Chariton (1-8)Nickname: Chargers

Head Coach: Curt SmyserTop returning Players: Christian Bengtson

(QB/DB); Conner Grgurich (DB); TJ Hockenson (WR)

Knoxville (4-5)Nickname: Panthers

Head Coach: Troy RiderTop returning Players: Gerrit Davis (QB);

Jalen Frost (OL/DL); Ryan Morgan (OL/DL)

Norwalk (7-3)Nickname: Warriors

Head Coach: Paul PattersonTop returning Players: Caleb Klocko (DB);

Sonny Onken (OL/DL); Collin Schiltz (DB)

Oskaloosa (2-7)Nickname: Indians

Head Coach: Marl SchilbTop returning Players: Jared Pace (RB);

Nate VanVeldhuizen (RB); Mason Wisse (OL/DL)

Pella (7-4)Nickname: Little Dutch

Head Coach: Jay McKinstreyTop returning Players: Nathan Clayberg

(DL); Nathan Henry (RB); Lukas Steenhoek (RB)

winterset (8-4)Nickname: Huskies

Head Coach: Zach SweeneyTop returning Players: Alex Forgy (DB);

Conner Roach (OL/DL); Allen Shahan (LB)

District 8Outlook

Pella won the district title last season, with Norwalk right behind, despite some major injury issues that thwarted its post-season hopes. Winterset hopes to use its late season success to carry into this season. Jay McKinstrey begins his 17th season as a head football coach, posting a 128-47 record and a 2009 runner-up finish in Class 3A. The Little Dutch may turn more to the running game this season with Nathan Henry and Lukas Steenhoek back, as they combined for nearly 900 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns. Bryce Bortscheller will be there to pull down passes from the new quarterback after his 28-reception effort last year. Nathan Clayberg will be heard from on defense; he had 74 tackles, with 16 of them for losses, last season.

Norwalk watched a good season fall short due to key injuries last season and most of that group is now gone, which leaves questions about where they stand in such a balanced district. Collin Schiltz and Caleb Klocko are back defensively, but the skill offensive skill positions will need to be addressed.

Josh Hagedorn is now a junior and will be back with valuable experience gained while under center last season. He would be the first to understand that his completion percentage needs to be improved, but he passed for 512 yards and ran for another 300 for the Wildcat offense.

Trevor Joiner plays both sides of the football and was second on the team with 114 total tackles.

Winterset played its best football down the stretch and into the playoffs; the Huskies hope to use that momentum in the new season. That being said, the Huskies skill positions took a graduation hit, so line play will be big while the new faces develop. Allen Shahan is the top returning player on defense with 90 total tackles, 58 of them solo. Alex Forgy and Conner Roach bring leadership on defense, with Forgy expected to see more time in the backfield offensively.

Knoxville will have quarterback Gerrit Davis back after passing for 1,099 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Tanner Dunkin will be one of his top targets this season. Oskaloosa hopes to improve with some key offensive skill back. Improvement in line play will dictate how far they can go. Jared Pace and Nate VanVeldhuizen combined for 1,000-plus yards in the backfield and Jesse Van Dalen is back under center, which will be a benefit. Mason Wisse was second on the team in tackles last year with 79 and returns to help build the defense.

Chariton has TJ Hockenson back to receive passes from Christian Bengston. The defense will be led by Conner Grgurich and Carter Isley who combined for 140 stops while leading the Chargers in tackles last season.

Photo courtesy of Perry Bell/Knoxville Journal ExpresspellaNathan clayberg

class 3a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) Pella liTTle DUTCH2) Carlisle wilDCaTs3) wiNTerseT HUsKies4) NOrwalK warriOrs




all-state

TeaMPRESEASON

PosQBQBRB RB RB WR WR OL OL OL OL OLK

NameNate BolandSam StraubTrevor AllenTyus MasonBrendan MillerAlex BrammerRicky GrimesA.J. AllenLandon CarneyAustin HolzerRoss PierschbacherKeegan RenderRyan Persick

SchoolIC WestAmesWaukee WDM ValleyCR XavierAmesNorth ScottWaukeePleasant ValleyCR KennedyCedar FallsIndianolaCR Xavier

YrSRSRJRSRSRSRJRSRSRSRSRSR SR

Offense


NameMatt NelsonA.J. AllenBrandon SextonZach AdrianBrook AndersonTristan BeyerJared FarleyDakota MillerMitch DellamuthJake GervaseAllen LazardJake Loehr

SchoolCR XavierWaukeeJohnstonDav. AssumptionDubuque SeniorCR PrairieCedar FallsWDM ValleyCR PrairieDav. AssumptionUrbandaleIC High

YrSR SR SR SRSR SR SR SR SR SRSR SR

Defense

Class 4aOverview

The 2012 football season was one for the history books for Ankeny as it claimed its second football title in an emotional final season as a school district. This season, some of the players that were teammates will be going pad-to-pad with each other when they meet as Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial. Legendary coach Jerry Pezzetti will be on the sidelines for the new Centennial season, and along with that comes his 371 career victories, third best in Iowa high school coaching history.

Cedar Rapids Xavier was a few minutes away from what looked like a state title last season. That will most likely be enough motivation for the Saints to rebound and battle again this year. Brendan Miller proved to be a big-game back and Matt Nelson is solid battling with the big fellows up front.

Dowling Catholic looks ready to challenge, as well, with a number of skill position kids returning. They will be ready to roll, led by Ryan Boyle under center, with the duo of Chase Dowell and Nate Christian in the backfield. It may be a new season, but not penciling in West Des Moines Valley as a contender is mistake, especially if Tyus Mason returns healthy after suffering an injury during basketball season. Urbandale showed they could play with the big boys last season and would like nothing better to be part of the playoff picture, again led by Allen Lazard.

In the western half of 4A, Waukee may be ready to take its biggest leap since joining Class 4A with the return of a backfield that ran for over 2,500 yards last season led by Trevor Allen. Johnston is the sleeper team this year as far as the western half of 4A goes. Look for improvement by the Dragons with Jordan Weddington in the backfield coming off a 1,100 yards season in 2012. Southeast Polk is always part of the conversation in central Iowa

and should not be overlooked.

Out east in 4A, the question is who will give Xavier its toughest competition? Iowa City West and Dubuque Senior hope to do so, and Cedar Falls is always a constant contender, year in and year out.

The MAC is usually a battle between Bettendorf,

Davenport Assumption, Pleasant Valley and North Scott (Eldridge) with Muscatine in the mix sometimes, so why upset the apple carts.

Remember, the playoff system with the western half of 4A is determined by the top four finishers in each of the four divisions, while the eastern half of 4A remains with the automatic bid for the conference champions and the next thirteen teams in the old points system.

Look for weekly score updates on SportsSpotlight.com to follow all the action in 4A!

SportsSpotlight.comSportsSpotlight.com

[ ]Out east in 4A, the question is who will give

Xavier its toughest competition?

Photo courtesy of Brad PierschbacherCEDAR FALLS

rOss PiersCHBaCHer

Photo courtesy of Sammi ShepardCEDAR RAPIDS XAVIERBreNDaN Miller




Urbandale standout Allen Lazard is considered one of the best wide receivers in the 2014 class, but the J-Hawk senior isn’t focused on individual achievements as he prepares for his final season donning blue and red.

He just wants to keep building. “When Allen came in as [a freshman], we weren’t

dominating, we weren’t winning a ton of football games,” J-Hawk head coach Sam Anderson said. “He wants to make everyone better. He wants to be a part of something that builds, and he’s been a part of that here at Urbandale.”

The J-Hawks were just 3-6 and finished last in the CIML Central Division in the 2010 regular season, but did pull a pair of upsets to reach the state quarterfinals. Lazard received some playing time as a reserve, stepping in on defense and finishing his freshman season with 19 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Lazard cemented his place as one of the premier safeties in the state in a sophomore campaign in which he collected 94 tackles and 8 picks — three of which he returned for touchdowns — and earned third team all-state honors. He also led the team in receiving with 356 yards and a pair of touchdown catches in a 6-5 campaign.

Anderson said he only used Lazard as a part-time offensive player because of his value on defense, specifically his nose for the ball and threat to score any time he picked off a pass.

That changed in a big way last year, when opposing quarterbacks stopped throwing Lazard’s way and he locked in on becoming the best wide receiver he could be. He posted 928 receiving yards and 11 scores as the J-Hawks went 7-3 and began drawing the

attention of some of the top college programs in the nation. But Lazard was named first team all-state for his play at safety, not at wide receiver.

The senior said he’s an all-round player, even if he plans to narrow his focus at the college level.

“In the state, I’m known as a defensive back, but once I go out of state, no one has any clue about what defensive skills I have,” Lazard said. “Being 6-4, it definitely gives me a lot more range in the defensive secondary. You don’t have as much room for a tight window throw.”

Lazard has had a big role in building up the Urbandale program to where it is now, and he isn’t shy about starting the process over again in college. He committed to Iowa State last December, despite offers from Notre Dame, Stanford and Nebraska and interest from other top schools. He said he wants the chance to elevate a program and not be just another name on the roster.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I wasn’t just going to be another guy on the team,” he said. “I want to be a leader on the team, I want to give it the extra push and hopefully go from a mediocre program to a good program, getting better every year.”

That’s an attitude he developed from his grandfather, Ernie Allen. Lazard said Allen has been particularly influential in his life and has motivated him to always strive to push his limits.

“[Allen] grew up in a poor family and worked on the railroads; he’s been working ever since he was about 8 or 9 years old,” Lazard said. “He always wants me to do better, and he pushes a lot on academics because he graduated high school when he was 16. So what he’s done has inspired me to work harder and

never be satisfied.”Allen said understanding the importance of

pushing yourself to be better is a big key for success in life, and that’s something he’s tried to instill in all of his grandchildren.

“I think all youngsters have to realize that hard work doesn’t hurt them,” Allen said. “It helps shape them.”

But before Lazard heads to Ames, he’s got one final season as a J-Hawk, and his leadership will be a factor in the team’s success. Urbandale quarterback Logan Augustine said the team is in very capable hands.

“He’s a real good leader for us,” Augustine said. “He’s always out there pushing us to be better than we are right now, always just helping us, showing us what we need to do. Since he’s on his fourth year [on varsity], he knows what needs to be done and he’s leading us there.”

It’s one last chance for Lazard to raise the bar for Urbandale football, as he looks to put the finishing touches on a storied career and move on to the next building project. Lazard might be on an unusual path for a star-studded recruit, but his father said that’s just fine.

“If you’re very confident in yourself, you can go anywhere you want to,” Kevin Lazard said. “You can make the people around you better. A lot of people think a player should go here or there and follow tradition. If you’re a successful person and you’re confident, you can make success where you are. And he believes that; he doesn’t always follow the trend.”

allenlazard


Photo courtesy of Brad PierschbacherCEDAR FALLS

rOss PiersCHBaCHer

by TOrK MasON

www.ebarkers.com


1DivisionTeams

Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson (3-6)Nickname: Yellow JacketsHead Coach: Mark PuevTop returning Players: Jakahi Gregory (WR/DB); Jake Meyer (DB); Jason Wallace (QB)

Des Moines lincoln (2-7)Nickname: RailsplittersHead Coach: Andrew CampbellTop returning Players: Jake Goble (RB); Brandon Hobbs (DB); Jelani Hughes (DB)

indianola (6-5)Nickname: IndiansHead Coach: Eric KluverTop returning Players: Austin Dittmer (WR); Trey Kuehl (DB); Keegan Render (OL/DL)

sioux city east (8-3)Nickname: Black RaidersHead Coach: Bob GoodvinTop returning Players: Ronald Carter (RB); Greg Kirwan (RB); Wyatt Mounts (LB/P)

Urbandale (7-3)Nickname: J-HawksHead Coach: Sam AndersonTop returning Players: Logan Augustine (QB); Dalton Coady (DB); Allen Lazard (WR/DB)

west Des Moines valley (9-3)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Gary SwensonTop returning Players: Tyus Mason (RB); Dakota Miller (LB); Nate Spacek (DL)

Division 1Outlook

It is easy to place West Des Moines Valley as the favorite most years, and this year will be no exception. Urbandale is the team with hopes of upsetting the apple cart with the remainder of the division battling for the other playoff spots. Saying that, the Tigers always produce a strong running game behind solid offensive lines. Tyus Mason will be making it back to the backfield after a season-ending knee injury in basketball to improve upon his 1,163 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns. All-stater, Sam Rairdon is back to anchor the offensive line that will help the new signal caller get comfortable under center. Dakota Miller and Connor Sorge will be the leaders on the defensive side of the football.

Tigers head football coach Gary Swenson (301-97) heads into his 38th season as the newest member of the 300-win club and tenth on the all-time Iowa high school victory list. West Des Moines Valley has won five state championships to go along with two runner-up finishes. The Tigers’ last championship title was won in 2011.

Urbandale looks to challenge for the division title with the return of Allen Lazard, who is a game-changer on both sides of the football. Lazard was on the receiving end of returning quarterback Logan Augustine’s passes for 11 touchdowns totaling nearly 1,000 yards.

Augustine also was a running threat last season, carrying the football for nearly 600 yards to go along with his 1,500 yards through the air. The J-Hawks have one state title in their school’s history back in 1975 in Class 3A.

Keegan Render anchors the Indianola offensive line and is one of the top players at his position in the state. For the Indians to contend for a playoff spot, the unknown quantities at the skill positions offensively and the inexperience at linebacker defensively will be key factors. Sioux City East has been a passing school over the past five seasons but may have to turn to Greg Kirwan and the running game this year to propel the offense. Wyatt Mounts will be the leader from his linebacker spot on the defensive side of the ball. The Black Raiders won a 4A state title back in 1984.

Des Moines Lincoln will try to rebound from a season to forget.

As usual, it will be West Des Moines Valley with a target on its back. Urbandale, which only lost 28-25 in last season’s regular season matchup, that will be the top contender to take the Tigers down. The final two playoff spots will depend on the new faces on the rosters for the rest of the division.

Photo courtesy of Karen RenderIndianolaKeegan render

class 4a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) wDM valley TiGers2) UrBaNDale J-HawKs3) iNDiaNOla iNDiaNs4) siOUX CiTy easT BlaCK raiDers


Division 1Outlook


2DivisionTeams

ames (5-5)Nickname: Little Cyclones

Head Coach: Bruce VertananBest Playoff Finish: State Runner-Up (1996)

Top returning Players: Alex Hashemi-Toroghi (LB); Clifford Kwaw-Mensah (RB); Sam Straub (QB)

ankeny (14-0)Nickname: Hawks

Head Coach: Brad ZelenovichTop returning Players: Chris Blythe (LB);

Josh Davis (WR/DB); Chance Leisure (OL/DL)

Des Moines North (1-8)Nickname: Polar Bears

Head Coach: Keith Hanks Sr.Top returning Players: Terrance Bush (QB);

Kajuan Davenport (RB/LB); Teyontae Jenkins (RB/LB)

Fort Dodge (3-7)Nickname: Dodgers

Head Coach: Matt MillerTop returning Players: Austin Halligan (RB/

DB); Devon Kirby (RB); Andrew Stover (QB)

Johnston (6-5)Nickname: Dragons

Head Coach: Brian WoodleyTop returning Players: Andrew Heuss (WR);

Brandon Sexton (LB); Jordan Weddington (RB)

sioux City North (2-7)Nickname: Stars

Head Coach: Shawn MethTop returning Players: Brandon Konz (LB);

Robert Neustrom (RB/LB); Daniel Tillo (QB)

class 4aDivision 2Outlook

Ankeny won the 2012 title, but things have changed with the split of the school district, which leaves questions on how good the Hawks will be this season. Brad Zelenovich gets his first head coaching job after playing football at Des Moines East in high school and Simpson in his college days; he was part of the Southeast Polk coaching staff before taking his post with the Hawks. The split of the two schools will definitely have an effect on how good both Ankeny and Centennial can be, especially in the transition year. Josh Davis is a speedster and hopes to be on the receiving end of the passing game this season.

Johnston and Ames have an opportunity to make some noise this season in the division title race. Looks to be a wide-open race.

Ames returns one of the top quarterbacks in the class in Sam Straub, who passed for just over 2,600 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2012. Add the running of Clifford Kwaw-Mensah, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and 15 touchdowns to the mix, and the Little Cyclones will have a formidable offense.

Johnston will also be a strong contender with Jordan Weddington carrying the load after rushing for 1,144 yards and 9 touchdowns last season. Andrew Heuss will have someone new

passing the football to him, but looks to be a solid threat after pulling down 33 catches for 447 yards and a team-high 10 touchdowns. Brandon Sexton led the Dragons in tackles and tackles for losses last year and will be key to the defensive charge.

Fort Dodge will return quarterback Andrew Stover, who passed for just over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2012. The Dodgers return a young backfield as well, led by Devon Kirby. Austin Halligan led Fort Dodge with 94 tackles as a sophomore and will continue to lead the defense. Sioux City North will start with junior Daniel Tillo at quarterback. Tillo passed for 1,200 yards and ran for another 300-plus to lead the Stars offensively. The top three tacklers return in hopes of improving from a 2-7 season, led by Brandon Konz.

Des Moines North, as always, will have number issues, and that lack of depth makes it difficult to compete. But new leadership hopes to ignite new energy in Polar Bear country.

Every season brings up new questions; with the split of Ankeny and new coaching staffs at two schools, the questions grow as to how things will play out. Johnston and Ames may be at the top due to their experience on the sidelines.

Photo courtesy of James Kramer/Des Moines RegisterJohnstonBrandon sexton

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) JOHNsTON DraGONs2) aMes liTTle CyClONes3) aNKeNy HawKs4) FOrT DODGe dODGers




3DivisionTeams

ankeny Centennial(New school)Nickname: JaguarsHead Coach: Jerry PezzettiTop returning Players: No report

Des Moines Hoover (1-8)Nickname: HuskiesHead Coach: Jon MeansTop returning Players: Brock Larsen (QB); Ben Mitchell (LB); Kalen Toliver (WR)

Dowling Catholic (9-3)Nickname: MaroonsHead Coach: Tom WilsonTop returning Players: Ryan Boyle (QB); Rico Gafford (WR/DB); Jake Lewton (LB)

Marshalltown (7-4)Nickname: BobcatsHead Coach: Aaron ShipleyTop returning Players: Derek Mann (LB); Connor Overstake (DL); Blair VanStaalduine (DB)

masON ciTy (1-9)Nickname: MohawksHead Coach: Justin PennerTop returning Players: Andy Bartel (LB); Matt Meyer (QB); Austin Thoms (DL)

Ottumwa (4-6)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Zach PfantzTop returning Players: Cole Eklund (LB); Chris Peden (LB); Titus Weller (LB)

Division 3Outlook

Ankeny Centennial may be new in the Class 4A field, but the coaching staff brings a ton of experience, which points to the Jaguars being a factor. The problem is that Dowling Catholic is also a member of this division that brings a long-standing football tradition and should be the team to beat. Centennial will have legendary coach Jerry Pezzetti roaming the sidelines with his familiar cast of assistants staying with him. His staff ’s experience could be huge if Centennial is to contend in a division with Dowling Catholic as the heavy favorite. Pezzetti begins his 53rd season of coaching and 44th in Ankeny; he sits third on the all-time Iowa high school football coaching list in wins with a 371-142-1 record and two state titles, including last season with the Hawks.

The Maroons have some experience back as they look to be a state championship contender heading into this season. Some of that experience was gained last year at quarterback due to injuries, which gives coach Tom Wilson options that most coaches do not have. Ryan Boyle looks to be the starter in his return, with Nick Wilson and Brandon Mauro in the wings. Chase Dowell and Nate Christian form a solid duo in the backfield, as they combined for 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Jake Lewton will be a factor on the defensive side of the football with 87 total tackles and 52 solos in 2012.

The battle then turns to the final two playoff spots, with Marshalltown — under a new

coaching change staff — Ottumwa, Mason City and Des Moines Hoover set to battle it out. Ottumwa will depend on defense and a hopeful group on the offense with a ton of key losses on that side of the football. The question around Marshalltown is what the offense will look like after a decade of Air-Bobcat football. The Mohawks should improve within the division, but by how much? The Huskies have one of the more underrated players in the area with Brock Larsen under center. Larsen passed for nearly 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, but he will need to improve on the defensive side of the football to take the pressure off the offense for a better balance.

There is no question about the Maroons this season in the division title race, but after that the picture is fuzzy. That unknown ending should help the coaches gain the attention of the players each week as they look to battle for a playoff spot. The Maroons won their last of three titles in 2010 and have seven runner-up finishes in their history. Marshalltown has the lone runner-up finish in 2009, while Mason City has been away from the title game since 1981, and its only championship win came in 1978.

Tradition is big in Iowa high school football history and Dowling Catholic is, by far, the leader. But how will what looks like a light division schedule affect the Maroons’ ability to play at the highest level come playoff time?

Photo courtesy of James Kramer/Des Moines Registerdes moines hooverBrock larsen

class 4a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) DOwliNG CaTHOliC MarOONs2) aNKeNy CeNTeNNial JaGUars3) Des MOiNes HOOver HUsKies4) OTTUMwa BUllDOGs


Division 3Outlook


4DivisionTeams

Council Bluffs abe lincoln (3-7)

Nickname: LynxHead Coach: Justin Kammrad

Top returning Players: Brandon Colpitts (WR/DB); Dylan Garner (RB/LB); Jared Thompson (QB)

Des Moines east (6-4)Nickname: Scarlets

Head Coach: Greg SchoonTop returning Players: Colby Carmichael (DB); Cameron Owen-Dorsey (TE/DL); Malique Ziegler

(WR/DB)

Des Moines roosevelt (1-8)

Nickname: RoughridersHead Coach: Mike Holland

Top returning Players: Jack Fritzjuncker (DB); Clyde McGregor (RB); Tris Reed (LB)

sioux City west (3-6)Nickname: Wolverines

Head Coach: Terver CaseTop returning Players: Skyler Bauer (LB);

Colby Hill (WR/DB); Dylan Uriquidi (QB)

southeast Polk (10-3)Nickname: Rams

Head Coach: Denny MullerTop returning Players: Tate Christensen

(WR); Deion Mikesell (DL); Luke Starcevich (LB)

waukee (8-3)Nickname: Warriors

Head Coach: Scott CarlsonTop returning Players: A.J. Allen (RB/DB);

Trevor Allen (RB); Kyle Boulanger (RB)

Division 4Outlook

Southeast Polk won the division last season and should once again reload to do the same this year, but Waukee looks to be primed to take the next step in the title race. Des Moines East has some pieces that could put it in the sleeper role. That being said, all of the above mentioned would like to go beyond a division title and playoff berth. Southeast Polk made it to the title game once in 2006, and the rest of the division has never competed in the title game in its combined history.

Trevor Allen leads the Warriors’ chances, back after his 1,265 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground last season. His brother, A.J. Allen, and Matt Corbett led the defensive attack with a combined 91 stops last season. Since the move to 4A, the Waukee program has been good, but hopes to go to the next level to complement the facility upgrades over the years.

Is Nick Arnold the next quarterback at Southeast Polk? The Rams’ program has had a long line of solid signal callers, but lost not only its quarterback, but also most of the skill positions on offense due to graduation. These positions remain question marks. Tate Christensen is back after his 30 receptions, 12 for touchdowns last season. Brandon Johnson

and Luke Starcevich are key returning players on defense.

The Scarlets know they have at least one weapon that can stretch the field in Malique Ziegler, who hauled in 32 receptions for 634 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Word is

that Chino Alcala will be the one to take over the signal-calling duties. Success for Des Moines East in the division race will hinge upon finding a way to fill the many defensive spots vacated by graduation.

Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln may be a sleeper as it looks to improve on its 3-6 record with the return of quarterback Jared Thompson and running

back Dylan Garner. Garner and Brandon Colpitts lead a group back on the defensive side. Des Moines Roosevelt would love to get back to being completive again, and with the coaching change it may mean some new excitement. Sioux City West has Skyler Bauer back with 52 solo and 75 overall tackles last season.

The early season may change the outlook, but Waukee gets the edge with Southeast Polk next this season. Des Moines East may be the sleeper, but most teams have a lot of work to do to get past the top two contenders.

Photo courtesy of James Kramer/Des Moines Registerwaukeetrevor allen

class 4a

1) waUKee warriOrs2) sOUTHeasT POlK raMs3) Des MOiNes easT sCarleTs4) COUNCil BlUFFs aBe liNCOlN lyNX

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON

[ ]Southeast Polk made it to the title game once

in 2006, and the rest of the division has never competed in the title game in its combined

history.



MvC valley

Teams

Cedar Falls (11-2)Nickname: TigersHead Coach: Pat Mitchell & Brad RemmertTop returning Players: Eli Berregaard (RB); Jared Farley (LB); Ross Pierschbacher (OL)

Cedar rapids Prairie (8-4)Nickname: HawksHead Coach: Mike MorisseyTop returning Players: Tristan Beyer (LB); Mitch Christensen (RB); Mitch Dellamuth (DB)

Cedar rapids washington (3-6)Nickname: WarriorsHead Coach: Paul JamesTop returning Players: Jake Bjornsen (LB); Reid Snitker (DB); Connor Vincent (TE/LB)

Cedar rapids Xavier (13-1)Nickname: SaintsHead Coach: Duante SchulteTop returning Players: Logan Clarahan (LB); Bryce Grimm (WR); Brendan Miller (RB)

linN-Mar (mariON) (3-6)Nickname: LionsHead Coach: Bob ForsytheTop returning Players: Ross Lembeck (RB); Jon Schlotterback (WR); Austin Wolter (K/P)

waterloo west (3-7)Nickname: WahawksHead Coach: Lonnie MooreTop returning Players: Lance Dunn (RB/DB); Blake Thomas (TE/LB); Alex Young (QB/DB)

mvc valleyOutlook

Cedar Rapids Xavier just missed winning it all last season in 4A, and that disappointment will definitely be a motivating factor this season. But Cedar Falls’ staff, led by Pat Mitchell, always places a competitive team on the field. Mitchell begins the season with a career record of 337-134-1, which places him fourth on the all-time list.

The Xavier Saints left the UNI-Dome numb after the Ankeny Hawks rallied to win the title game late, but as some say, “no pain, no gain.” Xavier hopes to treat that game as a learning experience going into this season. Brendan Miller will be asked to carry the load in the backfield after his 1,068-yard, 10-touchdown effort in 2012, with Matt Nelson anchoring the offensive line. Bryce Grimm will lead the receiving corps after grabbing 36 receptions a year ago, good for 7 touchdowns. Logan Clarahan is back as the top returner on defense with 77 tackles.

The Tigers love to use a running game, and Eli Berregaard returns afer running for nearly 700 yards. Jared Farley was dominating on defense last season as he had a hand in 143 tackles, 81 of them solo. Cedar Rapids Prairie stepped up last season and hopes to have a repeat performance. In the backfield, it will be Mitch Christensen who rushed for a team high of 661 yards, spearheading the Hawks’ rushing attack. Tristan Beyer and

Jesse Vizzini combined for 180 tackles and will lead the defense again.

Cedar Rapids Washington will have new leadership, which leaves questions on the style of play that may need some adjustments from the returning players. Jake Bjornsen and Connor Vincent will be counted on to lead the defense. Linn-Mar slipped back after some strong seasons, but the Lions hope to roar back and will count on Ross Lembeck to do so. Lembeck returns after tallying 700 yards on the ground last season.

Waterloo West could be a sleeper this season with the return of some key players on offense, led by quarterback Alex Young and Lance Dunn in the running game. Young accounted for 1,400 yards of total offense; Dunn ran for nearly 800 yards while scoring 12 touchdowns. Blake Thomas and Kyler Mathews were one-two in tackles last season and return to lead the defense.

All said and done, Cedar Rapids Xavier will not only be a favorite in the MVC this season but should be on most of the lists as one of the strong contenders across the state to be playing in the UNI-Dome for a title. That is something easily said in the preseason when you look at things on paper, but in the end, the Friday night battles during a nine-week regular season will determine how it all comes out.

Photo courtesy of Cedar Rapids Prairie High SchoolCedar Rapids prairieTristan beyer

class 4a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) Cr Xavier saiNTs2) CeDar Falls TiGers3) Cr wasHiNGTON warriOrs4) liNN-Mar liONs


mvc valleyOutlook


MvC Mississippi

Teams

Cedar rapids Jefferson (1-8)

Nickname: J-HawksHead Coach: Brian Webb

Top returning Players: Will Orr (DL); Layne Sullivan (QB/DB); Brandon Wiederin (WR/DB)

Cedar rapids Kennedy

(5-6)Nickname: Cougars

Head Coach: Tim LewisTop returning Players: A.J. Carter (DB);

Triston Christopher (LB); Miles Moa (RB)

Dubuque Hempstead (0-9)Nickname: Mustangs

Head Coach: Bob McIntyreTop returning Players: Blake Thurston (LB);

Chris Tomkins (LB); Matt Zenner (RB)

Dubuque senior (7-3)Nickname: Rams

Head Coach: Dale PloesslTop returning Players: Brook Anderson (LB);

Austin Clemens (QB); Parker Hammel (RB/DB)

Dubuque wahlert (1-8)Nickname: Golden Eagles

Head Coach: Mike MahoneyTop returning Players: Ries Bohr (OL/DL);

Danny Broderick (QB); Jared Walker (QB)

iowa City, City High (4-6)Nickname: Little Hawks

Head Coach: Dan SabersTop returning Players: Ivan Diaz (LB);

Bryson Runge (RB); Xavier Washpun (RB)

iowa City west (10-1)Nickname: Trojans

Head Coach: Brian SauserTop returning Players: Nate Boland (QB);

Devaughn McCullough (OL/DL); Devin Raffensperger (RB)

waTerlOO easT (6-5)Nickname: Trojans

Head Coach: Kevin MeyerTop returning Players: Nick Gray (LB);

John Magnuson (QB); Javon Middleton (WR/DB)

MvC MississippiOutlook

Iowa City West won the conference title last season and looks to continue to be one of the eastern Iowa powers. Dubuque Senior is coming off a solid season with hopes of at least maintaining its 2012 results. Iowa City High would like nothing better than to get back to an upper conference finish; that improvement on last season is very possible. While a lot of the attention will go to the Valley side because of Cedar Rapids Xavier, the Mississippi side would love nothing better than to prove they have some quality teams that should not be overlooked.

Nate Boland passed for nearly 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns last season as the signal caller for the Trojans. Devin Raffensperger added 566 yards on the ground as the second back, but will surely be asked to carry more of the load this season. Devaughn McCullough is the top returner on defense with 76 tackles, eight for a loss, for Iowa City West.

Iowa City High brings experience back at the skill positions, which is promising, as it tries to improve on its 4-5 season a year ago. Bryson Runge and Xavier Washpun combined for nearly 900 yards on the ground, and Mitch Wieland is back at quarterback.

Dubuque Senior looks ready to challenge once again with Austin Clemens still calling the plays.

Clemens passed for nearly 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. But even with some experience back at the other skill positions, the loss of Dubuque’s top running back and receiver shows that the off-season improvement is crucial for the Rams to have another shot at a conference crown. Brook Anderson, with 144 stops last season, 52 solo, will lead the defense for Senior.

Waterloo East has been a great story the past few seasons after a decade of struggling. The Trojans lost a solid group that was instrumental in the football program’s progress, and they can only hope that the young guys behind them learned how to accomplish some good things. The young team is left with the challenge to improve what it began.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson was young last season and hopes the growing pains turn into more victories this season, led by Layne Sullivan at quarterback. Cedar Rapids Kennedy can usually compete, but the majority of last season’s offensive production is gone. This season will be based on how the new faces in the group come to play. Dubuque Wahlert and Dubuque Hempstead struggled last season and will count on a new crop playing under the bright Friday night lights to improve.

Photo courtesy of Benjamin Roberts/Iowa City Press-CitizenIowa City WestNate Boland

class 4a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) iOwa CiTy wesT TrOJaNs2) DUBUQUe seNiOr raMs3) iOwa CiTy HiGH liTTle HawKs4) waTerlOO easT TrOJaNs




MaCTeams

Bettendorf (6-4)Nickname: BulldogsHead Coach: Aaron WileyTop returning Players: Matt Albert (DL); Sam Ambrose (LB); Cyle Cox (QB)

Burlington (3-6)Nickname: GrayhoundsHead Coach: John FlahertyTop returning Players: Mauricio Cardenas (RB/DB); Nick Pierson (QB/DB); Antone Swayzer (DL)

Clinton (2-7)Nickname: River KingsHead Coach: Lee CampTop returning Players: Alex Caldwell (DB); Dustin Caldwell (RB/LB); Eric Maddasion (QB)

Davenport assumption (7-3)Nickname: KnightsHead Coach: Wade KingTop returning Players: Jake Gervase (QB/DB); James Hua (RB); Zach Adrian (OL/DL)

Davenport Central (4-6)Nickname: Blue DevilsHead Coach: Mark RoeringTop returning Players: Devon Brown (RB); Tyler Pethoud (QB); Justin Sanchez (K)

Davenport North (0-9)Nickname: WildcatsHead Coach: Greg KernTop returning Players: Dakota Fous (DB); Quilin Johnson (WR); Jordan Trowers (RB)

Davenport west (1-8)Nickname: FalconsHead Coach: Jeremy MoshierTop returning Players: George Campbell (OL/DL); Deontrez Overstreet (RB/LB); Josh Thiessen (QB)

Muscatine (7-3)Nickname: MuskiesHead Coach: Jacob MuellerTop returning Players: John Brauns (LB); Austin Moss (RB/DB); Tyler Much (LB)

North scott (eldridge) (7-4)Nickname: LancersHead Coach: Kevin TippetTop returning Players: Ricky Grimes (WR); Colin Kreiter (FB/LB); Ty Williams (WR/P)

Pleasant valley (11-1)Nickname: SpartansHead Coach: Rusty VanWetzingaTop returning Players: Cory Davison (OL); Brady Letney (QB); Jim Morrissey (LB)

MaCOutlook

It looks like the usual suspects in the MAC with Bettendorf, Davenport Assumption, North Scott (Eldridge), Muscatine and Pleasant Valley fighting for the top spot. Pleasant Valley rolled through a perfect conference season in 2012, and hopes to take that experience forward into this year.

Bettendorf brings back a group that gained a ton of valuable playing time as underclassmen, which places the Bulldogs in their customary role as MAC favorites. Junior Cyle Cox is back under center, with Sam Ambrose back after leading the Bulldogs in tackles last season. Pleasant Valley will try to stage a repeat performance in conference play, and it all starts under center with Brady Letney, who passed for just over 1,200 yards with 15 touchdowns and only 1 interception a year ago. Letney also used his legs and added over 1,000 yards on the ground and 11 more touchdowns. Defensively, the Spartans lost a huge chunk of their leadership, so that will be a point of emphasis when they prepare for the new season.

Davenport Assumption readies for the new season with Jake Gervase at quarterback and James Hua back following his 1,000-yard and 11-touchdown campaign at tailback. Gervase added 946 more yards with 7 touchdowns on the ground. Zach Adrian led the defense — where the Knights are consistently strong — with 70 solo tackles and 109 total stops.

Muscatine can start with its running game as Austin Moss returns. Linebackers Jon Brauns and Tyler Much will lend invaluable experience on the defensive side of the ball. North Scott is in need of a new signal caller and backfield, but whoever gets the spot will have a target down field in Ricky Grimes, who had 33 receptions, gained 535 yards and hauled in 7 touchdowns.

Davenport Central showed some fight last season, but to become at least a sleeper in the conference race may be more than can be asked of the passing game. Quarterback Tyler Pethoud lost Zach Minch, who carried the offensive load last season with nearly 2,000 yards rushing.

Burlington, Clinton, Davenport West and Davenport North know that the road in the MAC goes through the usual suspects, but all are looking for a breakthrough season. Deontrez Overstreet ran for nearly 700 yards for Davenport West last season. Alex Caldwell is the leader on defense for the River Kings of Clinton. Jordan Trowers carries the Davenport North hopes in the running game after running for 654 yards and 7 touchdowns last season, and Nick Pierson is back under center for the Grayhounds after passing for just over 1,000 yards in 2012.

So, the question in the MAC is: Can Pleasant Valley defend its title? In the end, the finish may be a bit different, but the names will all look the same as far as the prediction goes this season.

Photo courtesy of Mike Ruefer PhotosDavenport AssumptionJake Gervase

class 4a

PlayOFF PreDiCTiON 1) BeTTeNDOrF BUllDOGs2) DaveNPOrT assUMPTiON KNiGHTs3) PleasaNT valley sParTaNs4) nOrTH sCOTT laNCers

MaCOutlook


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Sports Spotlight Vol. 1 Issue 12