HIGH SCHOOL

Iowa high school football: Looking ahead to the 2020 season

Cody Goodwin
The Des Moines Register

It’s never too early to look ahead, right?

The 2019 high school football season ended last week. Of the six state champions, only one was a first-timer — OABCIG, in Class 2A — while two others were first-time-in-a-long-timers: Western Dubuque won 3A for its first title since 2001 and West Hancock won A for its first title since 1996.

The others added to their lengthy-and-successful traditions. Dowling Catholic won 4A for the seventh-straight year, the eighth time in the last 10, and for the 10th time overall. West Lyon won 1A for its fifth title. Don Bosco won 8-Player for the fourth time in seven years.

The high school sports appetite will be satiated in the coming months thanks to basketball and wrestling and various other sports. But football is a different beast, commanding year-round attention in a way few other sports can.

Here, we’re offering an early look at the 2020 high school football season. We go class-by-class, looking at this year’s state champion and who returns, then to this year’s semifinal teams and who returns, then finish with key returning players from elsewhere around the state.

We also looked back at our preseason rankings to see how we did. In short, we fared … OK. Three of our six preseason No. 1 teams won it all, two were slotted into the preseason top-5 of their respective classes, and we completely whiffed on the other (sorry, OABCIG).

Class 4A

State champs: Dowling Catholic

A lot of production will be leaving the Maroon program this season. Gone are the leading rushers (Gavin Williams and Teagan Johnson), leading tacklers (Nyanti Gehrke, Michael Keough, Chris Ousley), quarterback Hank Himrich (29 total touchdowns) and the entire starting offensive line.

That’s a lot, but there are some key returning pieces. Receiver Louie Brooks will be back after 29 receptions for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns this season. Defensively, Jack Meyer (42.5 tackles) and Chase Patton (six tackles for loss) will both be back, too.

The other UNI-Dome teams: W.D.M. Valley, Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Valley loses a lot of senior talent, but running back Jayden Williams and receiver Matthew Mahoney will be seniors in 2020. Bettendorf will have three of its top four tacklers back, including defensive lineman Griffin Liddle. Kennedy will have Max White, among others, next season.

Other players to watch

  • Ankeny’s Jase Bauer was the lone 4A quarterback to throw for more than 2,000 yards this season, as a junior;
  • Bauer's favorite target, Brody Brecht, will also be back after 35 catches for 796 yards and seven touchdowns;
  • Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Nick Pearson and Des Moines Roosevelt’s Jaden Koger both rushed for 1,000 yards as juniors;
  • Linn-Mar’s Clayton Muszynski tied for the most tackles (87) as a sophomore this season.

How’d we do? A look back at the Preseason Top 10: 

  1. Dowling Catholic (12-1, state champs)
  2. Ankeny Centennial (8-2, playoffs)
  3. Bettendorf (9-3, state semifinals)
  4. West Des Moines Valley (12-1, state finals)
  5. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (10-2, state semifinals)
  6. Cedar Falls (10-1, state quarterfinals)
  7. Iowa City West (4-5)
  8. Waukee (7-4, state quarterfinals)
  9. Ankeny (7-4, state quarterfinals)
  10. Pleasant Valley (4-5)

Class 3A

State champs: Western Dubuque

The Bobcats were very senior-heavy this season. Quarterback Calvin Harris was responsible for 43 touchdowns this year. Ben Bryant hit 950 rushing yards and 15 scores. Will Burds broke 1,000 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Nine of the 10 leading tacklers are all seniors, too.

Only two offensive players who scored touchdowns this year are expected to return, in Tommy DeSollar and Logan Brosius. Sawyer Nauman will be the top-returning tackler. He recorded 40 stops this season.

The other UNI-Dome teams: Solon, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Lewis Central

Solon’s offensive firepower is graduating, but Carson Shive (77.5 tackles) and Ben Cusick (2 sacks) are just juniors. Sergeant Bluff-Luton’s Kaden Holt (458 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns) returns. Rising recruit Thomas Fidone will headline Lewis Central’s pursuit for a third-straight UNI-Dome appearance.

Other players to watch

  • ADM’s Tate Stine-Smith and Pella’s Ryan Pace both eclipsed 1,700 passing yards this year;
  • Grinnell’s three primary weapons — quarterback Dallas Sauser, running back Wyatt Hunter, receiver Cole McGriff — are all just juniors;
  • Webster City’s Tyler Olson recorded 12 interceptions this year, giving him 14 for his career.

How’d we do? A look back at the Preseason Top 10: 

  1. Western Dubuque (13-0, state champs)
  2. Solon (12-1, state finals)
  3. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (10-2, state semifinals)
  4. Cedar Rapids Xavier (8-2, playoffs)
  5. North Scott (9-2, state quarterfinals)
  6. Lewis Central (10-2, state semifinals)
  7. Pella (8-3, state quarterfinals)
  8. West Delaware (5-4)
  9. Decorah (4-5)
  10. Carroll (5-4)

Class 2A

State champs: OABCIG

Quarterback Cooper DeJean — who amassed 4,838 total yards of offense and 66 touchdowns this year — will be a senior in 2020. Also returning, one of the Falcons’ two 1,000-yard receivers in Easton Harms, who will be a junior.

The other UNI-Dome teams: Waukon, Algona, Williamsburg

Expect Waukon to be in the mix again with quarterback Creed Welch and running back Ethan O’Neill both returning. Algona gave OABCIG its closest game of the year, but three of the Bulldogs’ most productive offensive players are all graduating. Levi Weldon returns for Williamsburg after 13 touchdowns and as many tackles for loss in 2019.

Other players to watch

  • Of the four 1,000-yard receivers in 2A, two are returning: Harms, and Albia’s Blake Stewart;
  • Some star recruits are back defensively, too, in Roland-Story’s Zach Twedt (113.5 tackles) and Southeast Valley’s Aaron Graves (10 sacks).

How’d we do? A look back at the Preseason Top 10: 

  1. Waukon (12-1, state finals)
  2. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (4-5)
  3. Clear Lake (10-1, state quarterfinals)
  4. Williamsburg (8-4, state semifinals)
  5. Columbus Catholic, Waterloo (8-2, playoffs)
  6. Algona (11-1, state semifinals)
  7. West Liberty (7-4, playoffs)
  8. Crestwood (5-4)
  9. Chariton (5-4)
  10. Kuemper Catholic (3-6)

Class 1A

State champs: West Lyon

The Wildcats are losing a lot of production, but they have some pieces returning in Tanner Severson and Cade Warner, who combined for 55 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Korey Knoblock and Zach Van Beek both averaged more than 8.5 yards a carry.

The other UNI-Dome teams: Van Meter, West Sioux, Iowa City Regina

Van Meter’s Dalten Van Pelt is poised to be a star after 680 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns this year. Dylan Wiggins, a freshman this year, might replace Hunter Dekkers as West Sioux’s quarterback. Regina will have both quarterback Ashton Cook and receiver Alec Wick back.

Other players to watch

  • Osage’s Colin Muller, along with Cook, returns after throwing for 2,000 yards this year;
  • Lake Mills’ Caleb Bacon will be back after 92 tackles and 7.5 sacks this season.

How’d we do? A look back at the Preseason Top 10: 

  1. West Sioux (11-1, state semifinals)
  2. Dike-New Hartford (10-1, state quarterfinals)
  3. Van Meter (12-1, state finals)
  4. West Branch (10-1, state quarterfinals)
  5. West Lyon (12-1, state champs)
  6. Mediapolis (8-2, playoffs)
  7. Osage (5-5)
  8. South Central Calhoun (10-1, state quarterfinals)
  9. Pella Christian (5-5, playoffs)
  10. Iowa City Regina (9-3, state semifinals)

Class A

State champs: West Hancock

The Eagles had a 2,000-yard rusher and two other 1,000-yard rushers this season, but only one returns — Cole Kelly, who went for 1,184 and 18 touchdowns. Kelly also had 13 tackles for a loss. Leading tackler Mathew Francis (66.5) is back, too.

The other UNI-Dome teams: Grundy Center, Saint Ansgar, Woodbury Central

Grundy Center’s bringing back its leading passer, rusher and receiver, so watch out. Saint Ansgar’s Ryan Cole will likely take over the lead running back duties after rushing for 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns this year. Woodbury Central’s Jase Manker returns after throwing for 2,135 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.

Other players to watch

  • Lots of young talented quarterbacks are coming back, including Nodaway Valley’s Nathan Russell, Riverside’s Austin Kremkoski and Cardinal’s Maddux Jones, who all threw for 1,400-plus yards and will be juniors next season.

How’d we do? A look back at the Preseason Top 10: 

  1. Hudson (4-5)
  2. West Hancock (13-0, state champs)
  3. Wapsie Valley (5-4)
  4. Edgewood-Colesburg (7-3, playoffs)
  5. St. Albert, Council Bluffs (5-4)
  6. Alburnett (1-8)
  7. Wayne (6-3)
  8. Alta-Aurelia (5-4)
  9. Bishop Garrigan (6-3)
  10. Grundy Center (11-2, state finals)

8-Player

State Champs: Don Bosco

Cael Frost will likely take the reins as Don Bosco’s playmaker after amassing 2,625 total yards of offense and 50 touchdowns this season.

The other UNI-Dome teams: Audubon, Remsen St. Mary’s, Turkey Valley

Audubon quarterback Gavin Smith and his top receiver, Ethan Klocke, both return. Remsen will have both its 1,000-yard passer and rusher back. Turkey Valley’s Marcus Herold will only be a junior after seven tackles for a loss this season.

Other players to watch

  • Montezuma’s Eddie Burgess threw for 2,914 passing yards and 49 touchdowns … in nine games … as a sophomore. 

How’d we do? A look back at the Preseason Top 10: 

  1. Don Bosco (13-0, state champs)
  2. Fremont Mills (7-2, state quarterfinals)
  3. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (7-3, playoffs)
  4. New London (7-3, playoffs)
  5. AGWSR (7-2)
  6. Iowa Valley (5-4)
  7. H-L-V (8-3, state quarterfinals)
  8. Newell-Fonda (6-3)
  9. Southeast Warren (7-3, playoffs)
  10. Turkey Valley (11-1, state semifinals)

Cody Goodwin covers wrestling and high school sports for the Des Moines Register. Follow him on Twitter at @codygoodwin.

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