Posts

Getting to know the 2015 Ames Little Cyclones

2014 Ames Little Cyclones in action against Sioux City North. (Sioux City Journal photo)

By Seth Nutting

A year after finishing 6-4 and third in the Class 4A- District 1 standings, the Ames Little Cyclones will look to reach the playoffs for a second straight year after falling to Dowling Catholic 24-59 in the second round of the 2014 playoffs.

Led by quarterback Michael Frankl, the Little Cyclones will rely heavily on the senior to once again lead the offense. Frankl threw for 2,351 yards and 21 TD’s while throwing only four INT’s as a junior. After hauling in 85 passes and 1,006 receiving yards from Frankl in his junior campaign, 2nd team All-State honoree Colby Shane is the lone returning starter at wide receiver.

The Little Cyclones will also be without leading rusher Chris Woodward, who ran for 909 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior last year. Stepping into the starting role will presumably be senior Darrius Martin. Last season’s backup for Ames was one of the best sprinters in the state last spring.

Other than Colin Newell, a 1st team All-Division left tackle as a sophomore who has already received an offer from Iowa State, the offensive line looks to be one of the biggest question marks of the upcoming season. Four starting lineman from a year ago must be replaced, including Drake recruit Anthony Mooney.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ames will return a strong secondary and defensive line, led by multi-sport athlete and three-year letter winner Michael Agbaje at safety and duo Kaleb Stevens and Harrison Townsend along the defensive line. Agbaje recorded 46.5 total tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery for touchdown as a junior.

At linebacker, Ames must replace Hank Swalla and Chris Halbur, both insdie linebackers, from a year ago. Senior Andy Christensen is the lone returner, recording 28.5 tackles as a junior.

The biggest loss from a year ago may have been to the special teams unit. The team must replace kicker Sam Rathe, who ranks third on Ames All-Time scoring list.

The Little Cyclones have some key returning pieces to make a run at another state playoff appearance, but lack of depth at several key positions: WR, OL, and LB will make the hunt for a 4A-District 1 title challenging. As usual, perennial powerhouses Ankeny and Southeast Polk look to be the favorites in a top-heavy district.

Ames stats

2014 record: 6-4 overall, 2-2 conference

Head Coach: Bruce Vertanen, 15th season, 85-56 career record

Assistant Coaches: Vance Downs, Tracey Rial, Mike Shane, Kyle VanWinkle, Kerry VanWinkle, Graham Lundt, Taylor Vanden Wynboom, and Joel Sullivan.

Returning offensive starters

QB Michael Frankl, Sr.

WR Colby Shane, Sr.

OL Colin Newell, Jr.

OL Jacob Mooney, Sr.

Returning defensive starters

S Michael Agbaje, Sr.

LB Andy Christensen, Sr.

DL Kaleb Stevens, Sr.

DL Harrison Townsend, Sr.

Total Returning Starters: 11

Total Returning Letterwinners: 21

Offensive Scheme: Multiple

Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5

2015 Schedule (district games in bold)

Aug. 28 @ Centennial

Sept. 4 vs. Cedar Falls

Sept. 11 vs. Iowa City High

Sept. 18 @ Marshalltown

Sept. 25 vs. Ankeny

Oct. 2. vs. SC North

Oct. 9 @ SE Polk

Oct. 16 vs. DM East

Oct. 23 @ CB Jefferson

Getting to Know You: Ames Little Cyclones

AHSlogo_LittleCyclones

The Ames Little Cyclones are no strangers to the rough and tumble schedule in the Central Iowa Conference (CIC). After a 16-8 season where they lost to Waterloo West in the regional semifinals, coach Joel Sullivan and the Little Cyclones are focused and determined to make a return trip back to state. Ames returns three players from last year’s squad (Ryan Weiss, Emily Frisk, and Molly Sanders), amid heavy graduation.

The challenge for Ames, according to Sullivan, will be their height, which may present some matchup issues going up against taller teams like Dowling Catholic, Ankeny Centennial, and Southeast Polk.

Ames Little Cyclones

Class, Conference: 5A, CIC (Northern Division)

2013-14 Record (overall, conference): 16-8, 5-1

Head Coach: Joel Sullivan, 16th year (211-95 @ Ames, 221-123 overall)

Assistant Coaches: Chuck Stevens, Mike Frisk

Returning players and positions: Molly Sanders (2nd team All Cent. Iowa Conference), G, Emily Frisk, G, Ryan Weiss, G

Newcomers: Haley Melby, Hannah Mumm, Kelly Friedrich, Amara Lipsey

Lost players: Kiana Peterson, Jamie Steyer, Bailee Jackson, Deja McAtee, JeAnn Hiraldo

Key games on schedule: Dowling Catholic, Mason City, Ankeny Centennial, Southeast Polk, Waukee

Team Goals: Get better every day, Come together as a team

Interesting story lines: “We are very short (in height),” according to Sullivan

Follow on Social Media: N/A

Getting to Know You: Ames Little Cyclones

AHSlogo_LittleCyclonesAfter an 11-1 campaign in 2013, the Little Cyclones will rely on their defense to be the guiding force as they begin the 2014 season. Led by LBs Hank Swalla and Chris Halbur, and DB Gage Eller, Coach Bruce Vertanen feels that their experience and leadership will be crucial as they tackle on a challenging non-district docket before jumping into district play. Ames will have a new defensive line in the trenches as support to the LB and DB units.

On the offensive side of the ball, there are some key spots to fill after the graduations of three 1st All-Staters QB Sam Straub, WR Alex Brammer, and RB Clifford Kwaw-Mensah, among others. OL Michael Holtzbauer is the lone full-time returning starter, but he won’t be alone as WR Colby Hansen and OL Anthony Mooney will segue from their part-time starting positions last season to take on bigger roles.

Ames Stats

2013 Record: 11-1 overall, 5-0 Division 2

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 1

Coach: Bruce Vertanen, 14th season, 79-52 overall (all at Ames)

Returning Starters – Offense

Michael Holtzbauer, OL, 12, 6-2, 270

Colby Hansen, WR, 12, 6-1, 170

Sam Rathe, PK, 12, 6-0, 165

Anthony Mooney, OL, 12, 6-4, 285

Returning Starters – Defense

Hank Swalla, LB, 12, 60, 185

Gage Eller, DB, 12, 5-11, 180

Chris Halbur, LB, 12, 6-0, 180

Jacob Engelken, DB, 12, 5-8, 168

Michael Agbaje, LB, 11, 6-2, 190

Returning Letterwinners: 14

Coaching Staff: Vance Downs, Tracy Rial, Mike Shane, Kyle Van Winkle, Taylor Vanden Wynboom, Joel Sullivan

Offensive scheme: Multiple

Defensive scheme: 4-2-5

Interesting stories about the squad, players, or upcoming season: Vertanen feels that Southeast Polk is the favorite to win 4A-District 1, but stresses not to dismiss DM East, and SC North and Ankeny, the latter two Vertanen feels will be better teams this fall. Ames will play Cedar Falls and Iowa City High in non-district games. The Little Cyclones last faced Cedar Falls in the 1986 4A quarterfinals, and their last meeting with the Little Hawks was in the 1996 4A championship game.

2014 Schedule (District games in bold)

Aug. 29 Ankeny Centennial

Sept. 5 @ Cedar Falls

Sept. 12 @ Iowa City High

Sept. 19 Marshalltown

Sept. 26 @ Ankeny

Oct. 2 (Thursday) @ Sioux City North

Oct. 10 Southeast Polk

Oct. 17 @ Des Moines East

Oct. 24 Council Bluffs Jefferson