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Getting to Know You: Indianola Indians

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After an 1-8 season in 2011, the Indianola Indians washed away the blues by qualifying for the last two post-season playoffs. That includes back-to-back 6-win seasons for the first time in over a decade. Coach Eric Kluver feels good about this year’s squad, but is cautious. They have to rebuild the offensive and defensive line, after a good senior class, led by Keegan Render, graduated. The offense welcomes back RB Cameron Bunting (1,031 yds rushing) and his brother, QB Trey Bunting. On defense, the Indians return their three starting LBs Casey Crawford, Cameron Loew, and Jimmy Aiello.

Indianola Stats

Record: 6-4 overall, 2-3 division

2014 Class, District: Class 4A, District 4

Coach: Eric Kluver 38-58 overall (all at Indianola)

Returning Starters – Offense

Kam Hartung, WR, 12, 165

Cam Bunting, RB, 12, 175

Trey Bunting, QB, 12, 170

Scooter Hohnenke, RB, 11, 210

Returning Starters – Defense

Casey Crawford, LB, 12, 165

Ryan Lehr, DB, 12, 175

Cameron Loew, LB, 12, 170

Jimmy Aiello, LB, 11, 200

Returning Letterwinners: 14

Interesting stories about the squad, players, or upcoming season: Coach Kluver is excited about the upcoming season and is optimistic on the juniors that could make an impact right away including WR/DB Blake Upchurch, RB/DB Hunter Anderson, and OL/DL Nathan Woosley. The player to watch for Indianola will be RB Cam Bunting who had 248 rushing attempts for 1,031 yds last season. The Indians will be replacing their entire offensive line, and Trey Bunting has a good backup in junior QB Jack Jensen who can fill in when necessary.

2014 Schedule (district games in bold)

Aug. 29 @ Ankeny

Sept. 5 @ Des Moines Lincoln

Sept. 12 Des Moines East

Sept. 19 Ottumwa

Sept. 26 @ Urbandale

Oct. 3 @ Fort Dodge

Oct. 10 Waukee

Oct. 17 @ Mason City

Oct. 24 Marshaltown

Getting to Know You: Sioux City East Black Raiders

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SCEast_logoThe Black Raiders of Sioux City East is one of those storied programs in Class 4A that you can depend on to show up every week, play hard, and get to the post-season. This season is no different for Coach Bob Goodvin and his squad. However, he’s going to do it without talented WR Ronald Nash, TB Ronald Carter, and CB Carter Lilly, who all graduated. With a team motto of “Dominate the Day, Success is a Sum of Our Days”, the Black Raiders 10 starters (5 on both sides, respectively) with LB Dakota Blatchford, DE Alex Stibbs, and CB Kaleb Hanks anchoring the defense, while C Jose Deanda and Tackles Ethan Farenholtz and John Alexa man the offense.

Sioux City East Stats

2013 Record: 7-4 overall, 3-2 Division 1

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 2

Coach: Bob Goodvin, 5th season, 33-21 overall

Returning Starters – Offense 

Jose Deanda, C, 12, 6-1, 215

Ethan Farenholtz, T, 11, 6-1, 210

John Alexa, T, 11, 6-4, 240

Alex Struve, TB, 12, 6-1, 190

Austin Ahrendt, R, 6-3, 205

Returning Starters – Defense

Alex Stribbs, DE, 12, 6-1, 210

Albert Saul, DE, 11, 6-2, 190

Dakota Blatchford, LB, 12, 5-9, 175

Ross Godfrey, CB, 11, 5-9, 145

Kaleb Hanks, 12, 5-9, 165

Returning Letterwinners: 3  

Coaching Staff:  

Offensive scheme: Multiple

Defensive scheme: 4-2-5

Interesting stories about the squad, players, or upcoming season: Goodvin’s concerns are if they are as good on the lines of scrimmage as they anticipate, how they shape up at the QB and skill positions, and his pressing question is can they “grow up FAST” with the schedule they will face this fall.  SC East will open their non-district docket against their city rivals, Heelan, West, and North, in the first three weeks. They will have two Thursday night games (Heelan and DM Roosevelt), a trip to Dowling Catholic, and close the season at Johnston, who they defeated in the first round of the 2013 playoffs.

2014 Schedule (District games in bold)

Aug. 28 (Thurs) Bishop Heelan Catholic

Sept. 5 @ Sioux City West

Sept. 12 Sioux City North

Sept. 19 @ Council Bluffs Lincoln

Sept. 25 (Thurs) Des Moines Roosevelt

Oct. 3 @ Dowling Catholic

Oct. 10 Council Bluffs Lewis Central

Oct. 17 Des Moines North

Oct. 24 @ Johnston

Getting to Know You: Iowa City West

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(Courtesy: Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier)

 

It’s a new era for the big class schools in eastern Iowa. No more conference games or conference titles. Welcome to district football for all of the 4A schools. For Iowa City West, they are making the adjustment to district football as well. The Trojans are also making a new adjustment as Garrett Hartwig is the new head coach for the westsiders of Iowa City, replacing Brian Sauser. City West, a perennial power, bring back 8 starters, including two-way players Conner Greene, Kevin Dowell, and Tyler Eads.

The big questions for City West will be starting a new quarterback and the offensive line to complement Dowell at RB, Eads and Oliver Martin at Wide Receivers. Replacing a large number of starters is daunting, but Hartwig expects those roles to be filled with sophomores as they go after a district title.

Iowa City West Stats

2013 Record: 9-2 overall, 5-1 Mississippi Valley Conf. (Mississippi Division)

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 7

Coach: Garrett Hartwig, 1st season

Returning Starters – Offense

Kevin Dowell, RB

Tyler Eads, WR

Oliver Martin, WR

Conner Greene, TE

Returning Starters – Defense

John Milani, SS

Conner Greene, LB

Tyler Eads, C

Aaron Bleil, FS

Kevin Dowell, LB

Noah Fletcher, DL

Logan Stevens, DL

Returning Letterwinners: 26

Coaching Staff: Tyler Meade (Def. Coord.), Andrew Durham (Off. Coord.), Travis Meade (Off./Def. Line), Josh Flammang (Special Teams, Off./Def. Line)

Offensive scheme: Pro style

Defensive scheme: Multiple

Interesting stories about the squad, players, or upcoming season: Coach Hartwig expects some big roles will be filled by sophomores, and feels good with the depth in each position. The Trojans will face Dubuque Hempstead and Bettendorf in district play this season. City West defeated Hempstead (first round) and lost to Bettendorf (second round) of the 2013 playoffs. Iowa City West will travel to West Des Moines Valley for a non-district showdown on September 5th, and face their crosstown rivals, Iowa City High in the annual “Battle of the Boot” game on September 19th.

2014 Schedule (District games in bold)

Aug. 29 Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Sept. 5 @ West Des Moines Valley

Sept. 12 @ Cedar Rapids Washington

Sept. 19 Iowa City High

Sept. 25 (Thurs) @ Davenport Central

Oct. 3 Bettendorf

Oct. 10 @ Dubuque Hempstead

Oct. 17 Davenport North

Oct. 24 Pleasant Valley

 

Getting to Know You: Des Moines East Scarlets

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DMEast_Scarlets2013 was a sub-par year for Coach Greg Schoon and the East Scarlets, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. Injuries and turnovers during crucial moments in games were their undoing in several close games. Schoon is excited about this year’s squad that will consist of new junior and senior starters to complement senior QB Chino Alcala, WR Jason Jeffries on offense, and a trio of senior LBs lead by senior Alex Contreras on defense.

Des Moines East Stats

2013 Record: 2-7 overall, 1-4 Division 4

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 1

Coach: Greg Schoon

Returning Starters – Offense

Chino Alcala, QB, 12,

Jason Jeffries, WR, 12

Javier Guerror, K, 12

Brandon Trotter, RB, 11

Billy White, OL, 11

Returning Starters – Defense

Jaylin James, CB, 12

Alex Contreras, LB, 12

Jonathon Harrington, LB, 12

Juleo Harris, LB, 12

Eric Ridgner, 12, DL

Returning Letterwinners: 15

Interesting stories about the squad, players, or upcoming season: The Scarlets’ strength is overall team athleticism in all positions. Schoon is excited about the improvements on the freshmen and sophomore/JV level. The biggest challenge is filling in new starters at key position, especially on the defensive and offensive side of the line. Inexperience is always a potential problem, Schoon cited, but he is excited about this year’s team and looking forward to help them excel.

2014 Schedule (District games in bold)

Aug. 29 @ Des Moines Roosevelt

Sept. 5 Des Moines North

Sept. 12 @ Indianola

Sept. 19 Des Moines Lincoln

Sept 26 @ Southeast Polk

Oct. 3 Ankeny

Oct. 10 @ Council Bluffs Jefferson

Oct. 17 Ames

Oct. 24 @ Sioux City North

Getting to Know You: Ames Little Cyclones

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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

Getting to Know You: Urbandale J-Hawks

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UHS_logoJ-Hawks coach Sam Anderson makes no bones about it. The graduations of 1st team All-State WR and ISU Cyclone Allen Lazard and QB Logan Augustine will be challenging, but Anderson feels confident with a solid group on the offensive line and skill players with experience. That experience starts with returning RB Abdulai Mansaray and K Hesten Steen. Dylan Landess will be called upon to replace Augustine, with senior Jake Quirk and juniors Jake Heinrich and Caleb Bright shoring up the offensive line.

On defense, Evan Economos and Grant MacDougal will patrol the defensive backfield, as P Elijah Conrey will help with giving the defense an opportunity to control field possession with punting duties. Coach Anderson feels that Waukee is the favorite in 4A District 4, but he says that the J-Hawks have what it takes to be competitive each week and qualify for the playoffs, with the goal to win the 4A title.

Urbandale Stats

2013 Record: 7-3 overall, 4-1 Division 1

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 4

Coach:  Sam Anderson 19th season (112-79 overall, 46-55 at Urbandale)

Returning Starters – Offense

Jake Heinrich, OL, 11, 6-4, 280

Caleb Bright, OL, 11, 6-4, 270

Jake Quirk, OL, 12, 6-3, 255

Abdulai Mansaray, RB, 12, 5-10, 180

Hesten Steen, K, 12, 6-0, 175

Returning Starters – Defense

Evan Economos, DB, 12, 5-10, 175

Grant MacDougal, DB,12, 6-0, 180

Elijah Conrey P/K, 12, 6-0, 170

Returning Letterwinners:

Dylan Landess, QB, 12, 5-10, 200

Chris Ballah, DL, 12, 6-0, 200

Zach Crouse, DL, 12, 6-1, 200

Cole Scieszinski, LB, 12, 5-9, 200

Ben Moss, RB, 12, 5-10, 180

Alex Newberg, RB/LB,11, 6-1, 200

RJ Nordell, OL, 12, 6-0, 210

Key Newcomers:

Quinn Dannefeldt, WR, 11, 6-5, 195

John Heinrich, WR,11, 6-2, 175

Kyle Stolz, DB, 11, 5-9, 170

Darien Smith, DL, 11, 6-5, 195

Coaching Staff: Tim TeBrink, William Gray, Dave Hekter, Ryan Williams, Dan Schuck, Tyler Perry, Rod Reis

Team Strengths: The J-Hawks return a solid group on the offensive line and some skill players with experience.

Team Question Marks: Replacing the bulk of the defense and All state QB/WR combo Allen Lazard and Logan Augustine.

Interesting storyline: Anderson feels that the team to beat in their district (4A-4) is Waukee. Urbandale has qualified for the playoffs five consecutive years. Before coming to Urbandale, Sam Anderson coached West Delaware to five post-season appearance, with a runner-up finish in 1995.

Team Goal: To be competitive each week, qualify for the playoff putting your team in a position to compete for a state title.

2014 Schedule (District games in bold):

Aug. 29 @ Des Moines Hoover

Sept. 5 Dowling Catholic

Sept. 12 Johnston

Sept. 19 @ Cedar Falls

Sept. 26 Indianola

Oct. 3 @ Waukee

Oct. 10 Mason City

Oct. 17 @ Marshalltown

Oct. 24 Ft. Dodge

 

Getting to Know You: Sioux City North Stars

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SCNorth_StarsAfter making the 2013 playoffs, the North High Stars aim to go further up…to win a district title. Jon Niemic moves over from assistant to head coach for North. The Stars cupboard isn’t bare at all, with talented senior QB Daniel Tillo and TE Robert Neustrom on offense. The defense will be anchored by a veterans at LB (Zach Kraus, Taylor O’Neill, and Patrick Strait), and DB (Deion Clayborne and Anthony Rasmussen). The key to the Stars’ success will be addressing the offensive and defensive lines, which have new starters.

North Stats

2013 Record: 4-6 overall, 2-3 Division 2

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 1

Coach: Jon Niemic, first year

Returning Starters – Offense

Daniel Tillo, QB, 12

Robert Neustrom, TE, 12

Cory Schoenherr, WR, 12

Edgar Cortez, OL, 12

Xavier Scarlett, WR, 12

Deion Clayborne, HB, 12

Returning Starters – Defense

Deion Clayborne, DB, 11

Anthony Rasmussen, DB, 11

Taylor O’Neill, LB, 12

Zach Kraus, LB, 12

Patrick Strait, LB, 12

Robert Neustrom, S, 12

Returning Letterwinners: 16

Coaching Staff: Travis Binder, Angelo James

Offensive scheme: Spread pass

Defensive scheme: 4-2-5

Interesting stories about the squad, players, or upcoming season: Daniel Tillo is one of the better multi-sport athletes in 4A, if not in the state. Tillo took the Stars to the 2014 Boys State Basketball tournament. Robert Neustrom also plays in different sports at North. Both players are Division 1 caliber players according to Niemic. North’s goals this season is to win the (Sioux City) city championship, capture the district title, and advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 1998, when they defeated Bishop Heelan Catholic, 14-6 in the first round and lost in the quarterfinals to Ames, 7-0, in overtime.

2014 Schedule (District games in bold)

Aug. 29 @ Council Bluffs Lincoln

Sept. 4 (Thurs.) Fort Dodge

Sept. 12 @ Sioux City East

Sept. 19 Sioux City West

Sept. 26 @ Council Bluffs Jefferson

Oct. 3 Ames

Oct. 10 @ Ankeny

Oct. 17 @ Southeast Polk

Oct. 24 Des Moines East

Getting To Know You: Dowling Catholic Maroons

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Dowling Catholic Head Football Coach Tom Wilson address his team before team camp in July, 2014. Image via DCHS Football Facebook Page.

Dowling Catholic Head Football Coach Tom Wilson address his team before team camp in July, 2014. Image via DCHS Football Facebook Page.

What do you do when you win a state championship for the second time in 4 years? As Steely Dan once sung “you go back, Jack, do it again.” The target is clearly on the back of the Dowling Catholic Maroons. Winning a state title will do that. Coach Tom Wilson would like to “do it again”, with the help of 1st team All-State quarterback Ryan Boyle (119-187/1,833 yards/21 TD/3 Int./1.332 yards rushing) returning for his senior campaign.

Coming off of a 14-0 campaign in 2013, the Maroons will start the season against the team they defeated for the 4A title: Cedar Rapids Xavier. Along with Boyle, who has committed to Iowa, Elijah Swehla and Cole Wymore will anchor the offense, and reliable Kicker Nick McClellan (8 for 13 in FG for 2013) is back. On the defensive side, a couple of stalwarts in Max Morris and Jo Jo Jok on the defensive line, and Nick Wilson patrolling the defensive backfield at free safety. Both Morris and Wilson have college offers in their pockets as they begin training camp.

Dowling Catholic Stats

2013 Record: 14-0 overall, 5-0 Divison 3

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 2
Coach: Tom Wilson, 22 years overall (9 at Dowling Catholic), 182-56 overall (91-17 at Dowling Catholic)

Returning Starters – Offense:
Ryan Boyle, QB, 12, 6-2, 215, 1st team All-State
Elijah Swehla, OL, 12, 6-3, 305
Cole Wymore, OL, 12, 5-9, 205
Nick McLellan, K, 12, 6-2, 170, 3rd team All-State

Returning Starters – Defense:
Max Morris, DL, 12, 6-2, 235, 1st team All-State
Jo Jo Jok DL, 12, 6-2, 235
Nick Wilson, FS, 12, 6-2, 105

Returning Letterwinners: 36 total

Coaching staff (new additions): Ryan Van Veen (WR), RB-Aundra Meeks (RB)

Offense scheme: Spread
Defense scheme: 4-2-5

Interesting stories about the squad, players or upcoming season: Aundra Meeks joins the coaching staff as Running Backs coach. Meeks was the long-time head football coach at Waterloo Columbus Catholic, winning the 2A state title in 2004. Coach Wilson’s concern is replacing many good players, but as customary with the Maroons, they rely on depth at each position and each player to do their job. The Maroons are second to Emmetsburg in playoff appearances overall (36), and are 56-32 overall in the post-season play since the playoffs were instituted in 1972 (4th best record, in all classes).

Team Motto: Team First
Team Goals: State Championship

2014 Schedule: (District games in bold)

Aug. 29 Cedar Rapids Xavier

Sept. 5 @ Urbandale

Sept. 12 Waukee

Sept. 19 @ West Des Moines Valley

Sept. 26 @ Council Bluffs Lewis Central

Oct. 3 Sioux City East

Oct. 10 @ Johnston

Oct. 17 Des Moines Roosevelt

Oct. 24 @ Des Moines Nort

 

Getting To Know You: Waukee Warriors

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Waukee 14

3 days in Vermillion,unofficial start of Warrior Football ’14.Great kids, great attitude, great start. #LEAVENODOUBT (via @gowaukee)

“Leave No Doubt” is the mantra for Scott Carlson’s Waukee Warriors as they prepare for the 2014 season. In his 18th season, Carlson feels confident with 9 returning starters (5 defense, 4 offense) coming off of a 10-2 season, 5-0 in District play.

Waukee will have to replace 4 starting offensive lineman (only senior OT Luke Peters returns) and all 4 defensive backs. RB Trevor Allen is back for his senior campaign, with junior QB Ben Ferkin under center. Another Warrior offensive weapon is senior TE Michael Jacobson.

Three 1st team All-Division players will anchor Waukee’s defense (DE Anthony Nelson, DT Nick Tweeten, and LB Pat Gray), with LBs Kyle Boulanger and Drew Linemann also in the mix.

Waukee Stats
2013 Record: 10-2 overall, 5-0 Division 4

2014 Class & District: Class 4A, District 4

Coach: Scott Carlson, 18th season (107-72 all at Waukee)

Returning Starters – Offense
Luke Peters, OT, 12, 6-3, 240
Michael Jacobson, TE, 12, 6-8, 215, 2nd Team All Division
Ben Ferkin, QB, 11, 6-1, 180, 2nd Team All Division
Trevor Allen, RB, 12, 6-0, 190, All State, Team MVP (Offense)

Returning Starters – Defense
Anthony Nelson, DE, 12, 6-7, 215, 1st Team All Division
Nick Tweeten, DT, 12, 6-0, 280, 1st Team All Division, 2nd Team All State
Pat Gray, LB, 12, 5-11, 185, 1st Team All Division Team MVP (Defense), 2nd Team All State
Kyle Boulanger, LB, 12, 5-11, 195, 2nd Team All Division, Warrior of the Year (2012-13)
Drew Linemann, LB, 11, 5-11, 200

Returning Letterwinners:
Zach Baudler, Jacob Fay, Aaron Fogt, Joey Gale, Casey Guess, Bryce Hingst, Nathan Keck, Cole Kitzman, Erik Nelson, Tyler Pfaltzgraff, Kevin Priest, Robert Primrose, Koy Schneiter, Tyler Speight, Ross Vogel, Brandon Krantz, Adam Rose

Coaching staff: Nick Ross (new OC), Brent Heitland, Jason Sanders, Nathan Bailey, Corey Kopatich, Don Campbell, Ron Calvert, Rusty Hughell, Ed Saidat, Tim Murphy

Offensive scheme: Pro set
Defensive scheme: 4-3

2014 Schedule:
Aug. 29 WDM Valley
Sept. 5 @ SE Polk
Sept. 12 @ Dowling Catholic
Sept. 19 Johnston
Sept. 26 @ Marshalltown
Oct. 3 Urbandale
Oct. 10 @ Indianola
Oct. 17 @ Ft. Dodge
Oct. 24 Mason City