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Getting to know the 2015 Urbandale J-Hawks

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By Seth Nutting

The Urbandale J-Hawks will look to improve on a 5-5 record (4-1 conference) from a year ago, which included a second place finish in the Class 4A-district standings and state playoff berth, losing to Ames 28-31 in the first round.

Urbandale must replace two of their top three leading rushers from a year ago, including second-team All-District quarterback Dylan Landess and first-team All-District running back Abdul Mansaray. Landess threw for 593 yards and rushed for 545 more while scoring a team-leading 13 touchdowns. Mansaray ran for 11 touchdowns while leading the team with 910 rushing yards. Senior Alex Newburg will be the teams’ primary offensive weapon this season after running for 779 yards and eight scores a year ago.

The J-Hawks offensive line will anchor Coach Sam Anderson’s run-heavy, triple-option offense. Urbandale has two future Division I guards in seniors Jake Heinrich and Caleb Bright. Heinrich committed to Arkansas in early July while Bright announced last week he will play at Bowling Green.

On defense, the J-Hawks return senior linebackers Cody Pearson (2nd-team All-District) and Trevor Kimm (1st-team All-District) who combined to make 74 tackles last year. Nate and Kyle Stoltz will hold down a secondary unit that forced only three interceptions all of last year.

The biggest question mark may be the defensive line. Urbandale will be without 1st-team All-District lineman Zach Crouse, who recorded more sacks (8), than the rest of the team combined (7). Darien Smith will look to anchor the line this year after recording 23 tackles and a sack as a junior.

After finishing second a year ago in District 4, Urbandale must find replacements at several key offensive positions, including QB, RB1 and WR. Waukee is again favored to win the district, but after that it’s an open race amongst Urbandale, Indianola, Fort Dodge, Mason City and Marshalltown.

Urbandale stats

2014 record: 5-5 overall, 4-1 conference

Head Coach: Sam Anderson, 12th year, 52-59 record

Assistant Coaches: Tim TeBrink, Tyler Perry, Dave Hekter, Ryan Williams, Dan Schuck, Tyler Motter, Rod Reis.

Returning offensive starters

OL Jake Heinrich, Sr.

OL Caleb Bright, Sr.

OL Chancellor House, Sr.

WR John Heinrich, Sr.

WR Blake Lange, Jr.

RB Alex Newberg, Sr.

Returning defensive starters

LB Trevor Kimm, Sr.

LB Cody Pearson, Sr.

DB Kyle Stoltz, Sr.

DB Nate Stoltz, Jr.

DL Darien Smith, Sr.

Special Teams

P Hunter St. John, 2016

Total Returning Letterwinners: 25

Offensive Scheme: Triple Option

Defensive Scheme: 4-3

2015 Schedule (district games in bold)

Aug. 28 vs. Hoover

Sept. 4 @ Dowling Catholic

Sept. 11 @ Johnston

Sept. 18 vs. Cedar Falls

Sept. 25 @ Indianola

Oct. 2 vs. Waukee

Oct. 9 @ Mason City

Oct. 16 vs. Marshalltown

Oct. 23 @ Fort Dodge

Here’s a link to their release from the school’s website on the upcoming team. 

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