The 4A Club Conference Preview: CIML-Central
Because of the pandemic, the Iowa High School Athletic Association has let Class 4A schools and conferences make their own schedules, essentially bringing back conference play in Class 4A football for the first time since 2013. So here’s a preview of…
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Continue ReadingBecause of the pandemic, the Iowa High School Athletic Association has let Class 4A schools and conferences make their own schedules, essentially bringing back conference play in Class 4A football for the first time since 2013. So here’s a preview of every school in the Central Conference of the Central Iowa Metro League.
Dowling
My Preseason Ranking: 3rd
My Team Rating: 43.4615 (A)
Head Coach: Tom Wilson
Offensive Coordinator: Tom Wilson
Defensive Coordinator: Grant Bousum
Base Offense: Multiple (2-1, 1-0, 3-1, 1-1, 1-2)
Base Defense: 4-2-5
Watchlist Players:
WR Louis Brooks, SR
TE Andrew Lentsch Andrew Lentsch 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE Dowling Catholic | 2021 IA , SR
K Jake Calvert, SR
Returning Starters:
FB Zach Schwager, SR
DE Russell Pearson, SR
DT Jaylen Pettus, JR
CB Austin Klein, SR
S Jack Meyer, SR
Risers/Arrivals:
QB Jake Steingreaber, SR
QB Jaxon Smolik, SO
WR Mack Anderson, SR
C Domenic Virelli, SR (from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, IL)
DT Chase Patton, JR
S Carson Boyle, SR
S Blake Anderson, JR
A quick word: Dowling might’ve lost a ton of key players from last year, but as history shows, you can’t count Dowling out of the championship hunt yet. They’ve lost most of their offense and the majority of their defense, but the Maroons didn’t get seven-straight state titles with the same people all those years.
Johnston
My Preseason Ranking: 12th
My Team Rating: 38.1111 (B-)
Head Coach: Brian Woodley
Offensive Coordinator: Brett Becker
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Helgeson
Base Offense: Spread (1-0, 2-1, 1-1)
Base Defense: 4-3
Watchlist Players:
TE Tyler Moore Tyler Moore 6'5" | 250 lbs | TE Johnston | 2021 State IA , SR
DT Cade Kuennen Cade Kuennen 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Johnston | 2021 IA , SR
OLB Aidan Moore, SR
Returning Starters:
QB Jack Rutz Jack Rutz 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB Johnston | 2022 State IA , JR
QB/DE/P Noah Storts Noah Storts 6'4" | 210 lbs | DL Decorah | 2022 IA , JR
OT Leighton Tanke, SR
DE Tyler Kronlage, SR
CB Trey Walker, SR
S Caleb Helgeson, SR
Risers/Arrivals:
WR Vinnie Cresta, SR
MLB Christian Bovin, SR (from Traverse City, MI)
CB Cade Godwin Cade Godwin 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Johnston | 2022 IA , JR
CB Cade Caffery, JR
A quick word:
The Dragons missed the playoffs for the first time in a while last year but could make a deep run in the postseason this year. Led by future ISU TE Tyler Moore Tyler Moore 6'5" | 250 lbs | TE Johnston | 2021 State IA , Johnston could make some noise with a couple of upsets in 2020.
Southeast Polk
My Preseason Ranking: T-9th
My Team Rating: 39 (B)
Head Coach: Brad Zelenovich
Offensive Coordinator: Brad Zelenovich
Defensive Coordinator: Pug Starcevich
Base Offense: Multiple (1-1, 2-1, 2-0, 1-2)
Base Defense: 4-2-5
Watchlist Players:
QB Jaxon Dailey Jaxon Dailey 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , JR
OT Kadyn Proctor Kadyn Proctor 6'8" | 325 lbs | OL Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA , SO
DE Dominic Caggiano, SR
S Xavier Nwankpa Xavier Nwankpa 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , JR
Returning Starters:
TE Caleb Daniels Caleb Daniels 6'3" | 230 lbs | TE Southeast Polk | 2021 IA , SR
OT Cade Borud Cade Borud 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , JR
G Jake Vore, SR
C Kalob Runyon, SR
Risers/Arrivals:
RB Titus Christiansen Titus Christiansen 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , SR
WR Boone Bain, SR
WR Isaiah Emanuel, SR (from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, IL
OT Reese Steele, SR
G Sean O’Hara, SR (from Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park, IL
A quick word: To have two generational prospects (for Iowa standards) on one team in Xavier Nwankpa Xavier Nwankpa 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA and Kadyn Proctor Kadyn Proctor 6'8" | 325 lbs | OL Southeast Polk | 2023 State IA , plus future D-1 level QB Jaxon Dailey Jaxon Dailey 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Southeast Polk | 2022 State IA , and it should come to no surprise that SEP is a preseason contender in the state title hunt in 2020.
Urbandale
My Preseason Ranking: 6th
My Team Rating: 40.7273 (B+)
Head Coach: Sam Anderson
Offensive Coordinator: Tyler Perry
Defensive Coordinator: Ryan Williams
Base Offense: Spread (2-0, 1-0)
Base Defense: 3-4
Watchlist Players:
C Joe Bream, SR
DE/TE Max Llewellyn Max Llewellyn 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Urbandale | 2021 State IA , SR
OLB/FB Tucker Langenberg Tucker Langenberg 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Urbandale | 2021 State IA , SR
MLB/P Jaden Harrell Jaden Harrell 6'2" | 225 lbs | LB Urbandale | 2021 State IA , SR
Returning Starters:
WR Kai Black, SO
WR Graham Friedrichsen Graham Friedrichsen 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Urbandale | 2022 State IA , JR
WR Nolan Baethke
DE August Herbold, SR
DT/G Adnan Ikeljic, SR
MLB Mason Sherwood, SR
CB Henry Dweth, JR
S Caleb Hoyt, SR
S Jack Wattier Jack Wattier 6'2" | 190 lbs | DB Urbandale | 2022 IA , JR
Risers/Arrivals:
QB Peyton Rottinghaus, SO
MLB Dawson Roberts, JR
A quick word: A bruising defense led by future Iowa Hawkeyes Harrell and Llewellyn look to lead the J-Hawks to dome glory in 2020.
Valley
My Preseason Ranking: 1st
My Team Rating: 45.4615 (S-)
Head Coach: Gary Swenson
Offensive Coordinator: Gary Swenson
Defensive Coordinator: Randy Ripperger
Base Offense: Multiple (2-1, 1-1)
Base Defense: 4-3
Watchlist Players:
QB Jake Rubley, SR
RB Jayden Williams Jayden Williams 5'11" | RB Heritage Hall | 2021 OK , SR
WR Matthew Mahoney Matthew Mahoney 6'1" | 185 lbs | WR Valley | 2021 State IA , SR
TE Eli Raridon, JR
DE Nasir Washington Nasir Washington 6'3" | 260 lbs | DL Valley | 2021 State IA , SR
CB Landon Nelson, SR
Returning Starters:
N/A
Risers/Arrivals:
QB Jake Rubley, SR (from Highlands Ranch, CO)
WR Cael Neisheim, SR (from Johnston)
OT Quinn Clair, SR
G Brevin Ayres, JR
G Gabe Kopaska, SR
G Scott Thomas, SR
C Hank Lucas, JR (from Johnston)
DE Drew Larick, SR
DT Bryan Jurado, SR
LB/QB Drew Dunnwald, SR
CB Landon Nelson, SR (from San Luis Obispo, CA)
S Ethan Saskowski, SR
S Mason DouBrava, SR
A quick word: With potentially four future D-1 players, the Tigers already looked like the state title favorites before the pandemic forced some states to postpone high school football to spring, but adding not only Landon Nelson, a DB who made over 100 tackles last season playing against some of the best Central California has to offer, but 4-star QB Jake Rubley, Colorado’s top prospect for 2021? There should be no doubt Valley is the favorite heading into the 2020 season.
Waukee
My Preseason Ranking: 16th
My Team Rating: 37.7273 (B-)
Head Coach: Scott Carlson
Offensive Coordinator: Brent Heitland
Co-Defensive Coordinators: Corey Kopatich & Nate Bailey
Base Offense: Spread (1-0, 1-1, 1-2)
Base Defense: 4-2-5, 4-3
Watchlist Players:
TE Eddie Saidat Eddie Saidat 6'2" | 225 lbs | TE Waukee | 2021 IA Jr, SR
MLB Chase Evanson Chase Evanson 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Waukee | 2021 IA , SR
CB/WR Aaron Smith Aaron Smith 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Waukee | 2021 State IA , SR
S Joe Morrison Joe Morrison 6'1" | 195 lbs | DB Waukee | 2021 IA , SR
Returning Starters:
RB Alex Linquist Alex Linquist 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Waukee | 2021 IA , SR
WR Hayden Huntley Hayden Huntley 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Waukee Northwest | 2022 State IA , JR
DE Caleb Paulus Caleb Paulus 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Waukee | 2021 IA , SR
CB Bill Mukhtar, SR
Risers/Arrivals:
QB Garrett Morris, SR (from Dallas Center-Grimes)
WR Tristan Grubb, JR
TE/DE Braden Menz, SR
OT Matt Kapustka, SR
DE Ben Reiland, JR (from Shakopee, MN)
OLB Colin Evers, SR
OLB Luke Vera, SR
A quick word: They might not be as stacked as they were last season, but the Warriors look like they can still make a deep playoff run in 2020. Waukee has a solid returning class on both sides of the ball, including the stellar secondary duo of Smith and Morrison.