2013 High School Football Preview by Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

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2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER: MEASURING UP

Today’s athletes caught up in numbers game ■ Methods have changed, but strength, speed important parameters By JIM SULLIVAN jim.sullivan@wcfcourier.com

Dirk Homewood isn’t interested in the needle. He’s trying to rediscover the haystack. Homewood is the head boys’ track and field coach at Cedar Falls. He also serves as a strength and conditioning coach for the Tigers. Along the way, Homewood has studied the science and the history behind it all. How do athletes get bigger, faster and stronger now? How was it done years ago? Homewood concluded that one reason that players live in the land of bench presses, squats and 40-yard dashes today is — they chose not to stay down on the farm yesterday. “I think more than anything there’s been a change in society — a cultural change,” said Homewood. “Back in the 70s, even the 80s, a lot of kids growing up would work on farms as farmhands. They would stack hay bales — that type of thing. This generation of kids doesn’t have that kind of job anymore. Now, you see a lot of student-athletes in the weight room trying to simulate those type of lifts — being explosive. That’s a lot of what we do with the Olympic-style lifts. “Obviously, there’s exercise science behind it all. There’s more to it than hay bales. But, I think to a certain degree some of that was lost.” As strength and conditioning programs have evolved, what’s been found are numbers. Lots of numbers. Athletes today, especially football players, are frequently tested and measured. There’s the bench press, the power clean, the squat, the

MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor

Above, Cedar Falls offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher, who has committed to play college football at Alabama, participates in a blocking drill during a recent practice. Below, Pierschbacher drives a blocking sled.

power snatch, the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump, the long jump and so on. Just how much a senior offensive tackle can lift, or how fast a sophomore wide receiver can run the 40 are numbers that attract

attention from fans, high school coaches and the men who recruit kids for college programs. “Yeah, college coaches inquire about the numbers quite a bit,” said Alex Pollock, the head football coach at

Aplington-Parkersburg. Said Lonnie Moore, Waterloo West’s head coach, “I like to see improvement. I want to see where they were at the start as freshmen to where they end up. We test kids at the beginning of

January and the end of July. We want to see those measurements — where kids first are to where they end up. It also helps us make sure we’re doing the right thing.” Coaches also say that the numbers don’t necessarily tell the whole story about a football player. The 40-yard dash time, for example, may not shed much light on lateral quickness or the initial burst off the line of scrimmage. High school coaches want their players to be bigger, faster and stronger. They also insist they make themselves part of something bigger than themselves. “In my opinion, after 30 years of coaching, I think the bottom line is kids feel confident and strong when they’ve been working hard and working as a team in the weight room,” said Kevin Meyer, the first-year head football coach at Waterloo East. “How much they squat, how fast they run — it’s all great. But it’s about getting kids together and all doing it as a group. When you get that with a group of kids, you have something pretty special.” That said, there is always interest in the special kid — the one that’s going to write his ticket to the University of Iowa, or Alabama, or Iowa State or Northern Iowa. The numbers produced by those potential college football players are widely disseminated on message boards and websites. Sometimes, the measuring and testing are done in very public places. Nike, for instance, held an event called “The Opening” this July. A showcase for the some of the top high school recruits in the country, The Opening includes the SPARQ Rating National Championship. There, competitors are timed in the 40 and the vertical jump. They’re measured in the vertical jump and a power ball toss.

See NUMBERS, page 3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

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2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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PAGE 3

BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER: TRAINING

Year-round training the norm ■ Programs designed to help development, protect against injuries Becoming the best athlete one can be is a year-round job in 2013. But training can come in a many different shapes and sizes and is important to the overall well-being of an athlete. “There has to be periods of active rest, but in terms of strength and conditioning, there isn’t an option for whether you’re going year-round or not,” said Union football coach Joe Hadachek. “Most importantly is the prevention of injuries. You’re going against people who are bigger, stronger, faster and you want to be in the best possible shape.” Area high schools have mostly adopted year-round strength and conditioning programs — open to all — to develop better all-around athletes. This includes weight training three or four days per

week accompanied by agility, plyometric, speed and deceleration drills. Theoretically, athletes involved in multiple sports — from the tight end on the football team to the outside hitter on the volleyball team — will go through similar weight training programs with individual skill work coming separately. “Whether it be male or female, they are all down there,” said Waterloo Columbus athletic director and head football coach Aundra Meeks. “Even if they’re in season. We’re doing this with the fact that we’re a smaller school and kids are playing multiple things. Physical well-being and all those kinds of things play into what we’re trying to do. “It’s not a football-specific thing, it’s a universal workout to build better athletes.” While programs differ from school to school and program to program, specific muscle groups are typically targeted twice per week with at least two days of rest and recovery sandwiched in.

“At Union, we have them in Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for 60-70 minutes,” Hadachek added. “We have a brand new weight room at Union, so we get into some Olympic lifts, power lifts and we’ve used kettle bell workouts a lot the last few years.” From there, in-season coaches guide player- and positionspecific workouts as necessary. A football coach will have his quarterback and receiver throw and catch. A volleyball player will practice hitting. A cross country runner will hit the pavement for six miles. That kind of precise training becomes more and more important as athletes get older and begin to specialize in a certain position for a certain sport. That is the case for Upper Iowa University strength and conditioning coach Dan Lemke, whose job is to conduct a program to help make an offensive lineman the best offensive lineman he can be from September to November.

ing weights depends on a lot of factors, among them size, age, body type and so on. A strength and conditioning organization called Bigger, Faster, Stronger has developed a chart designed to help athletes compare themselves to others around the country. For example, consider a sophomore football player who stands between 6 feet and 6-2 and weighs more than 220 pounds. If he can squat 315 pounds, he’s given “All-American” status under the Bigger, Faster Stronger system. Ross Pierschbacher, the 6-4, 295-pound senior offensive lineman at Cedar Falls who has verbally committed to Alabama, has a maximum squat of 475 pounds, according to rivals.com. That lift

accords him “All-State” status under the Bigger, Faster Stronger measuring stick. “He’s been excellent in what he’s done,” said Cedar Falls cohead football coach Brad Remmert. “And he runs well for a kid who’s 280, 290 pounds.” Remmert added, “We’ve had some kids weighing 250 pounds who have benched 300. We’ve also had some kids weighing 185, 195 pounds who bench over 300 also.” As far as building their own teams, high school coaches say that the times and weights and everything else can provide guidelines when the questions are who can play and where. But the game is more than just measurements. Said Remmert, “We don’t tell

a kid to run a certain time to be able to play wide receiver or defensive back. There’s more to it than just straight-line speed. But it does give us an idea. It opens eyes.” Ultimately, a football coach in Iowa has kids. Not all of them are going to play college football. But all of them provide the raw materials for a high school team. “You have what you have,” said Pat Mitchell, the veteran co-coach at Cedar Falls High School. “If a guy can’t run, you can’t go get one who can.” Added Pollock, “We’d love to have kids (who run) 4.5 or 4.6. Where we live, that’s not always possible. “We want them to be the best they can be by being good players and good teammates.”

By CARSON TIGGES carson.tigges@wcfcourier.com

MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor

Waterloo West wrestler Marcus Harrington gets in a weightlifting workout Aug. 26.

NUMBERS

Charting speed, strength, etc., a measuring stick for coaches From page 2 The 2013 SPARQ winner was a wide receiver from New Orleans named Devonte “Speedy” Noil. Among other things, Noil ran the 40 in 4.4 seconds. The best time belonged to a Florida prospect named Trey Marshall. A safety, Marshall posted a 4.34. According to Cedar Falls head coach Pat Mitchell, James Harrington ran about a 4.3 40 during his high school days. Harrington was a wide receiver/return specialist for the Tigers before starting his college career in track and field.

Rivals.com listed the 40 time for Barkley Hill, a star running back at Cedar Falls, at 4.59. He’s at Iowa. So is former Tiger quarterback/tight end Isaac Boettger. Rivals.com lists Boettger’s 40 time at 4.6. Lance Dunn, the senior running back at Waterloo West, has run a 4.43 40, according to NCAAsports.org. “I’d say the average high school speed you get is about 4.8 or 4.9 — maybe 4.7,” said Moore. “We have had kids run slower than that. But you have a different type of speed on the field. If you have to think about what you’re doing on the field, that slows you down. We try to keep things simple, so they don’t have to think. They can just play.” An athlete’s capacity for lift-

See TRAINING, page 4

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BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER: NUTRITION

TRAINING

Weaker diets a growing concern

Year-round workouts a must for today’s athletes to compete From page 3

■ Fast-paced lifestyles increase need for nutrition supplements By NICK PETAROS nick.petaros@wcfcourier.com MATTHEW PUTNEY / Courier Photo Editor

Keeping up with trendy fastpaced offenses isn’t the only concern for football coaches these days. A societal shift demanding food prepared just as quick has presented a unique set of challenges with regard to sports nutrition. As athletes on the go turn toward drive-thrus and quick meals with processed foods, coaches are becoming increasingly worried about player health. “I think I probably pay more attention to it now than I ever have,” said Dike-New Hartford coach Don Betts. “At the same time, I don’t know exactly what can be done. You don’t have them in a training table situation where you can really control their food intake. You just have to try and educate as best you can.” As a coach and parent of two football players, North Fayette’s Bob Lape is familiar with the increasing challenge of providing healthy family meals. “No question I’ve gained 20, 30 pounds in the last few years because of the fast food and more convenience,” Lape said. “In my household we’ve got four of us, with my daughter being a man-

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Many players in the Dike-New Hartford program, including Brice Beninga, left, Brian Coulthard, center and Grant Bossom, are consuming chocolate milk rather than protein shakes as a source of recovery nutrients following their workouts.

“Having been in the locker room, I had seen a variety of different things in that locker room. The biggest concern as a coach is, what are your players taking and is it safe?” Joe Hadachek

Union Community football head coach

ager, involved in football. We get home, my wife is coming home from work, it’s what can we eat real quick? “It becomes a challenge. You need to get your proper servings of fruit and vegetables and protein, and we have started eating more chicken and fish in my house. It’s tough when families are on the run.” Some athletes have turned to supplements found in bars, capsules, liquids and powders to complement strength training and provide the nutrients missing from their daily routine. Union Community football coach Joe Hadachek and his wife, Gloria, sell AdvoCare supplements exclusively from their gyms in Dysart and La Porte City.

He was drawn to the product line in 1998 as a college football coach. “Having been in the locker room I had seen a variety of different things in that locker room,” Hadachek said. “The biggest concern as a coach is, what are your players taking and is it safe?” Hadachek went to a national coaching convention where he was introduced to AdvoCare. He took the products himself and was satisfied with the results. “That was one company I felt comfortable with personally taking products,” Hadachek said. “They pride themselves on safety and that’s the reason we locked arms in 1998.” Safety remains the coaches’

main concern. “When we’re speaking about supplements, we’re not pushing one supplement in their direction,” Hadachek said. “I tell them No. 1, if you’re under the age of 18, you need to go to your parents — they’re going to make the final decision. And No. 2, just make sure your product is safe.” Third party companies such as Informed-Choice and NSF Certified for Sport have staked their reputation by providing a list and information on a variety of supplements that are safe for consumption. Their list of registered or certified products can be found free of charge on their websites.

See NUTRITION, page 5

Or a running back be the best running back he can be. For the most part, time spent in the weight room is used to get stronger. That is especially the case from the time players get back to campus after winter break and until spring football begins. While practice is in session, weight training is more about maintenance until more gains are stacked up in the summer. And Peacock football players also train with individualized goals in mind. “The philosophy that I and our staff has is, in the weight room, it has to be specific to the game of football,” said Lemke. “We make sure the movement patterns in the weight room reflect what we’re doing on the field as much as possible. I’m not going to train our guys to be power lifters because they’re not power lifters. They’re playing football.” For example, power cleans are a staple for a lineman workout because they must generate power from a position close to the ground, just like their stance at the line of scrimmage. A quarterback, for instance? “A lot of stuff with shoulder development to make sure their arms don’t get worn out,” Lemke said. “Develop that shoulder girdle, so once we get to spring ball and get into camp when they’re throwing a lot of balls, they can stay loose and keep strength throughout that. A lot of rotation-type work. A quarterback is really not down in a power clean position, so we take them and put them more into the position they’re playing in.” Finally, repetition is key, as always. Speed, strength or any other gains take time, even when it’s being attacked year-round.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

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BIGGER, FASTER, STRONGER: INTANGIBLES

Size, strength, speed don’t always tell the whole story ■ Top players are usually students of the game and highly motivated By JIM NELSON jim.nelson@wcfcourier.com

There is a myth that if an athlete is taller, bigger, faster and stronger he will be the better competitor on the field of play. While having great physical attributes is always a benefit, those traits don’t always translate into elite performances. Coaches at all levels talk about something else when it comes to finding the great ones — intangibles. Does a player have game sense and football savvy to be successful? Does he know when not to take a direct hit and throw

NUTRITION

Diet and rest help build stronger minds and stronger bodies From page 4 The various kinds of supplements athletes take fall into the categories of pre-workout, during workout and post-workout. Nearly every team uses a supplement such as Gatorade or Powerade for halftime rehydration. Meals, protein shakes or even milk have become popular sources of recovery nutrients. The University of Nebraska, one of six universities with two fulltime sports nutritionists, has turned away from protein shakes and toward chocolate milk as a recovery source. It’s a trend that caught Betts’ eye at Dike-New Hartford.

the ball away? Does he know the appropriate way to act on and off the field? Is he a team-first player or one quick to accept credit? And probably most important, is the kid coachable? Is an athlete willing to take constructive criticism and know the coach is only trying to make him better? “That is so true,” Cedar Falls co-head coach Pat Mitchell said. “If you can’t take coaching, you can’t get better.” Mental toughness is something coaches frequently bring up when evaluating how an athlete responds to making a mistake on the field or his mindset when he gets to the line of scrimmage. “It’s more important than anything,” Waterloo West head football coach Lonnie Moore said. “We tell our kids all the time

“Some major Division I football programs have gone away from kids doing the protein shakes and what-not and they just give them chocolate milk when they’re done with a workout,” Betts said. “We’ve got a lot of kids that drink a lot of chocolate milk. I’d hate to be a parent of some of those kids because I think they live on that stuff.” Despite varying opinions on supplementation, all coaches can agree rest and diet are the two most important factors in building a stronger body and mind. “Bottom line is just taking a supplement is not going to make you bigger, faster, stronger,” Hadachek said. “It’s a puzzle. You’ve got to get the proper rest, you’ve got to have a great strength and conditioning program and make sure you’re eating right.”

when you come to the line and prior to the snap, 80 percent of execution is mental. Are you seeing all the things you are supposed to be seeing, checking your assignments?” Iowa senior Christian Kirksey TIFFANY RUSHING / Courier Staff Photographer says making plays on the field There’s usually more to an elite football player like Aplingtonisn’t just a physical thing. Parkersburg's Brady Frey than size and strength. It's often about savvy, See INTANGIBLES, page 8 intelligence and desire, as well.

GRUNDY CENTER FALL 2013 SPORTS SCHEDULE BOYS VARSITY FOOTBALL

GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL DATE TIME

OPPONENET LOCATION

DATE TIME

OPPONENET LOCATION

Sept. 3

5:30 P.M.

Tournament

Grundy Center High school

Aug. 30

7:00 P.M.

Dike-New Hartford

Grundy Center High School

Sept. 5 Sept. 10 Sept. 12 Sept. 14

6:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 9:00 A.M.

Denver BCLUW West Marshall Tournament

Grundy Center High school BCLUW High school West Marshall High School Aplington-Parkersburg High School

Sept. 6

7:00 P.M.

South Hardin

South Hardin High School

Sept. 13

7:00 P.M.

Belle Plaine

Grundy Center High School

Sept. 20

7:00 P.M.

GMG

Greene High School

Sept. 17 6:00 P.M. Sept. 21 9:00 A.M.

AGWSR Tournament

Grundy Center High school Marion High School

Sept. 27

7:00 P.M.

Iowa Valley

Grundy Center High School

Sept. 24 6:00 P.M. Sept. 28 9:00 A.M.

South Hardin Tournament

Grundy Center High school Cedar Falls High School

Oct. 4

7:00 P.M.

BCLUW

BCLUW High school

Oct. 11

7:00 P.M.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School

Oct. 1 Oct. 5

6:00 P.M. 9:00 A.M.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School Tournament Waverly High School

Oct. 18

7:00 P.M.

North Tama

Oct. 8 Oct. 12 Oct. 15 Oct. 22

6:00 P.M. 8:30 A.M. 6:00 P.M. TBD

East Marshall Tournament South Tama Districts

Grundy Center High School

Grundy Center High school Oskaloosa High School South Tama High School TBD

Grundy Mutual Insurance

Mutual Agency LTD

Van Wert Incorporated

Authorized U.S. Cellular Agent

Grundy Center, Iowa 50638

319-824-6962 OR 1-800-477-6962

Grundy Center 319-825-3841 Parkersburg 319-346-1230

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2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

CLASS 4A: MISSISSIPPI VALLEY CONFERENCE 2012 standings Mississippi Division Iowa City West Dubuque Senior Cedar Rapids Kennedy Waterloo East Cedar Rapids Jefferson Iowa City High Dubuque Hempstead Valley Division Cedar Rapids Xavier Cedar Falls Cedar Rap. Washington Linn-Mar Cedar Rapids Prairie Dubuque Wahlert Waterloo West

W 6 4 4 3 1 3 0

L W L 0 10 1 2 7 3 2 5 6 3 6 5 5 1 8 3 4 6 6 0 9

6 5 1 2 4 0 3

0 13 1 1 11 2 5 3 6 4 3 6 2 8 4 6 1 8 3 3 7

2012 playoffs FIRST ROUND Ankeny 51, Indianola 7 Waterloo East 33, Davenport Assumption 14 North Scott (Eldridge) 35, Bettendorf 26 Cedar Rapids Prairie 30, Dubuque Senior 28 Iowa City West 41, Waterloo West 13 Johnston 58, Urbandale 55, 2 OTs Marshalltown 45, Des Moines East 30 Cedar Rapids Kennedy 20, Muscatine 17 Pleasant Valley 49, Burlington 10 Sioux City East 39, Ames 38 Southeast Polk (Runnells) 61, Mason City 7 Cedar Falls 22, Davenport Central 0 West Des Moines Valley 56, Fort Dodge 13 Waukee 55, Ottumwa 0 West Des Moines Dowling 42, Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 6 Cedar Rapids Xavier 48, Iowa City High 10 SECOND ROUND Ankeny 45, Sioux City East 10 Cedar Falls 35, C.R. Kennedy 15 W.D.M. Dowling 38, Waukee 0 C.R. Prairie 49, Iowa City West 28 Pleasant Valley 41, North Scott 12 Southeast Polk 52, Marshalltown 17 W.D.M. Valley 42, Johnston 17 C.R. Xavier 45, Waterloo East 0 QUARTERFINALS Southeast Polk 49, West Des Moines Dowling 14 Cedar Falls 28, Pleasant Valley 21 Ankeny 27, W.D.M. Valley 10 C.R. Xavier 28, C.R. Prairie 7 SEMIFINALS C.R. Xavier 27, Cedar Falls 6 Ankeny 28, Southeast Polk 12 CHAMPIONSHIP Ankeny 23, C.R. Xavier 17

Meyer embraces potential at East ■ New head coach views Trojans as a program on the rise

MVC watch list PASSING ■ Nate Boland, I.C. West (139-220-6, 2,183 yards, 19 TDs) ■ Austin Clemens, Dubuque Senior (134-216-6, 1,584 yards, 17 TDs) ■ Layne Sullivan, C.R. Jefferson (66147-6, 788 yards, 1 TD)

By JIM SULLIVAN jim.sullivan@wcfcourier.com

WATERLOO — Kevin Meyer did his homework before accepting the head football coach’s job at Waterloo East. Meyer studied film. He talked to other coaches about the Trojans and the Mississippi Valley Conference. Based on his studies, Meyer constructed a thesis statement about his new program. “To me, it seems like East is a football school,” said Meyer, who came to Waterloo after stints at Fremont, Neb., and Gallatin, Mo. “It has been. They had a lot of success back in the 80s and so forth. There has been success today, Kody did a really good job of bringing the program back. What we want to do is bring it to the next level and that doesn’t happen overnight.” Kody is Kody Asmus, the man Meyer succeeded at East. Before resigning, Asmus woke up the echoes after years of disappointment. Under his watch, the Trojans made the expanded Class 4A playoffs three straight times, ending a drought that had extended back to 1991, and won its first postseason game in 33 years. Asmus departed in the wake of East’s second consecutive winning season. So did some of the athletes who helped make the Trojans’ rise possible — standouts like Desmond Van Arsdale, Russell Jones and Aaron Taylor. Meyer will have just five returning starters on his first squad, three on offense and a pair of defenders. But there is some talent there. Javon Middleton, a promising wide receiver/cornerback, returns after regular duty as a freshman. John Magnuson

RUSHING ■ Brendan Miller, C.R. Xavier (1781,068, 6.0 avg., 10 TDs) ■ Lance Dunn, Wat. West (102-794, 7.8 avg., 12 TDs) ■ Ross Lembeck, Linn-Mar (117693, 5.9 avg., 4 TDs) ■ Eli Berregaard, Cedar Falls (94679, 7.2 avg., 6 TDs) ■ Alex Young, Wat. West (145-677, 4.7 avg., 5 TDs) RECEIVING ■ Bryce Grimm, C.R. Xavier (36-485, 13.5 avg., 7 TDs) ■ Javon Middleton, Wat. East (33396, 12.0 avg., 0 TDs) ■ Kentrel Smith, C.R. Prairie (19322, 16.9 avg., 4 TDs) ■ Mitch Dellamuth, C.R. Prairie (19288, 15.2 avg., 3 TDs) TACKLES ■ Jared Farley, Cedar Falls (143, 18.5 tackles for loss) ■ Brook Anderson, Dubuque Senior (106) ■ Blake Thomas, Wat. West (100) INTERCEPTIONS ■ Mitch Dellamuth, C.R. Prairie (6)

TIFFANY RUSHING / Courier Staff Photographer

New Waterloo East football head coach Kevin Meyer offers instruction to one of his players during a recent practice. got some experience at quarterback during 2012. He is back. While doing his research on East, Meyer saw athletes on film. He thinks he’ll see them on the field, as well. “There are a lot of kids who are very talented,” said the new coach. “It’s just getting those kids to play together and putting them in the right spots to be successful.” Meyer said his schemes on both sides of the football will be different than what Asmus used. There will be more emphasis on

running the ball and stopping the run, although the shotgun formation may remain in the offense. “Coach Asmus did a real good job of putting them in position offensively to be successful,” said Meyer. “But we lost a lot of those kids. We have a pretty young team, but the team is getting better each day. We’re trying to be more physical.”

KICKING ■ Ryan Persick, C.R. Xavier (10-13 FGs, 68-70 PATs) KICKOFF RETURNS ■ Andrew Gassman, Linn-Mar (6204, 34.0 avg., 1 TD PUNT RETURNS ■ Michael Montcivais, C.R. Jefferson (6-128, 21.3 avg., 0 TDs)

half empty? Ike Boettger, the quarterback turned tight end, is off to Iowa. All-state defensive end Randolph Bryan is gone to Wayne State. Offensive lineman Hayden Shea was a Northern Iowa recruit. Jake Buck took 1,500 yards rushing with him when he graduated. But that’s only part of the story.

Cedar Falls Is the Tigers’ talent pool half full or

See MVC, page 7

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

MVC

Cedar Falls has nucleus of standout players returning From page 6 Ross Pierschbacher, the offensive lineman and Alabama recruit, is back for his fourth season. Another offensive lineman, Gabe Clark, brings 270 pounds to his job. Jared Farley heads the linebacking corps, while Eli Berregaard saw duty as a ballcarrier during Cedar Falls’ run to the Class 4A playoff semifinals. “It’s the very nature of high school,” said co-head coach Pat Mitchell. “We have a lot of guys coming in and there are a lot of opportunities for returning seniors who didn’t play much last year. At the same time, there are chances for new guys to pop in and take a spot and get on the field.” Said Brad Remmert, also a co-head coach, “We have some good pieces coming back, like Pierschbacher in the line and Gabe Clark. We have other kids with playoff experience and experience on both sides of the ball. We’ve got to figure out where we need these guys.” Most of the other coaches in the Mississippi Valley Conference believe Cedar Falls’ pool is deep enough and good enough to produce a contender. Said Remmert, “We tell the kids you’ve got to earn it yourself. It’s a new group and you’ve got to continue to try and work hard to get better.”

Waterloo West Following a winless 2011, the Wahawks went in the right direction a year later. It wasn’t a complete turnaround; West posted a 3-7 record, but the Wahawks did end a 21-year absence from the playoffs. To head coach Lonnie Moore, West’s postseason appearance still has value. “The monkey is off our back now,” said Moore. “The kids knew the last time we’d been in was 1991. We brought back that team to one of our games. So they knew. Previously, we’d always been one game away, one game away from the playoffs. So it was good to get that (playoff spot) last year.” The Wahawks won’t have Dequayvious Martin in the offensive backfield this fall. But West does have veteran quarterback Alex Young and an explosive runner in Lance Dunn. Blake Thomas and Kyler Mathews lead a group of eight returning starters on a defense that is “ahead of our offense,” according to Moore. To take another step forward, West will have to climb through a tough early schedule. The Wahawks open at Dubuque Senior Thursday, then meet Iowa City High, Linn-Mar at Cedar Falls. Senior, the Little Hawks and the Tigers all made the 2012 playoffs.

2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Capsules

C.R. Jefferson J-Hawks

Mississippi Division Waterloo East Trojans ■ HEAD COACH: Kevin Meyer ■ 2012 RECORD: 6-5 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (13): Javon Middleton, wr-cb; Domineque Terry, lb; Timoz Buford, wr; Coreyon Keller, de; Mark Wilson-Bey, ot; John Magnuson, qb; Deshay Wright, rb-s; Darren Scott, Jake Kinnetz, Anfernee Jefferson, ot-lb; James Carter, rb; Larry Matin, og-dt; Bryce Austin, ot-dt

■ HEAD COACH: Brian Webb ■ 2012 RECORD: 1-8 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (11): Nick O’Connell, rb; Nick Rocha, pk, Brandon Wiederin, wr, Cam Hart, ol; Ben Koering, te; Layne Sullivan, qb; Dalton Kuehl, ol; Mike Montcivais, db; Spencert Hunt, lb; Will Orr, lb; Michael Smith, dl

Iowa City High Little Hawks ■ HEAD COACH: Dan Sabers

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■ 2012 RECORD: 4-6 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8): Jake Leohr, te-de; Luke Posivio, ol-dl; Joel Reynolds, ol-dl; Xavier Washpun, rb-s; Mitch Wieland, qb-s; Bryson Runge, rb-db; Ivan Diaz, fb-lb; Drew Cornwell, pk

Holzer, ot-de; Drew Heitland, c-de; CJ Breja, rb-lb; AJ Carter, lb; Triston Christopher, lb; Jordan Lunsford, rb-lb; Drake Zabloudil, ol-dl; Cody Burke, rb-lb; Colton Schultz, wrlb; Seth Gilmore, ol-dl; Logan Daughetee, wr-cb; Nic Swartz, ol-dl

Dubuque Senior Rams

C.R. Kennedy Cougars ■ HEAD COACH: Tim Lewis ■ 2012 RECORD: 5-6 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (16): Terrance Hall, rb-lb; Famiek Cook, wr-fs; Jacob Shannon, db; Miles Moa, rb; Austin

■ HEAD COACH: Dale Ploessl ■ 2012 RECORD: 7-3 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (9):

See MVC, page 8

WAPSIE VALLEY FALL 2013 SPORTS SCHEDULE GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

LOCATION

Sept 3

6:00 PM

Oelwein

Oelwein High School

Sept 10

6:00 PM

Columbus

Wapsie Valley High School

Sept 12

6:00 PM

Dike-New Hartford

Wapsie Valley High School

Sept 14

9:00 AM

Jesup

Jesup High School

Sept 17

6:00 PM

Denver

Denver High School

Sept 21

9:00 AM

Waterloo West

Waterloo West High School

Sept 24

6:00 PM

Union

Union High School

Sept 26

4:00 PM

Greene

Greene High School

Sept 28

9:00 AM

Decorah

Decorah High School

Oct 1

5:00 PM

Hudson

Wapsie Valley High School

Oct 5

9:00 AM

Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls High School

Oct 8

6:00 PM

Parkersburg

Parkerburg High School

Oct 15

6:00 PM

Jesup

Jesup High School

Oct 17

6:30 PM

Tripoli

Wartburg College

BOYS VARSITY FOOTBALL DATE Aug 30

TIME 7:00 PM

OPPONENT Jesup

LOCATION Jesup High School

Sept 6

7:00 PM

Denver

Wapsie Valley High School

Sept 13

7:00 PM

East Buchanan Wapsie Valley High School

Sept 20

7:00 PM

EdgewoodColesburg

Edgewood-Colesburg High School

Sept 27

7:00 PM

North Butler

North Butler High School

Oct 4

7:00 PM

North Linn

Wapsie Valley High School

Oct 11

7:00 PM

Turkey Valley

Turkey Valley High School

Oct 18

7:00 PM

Starmont

Starmont High School

Oct 25

7:00 PM

Postville

Postville High School

DEL’S

Denver

Waverly

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PAGE 8

MVC

West returns productive backfield duo in Dunn, Young From page 7 Lucas Legrand, ot-ng; Austin Clemens, qb; Parker Hamm, rb-ss; Chris Poynter, ol-dl; Zach Pillard, olg; Cole Willbricht, wr; Jared Schultz, db; Brook Anderson, lb; Tyler George, lb-wr.

Iowa City West Trojans ■ HEAD COACH: Brian Sauser ■ 2012 RECORD: 10-1 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (9): Nate Boland, qb; Micah Kelsay, fb; Devin Raffensperger, rb; Devaughn McCullough, ol-dl; Zak Ranshaw, ol-dl; Aydan Wynos, oldl; Tyler Eads, wr-db; Connor Greene, te-lb; Anthony Batie, wr-db

Dubuque Hempstead Mustangs ■ HEAD COACH: Robert McIntyre ■ 2012 RECORD: 0-9 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (20): Josh Behnke, ol-dl-ls; Brady Breitbach, wrdb; Nolan Cook, ol-dl; Tyler Dieters, ol-dl; Chris Francis, p-pk; Jake Hodge, wr; Luke Hodge, db; Mitch Holl, lb; Morgan Paca, ol-dl; Danny Smith, ol-dl; Cal Tauber, db; Trevor Tharp, ol-dl; Blake Thurston, fb-lb; Chris Tomkins, lb; Levi Zenner, ol-dl; Carter Daack, fb-lb; Tim Frith, ol-dl; Fred Kalb, ppkk; Bailey Paulsen, qb; Matt Zenner, tb-db

Valley Division Cedar Falls Tigers ■ CO-HEAD COACHES: Pat Mitchell, Brad Remmert ■ 2012 RECORD: 11-2 ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (17): Ross Pierschbacher, ol; Gabe Clark, ol; Jared Farley, lb; Jarvay Clark, dl; Alex Gary, dl; Rayce Willett, lb; Devon Davis, dl; Eli Berregaard, rb; Trey Hansen, qb-ls; Lewis Mickey, db; Mark Staudt, ol; Kyle Boom-

INTANGIBLES Some qualities can’t be measured, only tested From page 5 “I’ve spent a lot of time studying film, working on my craft that way,” Kirksey said. Kirksey’s teammate, James Morris, is an example many Hawkeyes point to as a guy who gets it. “The way he sees things. He does nothing halfway ... the way he understands the whole puzzle is pretty amazing to me,” Iowa linebacker coach LeVar Woods

THE COURIER

2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

www.wcfcourier.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Smith, rb-lb

Cedar Rapids Jefferson; Waterloo West at Dubuque Senior (Dalzell Field) C.R. Washington Warriors ■ Aug. 30 – Cedar Falls at Iowa City High; Linn-Mar at Iowa City West; Cedar Rapids ■ HEAD COACH: Paul James Washington at Cedar Rapids Kennedy; ■ 2012 RECORD: 3-6 Cedar Rapids Xavier at Dubuque Hemp■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (11): stead (Dalzell Field); Dubuque Wahlert at Julian Good-Jones, ol-dl; Wes Ennis, ol-dl; Waterloo East Kaine Cooks, ol-dl; Sawyer Philipp, ol-dl; Noah Williams, ol-dl; Connor Vincent, fb-lb; ■ Sept. 6 – Dubuque Senior at Linn-Mar; Iowa City High at Waterloo West; Jefferson Clayton Bjornsen, wr-db; Noah Fox, ol-dl; at Xavier; Iowa City West at Washington; Jake Bjornsen, wr-db; Kyle Malcolm, wrHempstead at Wahlert (Loras); Kennedy at db; Reid Snitker, qb-db Prairie; East at Cedar Falls, 7:45 p.m. ■ Sept. 13 – Wahlert at Senior; Waterloo C.R. Xavier Saints West at Linn-Mar; Prairie at Xavier; Ken■ HEAD COACH: Duane Schulte nedy at Iowa City West; Hempstead at Jef■ 2012 RECORD: 13-1 ferson; Iowa City High at East; Washington ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (39): at Cedar Falls. Matt Nelson, te-de; Cole Turner, ol; Ryan ■ Sept. 19 – Dubuque Senior at Kennedy Persick, pk; Brendan Miller, rb; Bryce ■ Sept. 20 – Cedar Falls at Waterloo Grimm, wr; Hunter Baldus, de; Andrew West; Jefferson at Iowa City High; Iowa City Khairallah, dl; Logan Clarahan, lb; Sean Ickes, ss; Miles Sullivan, db; Quinton Scho- West at Prairie; Linn-Mar at Washington; East at Hempstead; Xavier at Wahlert ler, db; Daniel Vega, lb; Logan Santel, dl; COURIER FILE PHOTO Wes Gardner, db-rb, Chris Ball, Gino Berutti, ■ Sept. 26 – Waterloo West at Washington ■ Sept. 27 – Iowa City West at Dubuque Lance Dunn of Waterloo West is tackled during a game against Cedar Nick Brady, Ben Charipar, Harry Daubitz, Senior; Xavier at Kennedy; Wahlert at PraiFalls last fall in the UNI-Dome. The Tigers pulled out a 17-16 victory. Landon Dochtermann, Nick Drahozal, Nick rie; Hempstead at Iowa City High; Jefferson Durin, Nolan Even, Ryan Flaherty, Austin Dunn is one of several key players who return for the Wahawks this at East; Linn-Mar at Cedar Falls. Gloede, Hunter Hayes, Zane Henderson, season. Frank Hill, John Loecher, Taylor Malloy, Levi ■ Oct. 4 – Iowa City High at Dubuque Miller, Adam Millsap, Colin O’Connell, Jake Senior; Wahlert at Linn-Mar; Washington at Robinson, Nick Robinson, Matt Sander, Ben Xavier; Kennedy at Jefferson; Hempstead garden, te; Taylor King, lb; Brian Cook, ■ 2012 RECORD: 3-6 at Iowa City West; Waterloo West at WaterValentine, Joe Worden qb; Michael Kuntz, db-p; Alonte Boone, dl; ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (8): loo East; Prairie at Cedar Falls. Adam West, ol. Andrew Gassman, wr-db; Austin Flieder, rb■ Oct. 10 – East at Kennedy C.R. Prairie Hawks lb; Sam Nowak, ol-dl; Austin Wolter, pk-p; ■ Oct. 11 – Jefferson at Washington; Iowa Waterloo West Wahawks Griffin Brennecke, wr-db; Ross Lembeck, ■ HEAD COACH: Mike Morrissey City West at Iowa City High; Linn-Mar at rb-db; Andrew Holladay, ol-dl; Jon Schlot■ 2012 RECORD: 8-4 ■ HEAD COACH: Lonnie Moore Prairie; Cedar Falls at Wahlert; Dubuque terback, te-dl ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (14): ■ 2012 RECORD: 3-7 Senior at Hempstead; Xavier at Waterloo Trey Beckman, qb; Mitch Christensen, rb; ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (14): West Dubuque Wahlert Golden Eagles Trevor Northrup, rb; Kentrel Smith, wr-cb; ■ Oct. 18 – Cedar Falls at Xavier; Iowa Lance Dunn, rb-db; Alex Young, qb; LajaMitch Dellamuth, wr-db; Jesse Hynek, shiene Williams, fb; Nick Sutton, ol-dl; Ben ■ HEAD COACH: Travis Zajac City West at Jefferson; Linn-Mar at Iowa ot; Joe Landon, og; Matt Jones, ol; Bryce Russell, ol-dl; Houston Simmons, ol-dl; City High; Washington at Prairie; Kennedy ■ 2012 RECORD: 1-8 Meeker, ot; Jesse Vizzini, wr-s; Tristan Blake Thomas, lb; Kyler Mathews, dl-lb; at Hempstead; Waterloo West at Wahlert; ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (15): Beyer, lb; Luke Howes, lb; Riley Cooling, dt; Dubuque Senior at East Nevzad Osmancecvic, ss; Elijah Evans, db; Jake Bohr, ol-lb; Ries Bohr, ol-dl; Danny Matt Hilligas, de Dylan Draeger, qb-te-lb; Christian Burt, ■ Oct. 24 – Wahlert at Washington; Broderick, qb-db; Weslee Haynes, te-dl-p; wr-db; Dylan Borseth, fb-lb; Jaelon Jones, Hempstead at Cedar Falls Zach Kapler, rb-lb; Ian Kelly, ol-dl; Zach wr-ss ■ Oct. 25 – Jefferson at Dubuque Senior; Miller, te-lb; Jared Walker, wr-db; Mitchell 2013 schedule Waterloo East at Iowa City West; Prairie at Gaul, pk-p; Nathan Kroeger, wr-db; GunLinn-Mar Lions Waterloo West; Xavier at Linn-Mar; Iowa ner Lange, wr-db; Jake Lange, ol-lb; Erik (Varsity games 7:15 p.m. unless noted) City High at Kennedy Lattner, wr-db; Ryan Seaman, ol-dl; Collin ■ Aug. 29 – Cedar Rapids Prairie at ■ HEAD COACH: Bob Forsyth

said. Those intangibles are what Iowa State offensive coach Chris Klenakis calls football intelligence or FBI in Cyclone vernacular. Klenakis says he doesn’t need a bunch of 4.0 students but players willing to be students of the game. “I don’t think coaches can say, ‘Go block this guy or go throw the ball that way,’” Klenakis said. “For us, it is do our guys understand what is going on with each play, such as what are we attacking here? Why are we running this scheme? What is everybody else doing? What is the defense doing?

“When everybody on your unit has that ... when that happens there is cohesion within the unit and the end result is they play faster.” There are other intangibles coaches look for, as well, such as confidence, character and being a fierce competitor. Confidence is being the guy who is willing to be the Alpha male on the field, a cockiness of sorts. Character is something coaches watch for all the time, and it is not just something they see on the field. When evaluating players to lead their teams, coaches frequently look for the

player willing to lead on and off the field. It is not always the most vocal guy. “You want the guy who acts the right ways on and off the field ... a guy other players will emulate,” Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads said. A competitor is a player who doesn’t give up easily and never concedes victory. That is the guy most coaches want. “To me, it’s really about the second, third and fourth effort,” Mitchell said. “The really good ones are relentless play after play and that really separates them. Those guys don’t just do it for four or five plays in a game. It is

there all the time, every play of every game, every practice.” Mitchell goes on to say the fun part of coaching is seeing the kid who isn’t blessed with the greatest athletic abilities who makes himself a valuable player or even a standout because he dedicates himself to becoming a student of the game and goes 100 percent from whistle to whistle in practice and in the games. “It happens every year for us,” Mitchell said. “There are two or three guys who we don’t see originally contributing who step up and shine. “That is fun to see and have happen.”

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

www.wcfcourier.com

2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

PAGE 9

THE COURIER

CLASS 3A: DISTRICT 3

Expectations are high for 2013 Go-Hawk squad ■ Clear Lake, Webster City also highly regarded in District 3

2012 standings District Overall W L W L Clear Lake 5 1 8 3 Humboldt 5 1 7 4 Waverly-Shell Rock 3 3 5 5 Iowa Falls-Alden 3 3 4 5 Webster City 3 3 4 6 Algona 2 4 3 6 Charles City 0 6 0 9

By DOUG NEWHOFF doug.newhoff@wcfcourier.com

It’s a consensus. Ask any head coach in Class 3A’s District 3, and they’ll name Clear Lake, Waverly-Shell Rock and Webster City as the teams to beat this season, with 2012 cochampion Humboldt also in the discussion. Those four teams represented the district in the postseason a year ago, and they all return key players as they try to go a few steps farther in 2013. At Waverly-Shell Rock, Mark Hubbard enters his seventh season with an experienced team that features 18 returning letterwinners, including a dozen starters, from last season. The Go-Hawks, who finished 5-5 in 2012 with a first-round playoff loss to South Tama, expect to be productive and explosive on offense. Up front, veterans Josh Wright, Kaleb Staack, Shawn Lord, Colin Wiltse and Sean Westendorf are a force to be reckoned with. They’ll be clearing the way for running back Eric Willis (543 yards, 7 TDs) and quarterback Jake Velky (914 yards, 8 TDs), among others. The W-SR passing game has plenty of options in Colin Werkman, Tom Bates, Isiah Murdell, Brandt Seward and Nick Flege, several of whom will see action in the defensive secondary, as well. The Go-Hawks also return linebackers Joe Webber and Austin Mittlestadt, along with defensive backs Dan Stensland (four interceptions), Tanner Hanks and Mustapha Ward. “Experience is our strength,” notes Hubbard, whose team gets an immediate measuring stick when it hosts defending state champion Decorah in its opener.

2012 playoffs FIRST ROUND Spencer 48, ADM (Adel) 19 Sioux City Bishop Heelan 47 Creston 20 Clear Lake 35, Boone 0 Decorah 35, Maquoketa 0 Grinnell 38, Webster City 14 Carroll 28, Harlan 7 Humboldt 42, Newton 3 Council Bluffs Lewis Central 21, Lemars 14 Marion 29, Western Dubuque (Epworth) 27 Pella 38, Keokuk 14 Solon 24, Crestwood (Cresco) 7 South Tama (Tama) 31, WaverlyShell Rock 14 Washington 28, Norwalk 14 Central Clinton (DeWitt) 24, West Delaware (Manchester) 21 Williamsburg 35, Carlisle 7 Winterset 28, Fairfield 7 SECOND ROUND Sioux City Heelan 57, Spencer 35 Grinnell 33, Clear Lake 10 Decorah 35, Solon 10 South Tama 21, Humboldt 12 Lewis Central 22, Carroll 19 Central Clinton 28, Marion 13 Williamsburg 54, Pella 27 Winterset 27, Washington 21

COURTNEY COLLINS / Courier Staff Photographer

Among the starters back this season for Waverly-Shell Rock are (left to right in front) Jake Velky, Tanner Hanks, Dan Stensland and Brandt Seward, along with (left to right in back) Colin Wiltse, Kaleb Staack, Josh Wright and Eric Willis.

District 3 watch list PASSING ■ Brock Adams, Clear Lake (71-111-8, 1,233 yards, 7 TDs) ■ Jake Velky, Waverly-Shell Rock (62127-10, 914 yards, 8 TDs) ■ Weston Shaw, Algona (58-120-12, 780 yards, 6 TDs) RUSHING ■ Brady Ross, Humboldt (234-1,381,

5.9 avg., 18 TDs) ■ Connor Larson, Webster City (1681,093, 6.5 avg., 14 TDs) ■ Eric Willis, Waverly-Shell Rock (89543, 6.1 avg., 7 TDs) RECEIVING ■ Ben Mossman, Webster City (25-421, 16.8 avg., 3 TDs) TACKLES

Veteran coach Fred Wieck has 13 starters back from an 8-3 team that bowed out in the second round of the playoffs last fall. “We have a lot of returning starters and good numbers of juniors and seniors,” Wieck says. “As every year, we hope to win our district and go deep in the playoffs.”

Offensively, quarterback Brock Adams (71-for-111, 1,233 yards, eight interceptions, seven touchdowns) heads a cast of six returning starters that also includes running backs Chase Lester and Carter Hand, along with three linemen. Defensively, seven starters are back. Webster City’s optimism is

■ Brady Ross, Humboldt (105) ■ Nelson Ball, Webster City (100) INTERCEPTIONS ■ Weston Shaw, Algona (4) ■ Dan Stensland, Waverly-Sh. Rock (4) ■ Nelson Ball, Webster City (4) KICKING ■ Logan Kracht, Clear Lake (7-8 FGs, 26-33 PATs)

based around 12 returning starters, a total of 19 returning letterwinners and a handful of sophomores and juniors who are expected to contribute. Connor Larson rushed for 1,093 yards and 14 TDs last season, while Alex Oswald added 471 and Trey Tesdahl 517 as the Lynx piled up the 10th-best rushing total in

QUARTERFINALS Sioux City Heelan 21, Lewis Central Decorah 21, Central Clinton 14 Grinnell 49, South Tama 35 Williamsburg 31, Winterset 13 SEMIFINALS Decorah 48, Williamsburg 7 Sioux City Heelan 42, Grinnell 14 CHAMPIONSHIP Decorah 49, Sioux City Heelan 21

3A with 2,397 yards. Oswald and Tesdahl also combined for more than 800 passing yards, while Ben Mossman caught 25 balls for 421 yards.

See 3A-3, page 10

PAGE 10

3A-3

Bohlen takes over as new head coach at Charles City From page 9 Humboldt must replace several of its top players, including the entire offensive line, from last year’s co-district champs, who reached the second round of the playoffs and finished 7-4 overall. However, a group of nine letterwinners includes Class 3A’s top returning running back in Brady Ross (1,381 yards, 18 TDs) and all-district noseguard Nikko Wheeler. Two areas where the Wildcats excelled last season were forcing fumbles where their 17 recoveries ranked fourth in 3A, and in kickoff returns where Humboldt was No. 1 with a 28.4-yard average. Charles City, Algona and Iowa Falls-Alden will be trying to play their way into the hunt for a playoff berth. Darren Bohlen is the new coach at Charles City, and he’s building around nine players who started at least one game last season. The Comets will have to weather a schedule that begins with New Hampton and also includes nondistrict foes Waukon and Decorah. In all, seven of Charles City’s nine regular-season opponents were in the playoffs a year ago. Iowa Falls-Alden returns nine starters, including all-district performers PJ Norem at tight end/defensive end and Sam Thielen on the offensive and defensive lines. “We return a solid core of seniors, particularly up front,” says head coach Pat Norem. “Our team should be physical and be able to run the ball as well as stop the run.” At Algona, coach Eric Bormann expects a strong senior class to continue the improvement is program has made. The Bulldogs return 14 letterwinners, including quarterback Weston Shaw (780 passing yards) and running back/receiver Tyler Frideres.

Capsules Algona Bulldogs

THE COURIER

2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

■ HEAD COACH: Eric Bormann ■ 2012 RECORDS: 3-6 overall, 2-4 district ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (14): Jeff Buchanan, ol; Mason Decker; Cameron Lahndorf, ol; Justin Raymond, wr-db; Chandler Holmes, ol; Tom Burtnett; Tyler Frideres, rb-wr-lb; J.J. Laubenthal, Weston Shaw, qbdb; Trevor Loeschen, te-wr; Brennen Cink, dl; Cory Kruse, dl.

Charles City Comets ■ HEAD COACH: Darren Bohlen ■ 2012 RECORDS: 0-9 overall, 0-6 district ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (14): Michael Bonwell, Brady Garden, Brice Girkin, Tyler Griffin, Tony Hemann, Derek LaPolice, Levi Miller, Alex Mitchell, Thomas Nairn, Levi Blaine, Brian Foster, Dylan Isakson, Travis Johnson, Sayvonne Jordan

Clear Lake Lions ■ HEAD COACH: Fred Wieck ■ 2012 RECORDS: 8-3 overall, 5-1 district ■ RETURNING STARTERS (12): Brock Adams, qb; Brock Brandt, ot; Mitchell Jordan, og; Levi Pinheir, og; Chase Lester, rb; Carter Hand, rb; Tamaeric Lee; Pete Swenson; Makean Bang; Chandler Diercks; Ernie Miszewski; Conner Noshbish.

Humboldt Wildcats ■ HEAD COACH: Greg Thomas ■ 2012 RECORDS: 7-4 overall, 5-1 district ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (9): Jake Curran, te-de; Tate Illy, fb-lb; Alex Nelson, fldb; Nikko Wheeler, rb-ng; Geoff Bruder, olde; Jaxon Heinz, qb-wr-db; Kenny Kuyper, te-lb; Brady Ross, rb-lb; Austin Zystra, pk-pt-se-db.

www.wcfcourier.com

ster City at Gilbert. ■ Sept. 13 – Charles City at Webster City; Waverly-Shell Rock at Algona; Iowa FallsAlden at Humboldt; Crestwood (Cresco) at Clear Lake. ■ Sept. 20 – Decorah at Charles City; Algona at Humboldt; Clear Lake at Waverly-Shell Rock; Iowa Falls-Alden at Webster City. ■ Sept. 27 – Charles City at Iowa FallsAlden; Webster City at Algona; Oelwein at Waverly-Shell Rock; Humboldt at Clear Lake. ■ Oct. 4 – Algona at Charles City; Waverly-

2013 schedule ■ Aug. 30 – New Hampton at Charles City; Forest City at Algona; Decorah at WaverlyShell Rock; Clarion-Goldfield at Humboldt; Mason City at Clear Lake; Iowa Falls-Alden at S. Hardin (Eldora); Ballard at Webster City. ■ Sept. 6 – Charles City at Waukon; Algona at Estherville-Lincoln Central; Waverly-Shell Rock at Mason City; Humboldt at South Central Calhoun; Clear Lake at Forest City; Hampton-Dumont at Iowa Falls-Alden; Web-

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013 Shell Rock at Humboldt; Webster City at Clear Lake; Boone at Iowa Falls-Alden. ■ Oct. 11 – Clear Lake at Charles City; Iowa Falls-Alden at Algona; Waverly-Shell Rock at Webster City; LeMars at Humboldt. ■ Oct. 18 – Charles City at Waverly-Shell Rock; Algona at Spencer; Humboldt at Webster City; Iowa Falls-Alden at Clear Lake. ■ Oct. 25 – Humboldt at Charles City; Clear Lake at Algona; Waverly-Shell Rock at Iowa Falls-Alden; Webster City at Storm Lake.

NORTH BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL FALL 2013 SPORTS SCHEDULE BOYS VARSITY FOOTBALL

DATE

TIME

Aug 30

7:30PM

Away vs. Central Springs High School Central Springs High School

Sep 6

7:00PM

Nashua-Plainfield

North Butler High School

Sep 13

7:00PM

Starmont

North Butler High School

Sep 20

7:00PM

Away vs. East Buchanan

East Buchanan High School

Sep 27

7:00PM

Wapsie Valley

North Butler High School

Oct 4

7:00PM

Turkey Valley

North Butler High School

Oct 11

7:00PM

Away vs. Postville Community School District Postville High School

Oct 18

7:00PM

Away vs. Edgewood-Colesburg

Edgewood-Colesburg High School

Oct 25

7:00PM

North Linn

North Butler High School

DATE

TIME

OPPONENT

GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

OPPONENT

LOCATION

Aug 31

9:00AM

Away vs. Clarion- Goldfield

■ HEAD COACH: Pat Norem ■ 2012 RECORDS: 4-5 overall, 3-3 district ■ RETURNING STARTERS (9): PJ Norem, te-de; Sam Thielen, og-dt; Gared Stockwell, ot-dt; Cam Scadden, oc-de; Sage Miller, og; Bryton Tichy, fb-lb; Bo Williams, fb-lb; Noah Oelmann, wr-db; Damon Dennis, rb.

Sep 12

7:00PM

West Fork

North Butler High School

Sep 14

9:00AM

Away vs. Belmond-Klemme

Belmond-Klemme High School

Sep 17

7:00PM

Away vs. Rockford Senior

Rockford Senior High School

Sep 19

7:00PM

Away vs. Northwood-Kensett

N-K Jr/Sr High School

Sep 21

9:00AM

Away vs. Gladbrook-Reinbeck

Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School

Sep 24

7:00PM

Central Springs High School

North Butler High School

Sep 26

6:00PM

AGWSR, Wapsie Valley

North Butler High School

Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks

Sep 28

9:00AM

Away vs. Denver Community Schools

Denver High School

Oct 1

7:00PM

Away vs. St. Ansgar

Saint Ansgar High School

Oct 8

7:00PM

Riceville

North Butler High School

Oct 10

7:00PM

Away vs. Nashua-Plainfield

Nashua-Plainfield High School

Oct 15

6:00PM

High School Tournament

Lake Mills High School

Oct 17

6:00PM

Away vs. Aplington-Parkersburg, Osage Green Devils

Osage High School

Iowa Falls-Alden Cadets

■ HEAD COACH: Mark Hubbard ■ 2012 RECORDS: 5-5 overall, 3-3 district ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (18): Josh Wright, ol-dl; Kaleb Staack, ol-dl; Jake Velky, qb; Shawn Lord, ol-dl; Colin Wiltse, ol-dl; Thomas Foy, pt-pk; Joe Webber, lb; Dan Stensland, db; Tanner Hanks, db; Sean Westendorf, ol; Colin Werkman, se; Eric Willis, rb; Isiah Mundell, pk-fl; Mustapha Ward, db; Austin Mittlestadt, lb; Brandt Seward, db-fl; Nick Flege, wr-db.

Clarion-Goldfield High School

Webster City Lynx ■ HEAD COACH: Bob Howard ■ 2012 RECORDS: 4-6 overall, 3-3 district ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (19): Alex Oswald, rb-lb; Ben Mossman, e-db; Connor Larson, rb-lb; Trey Tesdahl, qb-db; Brandon Patten, lb; Dylan Fielder, og-ng; Tyler Lockwood, s; Nelson Ball, fb-lb; Rylee Lawson, lb; Gus Gasca, de; Tanner Tempel, og; Cooper Jaycox, lb; Joe Root, qb-db; Doug Stoakes, te-lb; Lance Pagel, oc-lb; Marshall Weber, og-ng; Colton Haman, ot-dt; Dylan Rose, ot-dt; John Maubach, oc.

214 N. 1st St. Greene 641-823-5308

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

www.wcfcourier.com

2013 PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW

PAGE 11

THE COURIER

CLASS 3A: DISTRICT 5

Decorah looking to reload ■ Graduation losses heavy following state championship season By DOUG NEWHOFF doug.newhoff@wcfcourier.com

A year ago, Decorah’s football team was like a runaway freight train as the Vikings destroyed nearly everything in their path on the way to the program’s fifth state championship and ninth appearance in the state finals. This season, head coach Bill Post is counting on that tradition as Decorah rebuilds with 22 letterwinners but just four players with starting experience. “This will be an exciting year as we have a large senior class who are very determined to prove they can be as good as last year,” says Post, who takes a 154-53 record into his 20th season at the helm. Among the Vikings’ veterans is running back Holt Johansen, whose 1,166 rushing yards and 16 TDs helped Decorah lead Class 3A in rushing last season with 3,847 total yards. He was also part of a defensive unit that picked off 18 passes last season. The other returning starters are lineman Austin Aschbacher, who was in on 54 tackles with six sacks on defense in 2012, along with receiver-defensive back Bryton Meyer and running back/defensive back/kick returner Cole Svestka. Post expects a strong junior class to make an impact and add quality depth, while rebuilding the offensive line and kicking game are key challenges. West Delaware, Crestwood and Western Dubuque are also expected to contend in District 5. Coach Doug Winkowitsch returns 13 lettermen and seven starters from a 7-3 West Delaware team. The Hawks’ top offensive weapons will be quarterback Brent Lammers (65 of 122, 1,162 yards, six interceptions, nine

touchdowns) and running back Tim Tutton (86-611, 7.1 per-carry avg., four TDs), who helped West Delaware rank sixth in 3A with 2,675 total rushing yards. Defensively, Jake Voss was in on 98 tackles last season and Tutton was a dangerous weapon on special teams as he averaged 24.8 yards on kickoff returns and 13.8 on punt runbacks with one score. “We will have good speed this fall, and our kids had a tremendous offseason,” says Winkowitsch. Crestwood returns a solid cast of veteran players, including two of the top receivers in the district in Jeffrey Haskovec (26-550, 21.2 avg., four TDs) and Spencer Bohr (30-370, 12.3 avg., no TDs) and key players on defense in Shawn Omar (98 tackles), Haskovec (four interceptions) and Bohr (three interceptions). The Cadets’ defense also forced 17 fumbles last season. Independence took a step forward last season under first-year head coach Brandon Krusey and returns 10 letterwinners and seven starters. Quarterback Kyle Fank threw for 704 yards and four TDs last season, and Chase Straw ran for 458 yards and a 4.7 percarry average. Western Dubuque made the playoffs a year ago, but has just six returning letterwinners and four players with starting experience. At Oelwein, nine lettermen are back. The Huskies are counting on their underclassmen to compliment a small group of seniors.

Ashbacher, ol-dl; Holt Johansen, ol-lb; Bryton Meyer, wr-db; Cole Svestka, ob-db.

Western Dubuque Bobcats ■ HEAD COACH: Brian Kuhle ■ 2012 RECORDS: 4-6 overall, 3-3 district ■ RETURNING STARTERS (5): Brennan Koerperich, te-de; Bryce Hoerner, ol-lb; Riley Pfeiler, wr-cb; Kyle Kass, ol-dl; Josh Pierce, dl.

Independence Mustangs ■ HEAD COACH: Brandon Krusey ■ 2012 RECORDS: 3-6 overall, 3-3 district ■ RETURNING LETTERWINNERS (10): Corbin Henningsen, wr-pk; Kyle Fank, qbdb; Zach Kremer, fb-lb; Chase Straw, lb-rb; Mitch Ciesielski, ol-dl; Tryston Brown, ol-dl; Brett Bowers, ol-dl; Blake Henderson, te-lb; Bryant Shannon, rb-dl; Matt Beebe, wr-db.

See 3A-5, page 12

2012 standings Decorah West Delaware Crestwood Independence Western Dubuque Vinton-Shellsburg Oelwein

■ HEAD COACH: Chris Lentz ■ 2012 RECORDS: 4-6 overall, 4-2 district ■ RETURNING STARTERS (9): Spencer Bohr, Matt Cuvelier, Levi Henry, Jade Miller, Shawn Omar, Sam Ollendieck, Garret Praska, Jeffery Haskovec, Brandon Slifka.

Decorah Vikings ■ HEAD COACH: Bill Post ■ 2012 RECORDS: 14-0 overall, 6-0 district ■ RETURNING STARTERS (22): Austin

District Overall W L W L 6 0 14 0 5 1 7 3 4 2 4 6 3 3 3 6 3 3 4 6 2 4 3 6 0 6 0 9

District 5 watch list PASSING ■ Brent Lammers, West Delaware (65122-6, 1,162 yards, 9 TDs) ■ Kyle Fank, Independence (67-14510, 704 yards, 4 TDs) ■ Levi Miller, Charles City (61-154-9, 640 yards, 3 TDs) RUSHING ■ Holt Johansen, Decorah (150-1,166, 7.8 avg., 16 TDs) ■ Tim Tutton, West Delaware (86-611, 7.1 avg., 4 TDs) ■ Chase Straw, Independence (98-458,

RECEIVING ■ Jeffrey Haskovec, Crestwood (26550, 21.2 avg., 4 TDs) ■ Spencer Bohr, Crestwood (30-370, 12.3 avg., 0 TDs) TACKLES ■ Shawn Omar, Crestwood (98) ■ Jake Voss, West Delaware (98) INTERCEPTIONS ■ Jeffrey Haskovec, Crestwood (4) ■ Spencer Bohr, Crestwood (3) KICKOFF RETURNS ■ Riley Pfieler, Western Dubuque (6173, 28.8 avg., 0 TDs) ■ Tim Tutton, West Delaware (10-248, 24.8 avg., 0 TDs) PUNT RETURNS ■ Matthew Cuvelier, Crestwood (6-101, 16.8 avg., 0 TDs) ■ Tim Tutton, West Delaware (18-249, 13.8 avg., 1 TD)

AGWSR FALL 2013 SPORTS SCHEDULE BOYS VARSITY FOOTBALL GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL DATE TIME OPPONENT LOCATION DATE TIME OPPONENT LOCATION Aug. 30