Class 3A, District 2: Class Of 2021 Offensive Skill Players
Dana Becker
As we move closer and closer to the start of the football season, it is important that we highlight as many players as possible.
With that said, we are going to take a look at the top skill position players from as many districts as possible in the state before fall camps begin.
Some of these players are already receiving college interest, while others are looking to catch the eye of that right coach.
<strong>Connor Drew - Ballard</strong>
Following a year under center, Ballard's Connor Drew enters his senior season primed for a big year.
Drew completed 113 of 204 passes a year ago for 1,455 yards with 10 touchdowns. He sported a 115.3 rating and averaged almost 13 yards per completion.
Showing off his own skills, Drew added 177 net yards rushing and four touchdowns. He even handled punting duties, posting over 33 yards per kick on his 46 attempts.
<strong>Gabe Gidel - Humboldt</strong>
For the past few seasons, University of Iowa walk-on Jamison Heinz has been Mr. Do Everything for Humboldt. That role could fall into the hands of Gabe Gidel this coming fall.
Gidel caught a team-leading 21 passes for 147 yards last year, adding 55 yards rushing and a score on the ground. Heinz led the Wildcats with 1,134 yards and 13 TDs last year, and was a top receiver two seasons ago.
With all of that offensive production gone, Gidel has the chance to shine in an extended role. He also made over 34 tackles on defense with two takeaways and returned a handful of kickoffs.
<strong>Ethan Vesey - Gilbert</strong>
With returning starter Tanner Henningsen back at quarterback, the Gilbert offense should be experienced for the coming year.
Lining up alongside Henningsen in the backfield will be classmate Ethan Vesey, who carried the ball 134 times last year for 656 yards and four touchdowns. All of those numbers led the Tigers.
Vesey also caught nine passes for 31 yards and averaged 22 yards per kickoff return.
<strong>Trey Mathis - Webster City</strong>
One of the top returning rushers in the state is Webster City's Trey Mathis.
Mathis carried the Lynx on offense a year ago, running for 1,333 yards with 25 touchdowns on 215 carries. He posted over six yards per touch and accounted for over half of Webster City's offensive touchdowns.
On defense, Mathis recorded 45.5 tackles including 39 solo stops and 3.5 tackles for loss. He even recorded two interceptions, averaged 20.5 yards per kickoff return and converted four two-point attempts.
<strong>Morgan Smith - Boone</strong>
For Boone to take that next step, they will need a big year out of returning quarterback Morgan Smith.
As a junior, Smith threw for 1,176 yards and six touchdowns, but was also picked off 17 times and completed under 50 percent of his passes.
With a year of experience, though, he should have a great handle on the playbook and better understanding of what passes he can make. Smith also averaged nearly 34 yards per punt attempt.
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