Class 3A, District 9: 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>Ryan Johnston - Carroll</strong>
Carroll ran for over 1,700 yards last year, but the Tigers lost a lot of that production to graduation.
Thankfully, Ryan Johnston returns after racking up 549 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on the ground. Johnston also caught six passes for 72 more yards and another score.
On defense, he had 16.5 tackles with 3.5 being for loss and two sacks with an interception.
<strong>Cael Kralik - Creston/Orient-Macksburg</strong>
A new quarterback will be needed at Creston/Orient-Macksburg after Eli Loudon graduated, but the Panthers have some great weapons to help bring a new starter around.
Cael Kralik caught 39 passes last year to lead the team, recording 763 yards with six touchdowns. He averaged almost 20 yards per catch.
On special teams, Kralik was a force, averaging 32 yards per kickoff return while also handling kickoff, extra point (17 of 23) and punting (32.7 average) duties.
<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23889" first="Ryan" last="Blum"] - Glenwood</strong>
The top offensive player back for Glenwood will be [player_tooltip player_id="23889" first="Ryan" last="Blum"].
Blum caught 37 passes for 671 yards last year and nine touchdowns. All of those numbers ranked second on the team behind graduated Josh Palmer. He averaged 18.1 yards per catch and also made 18 tackles on defense with a pick.
<strong>Brenden Bartley - Harlan</strong>
The ground attack has always gotten Harlan far. Last year, they went 7-3 after rushing for 2,173 yards, reaching the playoffs.
While Jonathan Monson has graduated, the Cyclones do return Brenden Bartley.
Bartley carried the ball 81 times for 522 yards, scoring nine times and averaging 6.4 yards per rush. He also played defense, recording 25.5 tackles with 4.5 being for loss, two sacks and two interceptions.
On special teams, Bartley averaged 17.3 yards per kickoff return.
<strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23806" first="Thomas" last="Fidone"] - Lewis Central</strong>
Everyone knows about [player_tooltip player_id="23806" first="Thomas" last="Fidone"], but you can’t really talk about Lewis Central without mentioning him.
Fidone, the top-ranked recruit by Prep Redzone, has offers from every college out there. He finished last season with 39 receptions for 576 yards and seven scores.
The Titans went 10-2, reaching the state semifinals.
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