Class A, District 5: Class Of 2021 Offensive Skill Players

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>Max Jackson - Bellevue</strong> Bellevue found its rhythm after a slow start, finishing 2019 with four consecutive wins to go 5-4. Now, the Comets will look to Class of 2021 quarterback Max Jackson to continue that momentum. Jackson completed 81 of 148 passes for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago, averaging almost 14 yards per completion. He also ran for 603 yards and scored six touchdowns for Bellevue. In the season finale last year, Jackson threw for 164 yards and had four total touchdowns, leading the Comets to a 26-14 victory. <strong>Cole Bowden - East Buchanan</strong> East Buchanan’s Cole Bowden showed his dual-threat abilities as a junior. Bowden ran for a team-high 758 yards, averaging almost seven yards per carry with 11 touchdowns. He also hauled in 16 passes for 355 yards and four more scores, posting over 22 yards per catch. On defense, Bowden made 47.5 tackles with five for loss and 3.5 sacks. T.J. Lau - East Buchanan Quarterback T.J. Lau is back for another season under center and in command of the East Buchanan offense. Lau completed 91 of 169 passes a year ago for 1,303 yards with nine touchdowns. He added another 383 yards and four scores with his legs. But Lau was far from just an offensive standout, recording 60.5 tackles on defense with four for loss and picking off three passes. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="23932" first="Parker" last="Rochford"] - Edgewood-Colesburg</strong> Another run to the state playoffs highlighted the year for Edgewood-Colesburg in 2019, as the Vikings went 7-3. More will be expected as the team returns quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="23932" first="Parker" last="Rochford"], who threw for 1,253 yards with 11 touchdowns. Rochford, who scored five times on the ground, completed 80 of 176, averaging almost 16 yards per completion and four yards per rush. He was also in on 36 tackles on defense and forced 10 turnovers. That included seven interceptions, with two of those being returned for scores. Rochford also averaged almost 36 yards per punt. <strong>Keegan Hansel - Edgewood-Colesburg</strong> To go along with [player_tooltip player_id="23932" first="Parker" last="Rochford"], Edgewood-Colesburg has a dynamic player back in Class of 2021’s Keegan Hansel. On the ground, Hansel ran for 1,091 yards with 15 touchdowns, averaging almost seven yards per attempt. With his hands, he hauled in 31 passes for 402 yards and six scores, posting 13 yards per reception. Hansel also made 38 tackles on defense. <strong>Parker Sternhagen - Maquoketa Valley</strong> Maquoketa Valley’s Parker Sternhagen came into his own at the quarterback position in 2019, throwing for 1,364 yards with 11 touchdowns. Sternhagen completed 113 of 234 passes, averaging over 12 yards per completion for a quarterback rating of 97.3. He also scored a team-high seven rushing touchdowns, running for 393 yards. On defense, Sternhagen made 28 tackles with 23 being solo stops and forced four turnovers.