Iowa Team Preview | Top Contender: Bettendorf
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Take a look as Prep Redzone Iowa previews some of the state’s top contenders who, at least on paper, have what it takes to push for a title. From 5A down there are plenty of programs who have what it…
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Continue ReadingTake a look as Prep Redzone Iowa previews some of the state’s top contenders who, at least on paper, have what it takes to push for a title. From 5A down there are plenty of programs who have what it takes to challenge the reigning champions. Will any of these squads take it all?
Bettendorf graduated quite a few seniors from their shortened 2020 season, but have an abundance of talent at some key positions that hold the Bulldogs in high regards as the 2021 season approaches. They should have an opportunity to contend if new faces can emerge and make an impact to compliment their returning stars.
Recap
The Bulldogs were only able to play in six contests last year: four regular season games and then a second round loss in a very tight game to Pleasant Valley. Don’t sleep on the Bulldogs. One has to think that if Bettendorf had gotten the full experience that comes with a regular season they could have gone further and done some serious damage in the postseason. In the small sample size the state saw flashes of what the Bulldogs are capable of. While they suffered disappointing losses to Washington and Pleasant Valley, they did post impressive wins against Davenport North and Muscatine. In their short season the Bulldogs let everyone know how committed to the run they are averaging over 40 attempts on the ground each game. The hard-nosed, grind it out mentality opened the door for efficiency through the air as the Bulldogs completed nearly 60% of their passes. On the other side of the ball the Bulldogs allowed just under 10 points per game. Some of the teams they faced had some serious skill; their success on defense is especially impressive given how inconsistently Bettendorf was able to actually take the field last fall. The team’s core in 2020 consisted of mostly Seniors, but the star power that really propelled the Bulldogs was arguably some of the younger players who will be back.
Outlook
Bettendorf has a team heading into the 2021 season with plenty of household names and top players, but also a lot of question marks. They are going to need some new faces and a supporting cast to emerge as the realigned districts have them facing some stiff competition. The Bulldogs will see Pleasant Valley and Davenport North in district games and Urbandale, Muscatine, Prairie, and Cedar Falls to round out the regular season in non-district competition. This schedule is a big challenge and consists of four matchups with teams that are ranked in the class 5A preseason top 10. It is expected that many of these matchups will be against teams that are all but a lock for the playoffs. This schedule should paint a very clear picture as to just what this year’s Bettendorf team is capable of and how high their ceiling is come the postseason. A program like Bettendorf that graduated as many Seniors as they did figures to be able to reload, but the Bulldogs will have shoes to fill in some key positions. They will look to replace both their leading passer and rusher from last season. The Bulldogs will also be in need of some help on defense as they graduated eight of their ten leading tacklers. They have the talent to build around, though, in some of the top players in the classes of 2022 and 2023 who posted outstanding statistics and some dominant performances a year ago.
Top Returning Players
Bettendorf did graduate several contributors from last year’s team, but do have an impressive core to build around as they move forward into 2021 including: Running Back Terry Dunn Terry Dunn 5'8" | 185 lbs | RB Bettendorf | 2022 IA , Wide Receivers Tynan Numkena Tynan Numkena 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Bettendorf | 2022 State IA and TJ Bogan, Offensive Linemen Blake De Leon Blake De Leon 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Bettendorf | 2022 IA and Ethan Rodgers, Defensive Lineman Diego Cortes Diego Cortes 5'11" | 215 lbs | DL Bettendorf | 2022 IA , Linebackers Bradley Hill Bradley Hill 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Bettendorf | 2022 IA and Charlie Eaton, and Defensive Backs Cameron Figgs Cameron Figgs 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Rock Island | 2023 State IA and Landon Butler. While the Bulldogs will need, and undoubtedly have, some currently unknown players to emerge, they have a very strong foundation to build on.
Strengths
The Bulldogs have a playmaker in Tynan Numkena Tynan Numkena 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Bettendorf | 2022 State IA who can line up across formations and be the most explosive athlete on the field. They also have a shutdown Linebacker in Bradley Hill Bradley Hill 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Bettendorf | 2022 IA who very well may lead the state in tackles this year. It is difficult, with the turnover the Bulldogs are experiencing, to pinpoint what their strength will be this year when it comes to specific on-field play. That being said the strength of this team, at least initially, is their brand. The Bulldogs play a tough, fearless, and aggressive style of football. They can, and are willing to, line up against anyone and exchange punches. Bettendorf can embrace this early on as they find the identity and in-game strengths of this year’s team. If all else fails there is no doubt the Bulldogs will be able to rely on the likes of Numkena and Hill to keep them competitive and in the driver’s seat.
Biggest Question
The Bulldogs already know they’ll have plenty of ability at the skill positions and strong blocking from the line with top players like Numkena, Dunn, De Leon, and Rodgers coming back. The question, as is for several teams, will be the quality of Quarterback play. Will whoever takes snaps and leads the offense for the Bulldogs be able to at the very least replicate the efficiency they need to establish the passing game? Do the Bulldogs have someone waiting in the wings to sling the ball around and command the offense? If not, how does this change the philosophy and approach of this unit? Many teams, when they don’t have a true Quarterback, line up their best athlete in the backfield and do their best to put them in positions where their natural abilities can shine through. Is it possible that Iowa will get to see Numkena with the ball in his hands every snap this fall? Maybe, and only time will tell, but there certainly seem to be a lot of possibilities.
Top Matchup
This is tough as Bettendorf’s schedule is loaded with highly touted, high profile matchups that will for sure produce some big time moments. The Bulldogs kick off the season in a game of the week candidate against Urbandale and get to square off with Prairie just a few weeks later, but things are shaping up for their week 6 contest with Pleasant Valley to be the top matchup. Pleasant Valley has a legitimate chance at winning it all this year and by week 6 Bettendorf should be at their best. Regardless of outcomes in games like the Urbandale and Prairie matchups, the Pleasant Valley matchup will give Bettendorf a top-tier test at a point in the season when they’ve settled in, found an identity, and are playing their best football. Pleasant Valley’s Offensive Line squaring off with Bettendorf’s front seven should be one of the most physical battles that happens in the state of Iowa this season. As has been the case in previous meetings, don’t expect this one to be a high scoring affair.
Keys to Success
The key to success for Bettendorf will be finding their new impact players early on. If the Bulldogs have some players on standby who can step right in for a seamless transition into their overhauled personnel they can storm right out of the gate and establish themselves as a real contender. If that doesn’t happen immediately, though, it isn’t going to make or break the season. Those things tend to take time and the Bettendorf team you see in week 9 and heading into the playoffs could look completely different from the team you see take the field on August 27th. The Bulldogs have more than enough talent returning to carry them as new faces settle into their roles and gain needed experience. Regardless of what happens right away it is safe to say Bettendorf should have high expectations here in 2021.