Taking A Look At Key Players For The Class A Semifinal Teams

Dana Becker

November 10, 2021 @ 11:29 AM

Class A will feature four teams with glossy records in East Buchanan, West Hancock, Woodbury Central and Grundy Center. For some, reaching Cedar Falls and the UNI-Dome has become the norm. For all, though, it is a culmination in hard work and dedication. The semifinals will see East Buchanan take on West Hancock and Woodbury Central battle Grundy Center. Here is a look at one player from each team who could have an impact on the outcome. Adam Hackett - East Buchanan - RB/LB - 6-0 - 175 The man that gets the East Buchanan offense moving is senior running back Adam Hackett. The back enters the semifinals having rushed for 1,723 yards with 20 touchdowns on almost 200 carries. What stands out from Hackett is his big-play ability. Along with an 88-yard run earlier this season, he is averaging nine yards per carry. He’s also hauled in a couple of passes. Hackett is a tremendous athlete who also shines on the basketball court. Those skills carry right over to the football field where he uses blazing speed to get past defenders while also being a sound tackler on defense. Mathew Francis - West Hancock - FB/LB - 6-2 - 205 For years, the West Hancock run game has ranked among the best in the state. While the names and faces have changed, that remains the same this year. Mathew Francis has taken over the lead role after being a complimentary piece the past two seasons. He has carried the ball 221 times for 1,675 yards, finding the end zone 25 times. While some have been more of the bulldozer-type runner, Francis is a speed guy, showcasing that while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. He is also a force on defense, taking advantage of his quick feet and strength to record over 58 tackles. [player_tooltip player_id="100847" first="Dallas" last="Kluender"] - Woodbury Central - QB/DE - 6-3 - 200 Typically, Class A teams are focused on the run first on offense. While Woodbury Central can run it, they are also a force in the passing game thanks to senior [player_tooltip player_id="100847" first="Dallas" last="Kluender"]. On the year, Kluender is completing almost 64 percent of his passes for 2,231 yards with 32 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He’s also ran for nearly 300 yards and four more scores. How about this for fun? Kluender is listed as a defensive end, and he might be a find on that side of the ball. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, his speed and quickness off the line make him nearly unblockable in 1-on-1 situations. [player_tooltip player_id="147459" first="Logan" last="Knaack"] - Grundy Center - QB/DB - 6-0 - 172 He might have been one of the top players in the state last year, and [player_tooltip player_id="147459" first="Logan" last="Knaack"] has only improved his standing this season. Knaack has thrown for over 1,400 yards, ran for almost 800 and has accounted for 31 combined touchdowns. The Spartans are a little more reliant on Knaack, but that’s fine for the senior. He continues to display excellent field vision and awareness, knowing the right time to stand and deliver a throw, and the right time to scoot for a first down with his legs. Knaack is also a lock-down corner, picking off six passes and should have an interesting assignment against the pass-happy Woodbury Central offense.