Class 4A, District 2: RBs The Focal Point For 2022 Season

[player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"] and [player_tooltip player_id="320581" first="Kai" last="Glade"] are two of the top returning running backs in Class 4A, District 2. And you can bet the seniors-to-be will be focused on putting together strong campaigns on the gridiron this fall. But Hagarty and Glade are not the only key players back. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"] - Waverly-Shell Rock - RB/LB</strong> Waverly-Shell Rock lost quarterback Grant Halverson, who had almost 1,300 yards in the air. Thankfully, they do return leading rusher [player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"], who racked up 1,289 yards on the ground and found the end zone 19 times. A powerful player with great speed, Hagarty averaged eight yards per rush. He also shined in the passing game with 110 yards on eight receptions and another score. Oh, and don’t forget on defense where he caused problems with 23 tackles for loss and an interception returned for six. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="320581" first="Kai" last="Glade"] - Marion - RB/LB</strong> The Marion offense is based around the run, and that means a big senior season should be in the cards for [player_tooltip player_id="320581" first="Kai" last="Glade"]. Alongside his returning quarterback, Glade should have the chance to come close to the 1,000-yard mark. As a junior, he ran for 733 yards and also hauled in a handful of passes with two touchdowns in all. Glade was also dangerous in the return game, showing his speed by averaging 15 yards per kickoff return. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152913" first="Asa" last="Newsom"] - Waverly-Shell Rock - RB/LB</strong> With youth at quarterback, look for the ground game of Waverly-Shell Rock to lead the way early on. Pairing up with [player_tooltip player_id="152755" first="McCrae" last="Hagarty"] will be [player_tooltip player_id="152913" first="Asa" last="Newsom"], who is coming off a 690-yard campaign himself. Newcom also scored six touchdowns and added another 63 yards and a score as a receiver out of the backfield. Like Hagarty, Newsom shined on defense, making 54 tackles including seven sacks and 17 stops for loss. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152536" first="Alex" last="Mota"] - Marion - QB/DB</strong> For Marion to take the next step and compete for a playoff bid, they will need improvement out of [player_tooltip player_id="152536" first="Alex" last="Mota"]. As a junior, Mota threw for almost 900 yards, but also had twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. With better awareness and more experience, expect improved numbers from Mota, who remains a threat to take off after racking up 629 yards and seven scores on the ground last year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152626" first="Kale" last="Hobart"] - Mason City - QB</strong> Coming off a strong track season, [player_tooltip player_id="152626" first="Kale" last="Hobart"] will look to keep the momentum going into the fall. Hobart threw for over 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Mohawks, and is the leading returning passer in the district. Hobart shined in relays for Mason City on the track, and one would expect the football coaches to take advantage of his skills by using him more in the run game this season. He had just 63 net yards rushing a year ago, but did find the end zone seven times.