Class 3A, District 2: Plenty Of Room For New Faces To Emerge

Dana Becker

August 6, 2022 @ 10:43 PM

Last year, Class 3A, District 2 featured some of the top quarterback talent around. And plenty of other exceptional skill position players.   But many of those key figures have graduated and moved on to college. That means an excellent opportunity for others to step in and shine.   Here is a look at some of those players to be on the lookout for this coming fall in 3A, District 2:   [player_tooltip player_id='232229' first='Will' last='Orness'] - Humboldt - WR/DB   How far Humboldt goes this season after reaching the 3A state semifinals will depend on players like [player_tooltip player_id='232229' first='Will' last='Orness'], a returning all-stater for Derrick Elman and the Wildcats. Orness will have to really be prepared come this fall after producing incredible numbers as a junior last season.   Orness caught 73 passes for 1,205 yards with 15 touchdowns, averaging 16.5 yards per catch. He also picked off four passes, returning one for a score, on defense and handled punt return duties for Humboldt.   [player_tooltip player_id='224740' first='Brady' last='Miller'] - North Polk - RB/S   One of three players who surpassed 1,000 yards rushing last year, North Polk senior [player_tooltip player_id='224740' first='Brady' last='Miller'] is the leading returning rusher in the district. Miller racked up 1,055 yards on 177 carries, finding the end zone 14 times.   He is another dual-threat out of the backfield, having caught 25 passes for 194 yards and three more scores. Look for even more out of Miller this fall for the Comets.   [player_tooltip player_id='247947' first='Eli' last='Rouse'] - Ballard - RB/LB   Ballard has a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield returning with [player_tooltip player_id='247947' first='Eli' last='Rouse'] and Gabe Christensen. Rouse had 12 touchdowns and averaged almost seven yards per carry last year, finishing with 869 yards on 130 attempts.   He also showed off some of his ever-developing skills by handling the quarterback position, while catching seven passes, including one for a TD. Rouse was also an elite return man, averaging 24 yards per kickoff return with a score.   [player_tooltip player_id='252098' first='Corey' last='Dettmann'] - Humboldt - WR/DB   With all-state quarterback Caden Matson off to Iowa State University, whoever replaces him under center will have the luxury of not only having [player_tooltip player_id='232229' first='Will' last='Orness'] to throw to, but returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='252098' first='Corey' last='Dettmann']. As a sophomore, Dettmann caught 25 passes for over 300 yards with four TDs, averaging almost 14 yards per reception.   He is a very talented receiver who can play in the slot, across the middle and stretch the field with his speed.   Carlos Gomez - Algona - WR/DB   It is not often you find players with as many receiving yards as rushing yards, but that is exactly what Algona senior Carlos Gomez accomplished last season. Gomez caught 21 passes for 384 yards and four scores, averaging 18 yards per catch.   As part of a balanced spread offense, Gomez carried the ball 39 times for 358 yards and a score, averaging out to over nine yards per rush. That big-play potential will need to be on displayed once again for the Bulldogs to succeed on the gridiron.   [player_tooltip player_id='252221' first='Alex' last='Manske'] - Algona - QB/DB   The younger brother of Tyler Manske, [player_tooltip player_id='252221' first='Alex' last='Manske'] is expected to replace him at quarterback. Last year, Manske earned all-state honors as a freshman after recording 72.5 tackles with 45 solo stops.   He checks in with great size and has had the added bonus of being able to learn and groom himself under his brother, who is now at Iowa Western, one of the top junior college programs in the country.

Last year, Class 3A, District 2 featured some of the top quarterback talent around. And plenty of other exceptional skill position players.