Class 2A Championship Game Players to Watch
In this article:
We’ve reached the final week of the prep football season in Iowa. Champions will be crowed Thursday and Friday at the UNI-Dome. To get you prepared for the action, we bring you some players to watch from each title contest.…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’ve reached the final week of the prep football season in Iowa. Champions will be crowed Thursday and Friday at the UNI-Dome.
To get you prepared for the action, we bring you some players to watch from each title contest. Here’s a look at the Class 2A matchup:
CENTRAL LYON/GEORGE-LITTLE ROCK (12-0)
- No. 7 Zach Lutmer Zach Lutmer 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Central Lyon/George-Little Rock | 2023 State IA , ’23, QB/DB, 6-2, 195 – The University of Iowa verbal commitment is a strong all-around athlete who projects as a safety on the next level. As a quarterback, he’s completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 1,272 yards and 15 touchdowns with only two interceptions. He’s rushed for 1,422 yards (13.2 YPC) and 22 scores. On defense, he’s intercepted three passes and rolled up 41.0 tackles (30 solo, 5.0 for loss).
- No. 11 Graham Eben Graham Eben 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Central Lyon Rock Rapids | 2024 State IA , ’24, RB/DB, 6-2, 190 – Eben joins Lutmer as a key cog in the Lions’ potent rushing attack. The junior has run for 1,330 yards (8.1 YPC) and 19 touchdowns. He has 10 receptions for 159 more yards. He’s picked off four passes on defense with 28.0 tackles (18 solo, 2.5 for loss). He averaged 16.1 yards on 10 punt returns with two TDs.
- No. 2, Reece Vander Zee, ’24, WR/DB, 6-5, 185 – Vander Zee’s height makes him a tough matchup for shorter defensive backs. It’s resulted in 30 catches for 728 yards (28.2 YPR) and nine touchdowns. He contributed 21 tackles (16 solo, 3.5 for loss) defensively to go with four interceptions, including a Pick-6.
- No. 68 Drew Denekas, ’24, OL/DL, 6-4, 200 – Denekas is disruptive. The two-way junior lineman has produced 8.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks to go with 32.5 total tackles (17 solo). He showed off his athleticism with an 18-yard Pick-6 this season.
- No. 31 Kayden Van Berkum, ’23, FB/LB, 6-2, 230 – Van Berkum spends a lot of time on the opposition’s line of scrimmage as evidenced by his team-best 12.0 tackles for loss. He totaled 44.5 total tackles (27 solo) and intercepted two passes. He also pounded the ball into the end zone three times as a fullback and averaged 39.0 yards on 13 punts.
WILLIAMSBURG (12-0)
- No. 12 Derek Weisskopf Derek Weisskopf 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Williamsburg | 2024 State IA , ’24, WR/S, 6-3, 210 – Another University of Iowa verbal commitment, Weisskopf has one more season in high school remaining. A stellar all-around athlete, he’s caught 37 passes for 628 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he’s intercepted six throws and totaled 49.5 tackles (37 solo, 4.0 for loss). He’s averaged 39.1 yards on 22 punts.
- No. 7 Carson Huedepohl, ’23, QB/DB, 5-11, 190 – The Raiders’ signal caller has thrown for 1,353 yards and 19 touchdowns to go along with 659 yards on the ground with 15 more scores. Defensively, 10 of his 10.5 tackles are solo, and he’s picked off two passes. He’s averaged 24.7 yards on seven kick returns and 18.4 on 10 punt returns.
- No. 47 Owen Douglas Owen Douglas 5'10" | 180 lbs | DL Williamsburg | 2023 IA , ’23, RB/DL, 5-11, 190 – Douglas displays a high motor. He has 41.5 tackles (35 solo, 11.0 for loss) with two sacks. He’s rushed for 453 yards and nine touchdowns, and caught three balls for 47 yards and a score.
- No. 6 Rayce Heitman, ’25, WR/LB, 6-1, 175 – Heitman is very active. He leads Williamsburg with 80.0 tackles (64 solo, 7.5 for loss) and has 1.5 sacks. He’s recovered three fumbles and intercepted a pass. He’s returned two kicks for touchdowns and two punts for scores. He’s added two rushing TDs and one receiving.
- No. 82 Gavin Doehrmann, ’23, TE/DL, 6-2, 205 – Doehrmann is a handful to block as a pass rusher. He leads the Raiders with 7.0 sacks and has 9.0 tackles for loss. He totaled 28.5 tackles (21 solo) and recovered two fumbles.