Must-See Players Competing in State Final Games

Rob Howe November 14, 2023 @ 07:46 PM

It makes a whole lot of sense that teams playing for state championships have good players. That's why they're here.   It's time for them and their teammates to make memories. Here are some of the must-see players when you're watching the title games this week:   Grant Glausser, '24, RB, Western Dubuque   I feel like I've been writing a lot about Glausser recently. It's for good reason. He's carried much of the load for the Bobcats, including a semifinal performance for the ages. He rushed 37 times for 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns during a 28-21 victory against Bondurant-Farrar. He comes into the title game with an all-class leading 2,646 rushing yards this season. His 30 TDs on the ground rank fourth. Glausser (5-11, 200) reported this week that he'd received game invites from Iowa and Minnesota this week.   [player_tooltip player_id='376911' first='Connor' last='Moberly'], '24, QB, Southeast Polk   Iowa State grabbed a really good one when landing the Ram senior signal caller's a commitment. He's quarterbacked Southeast Polk to the state championship game for a second year in a row. Moberly (6-4, 192) can spin it, no doubt. But he's a good athlete capable of making plays with his legs as well. That stresses defenses, big time. He's completing 66.9 percent of his passes this fall for 2229 yards and 24 touchdowns against only three interceptions.   Connor Kayser, '24, LB, Ankeny   The Hawks arrived here being a whole that's greater than the sum of their parts. It's truly team football needing contributions from a lot of guys for success. That said, if there is a standout on this team, it's Kayser. He's an athletic, physical linebacker that runs well sideline to sideline. He combines those traits with a good feel for the game. This season, he has 87.0 tackles (53 solo, 19.0 TFL) and 4.5 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='248038' first='Curtis' last='Witte'], '24, WR/DB, Lewis Central   Witte impressed me last season when the Titans reached the state title game. He's a sound football player with athleticism, allowing him to contribute on both sides of the ball. While he's committed to Wayne State as a receiver, he could play defense on the next level. Witte leads Lewis Central in catches (35), receiving yards (668), receiving TDs (7) and interceptions (5).   [player_tooltip player_id='248037' first='Derek' last='Weisskopf'], '24, ATH, Williamsburg   Weisskopf has a case for being the state's top player. The All-American Bowl selection and Hawkeye linebacker commitment is an exceptional athlete, standing out in basketball and in track as well. He helped the Raiders reach the 2A state championship game last season. Now, he'll try to get them over the top in his final season. He's been playing quarterback since midway through the season. He's thrown 18 touchdowns with only three interceptions.   Quinn Olson, '24, ATH, Bishop Heelan   The best thing you can say about Olson is that he'll do whatever it takes to win. He's thrown 20 touchdowns (3 INTs), leads the team in rushing yards (971) and touchdowns (15), is tied for the most interceptions (4) to go with 30.0 tackles. He could project on either side of the ball and multiple positions at the next level because he's a solid athlete with toughness.   [player_tooltip player_id='573617' first='Reece' last='Vander Zee'], '24, ATH, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock   Like Weisskopf, Vander Zee is playing quarterback after lining up at receiver last season and he's also committed to Iowa. Vander Zee is joining the Hawkeyes as a receiver but he contributes all around the field for the Lions. Like the other guys on this list, Vander Zee is a superior athlete. He's rushed for 24 touchdowns, thrown for 12 more scores, caught two scores, intercepted two passes and accumulated 24 solo tackles.

It makes a whole lot of sense that teams playing for state championships have good players. That's why they're here.