Standout Performers from 2A, 1A, A, 8-Players Semifinals
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The four smallest classes in the state provided excitement and created lifetime memories this week at the UNI-Dome. Those performances set up what should be very entertaining championship games. The semifinals provided us with a lot of super individual performances…
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Continue ReadingThe four smallest classes in the state provided excitement and created lifetime memories this week at the UNI-Dome. Those performances set up what should be very entertaining championship games. The semifinals provided us with a lot of super individual performances and plenty more really good ones.
Here’s a group of young men who realized their dreams on the big stage:
CLASS 2A
Reece Vander Zee Reece Vander Zee 6'5" | 190 lbs | WR Central Lyon Rock Rapids | 2024 State IA , ’24, QB/DB, Central Lyon/George-Little Rock
The Iowa Hawkeye receiver commitment has done it all during his prep career. He added to his legacy helping keep alive the Lions’ repeat hopes in their 28-14 victory against Spirit Lake in the semifinals. He rushed 26 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns, completed nine of 12 passes for 84 yards, intercepted a pass, forced a fumble and broke up two passes.
Ben Gordon Ben Gordon 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB Van Meter | 2024 IA , ’24, RB/S, Van Meter
Gordon shined last season during Van Meter’s championship run in Class 1A. He looked comfortable in the spotlight again during a 35-21 win against Monticello in this week’s 2A semifinals. He carried the ball 33 times for 208 yards and four touchdowns. He added a 33-yard reception.
Honorable Mention: Graham Eben Graham Eben 6'1" | 195 lbs | RB Central Lyon Rock Rapids | 2024 State IA , CL/G-LR; Jack Krull, CL/G-LR; Teddy Sieck Teddy Sieck 6'0" | 180 lbs Van Meter | 2024 IA , VM; Andon Watson, VM; Sam Henrickson, SL; Dylan Stecker, SL; Preston Ries Preston Ries 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Monticello | 2024 State IA , Monticello; Peyton Schilling Peyton Schilling 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Monticello | 2024 IA , Monticello.
CLASS 1A
Colin Gordon Colin Gordon 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Grundy Center | 2024 IA , ’24, QB/DB, Grundy Center
Gordon proved to be tough to contain during a 42-7 victory against Waterloo Columbus in the semifinals. The senior completed 17 of 20 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, adding 71 yards and two scores on the ground. He intercepted a pass on defense.
Quinn McGeough, ’25, RB/S, MFL-MarMac
McGeough contributed in a big way during his team’s 41-28 semifinal triumph against Underwood. The junior carried the ball 26 times for 139 yards and five touchdowns. He chipped in with two tackles on defense.
Honorable Mention: Brody Zinkula, GC; Tate Jirovsky Tate Jirovsky 6'3" | 160 lbs | WR Grundy Center | 2024 IA , GC; Carver Blietz-Bentien Carver Blietz-Bentien 6'0" | 170 lbs | QB MFL-Mar-Mac | 2024 IA , MFL; Bryce Radloff, MFL; Drew Schultz, WC; Mason Knipp Mason Knipp 6'2" | 215 lbs | DL Columbus Catholic | 2024 IA , WC; Mason Boothby, Underwood; Garrett Luett Garrett Luett 6'3" | 205 lbs | QB Underwood | 2026 State IA , Underwood.
CLASS A
Drew Kluender Drew Kluender 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Woodbury Central | 2024 State IA , ’24, QB/DB, Woodbury Central
The talented Wildcat senior impacted his squad’s 28-20 semifinal victory against East Buchanan on both sides of the ball. Kluender completed 10 of 15 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He picked up 51 yards and two more scores on the ground. He registered 3.0 tackles and a pass breakup on defense and averaged 39.5 yards on a pair of punts.
Kale Zuehl, ’24, RB/LB, West Hancock
The Eagles’ super senior rushed 23 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns during a 39-14 win over Madrid in the semifinals. He added a couple of tackles in a balanced effort on both sides of the ball for West Hancock.
Honorable Mention: Eric McGill, WC; Colby Gilbert, WC; Kellen Smith, WH; Mitchell Smith, WH; Tanner Thurn Tanner Thurn 5'8" | 150 lbs | LB East Buchanan | 2024 IA , EB; Hunter Bowers Hunter Bowers 6'3" | 170 lbs | WR East Buchannan | 2024 State IA , EB; Preston Wicker, Madrid; Terrin Lawrenson, Madrid.
8-PLAYER
Caden Roethler, ’24, RB/LB, Bishop Garrigan
Roethler authored one of the week’s best overall performances during a 34-20 semifinal victory against top-seeded Winfield-Mount Union. The senior carried the ball 32 times for 181 yards and four touchdowns. He led the Golden Bears with 6.5 tackles (1.5 TFL) and also contributed a sack.
Garrison Motsinger, ’25, RB/S, Bedford
The Bulldogs put a lot of the load on Motsinger’s shoulders during a 31-30 triumph against Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the semifinals. The talented junior toted the ball 26 times for 134 yards. He contributed on defense as well with 3.0 tackles.
Honorable Mention: Sam Plathe, BG; Brody Ludwig, BG; Conner Nally, Bedford; Izaak Dukes, Bedford; Cam Buffington Cam Buffington 6'3" | 200 lbs | LB Winfield-Mt Union | 2024 State IA , WMU; Cole Milks, WMU; Drew Eilers Drew Eilers 6'3" | 200 lbs | DL Gladbrook-Reinbeck | 2025 State IA , GR; Isaac Clark Isaac Clark 5'10" | 135 lbs | QB Gladbrook Reinbeck | 2024 IA , GR.