Season Preview: 3A-District 6 Teams, Players to Watch

Class 3A District 6 sent three teams to the postseason in '23. The trio included Creston, Nevada and Harlan with the former running all the way the state semifinals with an unbeaten record.   Those schools should again be in the hunt for a district title and more in '24. The teams below them have designs on moving up as well.   Let's take a closer look at 3A-6:   Creston   Outlook: The Panthers built upon a '22 postseason trip. They reached the UNI-Dome for the second time ever and the first as an unconsolidated program.   A third trip to Cedar Falls will depend on how well Creston replaces key production lost to graduation, including the team's leading passer, rusher, receiver and tackler from a year ago.   Weston Trapp is a dynamic running back able to ding defenses rushing and receiving. Wideouts [player_tooltip player_id='1360535' first='Josh' last='Schaefer'], Casen Dryden and Tyler Riley are tough matchups as evidenced by their production. Linebacker Lucas Travis flies to the football.   Other Players to Watch: Tanner Ray, QB/DB; Jackson Pettegrew, RB/LB; Brett Orr, TE/DL; Tyson Looney, RB/LB; Tom Mikkelsen, OL/DL; Jayden Myers, OL/DL.   Nevada   Outlook: Nevada had reached the state quarterfinals two years in a row before bowing out in last season's first round. It's posted a 24-8 record during the last three campaigns.   The Cubs should be pesky again in '24. They return first-team all-state offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1406628' first='Garrett' last='Stringer'] and Jackson Burlage, a second-team all-state defensive utility pick last fall. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1406631' first='Connor' last='King'] is back after tossing 20 touchdowns last season. He'll have the team's second-leading rusher, Anthony Eaton, alongside him. Eaton also is a top-notch defender.   [player_tooltip player_id='1242258' first='Isaac' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera'], [player_tooltip player_id='1242277' first='Isaac' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1242280' first='John' last='Nelson'] are already established defensive contributors only half way through their prep careers. Waldera and Burlage also could see expanded roles on offense.   Other Players to Watch: Jaden Grimm, RB/LB; Gavin Egeland, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1671558' first='Lucas' last='Brown'], WR/DB; Kobe Thiphasouk, OL/DL; Carson Reed, OL/DL.   Harlan   Outlook: Following three UNI-Dome runs in a row , including a state championship in '21, Harlan exited in the first round of the playoffs last season. It came by a lone touchdown at district rival Creston.   The Cyclones are striving for a stronger regular season leading to a more favorable postseason draw in '24. They return some horses capable of making another bid for to Cedar Falls.   [player_tooltip player_id='252337' first='Hayden' last='Soma'] returns as a second-team all-state offensive lineman. He'll be blocking for productive running backs [player_tooltip player_id='1279799' first='Lukas' last='Francis'] and Brody Bendorf. [player_tooltip player_id='245592' first='Jozef' last='Reisz'] impacts the game a great deal on both sides of the ball, [player_tooltip player_id='1406611' first='Landen' last='Kaufman'] is a three-phase contributor and Nolan Schwery solidifies the special teams as a kicker and punter. [player_tooltip player_id='1197456' first='Landon' last='Nihsen'] is an intriguing '27 prospect.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1242847' first='Gabe' last='Arkfeld'], QB/S; Kaden Schofield, OL; Weston Reisz, QB/S; Jackson Bieker, DB; Harrison Kjergaard, WR/CB; [player_tooltip player_id='1242264' first='Dallas' last='McDowell'], LB; Caden Bruck, TE/DE; Bryce Van Baale, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1406608' first='Brett' last='Heese'], DE/FB; [player_tooltip player_id='1242265' first='Owen' last='Neve'], OL/DL;  John Schechinger, OL/DL; Alex Heithoff, OL/DL.   Atlantic   Outlook: Atlantic topped the two teams below them in the district standings and took down Clarke in non-district competition for a three-win campaign. The Trojans enjoyed winning seasons in two of the previous three years.   They'll push forward in '24 with quite a bit of production returning from last season. Starting quarterback Zayden Parker comes back as does Gavin McLaren, the team's second-leading rusher. Jarrett Hansen and Kinnick Juhl are proven wideouts and defensive backs that deliver.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1687034' first='Brock' last='Goodrich'], LB/TE; Tristan Hayes, DB/QB; Xavier Darrow, LB/TE; Shelton Mualia, DB/WR; Tyson O'Brien, LB/RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1691583' first='Donovan' last='Hedrington'], DL/OL; Reid Woodward, OL/DL; Evan Sorensen, OL/DL; Reed Flaisek, OL/DL.   Knoxville   Outlook: Knoxville struggled to a 2-7 mark last fall with only non-district wins against South Tama and Des Moines Hoover. The Panthers won only one game in each of the previous three years.   They enter '24 with a good amount of experience. The group has quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1271569' first='Brenden' last='Woolsey'], a threat with his arm and legs. A strong collection of receivers and tight ends come back, including Conner Willoughby, Max Magana, Kaison Wilder, Rylan Robinson and Koby Higginbotham. Willoughby, Higginbotham, Cael Irving, David Gorskikh and Ruger Kendall help form a solid defensive foundation.   Other Players to Watch: Kaison Wilder, WR/DB; Jackson Clarke, TE/DL; Regan Roberts, OL/DL; Tristan Stevenson, DL.   Perry   Outlook: Perry knocked off Knoxville, 17-14, last year. Like the Panthers, its other victory came against Hoover. Two triumphs represented its most in a season since '17.   Starting quarterback Geren Kenney is back after leading the team in passing and rushing last season. Alec Burgin and Aiden Burgin are reliable running backs. Receivers Trey Hofbauer and Eric Lagos also can be counted on. The Burgins, Kenney, Lagos and Alix Colas are leaders on the defense.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1421481' first='Jacobo' last='Cerna-Gomez'], WR/DB/KR; Tyler Gomez, WR/LB/K/P; Samuel Hernandez, OL/DL; Josaphat Cisneros, OL/DL;

Class 3A District 6 sent three teams to the postseason in '23. The trio included Creston, Nevada and Harlan with the former running all the way the state semifinals with an unbeaten record.