Season Preview: 4A District 1 Teams, Players to Watch

Denison-Schleswig and LeMars wrestled for the Class 4A District 1 championship last year with the Monarchs taking the title thanks for a 16-14 victory at LeMars. Both programs won their other four district contests and reached the postseason. They each lost in their first game.   Last year's top teams should again be in the hunt for a district championship and playoff berths. Some other interesting squads in the district are positioned to challenge them for those achievements, however.   Let's take a closer look at 4A-1:   Denison-Schleswig   Outlook: The Monarchs fell to ADM in the first round of the playoffs in '23, but they still accomplished a lot after going 4-5 the year before. Like most programs, they lost key pieces from the turnaround, but enough talent returns to build on the momentum.   It starts with two-way standout Cole Kastner, who led the team in rushing touchdowns (6) and doubled as a defensive playmaker. O-Linemen Joel Murrilo and Michael Collins are back after being an all-district picks in '23, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/alex-segoviano/">[player_tooltip player_id='1240467' first='Alex' last='Segoviano']</a> is a physical guard with good footwork. Dominik Garcia and Ismael Alfaro are all-district defensive linemen. Anthony Arambula is all-district in the secondary and chips in at receiver. Sebastian Contreras is a weapon at kicker having hit all four of his field-goal attempts last season, including a 46-yarder. He also handles punting duties.   Other Players to Watch: Brailyn Desy, RB; Grayson Wilcox, DL/OL; Ryan Slechta, DE/TE; Gabriel Henningsen, OL/DL; Blaine Grady, QB/DB; Jayden Bradley, WR/DB.   LeMars   Outlook: The Bulldogs have shown bite the last two seasons, totaling 13 wins with a pair of postseason appearances. That success arrived on the heels of four losing campaigns in five years. They seem to have established their footing and appear poised for more positive memories made in '24.   Like Denison-Schleswig, LeMars will be replacing its starting signal caller. He'll benefit from a strong collection of talent returning on offense. Running backs Jovany Kabongo, an all-district kicker, and Jude Dougherty are back after combining for 13 touchdowns and almost 1,000 yards rushing a year ago. Asher Moss is an all-district offensive lineman, and [player_tooltip player_id='1418179' first='Jayden' last='Nelson'] boasts the same credentials at linebacker.   Other Players to Watch:  [player_tooltip player_id='1240466' first='Jami' last='Sitzmann'], QB/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1240438' first='Andrew' last='Grant'], RB; Levi Schnetzer, WR/DB; Sy Bixenman, WR/LB; Landon Ortmann, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619967' first='Tycen' last='Augustine'], P/WR/DB; Wichieng Hosnyang, WR/DB; Aiden Kramer, OL.   Fort Dodge   Outlook: The Dodgers dropped a close a 15-12 decision to Denison-Schleswig last fall, showing potential for a significant step forward in '24. LeMars and Spencer beat them pretty good, however, illustrating that Fort Dodge had plenty of room for growth if it's to secure its first postseason bid since '21.   Royce Pederson and Jase Nekvinda return after splitting the quarterbacking responsibilities last season. Last year's leading rusher and tackler, state champion wrestler [player_tooltip player_id='856075' first='DreShaun' last='Ross'], is only a junior. Leading receiver Tytrel Mosley also is back as are offensive line anchors [player_tooltip player_id='1698650' first='Luke' last='Fierke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1418163' first='Gavin' last='Pederson']. Jessie Egli, Jonathan Brown and [player_tooltip player_id='1619976' first='Noah' last='Daniel'] join Ross as difference makers on defense.   Other Players to Watch: Brayden Reimers, WR/DB; Jase Nekvinda, WR; Royce Pederson, LB; Hunter Richardson, LB; Kauner Jensen, OL/DL.   Spencer   Outlook: Spencer went on a wild ride last season. The Tigers lost their first six games before winning out. They captured those three victories by outscoring their opponents, 175-6. That sent them into the offseason with a lot of momentum and good chance to improve, especially considering they were a combined 14-6 the previous two campaigns.   Starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='827114' first='Cael' last='Bruning'] looks to take another step forward. Cole Watson and Gabe Van Otterloo stand out on the offensive front. [player_tooltip player_id='1418087' first='Miles' last='Robbins'] is a first-team all-district defensive lineman, and [player_tooltip player_id='1418078' first='Jack' last='Berends'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1418072' first='Brody' last='Jordan'] are second-teamers at linebacker and defensive back, respectively.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1242951' first='Kamden' last='Young'], RB; Tommy Lauck, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1280034' first='Brady' last='Vreeman'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1242949' first='Dylan' last='Timmer'], DB;  Lucas Elser, LB; Kahne Wyman, DL; Drestin Steelman, OL/DL; Cole Cantrall, OL/DL.   Storm Lake   Outlook: Storm Lake won three of its first five games a year ago and then lost its final four contests. The Tornadoes lone district victory occurred against winless Sioux City West. Their 3-6 record was progress considering they dragged a 19-game losing streak into the year. Perhaps another step forward is in the offing.   [player_tooltip player_id='1092694' first='Cam' last='Boyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1242964' first='Rylan' last='Richardson'] are all-district receivers already with two high school seasons still remaining. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1197479' first='David' last='William'] rounds out one of the top wideout trios in the state. Braeden Hicks is better than most teams' fourth receivers, and he also shines in the secondary.   Other Players to Watch: Ramon Rodriguez, WR; Ramon Rodriguez, RB/LB; Marco Cortez, RB; Sitah Chaiyawong, DB; Luke Richardson, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1840119' first='Vilah' last='Chaiyawong'], DB; Ian Figueroa, LB; Ramon Rodriguez, LB; Miguel Cerventes-Lewis, DE.   Sioux City West   Outlook: The Wolverines went without a victory for the fourth time in the last five seasons. They last enjoyed a winning season back in 2006, but should get back in the win column in '24 with proven talent returning.   That group begins with quarterback Sincere Douglas, who can stress defenses with his arm and legs. Second-leading rusher Jayson Joesph also comes back along with Tavien Manning and Arath Pinedo, the team's top two pass catchers in '23. All-district offensive lineman Christopher Lugo leads the way up front. Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1620075' first='Jackson' last='DeBondt'] also has all-district credentials.   Other Players to Watch: Xander Hernandez, DB; Jayson Joesph, LB; Alonso Cota, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1204469' first='Tyson' last='Beldin'], LB; Logan Carrell, DL; Chris Lugo, DL; Jessi Thompson; Abraham Gonzales, K/P; Aden Ferrara, K/P.

Denison-Schleswig and LeMars wrestled for the Class 4A District 1 championship last year with the Monarchs taking the title thanks for a 16-14 victory at LeMars. Both programs won their other four district contests and reached the postseason. They each lost in their first game.