Season Preview: 4A-District 5 Teams, Players to Watch

No district was deeper than 4A-5 last season. Four teams reached the postseason with North Polk advancing all the way to the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome.   Expect another wild affair this fall with a collection of football programs on sound footing. The relative close proximity of their locations adds to the intrigue.   Here's a closer look at 4A-5:   North Polk   Outlook: The Comets, who have won 17 games during the last two seasons, get back at it '24 in pursuit of the program's first state championship. They'll be replacing key components from last year's run to The Dome, but plenty of power returns in what could be another memorable season.   Brian Tate is a bell-cow running back coming off a 1,000-yard season with 11 TDs. All-state defensive back Nathan Feldmann doubles as a versatile contributor on offense, while Carter Van Brocklin chips in on the D-Line and at tight end. [player_tooltip player_id='1361539' first='Jakob' last='Phillips'] is a punishing player in the secondary.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1361535' first='Jake' last='Hout'], WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1240437' first='Bryce' last='Burke'], ATH; James Armstrong, QB; Preston McKay, RB/DB; Nathan Pitlock, CB; Benjamin Glasgow, TE/S; Luke Engebretson, LB/RB.   ADM   Outlook: ADM overcame losing one of its top players at the start of the season to reach the state quarterfinals. There it fell to eventual champion Lewis Central.   Like North Polk, the Tigers will need guys stepping up and filling the void created by graduation. [player_tooltip player_id='1278917' first='Caleb' last='Oberhoffer'] is an all-state offensive lineman teaming up with [player_tooltip player_id='1619815' first='Hudson' last='Shull'] and Cameron Forgy, reliable offensive weapons eager to take on a bigger role. [player_tooltip player_id='1402893' first='Karver' last='Sutton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1402881' first='Brayden' last='Rynearson'], Jonathon Hatchitt and Grant Engleman are active defenders as is Ethan Ashe, who kicks as well.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1240468' first='Drew' last='Holman'], OL/DL: Reed Obstarczyk, LB/RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1279866' first='Corbin' last='Reed'], WR/DB; Jaxson Book, WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1279866' first='Corbin' last='Reed'], ATH; [player_tooltip player_id='1221968' first='Jace' last='Finnegan'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='252338' first='Talon' last='Harvey'], LB.   Indianola   Outlook: Indianola won its final two regular-season games last season to secure a playoff berth. It fell in the opening round at Cedar Rapids Xavier, but ran its postseason streak to six years in a row.   The program will try to keep it going in '24 with a roster containing plenty of proven talent. South Dakota commitment [player_tooltip player_id='1277245' first='Lathan' last='McDaniel'] is an all-state offensive lineman, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1418132' first='Andrew' last='DeWall'] is a threat with his arm and legs, and Jake Pontier is a 1,000-yard rusher. Vincent Anderson contributes in all three phases of the game. AJ Pointer and [player_tooltip player_id='1418127' first='Adler' last='Deike'] produce at linebacker.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1240469' first='Asher' last='Brueck'], QB; Logan Turner, OL/DL; Charlie Radosevich, OL/DL; Mitchell Bauer, WR/DB; Draven Westcott, RB/LB; Gabby King, RB/LB; Conlan Liventals, OL/DL; Peyton Wilbur, TE/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1204468' first='George' last='Blake'], WR/DB.   Ballard   Outlook: Like Indianola, the Bombers also ended last regular season with a pair of victories. Unfortunately for them, they couldn't replicate a September victory against North Polk, losing to the Comets in the first round. Ballard has reached the postseason in three of the last four campaigns.   Starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1271559' first='Mason' last='Gatchel'] returns as does second leading rusher, Rhett Hedrick. Eric Sydnes is a reliable target at receiver. Henry Christensen chips in as a tight end, but he stands out as a D-Lineman and [player_tooltip player_id='1165288' first='Jackson' last='Wacha'] does the same at linebacker. They receive help on that side of the ball from, among others, Tucker Vitzthum and [player_tooltip player_id='1240474' first='Dillon' last='Shoen'].   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='1240484' first='Jude' last='Gibson'], WR/DB/KR; Gage Tapp, RB/DB; Jacob Luster, WR/DB; Nicolas Schonhorst, WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1620081' first='Chase' last='Ihle'], WR/DB; Parker Pingle, OL/DL; Sam Hoffman, K; Athan Soash, K.   Boone   Outlook: What looked like a promising season at its start went downhill fast for the Toreadors in '23. They opened 3-0 and then lost six games in a row. Still, it represented a step forward for a program that hadn't won more than one game in a year since '18.   [player_tooltip player_id='1243529' first='Tyson' last='Shivers'] is a dominating defensive lineman that helps as a tight end, too. [player_tooltip player_id='1406670' first='Dylan' last='Bolton'] stands out in the three phases, and Lucas Boucher shines in the secondary and chips in on offense. Linebacker Justus Frese usually can be found near the football, and [player_tooltip player_id='1619827' first='Jude' last='Baumgardner'] is a dynamic skill player ready for another step forward this season.   Other Players to Watch: Josh Ingram, ATH; Dayne Brekke, RB/LB; Dayne Garrett, OL/DL; <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/football/2023-24/boone/v/athletes/h2023062602354444847a3b2e10f044b">[player_tooltip player_id='1699473' first='Slayde' last='Lee']</a>, OL/DL; Wesley Sharpe, OL/DL; Henderson Gustafson, OL/DL.   Des Moines North   Outlook: Des Moines North will be replacing lost talent to graduation and a head coach heading to Cedar Rapids Washington. Eric Addy leaves interim coach Gabriel Arroyo with roster capable of being competitive.   Talented junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1818875' first='Jadrian' last='Naab'] should be better with a year of starting under his belt. The same is true for [player_tooltip player_id='1278802' first='Wisdom' last='Fode'] at receiver and defensive back, and two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1279884' first='Khalil' last='Hussien']. [player_tooltip player_id='1402901' first='Dein' last='Gaye'] returns after leading the Polar Bears in rushing and tackles last season. Kinnick Dutcher shows up in three phases.   Other Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='847860' first='Gabe' last='Gunn'], RB; Naszir Lamar, CB/RB; Johnny Kien, DB/RB.

No district was deeper than 4A-5 last season. Four teams reached the postseason with North Polk advancing all the way to the state semifinals at the UNI-Dome.