Prep Redzone Iowa Preseason Class 3A Rankings

Clear Lake TE Thomas Meyer. (Photo: Rob Howe/PRZIA)

Rob Howe August 20, 2024 @ 07:25 PM

Last week, Prep Redzone Iowa released its preseason rankings in <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/prep-redzone-iowa-preseason-class-5a-rankings/">Class 5A</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/prep-redzone-iowa-preseason-class-4a-rankings/">Class 4A</a>. It proved to be a difficult task and one that came with the caveat that the landscape would change plenty throughout the year.   Both disclaimers can be attached to our preseason rankings in Class 3A, where Williamsburg will be defending its first-ever state championship:   1. Clear Lake - One of the top two-way players in the class leads the Lions. Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='847937' first='Thomas' last='Meyer'] is a matchup problem whether lining up at tight end or off the edge. All- State RB [player_tooltip player_id='1361107' first='Titan' last='Schmitt'] returns after rushing for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns in '23. [player_tooltip player_id='1286466' first='Henry' last='Bunn'] stands out as a two-way lineman. [player_tooltip player_id='1204540' first='Jaxson' last='McIntire'] will be a key player on both sides of the ball after getting his feat wet as a freshman last year. [player_tooltip player_id='1241524' first='Sam' last='Dodge'], [player_tooltip player_id='1241522' first='Gage' last='Larson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1361105' first='Lincoln' last='Allsbrook'] are impactful defenders.   2. West Delaware - The Hawks' 2023 season ended with a crushing one-point loss to Solon in the state quarterfinals. They can make another run at the UNI-Dome this year with guys like all-stater Brent Yonkovic back in the fold. He threw and ran for more than 3,000 combined yards with 37 touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='1242282' first='Macoy' last='Roling'] is a reliable running back, and the same can be said of receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1406645' first='Seth' last='Jackson'] and Keegan Jackson, who also shines on defense. Jax Miller, Ryan Hilby, Memphis Voelker, Jeryn Funke, Sawyer Krogmann and [player_tooltip player_id='1402907' first='Owen' last='Pettlon'] help make West Delaware a contender in 3A.   3. Williamsburg - A 24th playoff appearance last year yielded the Raiders first championship. They should be in the hunt again in '24 despite key graduation losses, including four all-staters. First-team all-state linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='848057' first='Rayce' last='Heitman'] is back after also delivering 14 touchdowns on offense, and five more scores on special team and interception returns. Leading rusher Nile Sinn returns as do defensive standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1421438' first='Cael' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1360498' first='Micah' last='Lang']. [player_tooltip player_id='1241518' first='Dylan' last='Weisskopf'], [player_tooltip player_id='1241538' first='Grady' last='Wetjen'], Bryson Wetjen, John Eichhorn, [player_tooltip player_id='1241516' first='Carson' last='Grier'], Dominic Fisher and [player_tooltip player_id='1360507' first='Trenton' last='Davies'] return after contributing to a title.   4. Mount Vernon - The Mustangs are replacing their all-state quarterback and head coach. Former Aplington-Parkersburg, Northern Iowa and NFL center Brad Meester now is leading the program. He'll have North Dakota State commitment and all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='1278806' first='Ethan' last='Wood'] making plays at tight end and D-End. All-state defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1361005' first='Tyler' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1279984' first='Nova' last='Lane'] make Mount Vernon formidable in the trenches. Another all-stater, [player_tooltip player_id='1841752' first='Jase' last='Jaspers'], shines in all three phases, and [player_tooltip player_id='1841812' first='Michael' last='Ryan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1360967' first='Cooper' last='Hird'], [player_tooltip player_id='1581877' first='Watson' last='Krob'] and Kellen Haverback are reliable returnees.   5. Solon - Following an opening-week loss at Assumption, the Spartans reeled off 10 wins in a row last year. They were eliminated by Williamsburg in the state semifinals after winning the regular-season meeting. Solon is among the most consistently good teams in 3A, and it should be in the hunt again. It will replacing five all-state performers, including three first-teamers, but bring back second-teamers [player_tooltip player_id='1360745' first='Grant' last='Wilson'], a lineman, and DB Cole Carney. QB [player_tooltip player_id='1360778' first='Tyler' last='Bell'] improved last season, and backup [player_tooltip player_id='1241515' first='Eli' last='Kampman'] could factor in as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1360709' first='Eddie' last='Johnson'] impacts both sides of the ball.   6. Bishop Heelan - The Crusaders cruised all the way to the state championship game a year ago, coming up just short of their fifth title. They welcome back a pair of all-staters in lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1360516' first='Hayden' last='Overgaard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1238514' first='Kasen' last='Thomas'], a play-making linebacker and running back with offers from Iowa and Iowa State. They're joined by LB Will Pattee in forming a solid defensive foundation. TE Carson McInerney caught three touchdowns in '23. He and Jack Schramm should take on larger roles this fall.   7. Algona - Iowa State commitments and all-staters [player_tooltip player_id='252221' first='Alex' last='Manske'] (QB) and [player_tooltip player_id='252334' first='Jack' last='Limbaugh'] (DL/TE) headline a Bulldog outfit with the pieces to make noise in 3A. RB [player_tooltip player_id='1240413' first='Evan' last='Allie'] complements Manske in the run and pass games. Tate Slagle stands out on both sides of the ball, and Aiden Ulrich is a force in the trenches. Back, too, are key defenders Devin Larsen, Landon Thompson and Tate Garman.   8. Independence - The Mustangs feature an electric one-two punch the offensive backfield with quarterback EJ Miller and running back [player_tooltip player_id='252312' first='Brady' last='Kurt']. All-stater [player_tooltip player_id='1406617' first='Tate' last='Wood'] is coming off of a 132-tackle campaign. Bryce Christian impacts the game in all three phases, and [player_tooltip player_id='1279979' first='Cameron' last='Roth'], [player_tooltip player_id='1840915' first='Christopher' last='Meyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1242263' first='Cael' last='Troutman'] make life difficult on opposing offenses. Kicker Campbell Schwartz is a weapon.   9. Nevada - All-staters [player_tooltip player_id='1406628' first='Garrett' last='Stringer'] (OL) and Jackson Burlage (LB) return as does starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1406631' first='Connor' last='King'], who threw 20 touchdowns to only six interceptions a year ago. Anthony Eaton and [player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera'] can run the ball and help stop the run. Key defenders [player_tooltip player_id='1242280' first='John' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1242258' first='Isaac' last='Harrington'] and Kobe Thiphasouk are back on a unit that should hold up well.   10. Assumption - The Knights have been in the postseason during three of the four years. Their '23 ended with a wild, 58-45 playoff loss at West Delaware. They'll be looking to replace a lot of production from that squad. Braylon Thomsen is a breakout candidate as a versatile offensive threat. Keaton O'Neill is an impactful defender, while Joey Funderburk also stands out on that side of the ball.

Last week, Prep Redzone Iowa released its preseason rankings in Class 5A and Class 4A. It proved to be a difficult task and one that came with the caveat that the landscape would change plenty throughout the year.