2024 Prep Redzone Class A All-State Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class A Iowa was a unique division to watch within the high school football scene in Iowa for showing a heavier emphasis on the run game, which showcased a more grittier and tougher style of play among these athletes. Today, we bring together the best players from this division and give them the recognition they deserve for their efforts from the season. This is Prep Redzone's All-State Team for Class A Iowa from the 2024 season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First-Team Offense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359880' first='Preston' last='Wicker'], SR, Madrid</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wicker wasn't the most prolific passer, but he was the most impressive offensive weapon coming out of Class A Iowa from the 2024 season. Wicker finished with over 1100 passing yards and 16 touchdowns passing. He finished second among the group with 1994 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns as he led Madrid to the State semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1105156' first='Carter' last='Kunze'], SR, Tri-Center</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The centerpiece of a dominant Tri-Center offense, Kunze's 2487 rushing yards ranked 2nd most in the entire state, and his 39 rushing touchdowns ranked 3rd most in the state. Kunze added 201 yards and a touchdown in the state championship victory over West Hancock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359313' first='Brady' last='Bixel'], SR, West Hancock</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bixel led an run-offense that led the entire state with 4495 total rushing yards last season. Bixel finished 3rd in Class A with 1952 rushing yards. He scored 37 rushing touchdowns, averaging 9.3 yards per carry as he led West Hancock to the state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tiernan Boots, SR, Lisbon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Boots emerged as Lisbon's primary RB this season, and he exploded onto the scene as a senior. Boots ran for 1805 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 9.9 yards per carry in an unprecedented breakout campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keenan Kilburg, JR, Bellevue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kilburg blossomed in his junior season as a surefire No. 1 WR for QB [player_tooltip player_id='1614201' first='Cal' last='Bonifas']. Kilburg led Class A with 1159 receiving yards on 100 catches and 10 touchdowns, including a 3 touchdown performance in Bellevue's victory over Danville in the first round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Derek Paulsen, SR, South O'Brien</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easily the most explosive vertical threat from Class A last season, Paulsen finished with 1025 receiving yards on just 50 catches, and his 15 touchdown catches ranked as the most among all Class-A receivers. His 20.5 yards per reception ranked as the second best average among Class-A receivers in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TE:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Landon Seibert, SR, Danville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seibert increased his ability as a TE that can stretch the ball down the field in his senior season, finishing with 624 yards on 38 catches and 2 touchdowns. His 16.4 yards per reception was the best average among TEs in Class-A last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359936' first='Dylan' last='Hansen'], SR, Saint Ansgar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hansen was the centerpiece of the offensive line in 2024, paving the way for the Saints to finish with the third most rushing yards in Class-A, while their 52 rushing touchdowns ranked 2nd most in the group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359344' first='Ray' last='Gretillat'], SR, West Hancock </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Possessing a considerable amount of speed and tenacity at the Left Tackle position, Gretillat's presence proved key as West Hancock finished with the best rushing offense in all of Iowa last season en route to a state championship appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1278827' first='Mason' last='Wahl'], SR, ACGC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most powerful blockers in the state, Wahl helped ACGC finish 2nd in Class-A in rushing yards and 3rd with 51 rushing touchdowns in his senior year, paving the Chargers to a state quarterfinal appearance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1689696' first='Gage' last='Swan'], JR, Wayne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swan was one of the most impressive linemen I watched from the 2024 season, smothering defenders playing primarily at Right Guard, Swan proved key as Wayne finished with their highest offensive yardage totals since 2019 en route to their first winning season since 2019. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1466829' first='Tyler' last='Sulsberger'], SR, Westwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 6'7" and 300 lbs, Sulsberger is already at a NFL-caliber size, and he utilized that size well last season as an imposing threat at the Guard position. Sulsberger committed to play at Western Illinois last month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First-Team Defense</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nathan Beitz, SR, Maquoketa Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beitz was excellent as a two-way lineman this year, but his efforts on the defensive side outshined his blocking success by a wide margin. Beitz led all Class-A defenders with 30.5 TFLs to go with 80.5 total tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cade Garman, SR, North Linn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garman fronted a line that led Class-A with 97 TFLs last season. Garman finished his senior season with 56 tackles, 28 TFLs, 7 sacks, and an interception. His most impressive feat last season was leading a 4 game stretch where North Linn shut out each of their opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360359' first='Terran' last='Gosselink'], SR, Lynnville-Sully</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After recording 1 TFL and 0 sacks as a junior, Gosselink exploded onto the scene in his senior campaign, finishing with 54.5 tackles, 23 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks. In the Hawks' regular season finale, Gosselink recorded 2.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks as he led the team to a shutout win to get the Hawks into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360044' first='Hunter' last='Curley'], JR, Wapsie Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Curley stood out as one of the best edge-rushers from Class A last season, finishing with 48 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries last season, finishing second among Class-A defenders in sacks in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cole Hobbs, SR, St. Albert</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hobbs brings an impressive amount of leadership to St. Albert's defense, and he once again commandeered the middle of the field last year. Hobbs led all Class-A defenders with 111.5 tackles to go with 3 TFLs and 2 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238616' first='Gavin' last='Stanton'], JR, Sibley-Ocheyedan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanton led an impressive pass-rush unit that ranked 3rd in Class-A last season with 27 total sacks. Stanton was Class-A's leader in sacks last season with 10.5, while also recording 40 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, a fumble recovery, and an interception as the Generals recorded their first winning season since 2020.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jacob Walerius, SR, Lisbon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walerius expanded as a more fully-rounded LB this season after an impressive junior showing. Walerius finished with 101 tackles, 15 TFLs, and a sack as he guided Lisbon to a state quarterfinal appearance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359938' first='Dylan' last='Brumm'], SR, Saint Ansgar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brumm broke through in 2024 as an outstanding playmaker for the Saints' secondary. Brumm recorded 33.5 tackles and 8 interceptions. 3 of those picks came during the Saints' 4-game playoff run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kessler Whaley, SR, Danville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since Danville's football team was rebooted in 2023, Whaley has been one of the Bears' most explosive athletes on the team. Whaley recorded 41.5 tackles, 8 interceptions, and one pick-six during his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jackson Ruggles, JR, Mount Ayr</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ruggles serves as the Raiders' starting QB, but he shined as one of the most dangerous DBs in Class-A last season. Ruggles recorded 27.5 tackles and 7 interceptions. His 3 picks returned for touchdowns were more than any defender in Class-A last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>First-Team Special Teams:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>K:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359934' first='Gage' last='Holub'], SR, Lisbon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holub finished as the top scorer among Kickers in Class-A last season, nailing 64 extra points and 1 field goal last season, while kicking for more yards on kickoffs than any other player in the group last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>P:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Chase Ackerman, SR, Wapsie Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ackerman served as the Warriors' primary kicking specialist last season. Showing solid range and hang-time on his kicks, Ackerman finished with the 4th highest average among Punters in Class A last season with 38.6 yards per punt on 22 punts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KR:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kessler Whaley, SR, Danville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first-team all-state DB also earns a first-team all-state selection as the most explosive kick return in Class-A last season. Whaley finished with 559 kick return yards and 3 return touchdowns, averaging a whopping 39.9 yards per return. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PR:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cole Griffith, SR, North Linn</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffith made a strong presence for North Linn as an explosive all-purpose threat. In the punt return game, Griffith handled just 8 punts, but took them back for a total 244 yards and 2 return touchdowns, averaging 30.5 yards per return. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second-Team Offense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>QB: [player_tooltip player_id='1621125' first='AJ' last='Harder'], </strong>SO, Tri-Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1242828' first='Jaxon' last='Gordon'], </strong>JR, Riverside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: Rogan Heidt, </strong>SO, Maquoketa Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RB: [player_tooltip player_id='1360482' first='Riley' last='Kaalberg'], </strong>SR, Columbus</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR: Cael Witt, </strong>JR, Tri-Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WR: [player_tooltip player_id='1668461' first='Zach' last='Nelson'], </strong>JR, Tri-Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TE: [player_tooltip player_id='1696575' first='Emerson' last='Bridgewater'], </strong>SO, Madrid</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: Nathan Beitz, </strong>SR, Maquoketa Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: Logan Jensen, </strong>SR, Woodbury Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: Landon Ward, </strong>SR, Tri-Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: Max Morgan, </strong>SR, Madrid</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OL: Alexander Kasner, </strong>SR, Madrid</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second-Team Defense:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL: Cole Gibson, </strong>SR, Wayne</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='1689696' first='Gage' last='Swan'], </strong>JR, Wayne</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL: Athan Chessmore, </strong>SR, Tri-Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DL: Alex Meland, </strong>JR, North Mahaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB: Jordan Jenness, </strong>SR, South O'Brien</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB: Korben Michels, </strong>JR, Saint Ansgar</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LB: Drew Ries, </strong>SR, North Linn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1216655' first='Nash' last='Dykes'], </strong>SR, Central Decatur</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB: Cael Benesh, </strong>SR, North Linn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='1360345' first='Jack' last='Bowlin'], </strong>JR, Lynnville-Sully</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Second-Team Special Teams:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>K: Oliver Wetzel, </strong>JR, ACGC</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>P: Lucas Nunnikhoven, </strong>SR, North Mahaska</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KR: Lamar Ceant, </strong>SO, Columbus</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PR: Riley Smith, </strong>JR, Pekin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->