2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 6

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-1/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 1</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-2/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 2</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-3/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 3</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-4/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 4</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/2025-season-preview-class-5a-group-5/">2025 Season Preview: Class 5A Group 5</a>   No need to squint anymore when looking to the start of the Iowa high school football season. A new campaign kicks off on Aug. 29 with teams from across the state pursuing that magical run to a November appearance in the UNI-Dome.   Prep Redzone Iowa is getting readers ready for the action with group and district previews. Next up is 5A Group 6:   DAVENPORT CENTRAL   2024 Record: 2-7   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1668477' first='Marcus' last='Burton'], QB; Nate Oakes, QB;  Alex Ingram, RB/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619495' first='Carson' last='Williams'], RB/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619419' first='Giovanni' last='Hayslett'], RB/DB; Jason Sampica, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1691800' first='Camren' last='Tate'], WR/DB; Otis Charles, LB; Isaac Leyba, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1421484' first='Xavian' last='Williams'], LB; Jacob Wislander, LB; Matthew Robinson, DL; Cooper Ellsworth, DL.   Notable Losses: Connor Jones; Charlie Ebeling.   Key Games: Au. 29 vs Dubuque Senior; Sept. 12 at Davenport West; Oct. 17 at Muscatine   Outlook: The schedule will be tough, but that means there's opportunity for a Blue Devil bunch returning a lot of production from a year ago. Burton and Oakes should be able to take a step forward with the former capable of helping at multiple positions. You can be creative in calling plays for him. [player_tooltip player_id='1619495' first='Carson' last='Williams'] is a home run hitter at running back with support at the position coming from Hayslett and Ingram. Sampica and Tate are threats on the outside. Williams, Hayslett, Sampica and Tate all contribute on both sides of the ball. They should help the defensive be much better than 2024 with the help of Charles, Leyba, [player_tooltip player_id='1421484' first='Xavian' last='Williams'], Wislander, Robinson and Ellsworth.   IOWA CITY LIBERTY   2024 Record: 10-2 (5A State Semifinalist)   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'], QB; [player_tooltip player_id='1617592' first='Brody' last='Beaver'], RB; [player_tooltip player_id='1548918' first='Logan' last='Laubenthal'], WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1552812' first='Landon' last='Bell'], TE/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619461' first='Keshawn' last='Wyldon'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1617593' first='Pryor' last='Reiners'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1361347' first='Adrian' last='Clerry'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1810867' first='Jackson' last='Williams'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1619345' first='Quayshon' last='Harrington-Johnson'], DL; Collin Weis, K.   Notable Losses: Dallas Miller; Sutton Koller; Owen Drapeaux; Collin Decker; Ethan Barber; Mason Waterbury; Caleb Burnett; <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/football/2024-25/icliberty/v/athletes/h20240823065111809ac9110c9d7324d">Erick Arzu</a>; Korbin Howard.   Key Games: Aug. 29 vs Cedar Falls; Sept. 26 at Iowa City West; Oct. 17 vs Iowa City High   Outlook: The Lightning's run to the UNI-Dome was one of the 2024 season's top stories. It came up short in the semifinals against a Southeast Polk team that would go on to win its fourth 5A state title in a row. Liberty lost key pieces from that squad, to say the least. This year will be about guys seizing their opportunities to show the program is developing talent and can sustain success. Rettig is going to make plays no matter who is around him. He has two potent weapons in Laubenthal and Bell, both of whom might be better on defense, which is saying something. Beaver looked like he could carry more of the load with his performance last season. While Liberty needs some connecting time on offense, its defense should be stout. The secondary will be sound with Laubenthal, Wyldon, Reiners and Clerry patrolling the back end. Howard, Williams and Harrington-Johnson will be disruotive up front. Weis can be a weapon on special teams. Look for more less experienced Lightning student-athletes to emerge this fall, from a group that includes Jordan Schroeder, Leo Rozz, Alex Strunk, Eric Strunk, Taha Nasr, Jake Stapleton, Grayson Bennett, William Frey, Jacob Avgenackis, Sawyer Daugherty, Cash Hennings, Gavin Osmundson, Ashton Duree, Finn O'Toole, [player_tooltip player_id='1656954' first='Asher' last='Eisenbach'], [player_tooltip player_id='1242836' first='Hayden' last='Vlaanderen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1696940' first='Oliver' last='Brock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657023' first='Tate' last='Rettig'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657950' first='Urban' last='Dowden'] and Henry Thompson.   IOWA CITY WEST   2024 Record: 6-5 (5A Quarterfinalist)   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'], WR/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1699746' first='Campbell' last='Janis'], RB/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1238635' first='Ethan' last='Headings'], WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1692024' first='Henry' last='Elser'], WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1653271' first='Adrian' last='DeWaard'], DB; Kingston Swayzer, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619319' first='Jackson' last='Law'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1038029' first='James' last='Barnett'], OL/DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1238174' first='Colin' last='Whitters'], OL/DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1699733' first='Lowden' last='Vandaele'], OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1240557' first='Titan' last='Ross'], OL; Adam A Salem, K; Brady Thoma, K.   Notable Losses: Jack Wallace; Mason Woods; Butali Butali; Chase Bopp; Declan Bunn; Ahmed Almaki; Sterling Warren; Ben Morrilly; Evan Anderson.   Key Games: Aug. 29 at City High; Sept. 19 at Bettendorf; Sept. 26 vs Liberty   Outlook: The 2024 Trojans were fun to watch, an offensive juggernaut capable of scoring in droves. Several key pieces of that unit have graduated, including Wallace (St. Thomas) and Woods (Iowa). The cupboard is not bare along Melrose Avenue, however. West has one of the state's best two-way players in Manson. He's one of its top receivers and is committed to the Hawkeyes as a linebacker. Headings (North Dakota) and Janis also are two-way standouts. Despite losing Woods, the receiving corps remains excellent with Manson, Headings, Elser and [player_tooltip player_id='1234337' first='Mason' last='Goering'], who is returning from injury. The O-Line will be nasty with Whitters (Iowa), Barnett, Ross and Vandaele anchoring it. [player_tooltip player_id='1617649' first='Neil' last='James'] and [player_tooltip player_id='600173' first='Reece' last='Wheeler'] are two capable quarterbacks competing for playing time. The two-way guys along with Law, Swayzer and others will be tasked with improving defensive consistency. [player_tooltip player_id='1705159' first='Elite' last='Mbulekoya'], [player_tooltip player_id='1691607' first='Markess' last='Craig'], [player_tooltip player_id='1699608' first='Shawn' last='Koffron'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361350' first='Abdul' last='Hodge Jr']., [player_tooltip player_id='1692076' first='Mikey' last='Moody'], [player_tooltip player_id='1705161' first='Jordi' last='Zioka'], [player_tooltip player_id='1588757' first='Lucas' last='Whitters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1613504' first='Mehdi' last='Bangana'] are among a group of inexperienced players looking to pounce on their opportunities.   LINN-MAR   2024 Record: 7-3 (5A Playoff Qualifier)   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1198824' first='Hudson' last='Turner'], RB/DB; Chase Bradley, WR/DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1697004' first='Tate' last='McEowen'], DB/TE; Kain Polniak, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241407' first='Brody' last='Pata'], DB/WR; [player_tooltip player_id='1616447' first='Holden' last='Heideman'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1241408' first='Cole' last='Potter'], OL; [player_tooltip player_id='1617640' first='Bradley' last='Duncan-Porter'], K;   Notable Losses: Tyree Alons; Austin Waller; Dylan Muszynski; Emerson Gasper; Landon Sorg; Stone Morgan; Daniel Peplinski; Aramis McGrath; Bryson Miell; Evan Pulis; Tanner Buresh; Remy Amisi; Carson Luense; Parker Gasper; Maverick Stapley; Daniel Peplinski; John Norris; Aiden Holven-Rice; Camden Henderson;   Key Games: Aug. 29 vs Cedar Rapids Prairie; Sept. 19 vs Cedar Rapids Kennedy; Oct. 17 vs Cedar Falls   Outlook: Much of the Lions' offensive production in 2024 graduated in the form of Waller and Muszynski, who rushed for almost 1,600 yards and 23 touchdowns. Despite those losses, Linn-Mar should be building on a strong foundation, particularly on defense. Turner, Bradley, McEowen and Pata could be a two-way factors. Heideman is an established difference maker on defense and the same can be said for Potter on the O-Line. Polniak is sound in the secondary, and Duncan-Porter can impact games as a specialist. [player_tooltip player_id='1198825' first='Cael' last='Fairley'] is among the guys competing for QB1. Ethan Fleck, Daniel Lorenz, [player_tooltip player_id='1616449' first='Jareth' last='Navarro'], [player_tooltip player_id='1361354' first='Max' last='Merrill'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657952' first='Ben' last='Perschek'], [player_tooltip player_id='1608681' first='Boden' last='Hancock'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657955' first='Gabe' last='Senk'], [player_tooltip player_id='1696486' first='Jackson' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657961' first='Logan' last='Carson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1699588' first='Mason' last='Wegmann'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657958' first='Nils' last='Mullarkey'], [player_tooltip player_id='1324987' first='Roman' last='Nielsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1657291' first='Sean' last='Murrin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1696625' first='Steel' last='Morgan'] and others will have chances to get on the field on various levels.   MUSCATINE   2024 Record: 3-6   Top Returnees: Gaige Curtis, QB/P;  Gaven Wade, RB/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1241506' first='Seth' last='Reiland'], RB; Julian Carrango, DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1617709' first='Ryland' last='Gbor'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1617714' first='Colin' last='Glynn'], DB; [player_tooltip player_id='1619356' first='Andy' last='Franke'], DL; [player_tooltip player_id='1617712' first='Sean' last='Eagle'], DL; Eric Romo, K;   Notable Losses: Sabastian Gbor; Jake Meier; Neco Arceo; Brady Franklin; Bryce Riesenberg; Jake Meier; Cash Hodges; Owen King; Alec Recker   Key Games: Sept. 5 vs Cedar Rapids Jefferson; Sept. 19 vs Dubuque Senior; Oct. 10 vs Linn-Mar   Outlook: It's a tough schedule facing the Muskies in 2025. They return a core group of players capable of handling it and increasing the win total with required development. That starts with Curtis, who can ding defenses with his arm and legs. He also impacts the game as a punter. Wade is a factor on both sides of the ball, and Reiland has established himself as a well-rounded running back. Muscatine will be strong in the secondary with Carrango, Gbor and Glynn, and up front on defense with Franke and Eagle anchoring the line. Romo can be counted on at kicker. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='1361363' first='James' last='Roberts'], [player_tooltip player_id='1617712' first='Sean' last='Eagle'], [player_tooltip player_id='1698810' first='Emmanuel' last='Glahn'], Sawyer Newsom, Eric Romo, Jackson Evans, Alex Houck, Noel Verdinez and Chevy Rider among the guys competing for playing time.   PLEASANT VALLEY   2024 Record: 7-3 (5A Playoff Qualifier)   Top Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='1619479' first='Micah' last='Herlich'], RB/DB; Gavin Barber, RB/LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1691196' first='Graham' last='Rima'], DB; Evan Barr, LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1617632' first='Luke' last='Knutson'], LB; [player_tooltip player_id='1584396' first='Dane' last='Cox'], DL.   Notable Losses: Joey VanWetzinga; Harrison Fierce; Elijah Rodney; Camryn LeMoine; Max Schmeltzer; Dominick Kurtz; Ben Micek; Ben Birkel; Rico Bargado-Francois; Glen Averill; Avyn Nelson; Kyle Vonderhaar; Adam Bratcher; Sam Munn; Will Diaz;   Key Games: Aug. 29 vs Bettendorf; Sept. 5 at Cedar Falls; Oct. 3 at Linn-Mar   Outlook: The Spartans will be replacing an ultra-productive class that graduated this spring. While growing pains can be expected, they return a strong foundation of talent and a history of reloading. Herlich and Barber are valuable two-way performers. A program that usually relies heavily on defense and running the ball should be sound in those areas. Barr and Knutson stand out at linebacker, while Rima does the same in the secondary and Cox does on the D-Line. [player_tooltip player_id='1696154' first='Landon' last='Lensch'] has a chance to be a difference maker at quarterback. Lincoln Dalton, Jackson O'Melia, Elijah Bolaji, Blake Vondarhaar, Josh Mahieu, Jace Rice, Ashton Stoflet and [player_tooltip player_id='1588751' first='Mason' last='Mcfate'] will be joining other inexperienced student-athletes in taking advantage of the playing-time opportunities created by attrition.

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